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Rules for the 2024 Westlake Invitational

1. ELIGIBILITY

Roster Size
Competition is open to teams composed of no more than 18 players (U-13 through U-15), 16 players (U-11 & U-12), 14 players (U-8 through U-10)

Player Sharing
No player shall be allowed to register with more than one team within the same age group or switch to another team during the tournament. For example, a player can be rostered on a U9 team and a U10 team, but a player cannot play on two U9 teams even if they are in separate divisions. Under no circumstance will WIST attempt to avoid conflicts for players rostered on two teams.

Club Affiliation and Proof of Age
The tournament is sanctioned by both US Club and US Youth Soccer. Teams can be registered with either, but the entire team must be registered under the same association. Under no circumstance can mixed player passes be used across a team. USSF- affiliated teams not under affiliation with a US Youth Soccer state association are permitted provided OYSAN- required documentation is submitted. US Youth Teams from outside Ohio North must have a copy of the Permission To Travel Form signed by their Association. Official state stamped team rosters will be checked against the players passes at registration. Player registration cards authorized by the state association will be required as proof of age, except for the U-8 division. Teams in the U-8 division will be required to provide a league approved roster or at a minimum a roster showing player names and birth dates that is signed by the clubs registrar confirming that these players are registered with the club, insured and birth dates are accurate. Players must be registered to their team according to current US Youth Soccer standards for age groupings.

Guest Players
U8-U12 teams are allowed 4 guest players. U13 and above are allowed 5 guest players. All guest players will be required to meet all other eligible player requirements including having a current player card, a validated team roster and have a birth date appropriate for their designated age group. Teams who use guest players, may only use players who are rostered within the same USSF affiliate. (e.g. USYSA teams may only use USYSA rostered guest players; US Club teams may only use US Club rostered guest players.)

Age Group Format
U8-U10 teams will play 7v7; U11-U12 teams will play 9v9; U13-U15 teams will play 11v11.

Team Check-in for Games
Coaches must present official tournament roster and player cards during check in for EACH GAME.


2. LAWS OF THE GAME
All games shall be played in accordance with FIFA Laws, except as specifically noted by these Rules.


3. PLAYER EQUIPMENT
a. No metal cleats allowed on soccer shoes.
b. Where the color of jerseys is similar or identical, the designated home team will change colors. Home team is listed first on the schedule.
c. All players must have uniforms with individual numbers on the shirt. Uniform number must coincide with players name on the roster.
d. All equipment will be subject to approval of the referee.
e. All players must wear shin guards.


4. SUBSTITUTIONS
a. After a goal has been scored by either team.
b. At halftime.
c. Before a goal kick by either team.
d. Before a throw-in in your favor. The team in possession of the ball for a throw-in may substitute. If the team in possession substitutes players, the opposing team may also substitute any number of players at the same time.
e. In the case of injury on a one-for-one basis. (If a substitution is made for an injured player, the other team may also make a substitution.)
f. After a caution, one for one by both teams, if the cautioned player is substituted.


5. HEADING

No Heading Rule Policy: (as per OSYSA ByLaws 20.2 and 20.7) is in effect now (since July 1, 2016) for U-11 and younger games.

OSYSA ByLaw 20.2:
-All players who are registered on or participate with any U-11s or younger team are prohibited from deliberately striking a soccer ball with any portion of their head, (a.k.a. heading), during any game, practice, tryout, or other soccer related activity.
-If an U-11s or younger player engages in heading a soccer ball during games, practices, tryouts, or other soccer related activities, contrary to the above listed prohibition, the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the player accept the risk and/or peril of doing so.

OSYSA ByLaw 20.7:
-When a player who is rostered on a team playing in an U-11 or younger age group or division deliberately strikes the ball with his / her head during any league or tournament game, Referees and Assistant Referees of that game must consider the act to be Dangerous Play and handle the matter accordingly as an infraction of the Laws of the Game.


6. TEAM FIELD POSITION
Both teams' players and coaches will take up positions in the designated team areas at each field. All spectators will remain on the opposite side of the field from the teams behind the crowd line. There is a limit of three coaches, who are rostered to a team and who will be allowed to remain with the team during the game. No spectators will be permitted behind the goals. All coaches and players not on the playing field must remain in the designated team areas located 10 yards either side of the center line line.


7. CONDUCT
It is the coaches responsibility to monitor and address spectator conduct. Players and coaches are expected to conduct themselves within the spirit of the Law, as well as the letter of the Law. Displays of temper dissent by word or action against the opponent or referee, and retaliation of fouls are cause for ejection from the game. Players or coaches receiving a red or two yellow cards will not be permitted to participate in the next scheduled game.


8. DURATION OF PLAY
All preliminary and semi-final games will have two equal halves of 25 minutes in duration with a 5-minute half time interval.

Championship Games
U9-U10 2 equal halves of 25 minutes in duration with a 5-minute half time interval
U11-15 2 equal halves of 30 minutes in duration with a 5-minute half time interval

The game clock will not be stopped because of injury unless, at the discretion of the referee, medical personnel must remove the injured player from the field. Due to the time allowed for the completion of all games, the clock must run continuously. Not more than 10 minutes will be added to the clock.


9. BALL SIZE
U13-U15 Size 5
U8-U12 Size 4


10. PROTESTS
There will be no protests.


11. REFEREES
All decisions of the referee are final and binding.


12. INCLEMENT WEATHER
Only referees and/or the Tournament Directors can cancel a game. If games are not officially canceled or suspended by the Tournament regardless of weather conditions, coaches and their teams MUST appear on the field of play ready to play as scheduled. Failure to appear will result in forfeiture of the game.

Inclement weather before games: In case of severe weather conditions before play, referees and/or the Tournament Directors MAY reduce the length of the game by 50%.

Games interrupted in the first half:
a. If time permits, play to completion.
b. If time permits, play to completion of at least the first half and record the score as complete.
c. If the first half cannot be completed, the game will be called a scoreless tie and each team will be awarded one point.

Games interrupted after completion of first half:
a. If time permits, play to completion.
b. If time does not permit, the game will be called complete and the score at the time of the interruption recorded.
c. In any event, games shall not be played past the scheduled start time of the next game due to weather delays.


13. FORFEITS
A maximum 5-minute grace period will be allowed after scheduled kick-off time before a game is awarded to an opponent.

Minimum number of players to start match
U8-U10 5 players constitutes a team; and ONLY less than 5 players present may delay the start of a game.
U11-U12 7 players constitutes a team, and ONLY less than 7 players present may delay the start of a game.
U13-U15 8 players constitutes a team, and ONLY less than 7 players present may delay the start of a game.

Teams are expected to be ready to start the game on time, possibly with no warm up time. Failure to complete a match, or a team leaving the field of play, will result in a forfeit. No team that has forfeited a game will be declared a group winner. Forfeits will be scored as a 4-0 loss. This score will be the official score in case goal differential is a necessary tiebreaker.


14. GENERAL RULES
a. The Tournament Committee and the Westlake Soccer Association will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any team or club if the tournament is canceled in whole or part. No refunds will be made to any participating teams if the tournament directors for any reason cancel a portion of or the tournament once tournament play has begun. If the tournament is canceled prior to any tournament games being played each team will be eligible to receive a partial refund of their tournament fee the amount of which will be determined by the tournament director. Instructions for this refund will be sent to team contact and must be promptly followed to receive the refund. The tournament will refund a team's entry fee in its entirety if it is unable to provide an appropriate age bracket in which to compete. No refunds will be guaranteed for teams that withdraw once the bracketing process has started.
b. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to the tournament and its judgment is final.
c. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited anywhere on the tournament site.
d. Serious misconduct of coaches, parents or anyone associated with the team can result in disqualification of the team from the tournament.



15. POINT SYSTEM
3 Points - Win 1 Point - Tie 0 Points - Loss


16. AWARDS
First and second place individual awards will be presented in each U9-U15 age group to the Winners and Runners-up in each division. Participation Awards will be presented to each player on every U8 team. Competition in the U8 division will be conducted with no playoffs or Championships. No awards for placement (1st and 2nd) will be presented in this age group.


17. PRELIMINARY ROUND TIE BREAKERS
The top division is the Gold division followed by Silver and Bronze where applicable. Ties will stand at the end of regular play for preliminary round games. Division standings and/or playoff positions will be determined as follows:

a. The team with the most points, second highest number of points, third highest number of points and fourth highest number of points, etc.
b. Result of game played between tied teams. (if three teams or more are tied, go to the next step).
c. Highest total goal differential (total goals scored minus total goals allowed). A maximum differential of 4 goals per game will count for this purpose. (i.e. For a score of 4-0, goal differential is 4 for the winner and -4 for the loser. For a score of 7-2, goal differential is also 4 and -4 as above).
d. Least number of total goals allowed.
e. Most goals scored. (Maximum of 4 goals per game.)
f. If teams are tied after step "e", standing will be based on penalty kick elimination (as governed by FIFA rules) or coin toss as determined by the Tournament Directors.



18. SEMI FINAL AND CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES - TIES

If the teams competing in Semi-Final or Championship Games are tied at the end regular time, the FIFA penalty kick procedure will be used to determine a winner.


19. U10 AND UNDER MODIFIED RULES

Buildout Line:
A line 14 yards from the goal line used in U10 and younger matches.

Instead of a goal kick, goalies can throw, roll or play the ball to their feet to restart. The opposing team must retreat behind the “build-out” line until the ball is in play by one of the three methods of restart.

The defense has six seconds to retreat behind the “build-out” line; once retreated, the goalie has six seconds to put the ball in play.


Goalie Punts and Drop Kicks:
Goal keepers are no longer allowed to punt or drop kick at the U10 or younger level.


Free Kicks:
In the case of either a direct or indirect kick, the opposing team must stand at least five yards away from the ball.


Offsides:
Offsides is enforced for U9 and U10 ages. Offsides is not enforced for U8.



 
 
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