Rules

The Breakers Cup is proud to adopt the principles of the Positive Coaching Alliance.

Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) is a nonprofit organization founded at Stanford University with the mission to transform youth sports so sports can transform youth. PCA was created to transform the culture of youth sports to give all young athletes the opportunity for a positive, character-building experience.

The Breakers Cup adheres is to this approach, We expect all tournament attendees – Coaches, players, parents, friends, to adhere to the positive sportsmanship, and as adults, to provide the proper demonstration of sportsmanlike behavior.

Document: BC12 Tournament Rules v13 120203
Created: January 14th, 2012
Updated: February 3, 2012

The Breakers Cup 2012 Rules:

Tournament General Information:

U9 – U18 Boys; U9-U18 Girls (US Club Gold/Silver level of play)
U9 – U13 Boys & Girls (US Club Bronze/Copper level of play)

Boys-July 28th & 29th, 2012
Girls-August 4th & 5th, 2012

Tournament Directors:

Carson D. Kelly, Director
carson@santacruzbreakers.org

Eric Aasen, Assistant Director
ericaasen@santacruzbreakers.org

Headquarters: Cabrillo College, Aptos, CA.

Playing Locations Boys:
- UCSC (2-lower fields)
- Aptos Polo Field (3 fields)
- Anna Jean Cummings (2 fields)
- Cabrillo College (6 fields)

Locations Girls:
- Cabrillo College (6 fields)
- UCSC (6 fields)

Registration, Credentials, Check In, eligability

Open to USYSA, US Club Soccer, CYSA, and FIFA affiliated teams.

CYSA-N Teams: Under USSF Policy 601-7 your state association cannot interfere with or deny you the right to attend another USSF member-sanctioned competition (other than for legitimate disciplinary reasons). They can refuse to cover you with insurance. You should clarify what they will do well in advance of the event. Each state has different rules, and you may or may not still need to complete a travel request, or give them travel notice. You can either: become a US Club Soccer member OR become a US Club Soccer “tournament” team for that specific weekend.

Tournament Check In - Each team is required to have their team credentials checked in at a mandatory pre-tournament check in.

Boys: Friday, July 27th, 7:00 – 9:00 @Cruzio Works – 877 Cedar Street, #150, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Girls: Friday, August 3th, 7:00 – 9:00 @Cruzio Works – 877 Cedar Street, #150, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Credentials & Medical Releases

If you ARE A MEMBER of US Club Soccer you will need to bring: Current US Club Soccer Player & Team Official passes that include a picture and are laminated, US Club Soccer Team Roster, US Club Soccer Guest Player forms, Player birth certificates, Medical releases for all players (no exceptions), Emergency cell phone #’s for your team in case of rain, etc.

If you ARE NOT A MEMBER of US Club soccer and travelling from within California you will need to bring: current CYSA Player & Team Official passes that include a picture and are laminated, Fall 2012 CYSA Golden rod, US Club Soccer Guest Player forms, Player birth certificates, Medical releases for all players (no exceptions), Emergency cell phone #’s for your team in case of rain, etc.

If you ARE NOT A MEMBER of US Club soccer and travelling to California from a different state, you will need to bring: US Club Tournament Roster, State sanctioned Player & Team Official passes that include a picture and are laminated, Player birth certificates, Medical releases for all players (no exceptions), Emergency cell phone #’s for your team in case of rain, etc.

***Adults that do not have a Team Official pass that includes a picture, which is laminated, will not be allowed to be with the team on the technical area of the field. If there isn’t a credentialed adult associated with the team, the team will forfeit the game with a 1-0 result. NO EXCEPTIONS.***

Player Eligibility

Boys and Girls U9 through U18 (where applicable to tournament approval) are eligible to participate in our tournaments.

No player may compete in the Tournament in two age groups or on two different teams in the same age group in the same weekend. If a player competes in more than one age group, or in more than one team, any points earned by the team that the player played on illegally will be revoked, and the team will receive 0 (zero) points for that game. The player will be attached to the age group of the team, or the lowest age group in the event the player is playing up on more than one team.

Number of Players per Team

For U9 – U11 A maximum of 14 players on a roster for the tournament.

- More than 14 players on the roster will have to be approved by the Tournament Director for the tournament. A specific game will have a limit of just 14 players per roster. Rosters will have to be provided to the Tournament Director for approval at least 3 hours before game time.

- 13 players on a game card to be submitted prior to each game with the player cards to the referees. Game cards will be provided at team check-in. Unlimited guest players are allowed.

For U12 – U15 A maximum of 20 players on a roster.

- More than 20 players on the roster will have to be approved by the Tournament Director for the tournament. A specific game will have a limit of just 18 players per roster. Rosters will have to be provided to the Tournament Director for approval at least 1 hour before game time.

- 18 players on a game card to be submitted prior to each game with the player cards to the referees. Game cards will be provided at team check-in. Unlimited guest players are allowed.

Teams & Spectators & Sportsmanship

Good sportsmanship is expected of all teams, officials and fans. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players, staff, parents and affiliated spectators.

Spectators will observe the two-yard distance from the touch line to allow assistant referees a clear view. Spectators will occupy the sideline opposite the players and coaches. Spectators from opposing teams are asked to occupy opposite sides of the centerline.

At the discretion of the Tournament Director, the offending team may be asked to leave the tournament, forfeiting remaining games to a 1-0 result. No refunds of registration fees will be provided to the offending team.

The Tournament Director may suspend or eject any player, coach, or spectator for poor sportsmanship, or hostile behavior.

Ejections – A player or coach that is sent off during a match is not allowed to play or coach in the next match.

The Tournament Director may take additional disciplinary action against a team or individual for serious offenses, including suspension from the remainder of the tournament and non-eligibility for future Breakers Cup Tournaments.

The passes for the player or coach are to be held by the Site director at the location of the offense, until the suspensions are served.

Suspended players and coaches may be on the spectator side of the field, but not the technical side of the field, during matches. Coaches and/or Players that are suspended cannot communicate with the team in any manner.

Accumulation of Yellow Cards – If a player accumulates 3 yellow cards total, received in in or more matches different matches during the tournament, that player will be suspended from play from the remainder of the tournament.

Matches

Game Check in – 30 minutes prior to each game at the HQ of the field of play. Games not played will be considered “forfeits”. Identification cards, or rosters approved by the Tournament Director, are required to be checked by the Field Marshal and held by the Referee prior to each match.

Player & Team Official picture identification cards, Medical releases, Birth Certificates, and Team roster from sanctioned USSF soccer organization, are to be present and available at all matches.

Home Team – The team listed first on the game schedule is the home team. Conflicts in jersey color will be resolved by the home team being required to change jerseys. The referee will determine if there is a conflict in jersey colors or keeper jersey colors.

Laws of the Game – All matches will be played in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game, except as specifically modified as follows in the tournament rules.

Modifications for the U9 – U10 playing levels

- Free Kicks – All will be indirect.
- If the ball goes into the goal directly from the kick, it is a goal kick for defending team.
- All opposing players are to stay 6 yds away for ALL kicks.
- No kicks given inside goal box – place ball on outside line of box nearest spot where foul occurred.

Maximum Players on the field

- U9 – U11: 8v8
- U12 – U18: 11v11

Length of Games, both Preliminary, Consolation and Championship:

- UU9 – U11: 2x 25 minute halves – 5 minutes between halves
- U12 – U18: 2x 30 minute halves – 5 minutes between halves

Substitutions – Unlimited substitutions are allowed with referee approval in the following situations:

- Prior to a throw in
- Prior to a goal kick by either team
- Prior to the restart of the game following a goal being scored by either team
- Prior to the restart of the game for the second half
- Prior to the beginning of an overtime period
- Prior to the restart of the game following an injured player being removed from the field (either team may sub)
- Prior to the restart of the game following a player being cautioned, the referee will give the coach the choice of substituting the cautioned player. (The player could re-enter at his/her team’s next substitution opportunity.)

Team & Player Equipment Requirements

- Shin Guards – Required for all players (no exceptions).
- Casts – No hard casts permitted unless properly padded and wrapped with the permission of the referee. The Tournament Director will make the final decision.
- Jewelry – No jewelry of any kind. (No exceptions)
- Games for U9 – U12 will use an official size #4 ball
- Games for U13 – U15 will use an official size #5 ball

Procedures for Determining a Winner

- In preliminary games ties will stand.
- If a championship or consolation game is tied at the end of regulation play, two 5-minute overtime periods will be played.
- If still tied at the completion of the overtime periods, the game will be decided by kick from the Mark as per FIFA Laws of the Game.

Exceptions:

- At the discretion of the Tournament Director, overtime periods may be shortened or eliminated.
- The length of any game may be shortened to shorter but equal halves if the Tournament Director deems it necessary.

Forfeits – Teams must be at the field 30 minutes before the start of their game in order to be checked in by referees or appointed tournament officials. The clock for the games will be started exactly on time. Teams must take the field within 5 minutes of the designated start time. The referee has the discretion to determine when the teams may commence playing.

The referee and/or Tournament Director may terminate a game and award a forfeit if a U12+ team has not taken the field with a minimum of 7 players with the 5-minute grace period, the game will be forfeited to the team that has taken the field with at least 7 players. If neither team takes the field within the 5-minute grace period, no point will be awarded to either team and the game will be declared a double forfeit.

The referee and/or Tournament Director may terminate a game and award a forfeit if a U9 – U11 team has not taken the field with a minimum of 5 players with the 5-minute grace period, the game will be forfeited to the team that has taken the field with at least 7 players. If neither team takes the field within the 5-minute grace period, no point will be awarded to either team and the game will be declared a double forfeit.

The referee and/or Tournament Director may terminate a game and award a forfeit if a team leaves the field during the game without the approval of the referee, the referee abandons a match due to excessive violent conduct and/or misconduct by the players, coaches or fans, or a team is deemed to be in gross violation of US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, or rules of this tournament.

Match Delays, suspensions, cancellation

If deemed necessary by the Site Director, games may be shortened or cancelled due to weather, or other circumstances. The Site Director has sole discretion to make this decision. There will be no refunds given for any delay and/or cancellation of any games.

Tournament Format

Game Start times & stoppage

- Start to Start times will be strictly enforced to maintain the schedule for the tournament. Game times will start on time.
- There will be no stoppage time added to games for any reason.

Types of Divisions – The following division descriptions will be utilized as necessary for the execution of the tournament.

- 7–Team Division: Teams will be divided into two groups with three teams in one group, and 4 in the other group. Each team will play the other teams in their group. The semifinals will have the 1st place team in Group B play the 2nd place team in Group A. The 1st place team in Group A will play the 2nd place team in Group B. The 3rd Place teams in both Group A and Group B will play each other. The winners of the matches in the Semi Finals for those teams who came in either 1st or 2nd in their group play will play each other in the Championship game. The losers of the matches in the Semi Finals for those teams who came in either 1st or 2nd in their group play will play each other in the Consolation game.

- 8-Team Division: Teams will be placed in one of two four-team flights. The team with the highest point total in each flight will be declared the winner, and will play the Championship game. The team with the second highest point total in each flight will play the Consolation game.

- 9-Team Division: Teams will be placed in one of three three-team flights. Each team will play two games on Saturday. These games will determine which team goes to the semi-finals and consolation.

Semi Finals: The team with the highest point total from the first 2 games in each flight will be declared the winner of their Pool. The Winner of Pool A and the Winner of Pool B will play each other in a semi-final game. The 2nd place team with the most points (tiebreaker procedures may be necessary to determine this) from all three pools plays the Pool C Winner in a semi-final game.

Consolation: The 2 remaining 2nd place teams place each other. The winner of this game plays the 3rd place team of Pool C. The 3rd place teams from Pool A plays Pool B.

Championship: Pool A winner plays Pool B winner – The winner of this game advances to the Championship Game. Pool C winner plays the 2nd place from all three pools – The winner of this game advances to the Championship.

Number of Games per Team

Each team will play a minimum of 3 matches during the tournament. Saturday – 2 games, Sunday 1 game. A 4th game will be available to those teams that come in either first or second in their division.

Refund Policy – No refunds for any reason.

Referees – All referees will hold at least a US Soccer Grade-8 and be currently registered with US Soccer.

Points, Standings & Tie Breakers

Match and Score Reporting – After the game has played, the Coaches from both teams will sign the game card. Referees will report all game results, and will deliver the game card, to Tournament officials. Match/score reporting information will not be accepted from Coaches, players, or game spectators. Game scores and point standings will be posted at the Site headquarters at the discretion of the Site Director.

Points & Standings –

Maximum number of points allowable per game 10
1. 6 Points for a win
2. 3 Points for a tie
3. 1 Bonus points for shutout win
4. 1 Bonus points for 0-0 ties
5. 1 Point per goal up to 3 goals
6. 1 Point deducted for red cards
7. 2 Points will be deducted for red cards given to coaching staff or Team Manager.
8. 1 Point deducted for excessive goal differential (deducted when the winning team wins by more than 5 goals in any one match)
9. Forfeited games will be scored as 1 to 0 (8 points) in favor of the team that did not forfeit. In the case a team withdrawing at the last minute or not showing, all preliminary games for that team will be scored as a forfeit.

Tie Breaking Procedures – In case of a tie in tournament points following the completion of preliminary games, the advancing team will be determined based on the following criteria in the order specified:

1. Head to Head competition – The team that won the head to head competition between the teams that are tied will advance.
2. Team with fewest goals allowed advances
3. Team with the most wins advances
4. Team with most goals scored advances (not to exceed a 5 goal differential in the score counted for any one match)
5. Kicks from the penalty spot as per FIFA rules. The team with the highest goals scored out of, 5 shots per team, will advance.
a. In the event that both teams score an even amount of goals, this procedure will be repeated until one team achieves a higher number of goals scored out of 5 shots taken.
ALL GAME RESULTS WILL BE CONSIDRED FINAL AND NO PROTEST OF THEIR OUTCOME IS ALLOWED

Prohibitions

Alcohol or Controlled Substances – Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances is expressly prohibited at any of the sport fields or complexes. Any team (including players, coaches, parents and affiliated spectators) found violating these rules will automatically forfeit all games played, face possible expulsion from the tournament and will not be invited to any future tournaments hosted this club.

Tobacco products – Use of tobacco products is prohibited at this tournament. Use of tobacco products on the grounds of any public facility is a violation of California State Law.

Dogs – Dogs are prohibited at this tournament from being on fields. This will be enforced by field marshals and/or site directors. We love dogs, but they have no place on fields per US Club rules. Service dogs that are clearly marked as such are okay as long as they don’t cause disruption. No other dogs, regardless of size, color, temperament, name, etc.., will be allowed. If a spectator brings a dog to the tournament and does not follow these rules will be considered in demonstrating unsportsmanlike behavior and will be treated as such.

Referees will be instructed to terminate a game if, after being asked to do so, any person affiliated with the team refuses to remove a dog from the area of the soccer field, or if after being asked to so, any person affiliated with the team refuses to cease the use of tobacco products in the area of the soccer field. The opposing team will be granted an immediate win of a minimum of at least 1-0, and the team with the offending spectator will lost all points for that game.

EZ-Ups/Shelters must be secured with stakes, and must be approved by Tournament Officials prior to their set-up.

RV’s/Vans will be allowed at site locations based on the rules of the site, and at the discretion of the Site Director and/or Tournament Director. The tournament is not responsible for the enforcement of any of the site rules regarding RVs/Vans.
THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ESTABLISH POLICY AS DEEMED NECESSARY IN REGARD TO PROBLEMS AND CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY COVERED. THE DECISION OF THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR ARE NOT SUBJECT TO APPEAL