OZARK CLASSIC CUP / SPRING CLASSIC TOURNAMENT RULES

Applications will not be considered unless accompanied by registration fee.

When two equivalent teams apply for the last available slot in the bracket, the team whose paid application was received first will be selected.

The entry fee will be forfeited if a team withdraws after acceptance. If a team is not accepted, the entry fee will be refunded.

Teams will be notified of acceptance/non-acceptance With Team posting on our web site.

All teams will be guaranteed three games. Ozark Classic Cup /Ozark Spring Classic is not responsible for lost games due to “no shows” by opponents or inclement weather.

Each team may have up to three (3) guest players. Guest players must have valid player cards, completed guest player forms and medical release forms.

Every attempt will be made to post schedules on the website 10 days before the tournament. There are, however, circumstances that may arise to prevent posting all age groups. Schedules will be posted as soon as they are completed.

Final field assignments cannot be decided until it is determined how many teams have entered each age bracket.

RULES OF COMPETITION

Rules of FIFA and USYSA shall govern this tournament, except as noted herein.

PLAYER PASSES

Every eligible player must have an approved USYSA Player Pass. Failure of a player to have a pass, will disqualify that player from participation.

PLAYER EQUIPMENT

No player shall wear anything, according to the referee’s discretion, that may seem dangerous to himself/herself, or to any other player.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Substitutions shall be unlimited. Substitutions may be made, with the consent of the referee, at the following times:

* Prior to a throw-in, in your team’s favor * Prior to a goal kick, by either team

* After a goal by either team * Replacement of a cautioned player, with permission of the referee

* At halftime * After the referee stops play for an injury and a substitution is made for the injured player. The other team may also substitute one player

LENGTH OF GAME, OVERTIME PERIODS, AND BALL SIZES

Age Division Game Length Overtime Ball Size

U17/Senior Two 40 minute halves Two 5 minute halves 5

U16/U15 Two 35 minute halves Two 5 minute halves 5

U14/U13 Two 35 minute halves Two 5 minute halves 5

U12/U11/U10 Two 30 minute halves Two 5 minute halves 4

U8/U10 Two 25 minute halves Two 5 minute halves 4

Games starting fifteen minutes past the scheduled start time will be reduced by five minutes per half.
Preliminary games may end in ties. If Semifinal, or Final games end regulation in a tie, then two five minute overtime halves will be played (GOLDEN GOAL). If the match is still tied after the overtime play, then FIFA penalty kicks will be played to determine a winner.
U10,U11 & U12 games will be 8v8, in accordance with Arkansas State Soccer Association guidelines. All other ages remain 11v11.
Junior Academy Games are 6V6

CAUTIONS/EJECTIONS

The accumulation of two yellow cards or one red card, by a player or coach, in a game, will result in automatic suspension of that player or coach for the next tournament game. Further disciplinary action may be taken by the Tournament Committee.

FORFEITS

A team who fails be on the field, ready to play, 15 minutes past the scheduled game time, will forfeit the game.
A team which fails to appear on the field with at least seven players, ten minutes after the scheduled game time, will forfeit the game.
Teams that withdraw from the tournament, at any time, will result in forfeiture of all games played, or to be played.
The score of the forfeited game shall be recorded as 0 goals for and 3 goals against the offending team.

TERMINATION OF THE GAME

Termination of a game is at the discretion of the referee. The Tournament Committee will determine the outcome of any terminated game.

WEATHER

Referees will determine if a weather delay is necessary. If one referee at a venue calls for a weather delay, all games at that venue will also delay. The referees, in consultation with the venue Field Marshall and Tournament Director will make the decision to resume or terminate the games due to dangerous weather conditions. If a game is terminated after halftime, the score will stand as final.

GAME CARDS

The Head Referee, or one of the Assistant Referees shall be responsible for bringing the completed game card to the Field Site Headquarters within thirty minutes after completion of the match. The game card constitutes the official record of the game and must be signed by the winning coach, or in the event of a tie, by both coaches.

TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES

First team listed is the home team
Home team will changes colors in the event of a color conflict
Players are ready to take the field at the scheduled game time. Because of the tight schedule, games must begin promptly at the appointed time.
Fans shall occupy the opposite sideline of what the teams occupy. Both competing teams will occupy the same side of the field. Players, Coaches and Managers are the only individuals allowed on the team sideline.
Please leave your area clean after the game.

PROTESTS

The referee’s decision concerning all aspects of the game is final. NO PROTESTS WILL BE ALLOWED.

DETERMINATION OF WINNERS

The following point system will be utilized to determine team standings at the conclusion of preliminary (round robin) play:

BASIC POINTS PER GAME 6 points for a win 3 point for a tie 0 points for a loss 1 Point for Shut-Out

In the event of a tie in the standings, the following will apply in order

        1.        Head to Head Competition
        2.        Goal Differential – up to 3 goals per game (applies only with group play, not crossover games)
        3.        Fewest Goals Allowed
        4.        If crossover games were played, repeat #2 for all games
        5.        If crossover games were played, repeat #3 for all games
        6      Total Goals Differential
        7.        Fewest Red Cards
        8.        Fewest Yellow Cards
        9.        Penalty Kicks