TOURNAMENT RULES 2023
| AGE GROUPS | PRELIMINARY GAMES | SEMI-FINALS | FINALS | BALL SIZE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 25 minutes | 25 minutes | 25 minutes | 4 |
| 2016 | 25 minutes | 25 minutes | 25 minutes | 4 |
| 2015 | 25 minutes | 25 minutes | 25 minutes | 4 |
| 2014 | 25 minutes | 25 minutes | 25 minutes | 4 |
| 2013 | 25 minutes | 25 minutes | 30 minutes | 4 |
| 2012 | 25 minutes | 25 minutes | 30 minutes | 4 |
| 2011 | 30 minutes | 30 minutes | 30 minutes | 5 |
| 2010 | 30 minutes | 30 minutes | 30 minutes | 5 |
| 2009 | 25 minutes | 25 minutes | 35 minutes | 5 |
| 2008 | 35 minutes | 35 minutes | 35 minutes | 5 |
| 2007 | 35 minutes | 35 minutes | 35 minutes | 5 |
| 2005/2006 | 35 minutes | 35 minutes | 35 minutes | 5 |
All teams will be scheduled for a minimum of 3 games.
All preliminary games will be terminated not less than five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game, regardless of the amount of time played in each half up to that point.
A game is complete upon completion of one half of play regardless of the circumstances of termination during the second half, with final results based on the score at termination.
A preliminary game can end in a tie.
Final games that end in a tie will be decided by FIFA penalty kicks from the mark. They will not have overtime periods added.
HALF TIME
Half-time will be exactly five (5) minutes unless games are behind schedule, which will be determined by the Tournament Director. Please help officials with this request.
TOURNAMENT POINT SYSTEM
- 6 Points for each Win,
- 3 Points for each Tie,
- 0 Points for each Loss,
- 1 Point for each Goal Scored (Maximum of 3),
- 1 Point for Shutout, excluding 0-0 ties.
TIE BREAKERS
In the event of a tie, bracket winners will be determined as follows:
- The winner of head to head competition,
- Most goals scored (max 3 per game),
- Fewest goals against,
- Most wins,
- Most shutout wins,
- Most shutouts.
If a tie still exists after steps 1 through 6, FIFA penalty kicks will be taken from the Penalty Mark at a location determined by the Official.
YOUNGER (ALL 7v7) PLAYING RULES
- There will be a build-out line.
- Once the opposing team is behind the build-out line, the GK can pass, throw or roll ball into play.
- Punts and drop kicks are not allowed.
- Offside will be called within the goal line and build-out line.
- Direct/indirect kicks will be taken as usual (goals can be scored only from direct kick).
- Headers are not allowed.
9v9 BRACKET
- Heading for 2012 AGE GROUP IS ALLOWED.
- Punting or drop-kicking the ball by the GK WILL BE ALLOWED in the 2013-2012 age group.
SUBSITUTIONS
Free substitution will be allowed in all age groups. However, teams may substitute only with the referee’s permission under FIFA laws.
COACHING
All Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players, substitutes, friends, 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:
- No mechanical devices are used.
- The tone of the voice is instructive and not derogatory.
- Each coach or substitute remains within 10 yards on either side of the halfway line.
- No coach, substitute, or spectator makes derogatory remarks or gestures to referees, other coaches, players, substitutes, or spectators.
- No coach, substitute, or spectator uses profanity or incites, in any manner, disruptive behavior.
CAUTIONS & 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 points 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 and will not be allowed to participate in the next scheduled game.
A player or coach who is ejected for violent conduct or serious foul play will not be allowed to participate in the next TWO scheduled games. Any player or coach who assaults a referee will be expelled from the Tournament. For the purpose of this Tournament, a coach can be carded. A team will be disqualified from the Tournament if any player or coach fails to comply with the provisions of this section. Tournament Director can override ejections.
SUSPENDED & TERMINATED GAMES
If, in the opinion of Tournament officials, a game must be suspended (for reason), the game may be resumed but is subject to being ended not less than five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game. If, in the opinion of tournament officials, a game must be terminated for misconduct of players, bench 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.
If a game is terminated due to problems associated with the fields, including lighting for a night game, or due to the serious injury of a player (see the following section entitled “INJURY”), the resumption of play for that game will be at the discretion of the Tournament Officials. Tournament Officials may, at their option, conclude the game, require completion of the game or utilize penalty kicks to determine the winner of the game depending upon the circumstance and taking into account the potential effect of the game results on the standings of the teams.
INJURY
Delays of the game will only be allowed for an injury requiring professional medical attention and the inability to remove the injured player from the field until and while the medical attention is being provided to the player. The delay will result in no time being added to the full game time during Preliminary games, Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, and Finals will have added time due to severe injuries based on the judgment of the referee. Otherwise, each game will be played with a running clock and no suspension of the clock time.
All preliminary games will be terminated not less than five (5) minutes before the next game’s scheduled start. The failure to complete any game due to a serious injury requiring suspension of the gameplay shall be controlled by the preceding section; “SUSPENDED AND TERMINATED GAMES”.
HOME TEAM
The Home Team will be the team that appears first on the game schedule. The Home team will choose color jersey. The Home Team will have the selection of the side of the field they wish to defend, and the visiting team will start with the kick-off. All teams will play from the same side of the field, with the Home Team selecting the side from which they will play. Parents are to mirror the location of their Teams on the opposite Sideline.
The Tournament Director reserves the right to adjust the brackets, schedules, or crossovers at any stage of the competition without consultation or the agreement of affected teams. This decision will be final, and no appeals will be heard. The Tournament Director also reserves the right to replace, remove, or change any Team, Bracket, or level as seen fit, and this decision will be final, and no appeals will be heard.
If a team is forced to withdraw or cannot play a game or games due to positive COVID tests or COVID exposures, the team will forfeit the game with a scoreline of 3-0. The Tournament Director may replace the team with a guest team depending on the time available and availability of a guest team. This game would be a scrimmage, and the result would still stand as a 3-0 win.
The Tournament will do its best to ensure each team gets a minimum of three games. Still, due to the unforeseeable or unpredictable nature of COVID-19, we cannot guarantee that there won’t be cancelations or withdrawals at the last minute or over the weekend itself. The Tournament Director reserves the right to treat all COVID situations on a case-by-case basis and will make every effort to ensure all games are played, and all teams get their minimum number of games.
TOURNAMENT PLAY
Flight of 6 Teams: Cross-Play groups will be treated as one group in the points table and playoff generation.
For Example: If we have Group C, which cross-plays Group D (3 teams each), the teams moving on playoff will be C/D1 (the team with the most points amongst both Group C and Group D), or C/D1 and C/D2 (the top two teams with the most points amongst both Group C and Group D.
Cross-Play groups will be treated as one group in points table and playoff generation.
For Example: If we have Group C, which cross-plays Group D (3 teams each), the teams moving on playoff will be C/D1 (the team with the most points amongst both Group C and Group D), or C/D1 and C/D2 (the top two teams with the most points amongst both Group C and Group D.
FIVE TEAM DIVISION: will consist of One (1) Bracket of five (5) teams. Each team will play each other one time, and the team with the most points will win the event. No finals will be held for a FIVE team division. Rebels National Challenge reserves the right to change the format per unique situation at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
EIGHT TEAM DIVISION: will consist of two (2) Brackets of our (4) teams. Each team will play the others within its Bracket for a total of three (3) preliminary games. The winner of Bracket A will play the first-place team of Bracket B in the Championship. Rebels National Challenge reserves the right to add semi-finals at the discretion of the Tournament.
TWELVE TEAM DIVISION: will consist of three (3) Brackets of four (4) teams. Each team will play the others within its Bracket for a total of three (3) preliminary games. The winner of Bracket A will play the Wildcard Team in Semi-Final Game 1, and the winners of Brackets B and C will play in Semi-Final Game 2. The Wildcard Team will be the second-place team with the most points or tiebreakers. If the Wildcard Team comes from Bracket A, then the Winner of A will play Winner B, and the Winner of C will play the Wildcard. The Semi-Final winners will meet for the Championship.