1. ELIGIBILITY
Participation is open to U9-U12 Boys and Girls Travel Teams of 18 or fewer players (U9 through U12 teams may have no more than 14 players on their roster) registered with a National State Association affiliated with USYSA/USSF or national equivalent and must present a valid State or Provincial roster. Teams that are members of organizations of the United States Soccer Federation but not members of US Youth Soccer (such as AYSO, SAY or US Club Soccer) DO NOT have to have a US Youth Soccer Application To Travel form (although that team’s organization may require that the team have permission). Such a team roster does need to be provided to tournament officials, however, along with current passes from its organization and a current team roster.
Up to three carded guest players are permitted for U-9 through U-12. However, a team using guest players must have no more than fourteen (14) players for U-9 and U-12 age groups. Guest players must be current USYS/USSF or national equivalent players whose team for which they are registered is not participating in the Fauquier Friendlies. Guest players may be recreational players, provided they obtain certification comparable to a player registration card and obtain this certification from the same state official that grants player registration cards.
2. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
A team representative is required to appear at Tournament Headquarters for Team Registration Friday March 14, 2007 to have team credentials reviewed and approved. There will be no exceptions. Any team failing to appear at registration will be declared ineligible and their scheduled games declared forfeits. Player registration cards valid for the 2007/2008 seasonal year AND an official 2007/2008 team roster approved by your State Association will be required
Each team must provide three copies of its official roster and medical release forms (notarizing not necessary) for each player at registration as proof of age. Player passes, official roster, and medical release forms will be checked at registration and may be checked at anytime during the tournament.
Teams from outside the state of Virginia must include a Permission to Travel form (approved by their State Association) with their application and provide a copy of the form at tournament registration, except as stated below. Since FCSC is affiliated with WAGS and NCSL, out-of-state WAGS and NCSL teams do not require permission to travel.
Region 1 Policy Regarding Application To Host A Tournament
Region I has established the following policy concerning permission to
travel when attending USYS sanctioned tournaments in Region I. The purpose
of this policy is to make it as simple as possible for the US Youth Soccer
Region I teams to travel to tournaments within Region I.
The new policy states that any USYS State Association teams within Region I
that is accepted into a tournament in Region I do not need permission to
travel papers. Permission to Travel is not required in friendly games within
Region 1. Note is to be taken on the two (2) states that have an exception
to this policy (Connecticut & New Jersey).
National State Associations in Region I:
Connecticut Jr Soccer Assn - Must provide Permission to Travel
Delaware Youth Soccer Assn
Eastern New York Youth Soccer Assn
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Assn
Soccer Maine
Maryland Youth Soccer Assn
Massachusetts Youth Soccer Assn
New Hampshire Soccer Assn
*New Jersey Youth Soccer Assn – Must provide Permission to Travel
New York State West Youth Soccer Assn
Pennsylvania West State Soccer Assn
Soccer Rhode Island
Vermont Soccer Assn
Virginia Youth Soccer Assn
West Virginia Soccer Assn
Please Note: Each team’s official roster, player passes, and medical release forms must be available for inspection prior to and for the duration of each game.
Teams that are members of organizations of the United States Soccer Federation but not members of US Youth Soccer (such as AYSO, SAY, US Club Soccer or Super Y Leagues) DO NOT have to have a US Youth Soccer Application To Travel form (although that team’s organization may require that the team have permission). An approved team roster does need to be provided to tournament officials, along with current player passes from its organization.
3. CONDUCT/DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
Any player or coach who is sent-off from any tournament game is prohibited from participating in the next immediately following tournament game played by their team. A player or coach may receive more than a one-game suspension.
RED CARDS
Any player or coach who receives a red card will be sent-off from that game and not be eligible to participate in the team’s next game.
YELLOW CARDS
Any player or coach who receives one yellow card will be cautioned of the offense and allowed to continue to play.
A second yellow card issued to a player or coach during any one game will count as a red card and the player or coach will be sent-off from the current game and be suspended from the team’s next game.
ACCULUMATED YELLOW CARDS
Three yellow cards issued during the tournament, will result in the sending-off of the player or coach
from the current game and the player or coach will be required to sit out the team’s next game. The player sent-off for an accumulated yellow card offense CAN be substituted for in the current game.
If a player or coach is sent-off based on the accumulated yellow card criteria, calculating subsequent yellow cards will start from zero, as if the player had not received any prior yellow cards.
For both teams, players and coaches will take one side of the pitch. Supporters and spectators will take the other side of the pitch. The designated Site Coordinator will indicate to the referee and to the teams which sides will be designated for players/coaches and which is for spectators.
No coaches, players, or spectators are authorized within 18 yards of the end of the field and no one is permitted behind the end line. All spectators must remain behind the spectator’s lines.
It is the responsibility of the team’s coach or the person acting in the coach’s behalf to control the conduct of the parents and other spectators. Failure to do so may result in a warning by the referee to the coach or the person acting in the coach’s behalf. INAPPROPRIATE OR UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND MAY RESULT IN THE EJECTION OF THE COACH AND/OR SPECTATORS. If a coach is ejected from a game, it will be treated as a red card offense and that coach must leave the field area for the remainder of that game and may not be present at the following scheduled game. In the event that the ejected coach is coaching more than one team, that coach will be barred from all tournament sites until the team he/she was coaching, at the time of the ejection, has completed its next scheduled game. Spectators causing the coach to be ejected will be subject to the same penalties as the coach. If a coach has been ejected and there is no assistant coach, team manager or other team official, as listed on the roster to represent the team, the game will be ruled a forfeit and will stop at that time. All ejections will be reported in writing to the team’s Club, League, and State Association.
NOISE MAKING DEVICES ARE NOT PERMITTED.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, ILLEGAL DRUGS, AND WEAPONS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT ANY TOURNAMENT SITE. ANY PLAYER, COACH, OR SPECTATOR FOUND IN POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL, ILLEGAL DRUGS, OR WEAPONS WILL BE BANNED FROM THE TOURNAMENT AND APPROPRIATE NOTIFICATIONS WILL BE MADE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES. SMOKING AND USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS IS PROHIBITED FROM THE GAME FIELD INCLUDING THE SIDELINES AND SPECTATOR AREAS. Use in the parking areas is at the discretion of the user, but is prohibited at all school facilities.
HARASSMENT OF REFEREES AND/OR ASSISTANT REFEREES OR ANY VIOLENT OR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR, OR FOUL LANGUAGE DIRECTED AT ANYONE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. PERSONS ENGAGING IN SUCH BEHAVIOR ARE LIABLE TO BE BANNED FROM THE TOURNAMENT AND ALL TOURNAMENT SITES BY TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS. TEAMS JUDGED GUILTY OF BEHAVIOR DETRIMENTAL TO THE TOURNAMENT WILL BE BARRED FROM PARTICIPATION IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR. A WRITTEN REPORT WILL BE FILED WITH THE VIRGINIA STATE ASSOCIATION AS WELL AS THE TEAM’S STATE ASSOCIATION, CLUB, AND LEAGUE.
The Tournament Director is the final arbiter of all disputes, arguments, and misunderstandings. His interpretations and decisions are in all cases final.
4. GAME CHECK-IN TIME
Each team, on checking in at registration, must provide a team contact information form so a team representative can be reached at any time, should the necessity arise. Check-in time is 30 minutes prior to the scheduled kick-off. A team representative must report to a Site Coordinator at the field where the game is scheduled to make their presence known. Site Coordinators will be identified by means informed at Tournament Check-In.
5. RULES OF PLAY
Except as modified herein, the FIFA "Laws of the Game" will apply to all games. All teams will play 11v11, except U-9 / U-10 teams (7v7) and U-11 and U12 (8v8).
When requested by the referee, each team must provide a referee assistant.
6. FIELD AND GAME EQUIPMENT
Soccer shoes with metal cleats are prohibited.
Players must have a uniform jersey with a distinct number on the back matching their number on the team’s official state roster.
When uniform colors are similar, the home team will change colors. The team listed first on the game schedule is the home team.
All players must wear shin guards completely covered by uniform socks in accordance with FIFA laws.
If not provided by the tournament, the designated home team must provide a game ball. Balls may be supplied by the tournament, at the discretion of the tournament committee. If the tournament game ball is lost, the designated home team is responsible for supplying a comparable game ball to the referee.
7. SUBSTITUTIONS
Substitutions will be unlimited and may be made, with the consent of the referee, at the following times:
Prior to throw-in, by the team in possession
Prior to a goal kick, by either team
After a goal by either team
In the event of an injury, when the referee stops play (one-for-one for the injured player(s))
At half time or the beginning of an overtime period
For a player sent-off for an accumulated yellow card offense
(three yellow cards in the tournament)
Under no circumstances may substitutions be made (1) on corner kicks or (2) after the game has ended in a tie and FIFA penalty kicks will be required to determine a winner.
8. DIVISIONS AND DIVISION STRUCTURE
Divisions: The Fauquier Friendlies will attempt to make multiple divisions for all age groups. Divisions may be deleted, combined or added at the Tournament Committee’s discretion. Division placement will determine the level of the team pool and will NOT be grounds for discussion or protest.
Elite will be the highest division
Premiere will be the next division
Classic will be the next division
Sub-divisions: Each Division may be further divided into sub-divisions at the Tournament Committee’s discretion.
Flights: Flights are a subcategory of a Division or Sub-division.
9. DURATION OF GAMES AND BALL SIZES
Age Group* Length of Halves Ball Size Overtime Periods
U-12 30 minutes 4 2 x 5 minutes
U-11 30 minutes 4 2 x 5 minutes
U-10 25 minutes 4 2 x 5 minutes
U-09 25 minutes 4 2 x 5 minutes
* Combining of age groups may be necessary at the Tournament Committee’s discretion.
All games will be played with a running clock. The referee may stop the clock for serious injuries or other incidents. The referee is the official timekeeper and therefore all decisions regarding game duration are solely at the referee’s discretion and shall not be protested.
All games will be played and decided in regulation time. No overtime periods or penalty kicks will be used to break a tie in games. Half time shall be 5 minutes for all games.
10. FAILURE TO SHOW AND FORFEITS
A team shall be allowed a ten (10) minute grace period after the scheduled kick-off time before the match is considered a forfeit. A minimum of seven (7) players constitutes a team and if (7) players are present; the game will not be delayed. Failure to produce either duly authorized Player Registration Cards or an Official Fauquier Friendlies Approved Team Roster to the appropriate Site Coordinator or Tournament Official thirty (30) minutes prior to scheduled game time is grounds for a forfeit. Playing a suspended player (a player receiving either a red card, two yellow cards in one game or three yellow cards in the tournament) in the game following the receipt of a red card is grounds for a forfeit.
11. GAME AND SCORE REPORTING
The Site Coordinator will ensure that the official tournament game cards are properly completed, signatures obtained, and the scores recorded at the end of each game by each team representative. Each team manager/or team representative must complete the game card at the conclusion of each game and, before leaving the field area, provide complete information on that team’s players receiving yellow/red cards during the game including the player’s full name and number.
It is the responsibility of the each team manager/or team representative to deliver the completed and signed game card to the appropriate Site Coordinator/ Site Tent promptly at the conclusion of each game.
13. PROTESTS
THERE WILL BE NO PROTESTS. The decision of Tournament Director, Site Coordinators and/or Tournament Committee are FINAL.
14. INCLEMENT WEATHER
In the event of inclement weather, the Tournament Director or official representative(s) will have the authority to:
Relocate or reschedule any game(s);
Change the duration of any game(s);
Cancel any preliminary game(s);
Consider any game terminated by game or Tournament Officials after
one half of play as official as of the time of termination and the score stands at time of termination; and determine the format for advancement.
15. GENERAL
The tournament will do its best to schedule three games for each team. However, at the Tournament Director’s discretion, the number of games is reduced, the tournament is not liable for any expenses and no refunds for the tournament application fees will be given. Under no circumstances whatsoever will the Virginia Youth Soccer Association, Inc., the Fauquier County Soccer Club, Inc., the Fauquier Friendlies Tournament Committee, or any of their official representatives be responsible for any expenses (including the Tournament entry fee) incurred by any team. This includes a situation whereby the Tournament or any game(s) is canceled in whole or part. It is solely up to the Tournament Committee, to decide if any refunds will be returned, due to partial or full cancellation of the tournament.
No items, may be sold at, headquarters, playing fields, or surrounding areas for the duration of the tournament unless specifically sanctioned by the Fauquier Friendlies Tournament
