Tournament Rules and Regulations
Updated 2/1/2023
The current tournament rules and regulations are provided here. Please note that corrections to rules and regulations may be made at any time. Unless a rule is in error, the tournament rules are those published on the tournament website. Please note that the published rules may differ from the rules shown here, if the rules shown here have not been updated.
RULES:
Tournament games will be conducted in accordance with the rules stated here. The Laws of the Game (current International Football Association Board (IFAB) edition) will cover any situation not set forth here. The referee’s report from a match shall be the authoritative record of the match. The Tournament Director will have the final say on all disputes.
PROTEST:
NO PROTESTS WILL BE ALLOWED. All interpretations of the rules and other decisions made by the referees, field marshals and tournament officials will be final. All decisions made by the referees must be respected.
FEES:
Entire entry fee must accompany tournament application and will be returned if application is not accepted. Fee must be a single check (e-check preferred) issued from the Region/Organization account, or Credit Card.
REFUNDS:
Teams withdrawing 30 days or more before the tournament will be issued a full refund. Teams withdrawing less than 30 days before the start of the tournament will only be issued a refund if a replacement team can be found.
PLAYERS/TEAMS:
All players and coaches must have appropriate credentials:
No player may play on more than one team in the same division in the Tournament. Such a player shall be deemed an ineligible player. Players may play on multiple teams in different divisions when there is never a chance that the teams the player is on will play each other. However, the Tournament cannot guarantee that games that include such players do not conflict. The teams shall be responsible for ensuring such players do not exceed their club's maximum playing time rules. No player may play at an age level below their age eligibility. A maximum of 5 Guest Players will be allowed for each team. Roster limits are as follows:
COACHES:
REFEREES:
HEADING THE BALL
Consistent with the U.S. Soccer mandates on heading the ball, heading is banned for all players 10 years of age and below in both practices and matches. Therefore, heading will not be allowed at the Comstock Tournament for matches in the 9U to 12U divisions.
Player Development Initiative
We will be playing using U.S. Soccer's "Player Development Initiative". This will include small side games rules, no headers for 9U to 12U and build out lines on the 9U/10U fields. We will also be following the latest birth year registration charts.
CONCUSSION AWARENESS:
If a head injury occurs or suspected head injury occurs, the player shall be removed from play immediately, and the player will be pulled from play for the duration of the tournament unless cleared by a qualified physician with a written note clearing the player for play. (Provider NPI Number and contact information are required for clearance verification).
SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST AWARENESS:
If a player collapses with any warning signs of Sudden Cardiac Arrest, the coach and/or the referee will notify the tournament director, call 911, access an AED device and begin CPR as appropriate.
EQUIPMENT:
CHECK-IN (Team and Player):
HOME TEAM:
The home team is the team that appears first on the game schedule. The home team will:
SUBSTITUTION PROCEDURE:
All Games are Open Substitution, teams may substitute only with the referee’s permission, at the following times:
GAME LENGTH:
Match lengths are shown below. All matches have a continuously running clock managed by the referee, stopped only at half time and the end of the match. The referee may add time for an injury only if professional medical assistance (e.g., paramedics) is brought on to the field and tournament staff allows it. Even if time is added for a serious injury attended by medical personnel, with the exception of final matches all games will be terminated no less than 5 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next match.
PRELIMINARY and POOL GAMES:
Preliminary and pool games are matches that are neither Semifinals nor Finals. These games may end in a tie score and have neither overtime periods nor Kicks from the Mark.
SEMIFINAL GAMES:
Semifinal games are only matches whose winner will advance to a Final match. Semifinal games have no overtime periods. The winner of a semifinal match that is tied at the termination of regular play will be decided by Kicks from the Mark conducted in accordance with the Laws of the Game.
FINAL (CHAMPIONSHIP) GAMES:
Final games are matches whose winner is the champion in their division. A final tied at the termination of regular play will be extended by two 5-minute overtime periods (without a golden goal rule). If the score is tied at the end of the 10 minutes of overtime play, then the winner will be decided by Kicks from the Mark conducted in accordance with the Laws of the Game.
AWARDS:
Medals will be presented to each player and coach of the winning (first place) team and the second place team in each division.
POINTS:
Points will be used to determine team standings from preliminary games. A maximum of ten points per game is possible. Points are awarded on the following basis:
6 Points = Win
3 Points = Tie
0 Point = Loss
1 Point = Shut out (0-0 is a shut out with each team receiving four points)
1 Point = for each goal scored up to three goals.
2 Point Deduction = Send-off or expulsion (player or coach). A negative point total may result.
A forfeit receives scores, and thus points, as described in the Tournament Rules “Forfeit” section.
TIE BREAKING PROCEDURE:
Two and three way ties based on points in Preliminary round games will use all of the following procedures in the order listed until a winner is determined.
POST-GAME REQUIREMENTS:
The referee will turn in the game report to the appropriate Field Monitor or Field Marshal at the end of the game. The Field Marshal, with the referee, shall ensure that any necessary game reports are sent to tournament headquarters, and that any player or coach passes for suspended players are sent to tournament headquarters. Coaches are responsible for checking the game results and bracket standing posted at the tournament headquarters. Coaches are also responsible for retrieving passes of suspended players after the player has served his or her suspension.
WEATHER and FIELD PROBLEMS:
The Tournament Director will determine whether games should be shortened, rescheduled, canceled, or played in some other way (e.g., Kicks from the Mark) due to inclement weather or dangerous field conditions. Game times or locations may change if an assigned field becomes unavailable or some similar difficulty arises. If the scheduled games are unable to be played, then awards will be based on a point system to be determined by the Tournament Director.
FORFEITED GAMES:
If a team forfeits a game for any of the reasons listed below, the score will be recorded as a 1-0 win in favor of the opposing team, unless the score at the time of the termination would yield more tournament points for the opponent. In the latter case, the actual score would be recorded as the game outcome. A team will forfeit if:
The forfeiting team’s home league and state association will be contacted, as appropriate. The Tournament Committee shall reserve the right to decide the outcome of the game and the number of points, if any, to be awarded.
CAUTIONS and SEND-OFFS:
Two yellow cards received by one player in one game is equivalent to a red card (i.e., a send-off). Any player receiving two yellow cards in the same game shall be sent-off and suspended from play in the team’s next game. Any player or coach receiving a red card or otherwise sent-off (expelled) from a game shall be suspended from play or coaching and is required to sit out the team’s next game. Players who are sent off will be escorted to the check-in tents and have their wristbands removed. The Tournament Director and his or her appointees will review each send-off from the Tournament and may take other disciplinary actions as they see fit.
Carson City Parks and Recreation Rules and Requirements
Parking along the west side of Edmonds Field (the fence) is illegal – the land is not city property. Your vehicle may be ticketed and towed if you park along the western fence. There is no smoking, vaping, tobacco use or alcohol use allowed on any Carson City youth sports facilities fields. If you must use tobacco, do so in the parking lot, please. Dogs are NOT allowed at Pete Livermore Sports Complex. Overnight camping is not allowed at Pete Livermore Sports Complex, including the parking lot. RVs must be parked at the South end of the parking lot near the boxcar.
PLEASE DO NOT LITTER!
TOURNAMENT CONTACT
Tim O'Connor
comstock@aysocarsoncity.org
The current tournament rules and regulations are provided here. Please note that corrections to rules and regulations may be made at any time. Unless a rule is in error, the tournament rules are those published on the tournament website. Please note that the published rules may differ from the rules shown here, if the rules shown here have not been updated.
RULES:
Tournament games will be conducted in accordance with the rules stated here. The Laws of the Game (current International Football Association Board (IFAB) edition) will cover any situation not set forth here. The referee’s report from a match shall be the authoritative record of the match. The Tournament Director will have the final say on all disputes.
PROTEST:
NO PROTESTS WILL BE ALLOWED. All interpretations of the rules and other decisions made by the referees, field marshals and tournament officials will be final. All decisions made by the referees must be respected.
FEES:
Entire entry fee must accompany tournament application and will be returned if application is not accepted. Fee must be a single check (e-check preferred) issued from the Region/Organization account, or Credit Card.
- Fees are: 9U: $625; 10U: $725; 11U-19U: $825
- Age Divisions for tournament will depend on the teams that apply. Merging two division together may happen if there are not enough teams for a single division. Lower divisions will always merge up with upper level divisions.
REFUNDS:
Teams withdrawing 30 days or more before the tournament will be issued a full refund. Teams withdrawing less than 30 days before the start of the tournament will only be issued a refund if a replacement team can be found.
PLAYERS/TEAMS:
All players and coaches must have appropriate credentials:
- USYSA & US Club teams must have an official roster. (goldenrod sheet)
- USYSA & US Club player passes are required.
- USYSA Teams traveling from states that require permission to travel must have approved travel roster and travel application signed by their state official.
- AYSO teams must have their roster signed by their Regional Commissioner and have a signed official AYSO player pass with picture for each player.
- For identification purposes, each AYSO player must have an identification card with name, birth date, picture, AYSO ID# and the signature of their Regional Commissioner. Cards must be approved by the Tournament Registrar when the team checks in to the tournament and are provided to the Field Marshal when the players are checked into the game. Players will not be allowed to participate without player ID cards.
- All rosters are required to be submitted with team applications.
- No player will be permitted to play down in a lower age division.
No player may play on more than one team in the same division in the Tournament. Such a player shall be deemed an ineligible player. Players may play on multiple teams in different divisions when there is never a chance that the teams the player is on will play each other. However, the Tournament cannot guarantee that games that include such players do not conflict. The teams shall be responsible for ensuring such players do not exceed their club's maximum playing time rules. No player may play at an age level below their age eligibility. A maximum of 5 Guest Players will be allowed for each team. Roster limits are as follows:
- 9U, 10U teams will play 7-v-7, and there will be a roster limit of 10* players per team.
- 11U, 12U teams will play 9-v-9, and there will be a roster limit of 12* players per team.
- 13U, 14U will play 11-v-11, and there will be a roster limit of 15* players per team.
- 16U through 19U will play 11-v-11, and there will be a roster limit of 18* players per team.
COACHES:
- Each team is limited to 3 coaches & 1 team manager. Coaches must be listed on the Official Team Roster.
- Each AYSO Coach must have a picture ID that contains the coach AYSO ID number and a signature of the coaches Regional Commissioner. The coach must be a currently registered volunteer, Safe-Haven certified, Concussion Awareness Training, and be AYSO trained at the age-appropriate level.
- USYSA & US Club coaches must have coach passes from the appropriate organization.
- Coaches shall be responsible for the conduct of their players and spectators.
- Coaches are expected to remain in the technical area during games and only enter the field of play as requested by the referee. No more than 3 team officials are allowed in the technical area during games.
- AYSO Kid Zone protocols are expected by all spectators.
- AYSO recommends that each team have a minimum of two goal keepers; this follows the everyone plays rule where a single keeper doesn't play for the entire game.
REFEREES:
- Referees will be provided by the tournament, managed by the Referee Assignor.
- Teams that wish to bring referees must have the referee sign up for the tournament on GotSport.
- Click here for Referee Registration
- All referees must be approved by the Referee Assignor and are required to have the appropriate certification and experience.
- All referees will follow the Player Development Initiative as outlined in the latest AYSO National Rules & Regulations, this matches the same Player Development Initiative as outline by U.S. Soccer.
- Approved referees will be paid for their services. At their option, they may donate their compensation to the tournament, their team or their home region.
HEADING THE BALL
Consistent with the U.S. Soccer mandates on heading the ball, heading is banned for all players 10 years of age and below in both practices and matches. Therefore, heading will not be allowed at the Comstock Tournament for matches in the 9U to 12U divisions.
- An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team if a player in a 9U to 12U division deliberately touches the ball with his/her head during a match. The indirect free kick is to be taken from the place where the player touched the ball with his/her head with the following exceptions:
- An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team inside the opposing team’s goal area, must be taken on the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the player touched the ball with his/her head.
- An indirect free kick awarded to the defending team in their own goal area may be taken from anywhere in that area.
- Neither cautions nor send-offs shall be issued for persistent offenses or denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity related to the heading infractions.
Player Development Initiative
We will be playing using U.S. Soccer's "Player Development Initiative". This will include small side games rules, no headers for 9U to 12U and build out lines on the 9U/10U fields. We will also be following the latest birth year registration charts.
- Goalkeeper Punts (9U and 10U)
- For 9U and 10U, the goalkeeper shall not punt, nor drop kick the ball.
- An indirect kick will be awarded to the opposing team at the spot of the offense if a goalkeeper for 9U to 10U deliberately punts the ball during a match, except that an indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team inside the opposing team’s goal area must be taken on the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the goalkeeper punted the ball.
- Build-Out Line (9U and 10U)
- The build-out line shall be placed across the field equidistant between the top of the penalty area and the halfway line.
- The opposing team must move behind the build-out line for a goal kick or when the goalkeeper has possession.
- The player taking the goal kick, does not have to wait for opposing players to move behind the build-out line to put the ball into play. The goal kick may be played to either side of the build-out line. The ball is in play after the ball is kicked and clearly moves, after which the opposing team may cross the build-out line. If an opponent crosses the build out line before the ball is in play and interferes with the goal kick, the kick is retaken.
- The goalkeeper in possession of the ball in their hands does not have to wait for the opposing players to move behind the build out line to release the ball. The ball may be released to either side of the build out line, after which the opposing team may cross the build out line. If an opponent crosses the build out line before the ball is released and interferes with play, an indirect free kick is awarded to the goalkeeper’s team at the point where the opponent crossed the build out line.
- The build-out line in the opponent’s half of the field shall be used as the line to determine offside. Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and that build-out line.
CONCUSSION AWARENESS:
If a head injury occurs or suspected head injury occurs, the player shall be removed from play immediately, and the player will be pulled from play for the duration of the tournament unless cleared by a qualified physician with a written note clearing the player for play. (Provider NPI Number and contact information are required for clearance verification).
SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST AWARENESS:
If a player collapses with any warning signs of Sudden Cardiac Arrest, the coach and/or the referee will notify the tournament director, call 911, access an AED device and begin CPR as appropriate.
EQUIPMENT:
- Splints and casts are NOT PERMITTED. No exceptions shall be made to this rule. Removal of any type of cast or splint at the field or surrounding area to participate shall disqualify the player from match participation.
- Hard braces (plastic or with metal supports) are NOT PERMITTED, soft braces such as ace bandages and tape are allowed.
- Appropriate shin guards are mandatory, as are socks, shorts, and matching team uniforms.
CHECK-IN (Team and Player):
- Coaches must check-in their team online by uploading signed copies of their official roster and player cards no later than the Sunday prior to the tournament weekend.
- Teams must also check-in players at the field monitor check in tents at least 60 minutes prior to the scheduled start of their first match.
- All application information and payment must be in order in GotSport by the Friday three weeks prior to the tournament weekend; changes will not be accepted after the deadline. Rosters may be changed as late as the Sunday prior to the tournament weekend. Changes to rosters that change the team's division will not be accepted.
- Late arriving players must be escorted to the check-in station by a team official and be cleared by the Tournament Staff before participating in any games.
HOME TEAM:
The home team is the team that appears first on the game schedule. The home team will:
- Switch to alternate jersey or wear pinnies if a color conflict is declared by the referee.
- Home team picks which goal to defend / goal to attack and the visitor kicks-off.
SUBSTITUTION PROCEDURE:
All Games are Open Substitution, teams may substitute only with the referee’s permission, at the following times:
- Prior to a throw-in by either team
- Prior to a goal kick or kick off by either team.
- After an injury to either team, when play has been stopped by referee.
- At half time by either team
- After regulation play ends if play extends to overtime.
- Upon a caution, ONLY the cautioned player may be substituted.
- While the tournament is operating under open substitution procedures, AYSO teams are expected to follow AYSO minimum playtime standards; every player participating on an AYSO team must play a minimum of half the game.
- All substitutions must be approved and recognized by the referee. Players coming into the game should wait at the halfway line, per the International Football Association Board (IFAB) Laws of the Game, and enter the field only when the Referee signals. An injured player may be substituted at any time.
GAME LENGTH:
Match lengths are shown below. All matches have a continuously running clock managed by the referee, stopped only at half time and the end of the match. The referee may add time for an injury only if professional medical assistance (e.g., paramedics) is brought on to the field and tournament staff allows it. Even if time is added for a serious injury attended by medical personnel, with the exception of final matches all games will be terminated no less than 5 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next match.
- 9U-10U - All games are 50min (two 25 minute halves); half time 5 minutes
- 11U-19U - All games are 60min (two 30 minute halves); half time 5 minutes
PRELIMINARY and POOL GAMES:
Preliminary and pool games are matches that are neither Semifinals nor Finals. These games may end in a tie score and have neither overtime periods nor Kicks from the Mark.
SEMIFINAL GAMES:
Semifinal games are only matches whose winner will advance to a Final match. Semifinal games have no overtime periods. The winner of a semifinal match that is tied at the termination of regular play will be decided by Kicks from the Mark conducted in accordance with the Laws of the Game.
FINAL (CHAMPIONSHIP) GAMES:
Final games are matches whose winner is the champion in their division. A final tied at the termination of regular play will be extended by two 5-minute overtime periods (without a golden goal rule). If the score is tied at the end of the 10 minutes of overtime play, then the winner will be decided by Kicks from the Mark conducted in accordance with the Laws of the Game.
AWARDS:
Medals will be presented to each player and coach of the winning (first place) team and the second place team in each division.
POINTS:
Points will be used to determine team standings from preliminary games. A maximum of ten points per game is possible. Points are awarded on the following basis:
6 Points = Win
3 Points = Tie
0 Point = Loss
1 Point = Shut out (0-0 is a shut out with each team receiving four points)
1 Point = for each goal scored up to three goals.
2 Point Deduction = Send-off or expulsion (player or coach). A negative point total may result.
A forfeit receives scores, and thus points, as described in the Tournament Rules “Forfeit” section.
TIE BREAKING PROCEDURE:
Two and three way ties based on points in Preliminary round games will use all of the following procedures in the order listed until a winner is determined.
- The winner in head to head competition
- Team with the best goal differential (goals for minus goals against – maximum of 5 goals per game)
- Goals scored AGAINST the team
- Goals FOR. (counting no more than 5 goals per game)
- Least Send offs, expulsions (red cards) against
- If the tie between two remaining teams is not resolved and the winner will advance to a Semifinal, then Kicks from the Mark. Otherwise (e.g., second in flight, third in flight), the tie will be resolved by a coin toss. Although teams will be contacted if possible, the Tournament Director has the right to conduct the coin toss without team representatives present if it is in the best interest of keeping the Tournament running smoothly.
POST-GAME REQUIREMENTS:
The referee will turn in the game report to the appropriate Field Monitor or Field Marshal at the end of the game. The Field Marshal, with the referee, shall ensure that any necessary game reports are sent to tournament headquarters, and that any player or coach passes for suspended players are sent to tournament headquarters. Coaches are responsible for checking the game results and bracket standing posted at the tournament headquarters. Coaches are also responsible for retrieving passes of suspended players after the player has served his or her suspension.
WEATHER and FIELD PROBLEMS:
The Tournament Director will determine whether games should be shortened, rescheduled, canceled, or played in some other way (e.g., Kicks from the Mark) due to inclement weather or dangerous field conditions. Game times or locations may change if an assigned field becomes unavailable or some similar difficulty arises. If the scheduled games are unable to be played, then awards will be based on a point system to be determined by the Tournament Director.
FORFEITED GAMES:
If a team forfeits a game for any of the reasons listed below, the score will be recorded as a 1-0 win in favor of the opposing team, unless the score at the time of the termination would yield more tournament points for the opponent. In the latter case, the actual score would be recorded as the game outcome. A team will forfeit if:
- They fail to check-in at the mandatory registration (in this case they will forfeit all their games)
- They have less than the minimum number of players to start or continue playing the match
- They are the home team and fail to have an alternate jersey when required to do so
- They fail to report to play 15 minutes prior to scheduled kick-off time without permission from a tournament official
- They leave the field without the referee’s permission during regulation play
- They play an ineligible player per tournament registration rules or by reason of suspension (expulsion) in a game; the team will also forfeit any other games in which the ineligible player participated
The forfeiting team’s home league and state association will be contacted, as appropriate. The Tournament Committee shall reserve the right to decide the outcome of the game and the number of points, if any, to be awarded.
CAUTIONS and SEND-OFFS:
Two yellow cards received by one player in one game is equivalent to a red card (i.e., a send-off). Any player receiving two yellow cards in the same game shall be sent-off and suspended from play in the team’s next game. Any player or coach receiving a red card or otherwise sent-off (expelled) from a game shall be suspended from play or coaching and is required to sit out the team’s next game. Players who are sent off will be escorted to the check-in tents and have their wristbands removed. The Tournament Director and his or her appointees will review each send-off from the Tournament and may take other disciplinary actions as they see fit.
Carson City Parks and Recreation Rules and Requirements
Parking along the west side of Edmonds Field (the fence) is illegal – the land is not city property. Your vehicle may be ticketed and towed if you park along the western fence. There is no smoking, vaping, tobacco use or alcohol use allowed on any Carson City youth sports facilities fields. If you must use tobacco, do so in the parking lot, please. Dogs are NOT allowed at Pete Livermore Sports Complex. Overnight camping is not allowed at Pete Livermore Sports Complex, including the parking lot. RVs must be parked at the South end of the parking lot near the boxcar.
PLEASE DO NOT LITTER!
TOURNAMENT CONTACT
Tim O'Connor
comstock@aysocarsoncity.org