Tournament Rules

General Information

1. All players, coaches and teams are in good standing in their respective league.

2. Team Rosters will be limited to a maximum of twelve (12) players for 8U-9U Academy teams to play in 7V7 format. Team rosters will be limited to a maximum of sixteen (16) players for 10U Academy to play in a 9v9 format. There are no guest players allowed for Academy teams. Team rosters will be limited to a maximum of sixteen (16) players for 11U-12U teams, including up to 3 guest players. Team rosters will be limited to a maximum of eighteen (18) players for 13U teams, including up to 3 guest players. Preliminary games will be two (25) min half’s with a 5 minute halftime for U8-U12s. Preliminary games will be two (30) min half’s with a 5 minute halftime for U13s. Semis and Final will be two (30) min half’s with a 5 minute halftime for all ages.

3. Players may not play for more than one team in the tournament.

4. Players will need to be prepared to provide proper proof of age and identity. Players must provide a birth certificate and/or school ID or another form of proof of age in the event someone questions a player’s age. Players who do not provide proof of age when asked will cause their team to forfeit all games that player participated in.

5. A representative from each team must check in at Draw Party. The location of the Draw Party will be made public to all teams accepted into the tournament no less than 3 days after notification of acceptance. Team representative must also have access to players ID information if asked to provide it. ALL and FINAL team rosters will need to be uploaded to Got Soccer, rosters will be frozen on Friday May 29th at 10am and no changes may be made. NO EXCEPTIONS!

6. Games will begin at 6p on Friday, May 29th. Please note that if you are a traveling team you must be ready to play on Friday so please make sure you plan ahead. Also please plan for weather delays. Finals will be played on Sunday afternoon.

7. Each team must have unique numbered jerseys. Alternate jerseys or numbered T-shirts must be available with a unique number for each player. Pennies may be used over the jersey to resolve color conflicts. A goalkeeper is not required to have a number on his jersey but should be identified by number on the roster. Violators will be removed from the field and not allowed back on the field of play until player’s equipment is corrected. Home Team is the team listed first on schedule. Home Team will change jerseys if there is a color conflict.

8. A game may be declared a forfeit by the Tournament Director if a team is not ready to play within ten (10) minutes of the published game time. At halftime the teams must be ready to resume play within five minutes of the referee’s designation.

9. 11U and younger will not engage in heading. When a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header 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 a player does not deliberately head the ball, then play should continue.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

All participants must complete all requested releases before they will be permitted to register and participate.Age Division Birth Year Range

Under 8 January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2012
Under 9 January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011
Under 10 January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010
Under 11 January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009
Under 12 January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2008
Under 13 January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007

External conditions, Weather, Etc…

Regardless of weather conditions, players and coaches must be on the field at the scheduled time, ready to play. In case of inclement weather or field conditions, games may:

· Be shortened – The Tournament Director may reduce the length of the matches due to weather conditions before the start of the match; all such matches will be considered official.

· Move times according to delays.

· Go to “Taking of Kicks from the Penalty Mark”.

· Cancel the tournament all together. *** Please note that NGC has NO say so or control of the UTD facilities. We will do our very best to work with them in case of rain to continue play. They do have the final say so in regards to field conditions.

Misc. Information

1. All referee decisions are final. No protests, except for illegal players will be considered. In the event a claim of an illegal player, the tournament committee will be notified immediately.

2. Protests: The only protests allowed will be to challenge a player’s age. To do so there will be a NON-REFUNDABLE fee of $100. If a team executes 2 failing challenges during the tournament, no further challenges will be accepted from that team.

3. Virtual ID Cards will be used for NGC. All players, coaches and managers must be on the team’s official roster to show up on the Virtual ID Cards. Virtual ID Cards are generated from Got Soccer event roster. The coach or manager checking in the team will need a smart phone. You will need to have your Virtual ID Cards ready to view before each game on your smart phone for the referees to check-in the team before each game.

4. Teams will be allowed unlimited substitutions during stoppage of play, with the referee’s permission.

5. The home team will be the team that is on the left side of the schedule. The home team will wear it’s lightest colored uniform. The visiting team will wear its darkest colored uniform. If a conflict remains, the home team will change to resolve the conflict.

6. Any send-off must be reported to the Tournament Committee at the complex Headquarters immediately after the game ends. Any player or coach sent- off (other than on account of receiving two cautions in the same game) shall automatically sit out the next played tournament game with their team (unless the send-off occurred in the last game of the tournament for that player or coach, in which case such player or coach would be required to sit out their next scheduled game played). If the send-off was for fighting, or if it is the player’s second tournament send-off, the player will be suspended from the remainder of the tournament. Any player receiving three (3) cautions (yellow cards) in the tournament must sit out the next played tournament game with their team (unless the third caution occurred in the last game of the tournament for that player or coach, in which case such player or coach would be required to sit out their next scheduled game played). NGC Committee has the right to hold a hearing and increase the suspension at its discretion. Any player sent off must immediately report to the tournament headquarters with a manager or parent. Any coaches or spectators sent off must report immediately to the tournament headquarters.

7. A game will be considered complete once the second half has begun.

8. In the event of inclement weather, format for tournament play and/or completion of the tournament will be determined by the tournament committee and the complex. The Complex will have final say so.

9. In case of rain, HARD RAIN, NOT A SPRINKLE , we will send out a mass email via Got Soccer and post updates on NGC social media platforms. If inclement weather cancels the tournament prior to the completion of a team’s first scheduled game of the tournament, a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of the team’s entry fee may be retained by the tournament to cover start- up costs of the tournament.

10. In the event the referee or linesmen are missing from the field, immediately notify the Tournament Committee at the complex Headquarters.

11. If a game has played one full half but is stopped short of fulltime, other than acts on the part of one of the teams ,the game shall be considered complete. Full-length games, if tied will be determined by the tiebreaker procedure.

12. NGC Committee , or their designee, is empowered to make all decisions regarding the competition during the tournament. The decision of the NGC Committee or Tournament Director is final in all matters. No appeals will be allowed beyond that point.

13. Player misconduct (cautions and ejections) will be reported to the tournament committee after each game. In the event of an ejection, the player is automatically disqualified from playing the next game. All players receiving three (3) yellow cards during the tournament will be disqualified from playing the next game. Any player ejected for fighting, joining in on a fight, or abuse and/or assault of a referee or other players will be suspended for the remainder of the tournament. Any player that is ejected must immediately report to the tournament headquarters before play will resume. Failure to do so result in player’s team forfeiting the current game. Team will also not be allowed to participate in future Next Generation Cup tournaments.

14. In the event a referee terminates a final match while the teams are tied, co-champions will be declared.

Team Agreements

The Next Generation Cup

All of us here at NGC have enjoyed many successes with our involvement in youth soccer and learned that one key ingredient of success is clear, consistent communication between the tourney; its teams, coaches, players and parents. This document is one way of explaining, in detail, our expectations of you as a team playing in NGC and what you can expect from the tourney. It may help you clarify any potential concerns and at the same time answer questions about the decision-making process. As you have committed to play in NGC, please take the time to read the following carefully.

Selections of Teams

By inviting teams from club, select and recreational leagues, we will expose teams and players that otherwise would not have the opportunity to compete. Only the best of the best will be invited and accepted to compete in this tournament. Applications are examined and selected based on credentials, tournament history and the individual team’s “trophy case”. This process ensures the highest level of competition and sportsmanship. Several factors are taken into account including (but not exclusive to) current league standing, recent tournament participation, recent match results, etc.

Parents/Managers

Parental and Manager support and involvement in the tournament is essential. NGC requires your communication, planning, and understanding so we can minimize conflicts. When coaches or players have an unavoidable conflict, NGC expects timely communication to see if the tourney can make any necessary adjustments. If the coach has conflicts because of having more than one team in tournament then it’s the managers or coaches responsibility to make that note on Got Soccer. NGC Committee will make final decisions on scheduling after careful consideration of your needs, field availability, and the needs of the club or team.

Sideline Coaching

There will be no coaching by parents. “Go,” “shoot, “pass” or “send it” are interpreted as instructions and as such are not desirable. No matter how good your intentions are; we insist there be no shouting instructions to your child or any other player. We also insist there be absolutely no yelling or complaining to referees or officials during or after games. Your vocal support and positive encouragement are welcome. Please do not criticize or “moan” with disappointment when mistakes are made. The players are well aware of mistakes they make and we need to teach players that overcoming and learning from mistakes are an important part of the learning process.

It is important that players not be distracted before, after and during games, and that players are left alone period. No one other than those listed on the official game roster may sit on or near the team bench before and during games (please respect the space and privacy necessary for the coach and team to carry out their game responsibilities).

Please respect ALL players; please do not make critical remarks to others about specific players on any team. Many times, these comments are overheard by the players or others and can be quite hurtful.

Please respect your coach and do not make negative remarks to others about coaching decisions. NGC’s first concern is for the long-term growth and development of the players as individuals along with their soccer abilities under pressure. There will be times coaches make decisions and players are instructed to do things parents will not understand. Club, team and player development will sometimes be given a greater priority than winning. Parents must understand this and conduct themselves in a manner consistent with this philosophy in order to maintain a healthy environment. Remember, playing only to win without taking healthy club, team and player development into account will not result in a solid foundation upon which your child will be prepared for winning.

Coaches

We expect ALL coaches to conduct themselves as positive roles models and display appropriate behavior. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of its players and parents on and off the field whenever the team is at the complex. We encourage for your players to be polite, well behaved and respectful. Coaches, Managers and parents can expect honesty, communication, consistency, and reliability from NGC. If conflicts or issues arise between a player and/or his/her parents and the team, then the coach will be responsible for addressing and responding to the conflicts or issues and make decisions for the good of the team and tournament. These decisions will be made in the coach’s sole and absolute discretion. The coach’s decision will be final. The player and his/her parents must agree to abide by the decision.

We know there will be some coaches who coach more than one team. It will be the responsibility of the coach to let NGC know with time that he or she has more than one team in the tourney. NGC will do its very best to accommodate the schedule. There will be times when conflicts occur and, in those situations, an assistant coach will need to cover other game until Head Coach is done with prior game.

Disciplinary Actions

Our attempt with this agreement is to present in clear detail what will be expected of you and what you can expect from NGC. If you are uncertain what is expected, it is your responsibility to ask questions. We have high expectations for NGC, the teams, the players, the coaches, the staff and parents. These expectations are really the rules, regulations, and policies of NGC. So that you and every team playing in NGC can get the maximum benefit, we need you and every player to abide by the, rules, regulations, and policies. Everyone has problems from time to time, and we will make every effort to work with you to help solve the problems you may have. After we have exhausted all efforts to solve the problem, we will be left with little choice other than to pursue disciplinary action.