SPORTS SAN DIEGO

SOCCER TOURNAMENTS | RULES & REGULATIONS

1. Rules of Play

All teams, players, coaches, spectators, and officials are expected to participate in the spirit of fair play and conduct themselves in accordance with these Tournament Rules.

2. Protests and Decisions

No protests are permitted. Decisions of the referee, Field Marshal, and Tournament Director are final, and all game results are final.

3. Medical Releases

All players must have signed Sports San Diego medical release forms available at team check-in and throughout the tournament.

4. Roster Size

Up to seven guest players may be used, provided the team remains within the applicable roster limit.

5. Player Eligibility

Players may only be rostered on and participate with one (1) team throughout the tournament. Players are not permitted to play for multiple teams, even if those teams compete in different age divisions.
Female players may compete one (1) year below their age division when participating on a boys’ team or in a boys’ division.
Team rosters are frozen once the team’s first game begins. No additional players or roster changes will be permitted after that time.

6. Player Credentials and Equipment

• Shin guards are mandatory. The referee has final authority over equipment safety.
• Rings, chains, watches, metal objects, jewelry, and headbands are prohibited. Casts may be allowed if appropriately padded and deemed safe by the referee; soft casts require referee approval.
• Player photo identification cards must be available for inspection before each match. If no player card is available, an official photo ID showing date of birth (such as a passport or California ID) must be presented to the Field Marshal upon request.
• Each player’s jersey number must match the number shown on the game card or roster.

7. Home Team

The home team is listed first on the schedule and supplies the game ball unless the tournament provides one. The referee must approve the ball. The home team must change jerseys if the referee determines that there is a color conflict.

8. Team Check-In and Registration

Teams must check in at the field one hour before their first game. Failure to check in may result in disqualification without a refund. U.S. teams must present photo player identification cards and signed medical release forms. The game roster becomes final at check-in, with no subsequent alterations or additions.

9. Conduct and Sideline Behavior

Coaches are responsible for helping ensure that players, substitutes, team personnel, and associated spectators follow tournament rules and behave respectfully. Violations may result in sanctions, including team removal, at the Tournament Committee’s discretion.

• No noisemakers, alcohol, or smoking.
• Coaching communication must be instructive, not derogatory.
• Coaches and substitutes must remain within 10 yards on either side of the halfway line.
• No derogatory remarks or gestures toward referees, coaches, players, substitutes, or spectators.
• No profanity, fighting, incitement, disruptive behavior, or unsportsmanlike sideline coaching or spectator conduct.

10. Cautions, Ejections, and Suspensions

Two yellow cards to a player or coach in one match constitute an ejection (red card). An ejected player may not be replaced during that game. Ejected players and coaches serve a minimum one-game suspension at their next game. Flagrant violations may result in longer suspensions or additional action after Tournament Director review. The Tournament Director will retain the affected identification cards until suspensions are served. Suspended players may sit with their team but not in uniform. Suspended coaches must remain out of sight and sound of the field, may not be on the team sideline, and may not communicate with the team.

11. Suspended or Terminated Games

If officials terminate a game due to misconduct by players, bench personnel, or spectators, the offending team may be excluded from further play and lose all previously earned points and standings position. The team’s home league and state association may be notified as appropriate.

12. Substitutions

Unlimited substitutions are permitted in all age groups, including overtime, at any stoppage with referee permission. Substitutes must remain off the field until the outgoing player has left and/or the referee authorizes entry.

13. Team and Spectator Sidelines

Both teams and coaches will occupy the same sideline, as directed by the Field Marshal or referee, unless otherwise notified. Spectators must remain on the opposite sideline.

14. Forfeits and Minimum Players

Teams not ready to play within five minutes of scheduled kickoff forfeit the match. Forfeited or suspended games are recorded as a 0–2 loss for the offending team; the opponent receives three tournament points.

15. Playing Times and Roster Limits

Each team is scheduled for at least three games. Preliminary matches will end no later than five minutes before the next scheduled match, even if full halves have not been played. A match is considered complete after one full half; if stopped in the second half, the score at termination is final. Preliminary games may end in a tie.

16. Semifinals and Championship Matches

If tied at the end of regulation, semifinal and championship matches proceed directly to FIFA kicks from the penalty mark (initial series of five kicks) to determine the winner.

17. Halftime

Halftime is five minutes. The tournament may shorten halftime when games are running behind schedule.

18. Tournament Points

19. Score Reporting

The referee must report the final score of each game to the Field Marshal.

20. Tiebreakers

Teams tied in the standings will be ranked using the following criteria in order:

If still tied after all seven criteria, FIFA kicks from the penalty mark will be held 15 minutes before the scheduled semifinal or final. For a three-way bracket tie remaining after criteria 1–5, a three-way coin flip will be held. The two teams tied by the coin flip compete in kicks from the penalty mark to eliminate one team, followed by kicks against the third team. The coin flip and penalty-kick times will be determined at the field.

21. Weather, Field Conditions, and Acts of God

Rain or other weather does not automatically delay play. Games may be delayed if the referee considers the field unsafe or the venue determines continued play could damage the field. The tournament will make reasonable efforts to reschedule affected games where possible. No refunds or credits will be issued if games cannot be played or rescheduled because of weather or other acts of God.

22. Disputes

The Tournament Committee resolves disputes that do not involve referee decisions. Committee decisions are final. Referee decisions cannot be appealed.