Rules of the Competition (amended 02.11.08)

1.   Tournament Headquarters: The Omni Dallas Park West, 1590 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, TX 75234 . Phone: 972-869-4300. Contact: Mike Woodfin.

 

 

2.    All non-NTSSA teams are required to present player picture identification cards that are issued by their governing body at registration and at all matches. All international teams are required to present passports at registration and at all matches. Identification cards may be checked by the referee prior to each match at his sole discretion. Check In is March 20, at The Omni Dallas Park West from 5:00 - 9:00PM.

 

 

3.     The first team listed is considered the home team and will wear white jerseys.  The visiting team (and its supporters) shall have choice of sides of the field. The home team (and its supporters) will take the remaining side of the field.

 

 

 4.   Team rosters (including guest players) in the U11 through U16 are limited to eighteen (18) female players. Team rosters (including guest players) in the U17 through U18 are limited to twenty-two (22) female players.  Five guest players are permitted. Players may not play for more than one team in the tournament. Players must have jersey numbers and may not change numbers once registration is complete club teams will also be allowed to replace players that are lost due to any USSF/USYSA programs (National, Regional, ODP, etc.) that conflict in time with the tournament dates. Written confirmation from the USSF/USYSA of any conflict in time, must be provided to the Spring Classic office. All Guest Players/Replacement Players must meet the following criteria: 1) must be approved for participation by their respective state association or governing body [USA teams] or by the provincial association of their national federation [International teams]; 2) must be registered with the appropriate state association or governing body; 3) may not be selected from any other team that is participating in the tournament, nor from any team designated as an "alternate" team. If a Guest/Replacement player is selected from any team which is subsequently invited to participate in the tournament, the player must return to her original team. If a Guest/Replacement player participates in a tournament match and the player's original team is subsequently invited to participate, said player must remain with the team for which she is guest playing.

 

 

 5.    All matches will be full length.  U11 and 12, two 30 minute halves; U13 and 14, two 35 minute halves; U15 and 16, two 40 minute halves; and U17 and 18 two 45 minute halves; unless shortened by the referee. Game balls will be provided by the tournament and must be approved by the referee.

 

 

 6.    During the preliminary stage of the tournament, teams will not have overtime periods.  Matches will be counted as:  Win -6 points; Tie - 3 points; Loss - 0 points. Goal-1 point (to a maximum of 3); Shutout – 1 point; Perfect Score – 10 points.

 

 

 7.    In the elimination stage, if the score is tied at the end of regulation time, extra time of two five (5) minute periods will be played in Under 11 and 12 and two ten (10) minute periods in all other groups. Overtime periods will be played to their conclusion. If a winner is not decided after this extra time, kicks from the penalty mark as per FIFA laws will decide the match. . Note:  In the pre-determined pairings for the elimination stage, adjustments will be made accordingly if the wild card team comes out of the same preliminary round bracket.

 

 

8.      In the event a tie breaker is necessary to determine which teams will advance beyond the round robin, the following order of tie breakers will apply: a) Head to head competition; b) Goal Difference in over all competition with a maximum of five (5) goal difference per game; c) Goals For – maximum of 5 goals per game; d) Goals Against – maximum of 5 goals per game; e) Team with fewest penalty points f)Tournament Director’s decision in his sole discretion.

 

 

9.    A forfeit (Failure to appear for a match within 7 minutes of the scheduled start time of the game; quitting match before referee officially determines end of the match.) in group competition will be awarded as 10 points for the winner. For tie breaking purposes, the score shall be set as the average of goals scored by the winning

 

          team (rounded up) against the average of goals given up by the wining team (rounded down). Any team that forfeits a game cannot advance. Forfeits in playoff rounds will be recorded as 1- 0 games.        

 

 

10.   Free substitution will be allowed during natural stoppage of the match at the referee's discretion.

 

 

11.     The official match report for each completed match must be submitted (i.e., score, cautions, send offs) at Field Headquarters immediately after the game by the team coach or manager of each team. Reports must be completely filled out

 

 

12.     Players sent off during a match are not allowed to play in the next match.  A player receiving two cautions during the preliminary round robin of the tournament is not allowed to play in the next match.  A player receiving two cautions during the elimination stage of the competition is not allowed to play in the next match. A player sitting out a match due to disciplinary action may sit with the team, but may not be in uniform. A coach who receives either two cautions (red card) or a single red card must leave the playing field immediately and may not coach the match from any other location or by any means whatsoever. Additionally, he will not be allowed to coach the next game for the team from whose match he was ejected. All misconduct reports will be filed with the home association of the offender. In case of continued bad conduct of players, teams, officials, or supporters, the team may be withdrawn from the competition and reported to their association.  Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their team and supporters.

 

 

13.     Judgment calls by referees may not be appealed. Disciplinary Committee decisions may not be appealed. All protests must be submitted in English to the Disciplinary Committee within one hour of the end of the match with a $100 ( ) cash non-refundable fee.  Only protests that concern the Laws of the Game and ineligible players will be considered.  All decisions will be in the best interest of soccer and may not be appealed.

 

 

14.     If requested, the first teams to play will put up the nets and corner flags, and the last teams to play will take them down and leave them at one corner of the goal post. Failure to comply with such request will result in team(s) ineligibility to participate in NTSSA tournaments for a period of one year.

 

 

15.     Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at the game sites or in the parking lots. Violation of this policy will result in the team’s dismissal from the tournament. Mechanical noise makers are prohibited.

 

 

16.     It is each team’s responsibility to be aware of their standings. If it appears possible that a tie may exist at the end of preliminary play, the team involved should have ONE representative remain near the headquarters tent at the complex.

 

 

17.     In case of inclement weather, teams must be available for any rescheduled games. ONE team representative should check the hotlines or check with the Headquarters tent at the complex. If a meeting is called for the Headquarters Hotel, ONE representative should attend and the team should remain on call at their hotel or in the area so that they may be reached immediately.

 

 

18.     Subject to the foregoing, FIFA laws, as modified by USSF, USYSA and NTSSA rules, apply.  Please note that per FIFA Laws of the Game number 4, the wearing of shin guards by players is mandatory.  No player will be allowed to play without shin guards. No hard casts are permitted. Soft casts are permitted with the permission of the referee. No jewelry of any kind will be allowed.

 

 

19.     In the event that the tournament is cancelled, a refund of the entry fee (if any) or a portion of the entry fee (if any) will be determined by the Board of Directors after all expenses have been calculated.

 

 

20.     Please leave the fields and the team areas clean after each game.

 

 

21.    The decision of the Tournament Manager, in conjunction with the Board of Directors of the Texas Longhorns Soccer Club, on any matter is final and may not be appealed.