Tournament Rules

Match Play

• All games will be played under NFHS rules. The Tournament Director or site representative will settle all rules disputes. Tournament rules may be modified by the Tournament Committee.
• Games will consist of 2- 40 minutes halves with a 10 min Halftime
• A team playing 11 a-side must have (7) players available at the start of the game and during the game to avoid a forfeit. Teams failing to meet this minimum requirement at any point in the match will forfeit the match.
• Coaches should be prepared to start the game on time. Five minutes after the official game start time is forfeit time. In case of forfeit, the winning team shall be given a score of 1-0. Tournament officials may waive this rule, if in their opinion it is in the best interests of the players to play the game. In the event of a delay in the start of a game, the game may be shortened to allow the game to finish as scheduled

Scoring

• This event will be scored using a 3 point system: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss
• Tie Breaker format for advancement will go in the following order:
  1. Head to Head
  2. Most Wins
  3. Net goal differential, maximum of 4 goals per match 
  4. Most Goals scored
  5. Least Goals allowed
  6. Coin Toss

Semifinals & Finals

• Games that have to determine a winner will go directly to Penalty Kicks at the end of regulation.

Substitutions allowed with the Referee’s permission as follows: 

• Prior to either team’s goal kicks
• Prior to a throw-in by the team in possession.
• After a goal is scored by either team.
• Half time.
• Injured player may be substituted and ONE player from opposing team.
• For a cautioned player only.Home and Away Responsibilities

Home Team Uniforms

• Will wear dark colored jerseys and socks.

Visiting Team​ Uniforms

• Will wear white jerseys and socks.

Player and Spectator Seating - All player and spectator seating.

• Spectators must sit on the opposite sides of the field from the teams.
• Teams will be seated on the same side of the field.
• Home and Away Tents will be provided.
• Spectators shall line up on the opposite side of the half-way mark as the team they are supporting.
• No coaches or spectators may be along the end line or behind the goal.

 
Conduct and Sportsmanship

• All game ejections whether by red card or not, are forwarded to the AIA for review.
• Coaches have complete responsibility for the conduct of their players and all sideline spectators. Referees will have complete authority immediately before, during, and immediately after games, and will not allow abusive or profane language or threats of any kind. If, in the opinion of the referee, a game must be terminated due to misconduct, the offending team shall be declared to have forfeited the game. A terminated game will result in the opposing team being awarded a win by a score of 1-0, unless the score is greater at the time of the termination. Possible suspension from further play could result.
• The team of any player or coach that receives a red card shall receive minus one point against their tournament standings.
• If a coach is ejected and there are no remaining assistant coaches, the team will forfeit the game.
• There are no appeal options and all decisions are final. In the event a player or coach s ejected from the game for fighting, that player or coach will not be permitted to play in the remainder of the tournament.
• A coach ejected from the game, whether by red card or referee expulsion, shall leave the field to the satisfaction of the referee. Coaches who either refuse to leave or deliberately continue to coach after ejection (including but not limited to using a cell phone or proxy coach), will forfeit the game.
• A player receiving a red card or two yellow cards shall be expelled from the current game and may not be
  replaced. A player receiving a red card or two yellow cards will not be eligible for the next game.

​Protests, Disputes, Clarifications

• The tournament director and site director will settle all disputes. Once the information is reviewed and decision made, it is final and there will be no further discussion.
• In the case of errors, missing information or confusion with any section of this document, “Tournament Rules”, the tournament director or site director will clarify and make all decisions for any issue, and all decisions are final.
• Decisions will always be made in the sprit for the good of the game.
• Under no circumstances will the tournament director, site director, overrule a referee’s game time calls.

 
 Inclement Weather Policy

In the event of inclement weather or other events which affect our ability to play as planned, the Tournament Committee may modify Tournament Rules in order to safely and fairly complete the tournament successfully. The Tournament Committee will make their decisions on what is best, considering the health and safety of the players. Arizona Soccer Showcase utilizes city-provided fields for all play. During inclement weather, the cities will take into consideration the need to prevent the destruction of the fields and facilities. Arizona Soccer Showcase does not own the fields, nor does it have any authority over their usage. Coaches and team managers are asked to remain flexible to the changes in fields/locations as required and to keep in contact with tournament officials for these changes.

• Play all games as scheduled.
• Eliminate pre-game warm-up on fields.
• Shorten matches.
• Play at alternative sites.
• In the event the field conditions are unplayable as determined by the Tournament Committee or the city, games in question may be decided by penalty kicks from the mark. (FIFA rules apply).
• If matches are unable to continue due to any reason(s), tournament placement will be based upon the last fully completed round of play. Bracket tie-breakers will be used to satisfy any ties that remain. If bracket tie- breakers cannot resolve a tie, the Tournament Committee will utilize a coin toss to resolve the situation.
• In the unlikely event of game cancellation(s) due to inclement weather, entry fees may be forfeited, in whole or in part. Arizona Soccer Showcase will make no guarantee of any refunds. However, Arizona Soccer Showcase recognizes the financial commitments of teams entering the tournament. As such, Arizona Soccer Showcase may, at its discretion, refund a portion of the entry fee(s) after all other expenses have been paid.
• It is the team’s responsibility to ensure appropriate phone numbers (preferably cell phones) and email addresses are entered into the team’s tournament application. The Tournament Committee will utilize the tournament website (www.santansoccer.com), email, and sometimes telephone to communicate with teams in the event of changes to the schedule.