FIFA Rules:

As modified by USYSA, US Club Soccer and as modified herein.
 

Disputes:

All disputes shall be settled by the Tournament Committee.
 

Protests:

NO PROTESTS WILL BE ALLOWED.
 

Credentials:

Laminated USYSA player cards will be required.  All teams that are not US Club Soccer members must submit travel papers signed by their state association. International teams must provide league I.D. card and passport.
 

Medical Release:

All players must have an original-signed medical release form.
 

Shin Guards:

All players are required to use shin guards.
 

Check-In:

Mandatory team check-in is on the Thursday night prior to tournament play between 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm.
 

Conduct:

All coaches have total responsibility for the conduct of their players, substitutes, and spectators at all times.
 

Suspended Games:

If, in the opinion of game officials, a game must be terminated for misconduct or unsportsmanlike conduct of players, bench, or spectators; the offending team(s) forfeit their match and may be suspended from further play.  The score at termination will stand.   All previous points earned remain as played.  Additionally, the home league, state association and/or FIFA Association will be contacted as appropriate.
 

YELLOW and RED CARDS:

A player receiving two yellow cards in a single game is considered the same as receiving a RED CARD. A player given a red card or two yellow cards in one game shall be expelled from that game and shall not be replaced. A player or coach receiving a red card or two yellow cards in one game shall not be allowed to participate in the next game. The tournament committee reserves the right to modify penalties assessed on a player or coach for violent play or more serious conduct violations. For purposes of this tournament a coach can be carded for his/her actions or those of spectators or friends of the team. A team will lose 1 point for each red card per game received.
 

Substitutions:

Free substitutions are allowed in all age groups except for any under 16 or older age group which has at least two foreign teams included in the age group (limited substitution). The limited substitution rule permits a maximum of five (5) substitutions during a game. The substitution is completed when the substitute enters the field of play, from which moment the substitute becomes a player and the player replaced ceases to be player. This substitution rule does not include teams form Canada or Mexico. Teams may substitute only with the referee’s permission and only at the following times (including overtime) in accordance with the following:

1. Prior to a throw-in, by either team.
2. Prior to a goal kick by either team.
3. After a goal, by either team.
4. After an injury on either team, when the referee stops play.
5. During half-time.
6. On a caution, only the cautioned player may be substituted at that time.
 

Our Web Site:

This web site and/or live scoring displays, shall be the final reference for all schedules, scores, rules, policies, and procedures.  Any conflicts between this site and other published information shall default to this site.  The Tournament Committee maintains the right to independently make new and possibly conflicting rules or regulations on the web site at any time.
 

Late Registration:

Teams applying after May 17th, 2008 [Boys] or May 24th 2008 [Girls] will be assessed a $50.00 late fee and be placed on a waiting list. It is at the sole discretion of the Tournament Committee to offer placement into the Tournament.  If acceptance does not occur, the late fee will not be refunded.

Eight Team Divisions

Will consist of two (2), four team groups. Each team will play the other teams in its group for a total of three (3) preliminary round games.  The winner of Group A will play the winner in Group B in the championship game. 
The consolation games will consist of:
   - 2nd in Group A plays 2nd in Group B
   - 3rd in Group A plays 3rd in Group B
   - 4th in Group A plays 4th in Group B

Twelve Team Divisions:

Will consist of three (3) groups of four (4) teams.  Each team will play the other teams in its group for a total of three (3) preliminary round games.  The winner of Group A will play the wildcard #1 (team with the 4th highest points from preliminary games) in a semifinal game.  The winner of Group B will play the winner of Group C in a semifinal game.  If the wildcard team comes from the same group, the Tournament Committee will adjust the seeding so that teams from the same group will not meet.  The second through fourth place teams will play a consolation game as determined by total points earned in preliminary games.  The winners of the semi-finals will meet in the championship game.
 

Sixteen Team Divisions:

Will consist of four (4) groups of four (4) teams. Each team will play the other teams in its group for a total of three (3) preliminary round games.  The winner of Group A will play the winner in Group D in a semifinal game.  The winner of Group B will play the winner of Group C in a semifinal game.  The second-fourth place of Group A will play the corresponding second-fourth place of Group D in a consolation game.  The second-fourth place of Group B will play the corresponding second-fourth place of Group C in a consolation game.  The winners of the semifinals will meet in the championship game.
 

Determining Winners:

Teams shall be awarded points on the following basis:
• Six (6) points for each win.
• Three (3) points for each tie.
• Zero (0) points for a loss.
• One point for each goal scored (to a maximum of three goals per game).
• One point for a shut-out game.
• A maximum ten (10) points may be earned in each preliminary game.
• A game ending in 0-0 tie score will be awarded four (4) points each team.

Minus one (-1) point for each red card per game (players and/or coaches).
 

In the event of a tie in group play points:

In the event of a tie in points from preliminary games, the winner of group play will be determined as follows:

1. The winner in head to head competition.
2. Total goal differential (goals scored versus goals against with a maximum of plus or minus four (4) per game).
3. Least goals against.
4. Most goals scored (to a maximum of four (4) per game).
5. Kicks from the penalty mark.  Penalty kicks will be scheduled prior to the start of the semifinal game at a time/location determined by the Tournament Site Coordinator.
 

Three team ties:

In the event that more than two teams tie in points at the conclusion of the preliminary round, the advancing team will be determined by completing steps two through five.  Upon elimination of one team, after any of four steps, the remaining teams will proceed through the remaining steps of the tie-breaker to determine the team which advances irrespective of the results of the previous steps.
 

Guest teams/
Guest Players:

Each team is allowed up to six guest players, not to exceed maximum roster size per age group.  Player passes for guest players must be from the same season as the team as a whole.  Teams that are accepted to the tournament as “guest teams” shall not advance out of their group. The guest team results are predetermined to be 1-0 against the guest team.  The opposing team will be awarded eight (8) points.
 

Home Team:

The home team will be the team that appears first on the game schedule.  The home team for semifinal and championship games will be the team with the most points entering the game.  The home team will supply the game ball, unless supplied by the tournament. The game ball will be subject to referee approval.  The home team will be required to switch to an alternate jersey if a color conflict is declared by the referee.  If the home team cannot supply an alternate jersey the visiting team will be required to supply an alternate jersey.  The home team will play from the west or south sides, depending on field orientation.
 

Forfeit and Byes:

Teams failing to report ready to play within five (5) minutes of the scheduled kickoff time, teams with fewer than seven (7) players to start a game or teams failing to check-in at the designated time will forfeit the game with a score of 1-0 awarded to the qualified team.  The winner will be awarded eight (8) points.
 

Injury Delays:

Delays of the game due to injury, regardless of the amount of injury time, will result in no more than five (5) minutes being added to the full game time.  However, the referees will be responsible for ensuring that any additional time will not interfere with the next scheduled game starting on time. Refer to “playing times”.
 

Playing Times:

Play will be based on Halves as specified below:

All preliminary games will be terminated not less than 5 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game regardless of the amount of time played in each half to that point.  A game is “complete” upon completion of one half regardless of the circumstances of termination during the second half, with the final result based on the score at termination.  A preliminary game may end in a tie.  Semifinal games ending in a tie will proceed directly to kicks from the penalty mark to determine a winner.

* Championship matches ending regulation time in a tie will be extended for a total of two five-minute “Golden Goal” overtimes.  If a tie remains at the conclusion of both overtime extensions, a winner will be determined by kicks from the penalty mark.   

Half Time:

Half time will be exactly 5 minutes.
 

Refund Policy:

Teams are not charged application fees until accepted.  Refunds will be provided to teams that withdraw from the tournament prior to the application deadline, minus a $100 administrative fee.  Teams requesting to withdraw following acceptance must do so by contacting the tournament at californiacup@gmail.com, however, they shall forfeit their entire application fee.
 

Awards will be given to the age group champions and finalists following championship games.   One team trophy and championship T-shirts will be awarded to the first place team.  Second place will receive medals.