Tournament rules.

01 · BEFORE YOU PLAY

Team check-in & rosters.

• Upload your state or club roster (USYSA, US Club or USSSA) and player ID cards to GotSport. Every player must appear on the event roster.
• A player may represent two age-appropriate teams from the same club only in different age groups, and must be listed on both rosters. Players cannot move between Gold, Silver or Bronze teams in the same age group.
• Check in on your scheduled field before each match. The coach or manager must carry medical release forms at every game.
• Up to five guest players from outside the club are permitted when their paperwork is submitted before the tournament.
• Spectators sit opposite their team, across the field.

Roster limits

02 · MATCH DAY

Match formats.

Halftime is five minutes. The home team wears white or light jerseys and provides the game ball; the away team wears dark jerseys. Substitutions are unlimited at the referee’s discretion.

03 · READY TO COMPETE

Player equipment.

• Matching uniforms with unique six-inch numbers on the back; no duplicate numbers.
• Goalkeepers wear colors distinct from other players.
• Shin guards are required. Jewelry, hard casts and exposed metal or plastic braces are not permitted.

04 · THE STANDINGS

Points & tie-breakers.

Applied in this order

1. Head-to-head result.
2. Goal differential, capped at five per game.
3. Most goals scored, capped at five per game.
4. Fewest goals conceded.
5. Penalty kicks if teams remain tied.

Knockout matches go directly to penalties when tied, with no extra time. Shootouts begin with five players per team, followed by sudden death if needed.

05 · SMALL-SIDED SOCCER

Rules by format & location.

4v4 & the goal arc

No goalkeepers, no offside, and kick-ins instead of throw-ins.

• Defenders may pass through the restricted goal arc but cannot stand inside it.
• Attackers cannot enter the arc before the ball. No goal may be scored from inside the arc.
• If the ball stops inside the arc, award a goal kick.
• If a defender deliberately plays the ball inside the arc, award an indirect free kick to the opposing team.

06 · MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee plan.

4v4 and 7v7 use a single referee. 9v9 and 11v11 use three referees. Officials have full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game; abuse or dissent can result in disciplinary action.

07 · RESPECT THE GAME

Spectator conduct.

Under the published North Texas referee-abuse policy:

1. Verbal abuse from a parent results in a yellow card to the head coach.
2. Continued abuse results in a red card to the head coach.
3. If abuse persists, the match is abandoned and recorded as a 1–0 loss for the instigating team.

If both teams are responsible, the match is recorded as 0–0, with possible additional penalties. Tournament officials may remove spectators or bar them from future events for severe misconduct.

08 · PLAYERS FIRST

Player safety.

At 85°F and above, referees may require one- to two-minute hydration breaks. Players suspected of a concussion are removed immediately and cannot return without medical clearance.

09 · RESULTS

Forfeits & score reporting.

Teams arriving 15 or more minutes late forfeit, recorded as a 1–0 loss with three points to the opponent. Neither team earns points if both fail to appear. Leaving the field before the match ends also results in a forfeit.

The published policy lists fewer than seven players as a forfeit. For small-sided formats, confirm the applicable minimum with the tournament director.

Referees and field marshals report scores in GotSport.

10 · DISCIPLINE

Cautions & ejections.

• Two yellow cards in one match result in a red-card ejection. For nonviolent, nonverbal offenses, the player may play the next game.
• A straight red card for verbal abuse or violent conduct carries a suspension for the next match.
• Ejected players and coaches must leave the field.
• No points are deducted for red cards.

11 · WEATHER PLANNING

Weather & refunds.

Cold weather

Officials assess field conditions below 32°F. Wind chill below 25°F may delay or cancel matches. Leggings, gloves and hats are permitted when they do not interfere with play. Officials may shorten matches or adjust schedules in extreme cold.

Weather cancellations

The published policy includes a $125 processing fee for weather cancellations.

Contact the tournament director to confirm the refund or credit method for a zero-game cancellation.

Schedule adjustments

Tournament directors may reschedule, relocate, shorten or cancel matches. One half must be completed for a weather-halted match’s score to stand. Matches that cannot continue may be decided by IFAB kicks from the mark.