2021 Southwest Cup Rules

PRE-TOURNAMENT CHECK IN: All teams must provide player/coach credentials ONLINE by Monday April

5th, 2021 9:00 AM.

Each team or club must complete online check in!
TEAMS NEED TO PROVIDE the following Required Documents:

1. Event Roster, this can be generated from your team account in Gotsoccer under the event on the roster tab.
A copy of each US Youth Soccer Player Pass or each US Club Players Pass, or Passport if your team is
international (ONLY the front side that shows picture and Date of Birth must be copied) (If the player pass is
“two sided”, we need side with players’ name and birthdate) including guest players for each player
participating. You must include coach’s cards and manager’s cards in this document. We recommend
scanning multiple player cards to fill a sheet of paper which requires fewer “ID Card” attachments
and a smaller file.

2. Team Contact Form

3. Player Registration Certification Form

4. USYS Teams outside of Region 4 / International Teams: A copy of Permission to Travel form if your team is
USYS registered and outside of Region 4 and/or International team (Canada, UK, Caribbean, etc). If your
team is registered with US Club Soccer, a permission to travel form is also required.
The team contact form and Player Registration Certification Form can be found on the tournament website
https://rslazsoccer.com/southwest-cup/ under check in forms as well as submission process.
• Rosters are frozen when a team starts their first game of the tournament. Players may not play
without the above documentation.

For a team coming from a CONCACAF nation:
A. Players must present passports at registration or, if from a nation that the United States does not
require a passport, proof of entry into the United States that is required by the United States.
B. Teams are required to have and present player picture identification cards.
C. Tournament rules require that the team have a completed form from its Provincial or National
Association approving the team’s participation in the tournament.

ROSTERS:
9U/10U – 7v7 – maximum roster of 14 players – maximum players suited for a match = 12
11U/12U – 9v9 – maximum roster of 18 players – maximum players suited for a match = 16
13U + – 11v11 – maximum roster of 22 players – maximum players suited for a match = 22

Proper Player Loan Forms will be required at registration along with other required credentials, if required by the
team’s State Association. Players can only play for one tournament team in the same age group during the
weekend. Maximum of 5 Loan players allowed per team unless Tournament Director approval.
JERSEY NUMBERS: The shirt number of each player must be the same as the player’s shirt number on the daily
match report or roster. If the numbers are not the same the referee shall not allow the player to take part in the
match until the numbers are the same. Any team found switching player jersey numbers during the game without
notifying and getting referee approval shall automatically forfeit the match.

RULES OF PLAY

REFEREES: All matches will use Federation Certified Referees.
FIFA LAWS of the Game will apply as modified by USYSA and AYSA as described herein.

HEADING THE BALL: No heading the ball for U11 and below age groups. Play will be stopped and indirect free
kick given to the opposing team for “deliberate” headers.

Duration of Game by HALVES and Balls Size as Follows:
Division Length of Halves Halftime Ball Size
U9/U10 20 Minutes 5 min 4
U11/U12 25 Minutes 5 min 4
U13/U14 30 Minutes 5 min 5
U15/U19 35 Minutes 5 min 5

**Bracket games will end in a tie. If a playoff game is tied at the end of regulation time, FIFA Penalty Kicks will
determine the winner. Penalty Kicks will be taken immediately following the game.

PRE-GAME CHECK IN: Teams must check in game ready with the referee on the field 15 minutes prior to the
start of each scheduled game. At this time the player equipment will be checked.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Free substitutions will be allowed in all age groups

PLAYER’S EQUIPMENT: It will be at the Referee’s discretion to determine the safety and suitability of player
equipment including the wearing of an orthopedic cast or hard brace. Shin guards are mandatory for all players
No jewelry or hair pins allowed.

COACHING: All coaches have total responsibility for the conduct of their players, substitutes, and spectators at
all times. Coaching from the sidelines, giving direction to one’s own team on points of strategy and position, is
permitted, provided:

1. No mechanical devises used.
2. The tone of the voice is instructive and not derogatory.
3. Each coach or substitute remains within (10) yards on either side of the halfway line.
4. No coach, substitute, or spectator makes derogatory remarks or gestures to the referee’s other coaches, players,
substitutes, or spectators.
5. No coach, substitute, or spectator uses profanity or incites, in any manner, disruptive behavior.

CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS: A player or coach receiving two cautions (yellow cards) in a single game is
considered to have been given an ejection (red card) for the purposes of awarding point for the tournament
competition. A player who has been ejected (sent off) will not be replaced. A player or coach who has been
ejected will not return for that game. A player or coach who assaults a referee will be expelled from the
Tournament. For the purpose of this tournament a coach CAN be carded.
For U.S. Teams, each State Association will be notified of any disciplinary action taken or required to be taken. For
Foreign teams, the Federation will transmit the disciplinary action taken or required to be taken to that team’s
provincial or national association.
The Tournament will conform to the established guidelines -see table below:

THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR AND SITE DIRECTOR DO NOT HAVE ANY ATHOURITY OVER ANY
DECISION MAKING NORMALY DONE BY THE REFEREE DURING THE COURSE OF A GAME AND
CANNOT OVERTUNR ANY REFEREE DECSION.

SUSPENDED AND TERMINATED GAMES: If in the opinion of game officials a game must be suspended (for
any reason), the game may be resumed, but is subject to being ended not less than (10) minutes prior to the start
of the next scheduled game. If in the opinion of the game officials, a game must be terminated for misconduct of
players, coaches, or spectators, the offending team could be suspended from further play and forfeits that game
and all remaining games. All previous points earned remain as played. Additionally, the home league and State
Association will be contacted as appropriate.

INJURY: Delays of the game due to injury will result in appropriate time being added to the full game time,
based on the judgment of the referee. However, all preliminary games will be terminated not less than (10)
minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game.

DETERMINING WINNERS: Teams will be awarded points on the following basis:
Six (6) Points per Win
Three (3) Points per Tie
Zero (0) Point per Loss
One (1) point for each goal up to 3 per game
One (1) point for Shutout, includes (0-0) Tie
In the event of a tie in points at the end of the bracket play, the winner for the advancement to Semi-Final or Final
will be determined as follows:
1. The winner in head to head competitions
2. Goals For (limit of 5 per game)
3. Goal Against (limit of 5 per game)
4. Most Wins
5. Goal Differential
6. If a tie still exists after steps 1 through 4, FIFA Kicks from the Penalty Mark will be taken fifteen (15)
minutes prior to the scheduled start of the Semi or Final Game.

In the event of a three-way tie at the end of bracket play, the winner for advancement to the Final will be determined as above without consideration for comparison of head to head competition to eliminate one team. If the teams are still tied and FIFA Kicks have to be taken there will be a draw by the Tournament Committee. The first team drawn will receive the bye; the next team drawn will be the home team against the remaining team in the first contest of penalty kicks. The winner of the first contest will then compete against the bye team in penalty kicks to determine the group winner. The bye team will be the home team.

HOME TEAM: The home team will be the team, which appears first on the game schedule. 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 alternate jerseys to accommodate a color conflict as declared by the referee. If the Home team cannot supply alternate jerseys, the Home team may forfeit the game.
The Home and Away teams will sit on the designated side of the field. All spectators will sit on the opposite side of the field directly across from their team’s bench.

FORFEITS AND BYES: All teams who forfeit will have the game(s) scored a 0-1 loss. The winner will be awarded six tournament points (for the win). Teams failing to report ready to play within ten minutes of the
scheduled kick off time will forfeit. Home Teams unable to supply alternate jerseys, or teams failing to check in at Mandatory Tournament Check in or for taking actions which cause a game to be terminated, will forfeit. Byes will be scored and tournament points awarded the same as a forfeit. Teams must have a minimum of 7 players to
start.

PROTESTS/APPEALS: NO PROTESTS OR APPEALS WILL BE ALLOWED

DISPUTES: All disputes will be settled by the Tournament Director or designee and the decision will be final.

AWARDS:
U9-U12 first and second place medals, U13 and above 1st place trophies.

REFUNDS: NO REFUNDS will be granted to any team accepted to participate in this Tournament.
TOURNAMENT PLAY: Each team is guaranteed a minimum of 3 games, with a maximum of 2 games per day.

GENERAL INFORMATION

HEADQUARTERS: Tournament Headquarters will be located at each of the tournament venues. Standings will
be available online through Gotsoccer. Awards will be present at the Headquarters tents.

TRAINERS AND FIELD MARSHALLS: The tournament will supply Field Marshalls and Athletic Trainers to
help provide your teams a safe experience. Contact the check-in tent for the location of the Trainers.

FIELD SET UP AND CONDITIONS: The directors from each facility have been most generous to host our tournament. It is the responsibility of each team to treat these facilities with care. The tournament expects that each team clean their sidelines and or pre-game gathering areas of all debris and trash, including tape, immediately after each game. Each field will have numerous trash receptacles, please use them. Your cooperation in this area will ensure that we are able to sue these facilities for future tournaments.

INCLEMENT WEATHER CONTIGENY PLAN: In the event of inclement weather, the Tournament Director reserves the right to modify all tournament rules to fairly and safely complete the tournament. The health and
safety of players is our first priority. The tournament has an obligation to protect the fields and facilities that are being used for tournament play. All decisions will be based on field conditions with input from the local field directors. It is the responsibility of the coaches to be available for any contingencies and to monitor the tournament website for updates. Field Marshall’s at the location will be informed of any changes and will provide
instructions to all teams. Coaches are asked to be patient and remain flexible if this unfortunate situation arises.

As a result of inclement weather, and at the direction of the Tournament Director, one of the schedule will be
implemented:
1. All games are to continue as scheduled.
2. Eliminate pre-game warm up on the field, game times to continue as scheduled.
3. Eliminate pre-game warm-up on the field and shorten all games. The Tournament Committee will determine the
game length.
4. Shots from the Penalty Mark will replace games.

REMINDERS: Pick up all trash and belongings from the sidelines after each game. NO DOGS permitted at the
fields. NO ALCOHOL or SMOKING permitted. NO STAKING of canopies, tents or umbrellas is not allowed at any of
the sites. NO Noise Makers allowed during games.

SPORTSMANSHIP ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY: All Spectators, Coaches and Players MUST show respect for
each other and the authority of the Referees. Help us set a great example for our youth!

Please cheer enthusiastically for your team
Please acknowledge the good play of both teams
Please do not “help” players or coaches or criticize referees
Let the players make their own decisions on the field

THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK!