TOURNAMENT HEADQUARTERS: Katy Park Pavilion – 24927 Morton Road Katy, TX 77493. Contact Keith Walker – Tournament Director – 713-515-5183
TOURNAMENT CHECK-IN: Every team is required to check-in Friday February 8, 2008 from 7:00pm – 10:00pm CST at the Crown Plaza Houston West – 14703 Park Row, Houston, Texas 77079. There will be no check-in at the fields. Teams that arrive after 10:00pm can contact the Tournament Director – Keith Walker at 713-515-5183 for check-in at that time.
At check-in, all players from the United States must have a laminated USYS Player Pass with a signature and picture, USYS Travel Roster with Jersey Numbers signed by the Association Registrar. Teams from outside South Texas must have a duly authorized US Youth Soccer Permission to Travel Form with an Official State Roster. A signed Medical Release Form is required for every player. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Teams traveling from outside the United States must present passports at registration or, if from a nation that the United States does not require a passport, proof of entry into the United States that is required by the United States for every player at check-in. Teams are required to have and present player picture identification cards for every player. A signed Medical Release Form is required for every player. Teams must have a completed form from its Provincial or National Association approving the team’s participation in the tournament and an Official Roster with Jersey Numbers (i.e. Teams from Mexico must have duly authorized Permission to Travel from Federación Mexicana de Fútbol Asociación, A.C. along with an Official Roster). NO EXCEPTIONS.
TEAM ELIGIBILITY: A maximum of eighteen (18) players allowed on a roster (includes guest players) for U12 and above. A maximum of 4 guest players will be allowed on roster. Birth date of oldest player on team determines age bracket of a maximum of eighteen (18) players allowed on a roster (includes guest players) for U12-U14.teams. A maximum of twelve (12) players allowed on a U10-U11 roster (includes 3 guest players) and a maximum of ten (10) players allowed on a U9 team roster (includes 3 guest players). A player may play for only one team. An ineligible player will be suspended from further participation. A team playing an ineligible player may not continue play and the team will be reported to the Host State Association and the team’s State/National Association.
TEAMS: The first team listed on the schedule is considered the Home Team. All players on a team must wear numbered jerseys. Each team must have an alternate color jersey for each player in case of color conflict. The Home Team, if deemed necessary by the Referee, will resolve any color conflict. As a convenience to both teams, it is recommended that the visitor wear their "colored" uniform and home team wear white. Players / Coaches from both teams will occupy the same side and must stay within the technical area. Spectators and parents will occupy the side opposite the players and stay on their half of the field.
PLAYER UNIFORMS: The jersey number of each player must be the same as the player’s jersey number on the daily match report or roster. If the numbers are not the same, the referee is not to allow the player to take part in the match until the numbers are the same (Examples –The player changing his or her shirt, or the daily match report being changed).
LAWS OF THE GAME: All matches will be played in accordance with FIFA Laws of the Game, except as specifically modified as follows in the tournament rules:
MATCH LENGTHS: All teams will play four games. All teams are scheduled to have three preliminary games. Championship / Consolation Games are scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Teams will be seeded within each age group with brackets and playoffs structured to optimize the probability of the best two teams reaching the finals. Groups of five will play round robin and awards will be presented to the two teams with the highest point totals.
Division Ball Size Regulation Length Overtime
U13-14 5 2 x 30 FIFA Penalty Kicks
U12 4 2 x 30 FIFA Penalty Kicks
U9 –U11 4 2 x 25 FIFA Penalty Kicks
TIES STAND IN Round Robin Play. CHAMPIONSHIP / CONSOLATION GAMES THAT ARE TIED AT THE END OF REGULATION WILL BE DECIDED BY FIFA PENALTY KICKS.
GAMETIME: Kickoff will be at the scheduled time unless games are delayed. Each team must be ready to play at the scheduled time or immediately after the conclusion of the previous game as determined by the referee, or the team is subject to forfeiting the match.
Teams must be at the field 15 minutes prior to match time ready for inspection. The coach or manager must have at the fields: approved roster, one copy of The Game Report for each game, medical release forms and laminated Player ID cards for each player.
SUBSTITUTIONS: All Players are U14 and younger. Players may be substituted with the consent of the field referee at the following times:
1. Prior to a throw-in in your favor.
2. Prior to a goal kick by either team.
3. After a goal by either team.
4. When the referee approves an injury substitution by one team, the other team may substitute an equal number of players.
5. At half time.
6. When the referee stops to caution a player, only that player may be substituted prior to the restart of the game.
7. No player shall leave the field of play without the consent of the referee.
8. Players shall enter and leave the field at mid-field.
PLAYER EQUIPMENT: No Player may play with a HARD cast even if it is padded. This is a STYSA rule. Please note that per FIFA Laws of the Game, the wearing of shin guards by players is mandatory. No player will be allowed to play without shin guards. No jewelry of any kind will be allowed. All other equipment related issues will be left to the discretion of the referee.
STANDINGS FOR BRACKETS WITH NO INTERNATIONAL TEAMS: Team standings will be based on the following scoring system:
Win - 6 points plus 1 point for each goal scored, (max of 3 goals)
Tie - 3 point plus 1 point for each goal scored, (max of 3 goals)
Loss - 0 points plus 1 point for each goal scored, (max of 3 goals)
Bonus - 1 point is awarded for a shutout
Forfeit - Will be scored as a 3-0 win and a total of 9 points will be awarded. Match time is forfeit time.
STANDING FOR BRACKETS WITH INTERNATIONAL TEAMS: Team standings will be based on the following scoring system if an international team is within
the bracket:
Win - 3 points
Tie - 1 point
Loss - 0 points
Forfeit - Will be scored as a win and a total of 3 points will be awarded. Match time is forfeit time.
A minimum of seven (7) players are required to start a match. A team with less than seven (7) players will forfeit the match.
A TEAM WHO FORFEITS A MATCH WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE AWARDS.
Winner, runner-up, and wild card teams after bracket play will be determined in the following priority: (1) Point Total (2) Head to Head (3) Total Goal Difference (max 5 goals differential) (4) Total Goals for (max 5 goals for). In the event of a tie after this criterion – FIFA Penalty Kicks will determine winner.
Each Team will be responsible for turning in a game report within one hour after the completion of the match. The winning coach or the Home team in case of a tie will turn in the referee’s card. Each coach is responsible for verifying the posted scores prior to the team’s next game.
AWARDS: First and Second Place Winners receive Awards. Awards will be presented at the Tournament Pavilion @ Katy Park and the Tournament Tent at Bear Creek Park immediately after each championship match.
SPRING PREMIER CUP TROPHY: CLUBS competing for the Spring Premier Cup must have at least 4 teams competing in the tournament to be eligible. At the end of the tournament a CLUB CHAMPION will be crowned. The name of the club will be placed on the Spring Premier Cup Trophy – a non traveling trophy. A trophy will be issued to the CLUB CHAMPION so that they may take it back to their respective club. The Club Champion will be the club who has the highest point total at the end of the weekend. Only the points from the top 4 teams for each club will be used. A team will receive 3 pts for a win, 1 pt for a tie, Bonus of 3 pts if team wins its group.
REFUNDS: A team withdrawing from the tournament after being accepted shall forfeit its entry fee. In the event of inclement weather, the Tournament Committee has the authority to restructure or cancel the tournament. It will not be rescheduled, and no refunds issued once play has begun. If the tournament is cancelled prior to the start of play, a refund less expenses will be distributed.
INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURE: In case of inclement weather, the Tournament Directors, Texas Premier FC will determine if games are to be played. Once the game has started the decision rests with the referee and the club. If any games are canceled, it is up to the coaches
of the teams to check with the Tournament Directors for rescheduling information. Games shall be considered complete if one half of the game has elapsed. The score at the stoppage of play will be the final score. If one half has not elapsed and the game is stopped, the game must be rescheduled if it affects the outcome of the tournament and if weather permits. Texas Premier FC has the ultimate authority in determining whether or not the fields are playable.
Any decision the club will be accepted by the Tournament Committee and acted on accordingly. Katy Youth Soccer Association has a field advisory line you may call to inquire about field conditions. PLEASE HAVE ONLY ONE MEMBER OF YOUR TEAM CALL. THIS WILL INSURE THE LINE IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL TEAMS. ALSO, IF THE LINE IS TIED UP, WE CANNOT UPDATE ANY INFORMATION.
KATY FIELD ADVISORY – 281.392.5972
RED CARDS: A player or coach receiving a red card/ejection is suspended from that match and the next match (one match suspension). If the same player or coach receives a second red card/ejection, he is suspended from that match and suspended from further tournament participation. When a player or coach receives a red card/ejection he must immediately report to the tournament pavilion with their manager or parent representative. At this time the player / coach will surrender his USYS/ or equivalent card. After the player or coach has served his one match suspension the coach may pick up the card from the disciplinary check in table. Red/Yellow cards are reported to the Host State Association for further action. Any player, coach or spectator guilty of Referee Assault will be suspended immediately from that match and suspended from further tournament participation. A report will be made to the Host State Association and the team’s State/National Association.
YELLOW CARDS: A player or coach receiving two yellow cards during a match is suspended from that match and suspended from the next match (one match suspension). Two yellow cards in the same match is a red card, and are counted as a red card. A player or coach accumulating three yellow cards, which did not culminate in a red card, is suspended from the next match (one match suspension).
MISCONDUCT: Misconduct of teams, players, coaches, spectators, supporters or officials will not be tolerated on or off the field. A team, player, coach, spectator or supporter may be withdrawn from the competition at the discretion of the Tournament Directors, and reported to the Host State Association and the team’s State/National Association. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their team and supporters both on and off the fields. The tournament committee will notify the US Soccer Federation of disciplinary action taken against any International Team, and the Federation will transmit the disciplinary action taken or required to that team’s provincial or national association.
REFEREE REPORTS: Disciplinary actions taken during match will be marked on match card with name and jersey number of player or coaches name. Serious misconduct will be reported on a Misconduct Report with card(s) and turned in to the Scorekeeper immediately following the match.
NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE ALLOWED. PETS MUST REMAIN ON A LEASH AT ALL TIMES AND OWNERS MUST PICK-UP ALL PET DROPPINGS. EVERY ONE MUST PICK-UP THEIR OWN TRASH.
REFEREES: US Soccer Federation Registered Referees will be used for all tournament matches, and the tournament shall utilize a three-referee system on all matches for U11 through U14 matches, and a one-referee system on all U9 and U10 matches.
MATCH CARD: Referee must sign and record the score on the match card to be official. Referee will give the match card (marked with any disciplinary action taken) to the winning coach. If a tie, home team coach is responsible for turning in match card. The official match report for each completed match must be verified (i.e. score, cautions, ejection’s) at Scorers table immediately after the match by the team coach or manager. The coach must make any requests for changes in scores, other than scorekeeper’s errors when posting, to the Tournament Directors after the match.
PROTEST: Judgmental decisions made by the Referee cannot be protested. Only protests concerning the laws of the match will be considered. Protest will be handled in the following manner:
1. Advise Referee and opposing coach your intent to file protest. Play or continue the match.
2. The coach of record shall submit written protest (in English) to the Tournament Directors within one (1) hour of completion of the match.
3. Submit $200 (US Dollars) non-refundable cash fee with the written protest.
4. Failure to comply with this procedure will result in the protest not being considered.
MATTERS NOT PROVIDED FOR: Any situation or questions on rules of competition not covered herein will be governed by FIFA, USYS, STYSA and Administrative Rule books, in that order. Any matter not provided for in Tournament rules or by FIFA, USYS, or STYSA rules shall be determined by the Tournament Director, whose decisions shall be final.
MATCH BALL: Home team will provide the match ball and will be regulation for the applicable age group.
