March 1-3, 2024

The East Coast College Showcase

RULES & REGULATIONS

 

LAWS OF THE GAME:

All games will be played under international rules (FIFA) as modified below.

TEAM ELIGIBILITY:

​

U7 teams playing 4v4 may  have up to 6 players on the roster

8U-10U  teams playing 7 v 7 may have up to 14 players on the roster (4 guest players).

11U-12U teams playing 9 v 9 may have up to 16 players on the roster (4 guest players).

13U-19U teams playing 11v11 may have up to 20 players on the roster (4 guest players).

No roster changes will be permitted after a team roster has been approved at tournament registration.  All teams must be currently registered with their State or National Association.  No special formed all-star teams will be permitted.  Each player must have a valid USSF/USYSA ID card.

 

AWARDS:   U8-U15  Champions and Finalist

 

DURATION OF GAME:

AGE DIVISION    Birth Year              All Matches         BALL SIZE

19U                       2004            2 - 45 minute halves         5

18U                       2005            2 - 40 minute halves         5

17U                       2006            2 - 40 minute halves         5

16U                       2007            2 - 40 minute halves         5

15U                       2008            2 - 40 minute halves         5

14U                       2009            2 - 30 minute halves         5

13U                       2010            2 - 30 minute halves         5

12U 9v9                2011            2 - 30 minute halves         4

12U 7v7                2011            2 - 25 minute halves         4

11U                       2012            2 - 25 minute halves         4

10U                       2013            2 - 25 minute halves         4

9U                         2014            2 - 25 minute halves         4

8U                         2015            2 - 25 minute halves         4

 

REFEREES: 

8U-10U games will have a center referee only.

11U-15U games will have a center referee and 2 assistant referees.

8U-10U MODIFIED RULES:

8U-10U teams: Off-side will be enforced but the referee as permission to determine if the offside position is deliberate, intentional, and/or persistent in an effort to gain an unfair advantage. Defending teams will be awarded an indirect free kick from the offside players’ position.

8U-10U teams:  All 8U-10U matches will be played with a build out-line. The build out line is located halfway between the top of the penalty area and the midline. With any possession of the goalkeeper (in their hands) or goal kicks, the opposition must move behind the build out line.

Goal kicks may be taken anywhere inside the penalty area. Players can pressure the ball as soon as it leaves the goal keepers possession.

8U-11U teams: Intentionally heading the ball in these matches shall result in an indirect free kick awarded to the opponent at the spot of the infraction - or from the top of the goal area for infractions inside the goal area.

UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT: Home team provides the game ball and Away teams are asked to change uniform if there is a conflict. Each player must wear shin guards and an official uniform with a number on the back.  

START OF THE GAME:  A coin toss will determine the kick off and starting sides of the field for each team.

SUBSTITUTION: The following rules for substitution will be followed: A modified FIFA rules of substitution will be followed for all games. Any team may substitute at any dead ball based on the referee’s approval.  Substitution is unlimited.

FAILURE TO SHOW – FORFEITS:

A minimum of seven players constitutes a team.  A five (5) minute grace period will be extended beyond the kickoff time before a forfeit will be declared.  The Tournament Directors will make the final decision if a forfeit shall be allowed depending upon extenuating circumstances that may have prevented a team from making the game on time.  If a forfeit is determined, the winning team will be awarded a score of 1-0 and will receive the 3 points for the win.

EJECTION:

Player: Any player or coach ejected from a game will be ineligible to participate in the team's next game.  No substitution will be permitted for an ejected player.  Anyone fighting can be subjected to ejection from further tournament participation.  Passes will be retained by the tournament and returned to the coach of the team after the player has sat out their suspension.  The coach is responsible for picking up the player’s pass after their suspension is completed.

Coach:  In the event a coach is ejected from a game, he/she must leave the complex and not return until the conclusion of the team they were coaching completes their next game. A coach may not coach another team until the suspension has been completed.

PROTESTS: Any protest must be presented in writing to the tournament headquarters within one hour of the completion of the game, and must be accompanied with a $200 bond, which will be returned only if the protest is upheld.  Referees judgment will not be a basis for protests.

SCORING FORMAT: Official scoring is held by the tournament director at headquarters and not online.

Three (3) points will be awarded for a win, one (1) point for a tie, and zero (0) points for a loss.

 

In the event of ties in total point standings, the following sequence will be used:

    1.  Head to head competition between teams that are tied

    2.  Goal Difference

    3.  Fewest goals allowed

    4.  Kicks from the Mark - 5 players per team; if still tied, sudden death penalty kick shoot out

**In the event that of a three team tie or teams playing in a “crossover” flight, head to head competition will be eliminated if a winner cannot be decided. 

If, in the process of utilizing the tie breaker sequence, one team is eliminated, they begin with the sequence when there are only two teams (begin with head to head competition).

The following tie breaker sequence will be used:

    1. Goal difference

    2. Fewest goals allowed

    3. Kicks from the Mark shoot out - 5 players per team; if still tied, sudden death penalty kick shoot out.

 

TIE BREAKER, SEMI-FINALS & FINALS

Games that are tied at the end of regulation time will end as a tie in preliminary rounds.  In the event of a tie in a semi-final or final game, 2–5 minute overtimes will be played to completion.  In the event a match remains tied at the conclusion of the overtime play, kicks from the spot will be taken as listed below to determine a winner.

TIE BREAKERS – Kicks from the Mark:

In the event that penalty kicks must be used to determine a winner in the preliminary or final rounds the format will be as follows:

(a)Each team will select (5) players to kick - only players on the field at the end of the game may be selected.

(b)Team will alternate kicks - first team to kick will be determined by the referee's coin flip.

(c)If the score remains tied after five (5) kicks, teams will alternate kicks one at a time until a winner is determined.

(d)All eligible players must kick before any eligible player can repeat.

(e)Keepers may be changed after any shot.

 

Inclement Weather Policy

Coach/Manager: In the event a game needs to be stopped due to inclement weather, lightning, etc., one or all the following methods will instruct you:

Notified by tournament official and or field marshals

Referees on the field

Air Horns/Police sirens

The tournament director will continue update the manager and coach via email, text message, social media and the facility website.

In the event of Lightning the tournament wait 30 minutes after lighting strike before the games will be restarted. DO NOT LEAVE THE COMPLEX!

In the event of a Severe Thunderstorm Warning- all fields will be cleared until the local National Weather Service lifts the warning. DO NOT LEAVE THE COMPLEX (unless otherwise notified by the Tournament Director)

In the event of a Tornado Warning- all fields will be cleared until the local National Weather Service lifts the warning.

Extreme Cold

In the event the local air temperature or wind-chill index dips to or below 33°F the following guidelines will take effect.

33°F and above - No action taken

32°F and below - Air temperature or wind-chill Index 2 hours prior to game time; The tournament may cancel or delay games & outdoor activities- the tournament will notify teams and referees. **Please understand that moisture (rain or snow) will impact all decisions on delaying or canceling games.

Extreme Heat

In the event the air temperature rises to or above 90°F the following guidelines will take effect:

90°F and below - No action taken

Between 90°F and 100°F - Enforced 2-minute water breaks during each half 

100°F and above - Projected air temperature or Heat Index at game time may cancel or delay games & outdoor activities- the tournament will notify teams and referees.

Re-Entry on the Fields: The air horns/sirens will sound again or a tournament official will inform you when everything is "all clear." You should then return to the field. If it is necessary for you to check with Tournament Headquarters regarding this situation, we ask that only one team official go to the headquarters tent. If your team/player is on the field while the “prior to the ALL CLEAR” your team may be asked to leave the tournament and all your games will be forfeited. No refund is given.

Communication to teams: The tournament will use one or all-3 ways to communicate to all teams and spectators -- Email or text message from event via the REGISTRATION System, Phone Call from tournament official or club official, website/social media update

Security Plan

Tournament Officials: All staff in identifying apparel with 2-way radios. 

Field Marshals: 1 per 2 fields with 2-way radios.

Police: Onsite during event hours.

Trainers: (up to 4) Onsite during event hours.

Weather Monitoring: Onsite Radar, Onsite Lightning Detector 

 

INCLEMENT WEATHER/CANCELLATIONS:

The tournament committee has the right to shorten and/or cancel matches due to climatic conditions or other acts of nature, which are beyond our control. In the event that severe weather delays the tournament, all games which are at least at half time will be considered complete. All which have not reached halftime will complete the half only if weather permits ( in the event the game can not be completed the game will considered a tie). If the game determines a bracket winner the below standard for Semi-Finals/Finals will be followed for determining a winner. In the event Semi-Finals or Finals cannot be played due to severe weather the following tie-breaker format will be used to declare champions.  Please note this for inclement weather only!

1. Kicks from the Spot - 5 players per team; if still tied sudden death penalty kick shootout

2. Head to head competition between teams that are tied

3. Totals Points

4. Best goal difference for all games

5. Fewest goals allowed

6. Coin Toss

 

CANCELLATION POLICY/ REFUND POLICY:

 

All sales are final once a team is accepted into a tournament. If a team withdraws prior to acceptance the event will refund all registration fees except the processing fees.

We know "life" happens and sometimes you can't make an event you signed up for do to multiple reasons.

You can defer your registration at no cost to another event or transfer your registration fee to another team in your club prior to flights being officially posted.

If the event starts at any point no refunds are given. If the event is fully canceled prior to the start of the tournament the event may refund a portion of the registration fee ( not including processing fees) only.

​

VIP/Hospitality Purchases: All sales are final. No refunds will be given. VIP or Hospitality purchases may be transferred within any event.

 

College Combines:  All sales are final. No refunds will be given.

 

Housing Policy: This is not a stay and play event. Teams are NOT required to book hotels through the tournament!  We want every family to experience the greater Charleston area and the amazing activities that are available with affordable lodging options that make sense for your team and family.

 

•    Over 40 hotel options

•    Almost 100 airbnb options

•    Cabins and campgrounds less than 30 minutes from the Complex

​

The tournament director makes all final decisions.