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Tournament Rules

1. Laws of Play. Play will be governed by the FIFA Laws of the Game, except where amended by the US Youth Soccer Rules of Play, and/or the Kearney Soccer Invitational Tournament Rules. These rules may be modified before the beginning of tournament play. The final Tournament Rules will be published in the Tournament Program.

2. Home Team. The Home team will be the first team listed. The Home team will be responsible for supplying the game ball and using an alternate jersey if necessary. For final and consolation games, the team with the most points shall be the home team.

3. Playing Conditions. Teams will be expected to play according to schedule regardless of weather. Only the Tournament Director (s) may reschedule games or alter the competitive format because of inclement weather or other just cause. Games shall be considered complete if on half has been completed and play is stopped by the Field Representative or Referee, Commissioner of Referees or the Tournament Director (s). When necessitated by playing conditions or just cause, the games format may be altered to include shortening of games, penalty kicks or coin tosses.

4. Scoring Method and Bracket Winners. Bracket winners will be determined by the following 10 point system:

Win	6 points
Tie	3 point
Loss	0 points
0 to 0 Tie	4 points per team (3 for a tie & 1 for a shutout)
Each goal	1 point to a maximum of three (3)
Shutout	1 point
RED CARD	-1 point
Forfeit	10 points awarded to the non-forfeiting team. A team that forfeits cannot advance to semifinals or finals match. The Match will be scored as a 4-0 win for the declared winner

5. Tiebreakers. If, at the conclusion of bracket play, two teams have the same point total, advancement to the semifinals or finals will be determined using the following tiebreakers in the order listed until a team is eliminated. Once a team is eliminated advancement among the remaining teams shall again be determined by the tiebreakers in the order listed starting with head to head competition.

1. Winner of Head to head competition (this criteria not used if more than two teams tied)
2. Winner of most games
3. Goal spread (goals scored minus goals against, max 4 per game)
4. Fewest goals allowed
5. Kicks from the penalty mark.

6. Red Cards and Ejections. Any player or coach dismissed from a game shall be ineligible to participate in the team's next game. At the discretion of the Tournament Director(s), the suspension may be increased and could result in ineligibility for more than one game. No substitution shall be permitted for a player who has been sent off during a particular game. A red carded player and his/her coach must report to the tournament headquarters immediately after the game in which the card was given to determine the player's status for subsequent games. Decisions will be based upon the rules of the Nebraska State Soccer Association, the sanctioning organization for the Kearney Soccer Invitational.

7. Grace Period. A minimum of seven players constitutes a team. A (10) ten-minute grace period shall be extended beyond the scheduled kick off time if seven players are not available at the scheduled kick off time. A team of seven players must start the game as soon as seven players are at the field after the originally scheduled start time. If at the end of the 10-minute grace period the team does not have seven players, the referee shall suspend the game and report the failure of the team to appear to the Tournament Director(s). The Director(s) may declare a forfeit. Any team that forfeits a game will not be allowed to advance out of their group to the semifinals or finals.

8. Uniform. Each player shall wear an official uniform. Each jersey must have a different number. The goalkeeper is not required to have a number on his/her jersey. Players must wear a shirt during warm-ups prior to competition. ALL PLAYERS MUST WEAR SHINGUARDS AND THE REFEREE HAS THE RIGHT TO REQUEST PLAYERS TO PUT ON SHINGUARDS THAT ARE SIZED PROPERLLY.

9. Ball. The home team will provide the game ball.

10. Casts. Hard casts are not permitted for play in Nebraska. Braces and soft casts must be padded and approved in advance by the referee.

11. Substitutions. With consent of the Field Referee, substitutions may be made at the following times. All substitutions must enter and exit at the middle of the field.

• Prior to your throw-in, or either team's goal kick.
• After a goal by either team.
• During stoppage of play for injury.
• A cautioned player may be substituted for prior to restart of play.
• In accordance with the Laws of the Game.

12. Game Length and Ball Sizes. Game length, ball sizes, and field sizes will be as follows:

13. Shoot-outs (Penalty Kicks). Penalty kicks use to determine a winner of tie breakers, semifinals or finals matches will be run in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the games. The Referee chooses the goal at which the kicks will be taken. The referee tosses a coin and the team who wins the toss will take the first kick. The home team will call the coin toss. Both teams take five kicks; kicks are taken alternately by the teams. If before both teams have taken five kicks, one has scored more goals than the other could score, even if it were to compete its five kicks, no more kicks are taken. If after five kicks the is tied, kicks continue until one team has scored a goal more the the other (sudden Death) from the same number of kicks. Only the players on the field at the end of the match are allowed to take kicks. A different player must take each kick and all eligible players must take a kick before any player can take a second kick. On tiebreakers the coach from each shall declare the 11 players from their roster that they will used to take their kicks. If the player is under suspension they may not participate in the kicks.

14. Team Benches. All teams on all fields will use the WEST side of the field for team benches. Spectators will use the east side of the field for game viewing.

15. Number of Players. As indicated in the table in section 12 above. All other age groups will play per FIFA regulations.

16. Team, Players and Coaches Credentials Check-In. Team check-in and roster verification will be mandatory to play. Check-in should be done Friday evening for all Kearney teams and out-of town teams that have arrived in time to check-in from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Baldwin Park. For those teams checking in on Saturday, please check in at least 45 minutes prior to your first game. The team roster is frozen at check-in. No team will be allowed more than 18 players (12 for U-9 and U10 teams, 16 for U-11 and U-12 teams) and no player is allowed to play on more than one team. All team members must be registered with either the NSSA, appropriate USYSA, or AYSO organization. A team roster, laminated player pass (with photo) is required for proof of age at team check -in. Out-of state teams must have proper travel papers. You will also be required to have a signed medical release/waiver for each player. Guest player forms should also be presented at check-in.

17. Team Discipline. A coach is responsible for the words and actions of his/her players and spectators. Verbal abuse of the opponents or referee by players, coaches or spectators will not be tolerated. Violations may result in forfeiture of the game and/or expulsion from the tournament.

18. Teams may not use the goal areas for warm-up or practice. Violations may result in the forfeiture of the match.

19. Protests. NO PROTESTS ALLOWED.