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Rules

Tournament Rules and Policies

2022

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

All participating teams must be properly registered and in good standing with their sanctioning national organization and their State Association (as appropriate). Only Club Teams with a maximum of three (3) guest players are accepted. Each team must submit an approved Team Roster at the time of registration composed of no more than a maximum of 14 players (U9 & U10 (7v7), a maximum of 16 players U11 & U12 (9v9), and a maximum of 22 players for U13 – U19. All USYS teams outside of Region 1 are required to present an approved permission-to-travel form as filed with their state association if required. US Club Soccer teams are not required to present a travel form. All teams must also present a medical release form for each player on the roster or guest player, at registration. NO EXCEPTIONS TO THESE REQUIREMENTS MAY BE MADE.

All players must be born in the year of their age classification or later. Player registration cards duly authorized by a team’s sanctioning organization shall be required as proof of age and eligibility. Player passes are verified against the roster at Registration and before each match if requested by a coach or tournament official. No player is allowed to be registered with more than one team or to transfer from one team to another once the tournament has begun. A player must play for the team to which they are primarily rostered if that team is in the tournament.

TOURNAMENT AGE GROUPS

Boys U9 through U19 for the seasonal year 2020-2021

REGISTRATION AGES

  • Under 09: after January 1, 2012
  • Under 10: after January 1, 2011
  • Under 11: after January 1, 2010
  • Under 12: after January 1, 2009
  • Under 13: after January 1, 2008
  • Under 14: after January 1, 2007
  • Under 15: after January 1, 2006
  • Under 16: after January 1, 2005
  • Under 17: after January 1, 2004
  •  Under 18: after January 1, 2003
  • Under 19: after January 1, 2002

AWARDS

One award per player is presented to first and second place teams in each class of competition.

TOURNAMENT RULES

The Tournament is played in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game Guide for Referees: United States Soccer Federation, except as modified in this document (see the end of this document for small-sided age group-specific differences). Potomac Soccer Association intends to apply the rules as presented in this document but reserves the right to rule as it deems necessary on any situation. Potomac Soccer Association is not responsible for any expenses incurred by any Team or Club if the Tournament is canceled in whole or part.

Law II: The Ball

Under 09 through Under 12: Size 4

Under 13 through Under 19: Size 5

Law III: Number of Players

Unlimited numbers of substitutions are allowed at the discretion of the referee. Substitutions are allowed, at the discretion of the referee, after any goal, at any kickoff or goal kick, by the team in possession of a throw-in, and at the time of an injury. In addition, teams may substitute at time of an opponent’s possession of a throw-in, presuming that the team in possession of the throw-in also is substituting, at the referee’s discretion.

U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18 & U19 Rule Modification: U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18 & U19 teams may have up to a maximum of 22 players on their tournament approved roster, which may include up to a maximum of 3 guest players. Prior to each match the team must provide to the field marshal their chosen 18-man roster for that particular match. Only these 18 players may remain in uniform in the bench area during the match.

Law IV: Players Equipment

Each player must have a different number, which must coincide with the number on the team’s Tournament Roster. All teams must have two jerseys of different colors. In case of color conflicts, the first team listed in the Schedule must change.

Laws V and VI: Referees & Assistant Referees

All referees are certified by the USSF. Small-sided games (7v7 or 9v9) use a 1-referee system, and full-sided (11v11) games use a 3-referee system. If less than two assistant referees appear at a game, the referee and Field Marshal shall solicit, and the coach of each team shall offer volunteers. The referee shall select the best qualified person(s) and explain the role of the assistant referee to the volunteer(s).

At the conclusion of each game, the referee submits an official game report to the Field Marshal, including the final score, the name and number of all players cautioned and/or sent off and the reason why, and the signature of each team’s coach or manager is required on each game report.

Law VII: Duration of the Game

25-minute halves: U09-U10 (7v7), U11-U12 (9v9)

30-minute halves: U13 – U15

35-minute halves: U16-U19

The interval between halves is five (5) minutes

CONDUCT

A player or coach (whether he/she is actually shown a card or not) who receives an ejection from a game or is shown a red card (straight red or 2 yellows in one game) is required to sit out of the next game in which his team actively participates (forfeited games do not qualify), without regard to the importance of the game to player, coach or team.

Potomac Soccer Association does not tolerate disruptive behavior on or off the field or at area hotels, by players, coaches, parents or other spectators. No alcoholic beverages may be present or consumed at the field sites. Players, coaches, managers, parents and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible manner at all times. No team official or spectator may enter the field of play regardless of the circumstances unless the person has been given permission to do so by the referee.

Note: No smoking is allowed at the MD SoccerPlex. It is a smoke free facility by county law. No pets are allowed at the Maryland SoccerPlex facility. Any individual bringing a pet will be asked to remove that pet from the premises, immediately, by the Park Police.

POSITION OF PLAYERS AND SPECTATORS ON THE FIELD

Players and coaches for both teams shall occupy one side of the field, while spectators affiliated with those teams shall occupy the side of the field opposite that of the teams. All persons affiliated with a team are permitted on the sidelines only, not behind the goal line, and must remain at least 3 yards from the field of play at all times. No individual may stand closer to the end line than the 18-yard line. The home team listed first or on top in the Schedule has choice of sides.

FORFEITS

A team shall forfeit if it is not prepared to play with seven players within 10 minutes of the scheduled kick-off time (five players in the case of U9-U12 age groups). In no case shall a team which forfeits a game be declared a Round Robin Division Winner or Runner-Up or Wildcard Team.

If a team forfeits one Round Robin Game, it forfeits all its games in the Round Robin, even if one or more games have already been played. The winning teams will be awarded a 3-0 win. The forfeiting team may play all remaining Round Robin Games with referees as official exhibitions. Teams are requested to be present at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled kick-off time.

TOURNAMENT PROTESTS

No protests are accepted.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

In the event inclement weather forces cancellation of a game after at least one half of regulation time (or at the discretion of the tournament director) has been played, the game shall be considered official and the score at the point of cancellation shall be the final score. The decision on whether a game has been canceled or will be recommenced if weather improves (and if the referee agrees to resume play) is made by tournament officials and communicated via the Field Marshal. If a game must be stopped before one half has been completed, tournament officials will rule on its potential rescheduling. Such a game may be temporarily halted and recommenced, picking up where play stopped. Regardless of weather conditions, coaches and their teams MUST appear on the field of play ready to play as scheduled unless officially notified not to appear by the Tournament Director. Failure to appear (unless notified) results in forfeiture of the game. In case of inclement weather, the Tournament Director or the Field Marshal may reduce the length of the game (no halftime break except to switch ends of the field). The Tournament Director or the Field Marshall or the referee may postpone or cancel any game. If the decision is made to postpone or cancel, that decision is final. Teams that continue to play shall be suspended from the Tournament.

TOURNAMENT STANDINGS AND TIE BREAKERS

  1. In Round Robin play, teams receive a maximum of three (3) standings points per game, as follows:
  • three (3) points for a win
  • one (1) point for a tie
  • zero (0) points for a loss

If at the end of round robin play two teams are tied in standings points, the following will be used to determine the group winner:

Head-to-head result

Most wins

Total goal differential (goals for minus goals against) in all games (up to +/- 5 per game)

Fewest goals allowed

Penalty Kicks (in accordance with FIFA penalty kick tie break procedure)

If at the end of round robin play three or more teams are tied in standings points, the following will be used to determine the group winner:

Total goal differential (goals for minus goals against, up to +/- 5 per game)

Fewest goals allowed

Penalty Kicks (in accordance with FIFA penalty kick tie break procedure)

If one team has an advantage over all other “tied teams” after application of the first tiebreaking criterion, that team is declared the winner. If no advantage exists, the second criterion is applied, and so on until at least one team “falls out” of the tie. If at least one team “falls out” of the tie, without a winner yet being declared, the remaining “tied teams” shall return to have the first tiebreaking criterion applied (either for a 2-team tie or multi-team tie, as appropriate). If ultimately a tie between a number of teams greater than 2 still exists after all criteria have been applied, we will draw lots to determine team A, team B, etc. Team A v Team B will do FIFA kicks and the winner will play Team C, etc. to determine the winner.

  1. A.            In flights where there are three groups of four teams, each of the three 1st place teams advances to the semifinals, along with the 2nd place team (Wild Card) with the most standings points. If two or more 2nd place teams have the same number of standings points, tiebreakers above are used to break the tie (without regard to commonality of opponents). The group winner with the most standings points (Group Winner 1) shall play the Wild Card team in the semifinals, unless they both come from the same group. In that event, the group winner with the second-most standings points (Group Winner 2) shall play the Wild Card team in the semifinals, and Group Winner 1 shall play Group Winner 3.
  1. In flights where there are 6 teams, each team in bracket A plays the other 3 teams in Bracket B. At the conclusion of group play the 4 teams with the highest accumulation of points plays in the semifinals as 1st v 4th, 2nd v 3rd.
  1. In flights where there are 10 teams, each team in bracket A plays the other 3 teams in bracket B and the 3 teams in bracket B plays the 3 teams in bracket A. The 4 teams in bracket C play within their bracket. At the end of group play, Bracket C winner advances to the semis, the top 3 teams in accumulation of points advance to the semis. Bracket C winner plays the lowest seed #3, and the seed #1 plays seed #2 unless the #3 seed comes from bracket C in which case the bracket C winner plays seed #2.
  2. In U15, U16, U17, U18 & U19 age groups ONLY:  8 team flights will play three group games with each group winner advancing directly to finals.
  3. If Elimination Round Games end in a tie, two (2) periods of overtime shall be played to full time (i.e., no “golden goal”), each consisting of 5 minutes. The score at the conclusion of both overtime periods shall stand. If the game remains tied at the conclusion of the overtime periods, referees shall proceed to FIFA Penalty Kicks to determine the winner of the game.
  4. If the Final ends in a tie, two (2) periods of overtime shall be played to full time (i.e., no “golden goal”), each consisting of 5 minutes. If the game remains tied at the conclusion of both overtime periods, referees shall proceed to FIFA Penalty Kicks to determine the winner of the game.

Players, coaches or spectators receiving a red card (or ejected for the match for any reason) or two yellow cards in a match will be sent off for the rest of that match and must sit out the next match that their team plays (this is a minimum sanction, as additional sanctions may be imposed by the tournament, as deemed appropriate). In addition, suspended players may not be present at the vicinity of the field before, during, or after any game. This applies to all group, semifinal and final games. NO EXCEPTIONS, NO PROTESTS AND NO APPEALS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES REGARDLESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MATCH TO ANY INDIVIDUAL OR TEAM.

U9 & U10 (7v7)-SPECIFIC DIFFERENCES AND INFORMATION

  1. Number of Players: 7-a-side (6 plus goalkeeper)
  2. Field Size: approximately 45-50 yards x 65-75 yards
  3. Goal Size: approximately 6.5 feet x 18 feet
  4. Roster Size: Maximum number of registered players is 14

Build Out Line

When the goalkeeper has the ball, either during play (from the opponent) or from a goal kick, the opposing team must move behind the build out line until the ball is put into play.  Once the opposing team is behind the build out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw or roll the ball into play (punting is not allowed). After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build out line and play resumes as normal.  If a goalkeeper punts the ball, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense.  The buildout line will also be used to denote where offside offenses can be called.

 

U11 & U12 (9v9)-SPECIFIC DIFFERENCES AND INFORMATION

  1. Number of Players: 9-a-side (8 plus goalkeeper)
  2. Field Size: approximately 45-50 yards x 65-75 yards
  3. Goal Size: approximately 6.5 feet x 18 feet
  4. Roster Size: Maximum number of registered players is 16

 U9, U10 & U11 SPECIFIC DIFFERENCES AND INFORMATION

Heading the ball is prohibited in U11 games and younger. At age group divisions U11 and younger, whenever the ball strikes a player in the head, play is stopped.  If deliberate, then the proper restart is an indirect free kick to the opposing team.  If this occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.  If the play by the head is deemed inadvertent, then the proper restart is a dropped ball.

SPECIAL MESSAGE REGARDING VIDEO EQUIPMENT AND DRONES

Drones and Arial video and photography and the use of HI-Pod (or similar) video camera equipment are not permitted at any facility used for the Potomac Memorial Tournament.

CANCELLATION

Tournament cancelation due to Covid 19

If the tournament is cancelled due to Covid 19 prior to April 10t, 2021, a full refund of the application fees will be given. If the tournament is cancelled due to Covid 19 after this date, a partial refund of the application fee will be returned to accepted teams due to the non-recoverable costs and expenses incurred by Potomac Soccer.

Tournament cancelation not due to the Covid 19

The tournament will refund application fees when the event is canceled or postponed, so long as the cancellation or postponement is the sole and direct result of a cause not otherwise excluded. The cause of the cancellation or postponement must occur during the period of insurance and be beyond the control of both the tournament organizer and the participant(s). Full refunds will only be applicable in the instance that no games have been completed. A partial refund may also be granted if a tournament is shortened due to reasons out of our control. Any partial refunds will be at the sole discretion of the tournament organizer and only after confirmation from the Insurers.

**Please Note: Due to the nature of the agreement with the insurance company, the cost of insurance is not able to be included in the claim. For example, a full cancellation refund is the entry fee minus the cost/rate of insurance. Refunds for insured canceled events are subject to approval of the insurance claim by the insurance underwriters and is not guaranteed

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Medical Release

In my absence, I hereby give my consent for emergency medical treatment for my child as approved by his/her coach, team manager, or other adult escort. I understand that this is to prevent undue delay and ensure prompt treatment, and that only a licensed physician, dentist, or other such licensed technicians or nurses will be engaged for such emergency treatment. I agree to be responsible for any and all fees/charges for any such necessary emergency treatment.

Assumption of Risk; Waiver of Liability; Indemnification

A.

I freely acknowledge that I have or will voluntarily register (myself/my child) to participate in soccer Activities. I acknowledge that participation in the Activities entails both known and unanticipated risks that could result in serious and permanent physical and emotional injuries, death, damage to property, and injury to others including, without limitation, the risks of physical or emotional injury, sickness, death, property damage, falls, damage to persons or vehicles from moving objects such as soccer balls, collisions with people and stationary objects, the unavailability of emergency medical care, and/or the negligence and/or deliberate act of another person. I understand that such risks are inherent in the Activities and that even with precautions and safety measures they cannot be eliminated without jeopardizing the essential qualities of the Activities. I also understand and specifically acknowledge that participation in the Activities includes possible exposure to and illness from infectious diseases including, but not limited to, MRSA, influenza, and COVID-19, which may result in serious illness and death. I understand that the Released Parties (hereafter defined) shall have no obligation to provide medical assistance in the event an injury or illness occurs during the Activities. Understanding such dangers and risks, I hereby knowingly and voluntarily choose to participate in the Activities, and if applicable I give my permission for my child to engage in the Activities described above, and (myself/my child) fully assume(s) the risk of the Activities, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASED PARTIES. I acknowledge that this Agreement applies, without limitation, to any other risks encountered before, during or after the Activities, whether or not the Participant knows or expects them to exist at the time of signing this Agreement, including, but not limited to, driving to or from the Activities, in parking lots or access areas, being present in any Facility at which the Activities are held, slips, falls, stairs, exits, entrances, fire and/or any other occurrence or event, known or unknown.

B.

I represent that (I/my child) is in good health and that no condition of (mine/my child's) would constrain (me/my child) from safely participating in the Activities. I understand that failure to provide information of any health condition that would constrain (me/my child) from participating could result in serious injuries or death to (me/my child). I agree to bear the costs of any injury or damages (I/my child) may suffer while participating in any Activities. I hereby authorize any Entity holding/sponsoring Activities, or representatives of any of said Entities, to call for medical care for (me/my child) if in the opinion of such personnel or (my/my child's) coach medical attention is needed.

C.

Participant hereby knowingly and voluntarily releases and forever discharges and covenants not to sue the Entities and/or the owners, lessees, managers or licensees of the Facility, their respective affiliates, employees, coaches, instructors, assistants, officers, directors, owners, members, managers, shareholders, sponsors, advertisers, and other representatives, and the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of all of them (collectively with the Entities, the "Released Parties") from (1) ANY AND ALL ACTS OF ACTIVE OR PASSIVE NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF ANY ONE OR ALL OF THE RELEASED PARTIES, and (2) any and all liabilities, claims, causes of action, suits, controversies, judgments, demands, injuries, sickness, damages (consequential, incidental, punitive or otherwise), costs, expenses, attorneys' fees, and any other legal, equitable or administrative actions or proceedings whatsoever, in tort, contract or otherwise, known or unknown, accrued or unaccrued, arising out of or related to the Activities, the Facility, the Participant, the Participant's use of the Facility, the Participant's involvement in the Activities, whether caused by negligence or otherwise, and any other matter or thing whatsoever arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including without limitation, those based on death, physical injury, emotional injury and/or property damage (collectively "Losses"). Participant hereby agrees and shall indemnify, defend (with counsel acceptable to the Entity or Entities subject to liability) and hold each and every one of the Released Parties, jointly and severally, harmless from and against any and all Losses, including, but not limited to, any challenge by the Participant to this Agreement or any provision hereof.

Publicity Release

Participant hereby irrevocably grants to the entities and those acting with their authority or permission, the unrestricted right to copyright and use, re-use, publish, republish and display photographic and video images and audio of the participant or in which the participant may be included in connection with any activities undertaken by any entity, in whole or in part, separately or in conjunction with other photographs or video or audio, in any medium now or hereafter known, and for any purpose whatsoever, including (but not by way of limitation) illustration, art, promotion, advertising, trade and/or any other purpose whatsoever, and to use the participant's name in connection therewith. Participant hereby further expressly releases and waives any demand, action, claim, license, royalty and/or any other right to any form of payment the participant may have based on claims as to the rights of privacy, publicity, notoriety and/or any other rights arising out of or relating to any use by any entity or those acting with their authority or permission of the undersigned's name, likeness or appearance.

General Terms

This Agreement shall be enforced and interpreted under the laws of the State of Maryland except for the conflicts of law provisions of Maryland. The Participant hereby consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Maryland and venue for any action arising out of or related to this Agreement shall be in Montgomery County, Maryland. Should any clause or any part of any clause be determined to be illegal or unenforceable such clause shall be amended to the smallest degree necessary to render such clause valid and enforceable and the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected. The introductory statements are incorporated into this Agreement. The Participant hereby seals this Agreement as a specialty, that is, subject to a twelve (12) year statute of limitations.

PARTICIPANT EXPRESSLY AGREES THAT THE ASSUMPTION OF RISK, RELEASES, WAIVERS, INDEMNIFICATION, AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE INTENDED TO BE COMPLETE, UNCONDITIONAL AND AS BROAD AND INCLUSIVE AS PERMITTED BY THE LAWS OF MARYLAND AND ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHOSE LAWS MAY APPLY TO THIS AGREEMENT. THIS AGREEMENT CANNOT BE AMENDED BY ANY ORAL STATEMENTS OR OTHER WRITINGS AND IS BINDING ON THE PARTICIPANT AND THE PARTICIPANT'S HEIRS, SUCCESSORS, GUARDIANS, LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES, AND ASSIGNS. A FAXED, SCANNED OR ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE SHALL BE BINDING IN LIEU OF THE ORIGINAL. THIS AGREEMENT IS EFFECTIVE FROM THE DATE OF SIGNATURE AND APPLIES TO ALL ACTIVITIES OF THE ENTITIES THAT THE PARTICIPANT ATTENDS OR PARTICIPATES IN AT ANY TIME IN THE FUTURE, AND SHALL SURVIVE FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE PARTICIPANT. HOWEVER, IF PARTICIPANT IS A MINOR, IT MUST BE RESUBMITTED (1) UPON THE PARTICIPANT TURNING 18, OR (2) IF THE GUARDIAN OF THE PARTICIPANT CHANGES. PARTICIPANT WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT.

For Participants of Minority Age (Who Will Be Under Age 18 at the Time of the Activity)

This is to certify that I, as parent/guardian, with legal responsibility for the Participant, have read and explained the provisions in this Agreement to my child/ward, including the risks of presence and participation in the Activities and his/her personal responsibilities for adhering to the rules and regulations for protection against communicable diseases. Furthermore, my child/ward understands and accepts these risks and responsibilities. I, for myself, my spouse, and child/ward do consent and agree to this Agreement, and myself, my spouse, and child/ward do release and agree to the terms and conditions of this Agreement including, but not limited to, to indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties for any and all Losses incidental to my minor child's/ward's presence or participation in the Activities as provided above, direct or indirect, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THEIR NEGLIGENCE, including, without limitation, any damage to person(s) or property to the fullest extent provided by law.

BY CHECKING THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT BOX ON THE REGISTRATION FORM, I, THE UNDERSIGNED, ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND MY PARTICIPATING CHILDREN OR GUARDIANS, HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND SIGN FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT.

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