Tournament Rules
1. Team Requirements & Check-In
- Upload to GotSport: State/Club Roster (USYSA, US Club, USSSA) and ID Player Cards.
- All players must be listed on the event roster to participate—no exceptions.
- Players may be on two teams if age-appropriate, in different age groups, and from the same club (goalkeepers may play in two divisions with tournament director’s approval).
- Rosters Sizes – 22 players for (11v11) U15-U19 / 18 players for (11v11) U12-U14 / 16 Players for (9v9) U10-U12 – 14 players for (7v7) U8-U10 / 10 players for (4v4) U7-U8.
- Players must check in at Field Marshal tents 30 minutes before each game with player cards.
Medical release forms must be with the coach or manager at every game.
Spectators will sit across from their team on the opposite side of the field.
2. Match Formats
- 4v4 (U6-U8): No goalkeepers, no offside, kick-ins. Two 20-min halves.
- 7v7 (U9-U10): Two 25-min halves.
- 9v9 (U11-U12): Two 30-min halves.
- 11v11 (U13+): U12-U14: Two 30-min halves, U15-U19: Two 35-min halves.
- Halftime: 5 minutes.
- Home Team: Wears dark jerseys, away team wears white or light jerseys. Home team provides the game ball.
- Substitutions: Unlimited at referee discretion.
3. Player Equipment
- Matching uniforms with 6-inch numbers on the back.
- Goalkeepers must wear distinct colors.
- No duplicate numbers, jewelry,
- No hard casts, or exposed metal/plastic braces.
- Shin guards are mandatory.
4. Points & Tiebreakers
Win: 3 points
Tie: 1 point
Loss: 0 points
Tiebreakers:
- Head-to-head result
- Goal differential (max 5 per game)
- Most goals scored (max 5 per game)
- Fewest goals conceded
- FIFA penalty kicks (if still tied)
- Knockout Matches: No extra time—tied matches go directly to penalty kicks.
5. Special Rules
4v4 Arc Rule:
- A restricted arc in front of the goal prohibits defensive players from standing inside.
- Attacking players may not enter the arc before the ball does.
- If the ball stops inside the arc, a goal kick is awarded.
- Defenders may pass through the arc but cannot remain inside.
- No goal may be scored from within the arc.
- If a defender deliberately plays the ball inside the arc, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
7v7 Build-Out Line (U8-U10):
- Opposing team retreats behind build-out line until the ball is put into play.
- Ball is in play once it leaves the penalty area; opponents may only cross the build-out line after this.
- No punting or drop kicks. The ball must be thrown, rolled, or passed from the ground.
- If an opponent crosses the build-out line too early, play is restarted with an indirect free kick.
6. Referee Plan (US Youth Soccer)
- 4v4 & 7v7: Single referee.
- 9v9 & 11v11: Three referees.
- Referees have full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game.
- Abuse or dissent toward referees = disciplinary action.
7. Parent Conduct & Referee Abuse Policy
- The center referee will issue a yellow card to the head coach if a parent is verbally abusing officials.
- If abuse continues, the head coach receives a red card.
- If abuse persists after the red card, the game is abandoned and recorded as a 1-0 loss for the instigating team.
- If both teams are guilty, the game is recorded as 0-0, and additional penalties may apply.
- Severe Misconduct: Tournament officials may remove or ban spectators from future events.
8. Player Safety & Fair Play
- Heat & Hydration: If 85°F+, referees may mandate 1-2 min hydration breaks.
- Concussion Protocol: Players suspected of having a concussion are immediately removed and cannot return without medical clearance.
- Guest Players: Teams may roster up to 5 guest players (outside the club) if paperwork is submitted before the tournament.
- Mercy Rule: If a team leads by 8+ goals in the second half, the game may be shortened at the referee’s discretion.
- Penalty Shootouts: 5 players per team; sudden death if still tied.
9. Forfeits & Score Reporting
- Teams late by 15+ minutes or with fewer than 7 players forfeit (1-0 loss, 3 points to the opponent).
- No points are awarded if neither team shows up.
- Teams leaving the field before match completion forfeit.
- Scores reported on GotSport.com by referees & field marshals.
10. Cautions & Ejections
- Two yellow cards in one game = red card ejection.
- If non-violent & non-verbal, the player may play the next game.
- If for verbal abuse or violent conduct, the player is suspended for the next game.
- Ejected players/coaches must leave the field.
- Violent conduct = tournament expulsion.
- No point deductions for red cards.
11. Weather Plan & Refund Policy
Cold Weather Policy:
- If the temperature drops below 32°F, referees & officials will assess field conditions.
- Wind chill below 25°F may delay or cancel games.
- Players may wear additional leggings, gloves, hats as long as they do not interfere with play.
- Tournament officials may shorten games or adjust schedules in extreme cold.
Weather Policy:
- No games played = Full refund minus $125 processing fee (credit valid for future Tiger Tournaments, no expiration).
- Games canceled after starting:
- No Games Played: Full refund minus $125 processing fee.
- 1 Game Played: 66% refund.
- 2 Games Played: 33% credit toward a future Tiger Tournament event.
- 3 Games Played: No refund.
Weather Adjustments:
- Tournament directors may reschedule, relocate, shorten, or cancel matches.
- If a match is halted due to weather, one-half must be completed for the score to stand.
- Matches that cannot continue may be decided by FIFA penalty kicks.