GAMEDAY INFORMATION

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General

 

Please keep in mind that the spirit of this event, for all levels, is to have fun and compete against other teams of similar ability. We understand that everyone likes to win; however, in the process, we expect that all teams respect their opponents and the match officials.

All teams shall be expected to play their first game as early as 8:00AM May 18th and their final game at 4:30PM on May 20th. Please consider this in your travel plans. Requests will be considered but not guaranteed.

 

Team Check-In

 

Teams are not required to check in at the park, all rosters, permits and documents must be uploaded to your team dashboard before the event.

 

Players are NOT required to check in.  

 

Each team must provide a designated contact person, with an email address and phone number that will be used during the weekend, in the event that we need to communicate with your team.

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As part of the online check in process teams must have pre-submitted the following:

 

• Travel permit from Provincial or State Association (for non-BC based teams)

• A current roster (U14 and over teams)

• Any STEPP permits or Guest Player permits ​

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Information on uploading information is available HERE

 

Rosters

 

Teams may use guest players (per our policy)

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Overage players are not permitted (unless written approval has been received from the tournament director). All players must be currently registered with their Provincial or State Association.

 

ID cards/player passes are not required; however, proof of age of a player may be requested at any time at check in or by the referee or another member of the tournament staff.

 

Matches

 

Played in accordance with FIFA laws, distinct small sided rules are at the end of this document.

 

Officials

  

U10 – U13 will have a referee, and U13 – U18 will have 3 officials on a best efforts basis. In cases where 3 officials are not provided, each team shall provide a lines person. 

 

If your referee is not at the field 5 minutes before the start of your game, please visit the closest field marshal tent and let us know. 

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Game Format

 

U9 - 6 v 6 (5 + GK) 

U10 - 7 v 7   (6 + GK)

U11 – U12 = 8 v 8   (7 + GK)

U13 - 9 v 9 (8 + GK)

U14 – U18 = 11 v 11   (10 + GK)

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U9 – U13 will play 2 X 25 minutes (50 minute game)

U14 – U15 will play 2 X 30 minutes (60 minute game)

U16 – U18 will play 2 X 35 minutes (70 minute game)

 

All games will have a 5 minute half time.

 

All games must start exactly on time to maintain the tournament schedule. Failure to start the game on time may require the game length to be reduce accordingly.

 

All U9 – U13 games can end in a tie (no overtime played)

All U14 – U18 group games end in a tie

U14 – U18 Championship games cannot end in a tie. After regulation time, if the score is tied, the game will immediately go to penalty kicks (5 shooters)

 

Limited warm up time on the field before each game. Teams need to use the casual field space at the park. Note – leave ample time to get to your game field so that kick-off can be on time

 

Substitutions

 

Unlimited for all age groups at the referee’s discretion.

 

Schedule & Results

 

Will be posted online only - HERE

 

U9 – U13  As per LTPD, no results (scores or standings) kept.

U14 – U18.  Scores and standings will be kept.

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Points/Scoring for U14-U18

 

3 points for a win

1 point for a tie

0 points for a loss

1 point per goal scored (maximum of 3 per game)

2 points for a shutout

 

Maximum number of attainable points per game is 8

 

Tie-Breaking Formula

 

• Head to Head

• Most Wins

• Goal difference

• Goals for

• Goals against

• Lottery

 

The tournament director will have the final say on all tie-breaking scenarios.

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Competition Formats

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Group of 4

• Will play all teams in group (3 round robin games)

• 1st place vs 2nd place for gold medal 

• 3rd place vs 4th place for consolation game 

 

Group of 5

• Will play all teams (4 round robin games)

• Final standings determined based on total points from round robin games 

 

Group of 6

• Two pools of 3

• Play all teams in pool (2) and one cross over game (random team in other pool)

• 1st pool A vs. 1st pool B for gold medal 

• 2nd pool A vs. 2nd pool B for consolation game

• 3rd pool A vs 3rd pool B for consolation game

 

Group of 8

• Two pools of 4

• Play all teams in pool (3 round robin games)

• 1st pool A vs. 1st pool B for gold medal 

• 2nd pool A vs. 2nd pool B for consolation game

• 3rd pool A vs 3rd pool B for consolation game

• 4th pool A vs 4th pool B for consolation game 

 

Group of 7, 9, 11, 13

• One pool

• All teams play 4 randomly selected games in the pool 

• Final standings based on total points earned 

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Group of 12 

• 4 pools of 3

• Play both teams in your pool

• Top team of each pool advances to championship bracket

• 1st pool A vs 1st pool B

• 1st pool C vs 1st pool D

• Winners of 1st pool A/B vs winner of 1st pool C/D play in championship game

• Losing team of 1st pool A/B vs losing team of 1st pool C/D in third place game

• All other teams play in consolation bracket random 2 games

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Group of 10 or 14

• One pool

• All teams play 3 randomly selected games in the pool 

• 1st vs 2nd for gold medal games 

• 3rd vs 4th, etc…  for consolation game 

 

Protests

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Only protests regarding non-referee decisions will be permitted.  

 

All protests will only be entertained if received, in writing, within one hour after the completion of the game in question. A $250.00 fee, payable in cash, must accompany all protests. Protests and fees can be delivered to the tournament headquarters. The protest fee will be fully refunded if the protest in question is deemed valid.

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Grievances

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 The following process has been implemented to address any complaints or issues that arise throughout the event.

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• Grievances must only be reported by a Team Managers by email to the Tournament Officials cmurphy@coastalfc.ca

• Any reports from anyone other than a team official will be deleted upon receipt.

• Provide a clear written account of the incident including – game number, time & location - name/names of persons involved 
   

A Tournament Offical will respond to the grievance - 

• All reports will be addressed in order of severity. 

• All reports will be taken seriously; but not all will warrant further investigation. 

• Some reports may not be addressed until after the event if they do not affect the outcome/running of the event. 

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Conduct

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The Coastal FC Spring Classic has a zero-tolerance policy for verbal and/or physical abuse of any referee by players, team officials, parents or spectators and will take any infraction seriously (potential suspension for entire event or team expulsion from the tournament)

 

Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves within the Laws of the Game and generally accepted good sportsmanship. Displayers of temper or dissent are cause for ejection from the game and surrounding field area. Repeated violations may result in the suspension/expulsion of the team in question.

 

It is the responsibility of the Club/Team staff to control the conduct of its parents and other spectators. Failure to do so may result in a warning to the coach or person acting on the coach’s behalf.

 

If unacceptable behaviour persists, the referee may terminate the match.

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All participants should be aware that Field Marshals have the authority and right to remove any unruly or uncivil spectators from the game field perimeter and/or the field complex area.

 

Absolutely no alcoholic beverages are permitted in the park.

 

Failure to Show & Forefits

 

A team shall be allowed a five (5) minute grace period after the scheduled kick-off time before the match is awarded to their opponent.

Additional rules:

 

In no case shall a team, which forfeits a game, be declared a group winner. If an apparent group winner forfeits a game, the team with the next best record shall be determined the group winner.

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If a team is the cause for the termination of a game, that team will be considered to have forfeited the game. This decision may not be protested

 

Playing a suspended player is grounds for a forfeit.

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A forfeit shall be recorded as a 1-0 victory for the opponent. 5 points would be awarded

 

Inclement Weather

 

In the event of inclement weather, the tournament director will have the authority to:

• Relocate or reschedule any game(s)

• Change the duration of any game(s)

• Cancel any game(s)

 

A game is considered complete if less than 25% of the time remains.

 

No refunds will be provided and Coastal FC is not responsible for team’s out of pocket expenses in the event that the tournament is cancelled due to weather.

 

Additional Information

 

All teams are scheduled for four (4) games; however, at the discretion of the tournament director, the number of games may be reduced due to exceptional circumstances. The tournament is not liable for any expenses and no refunds will be provided.

 

The tournament committee or their official representative will be responsible for any rule interpretation. Their decision will be final.

The tournament committee, event operations staff, and Coastal FC are not liable for any injuries sustained by any participant in the tournament, on or off the field.

 

Parking

 

We expect the parks to be extremely busy throughout the duration of the tournament. Please leave yourself ample time to travel and find parking.

 

All field maps can be found HERE.

 

First Aid

 

There will be first aid/athletic therapy tent on site during the tournament.  They are there to deal with basic injuries (cuts, sprains, etc), ankle taping, etc... For any serious emergencies, 911 is of course the only option.   Ankle taping requires the players to bring their own tape or there will be a nominal cost for supplies. The first aid staff hours are 30 minutes prior to the 1st kickoff and immediately after the final game. 

 

Official Game Rules

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U14 - U18 games played as per Fifa Official Laws of the Game

 

U13 and Under Retreat Line 

The retreat line is initiated when the ball has gone out for a goal kick. All opposing players will ‘retreat’ to the markers indicating the retreat line and cannot pursue the ball until:

 

• The ball is received by a teammate OR, the ball travels over the retreat line OR, the ball leaves the field of play

 

For simplicity, the retreat line will be marked at the 1/3 line of the field. 

 

See linked Retreat Line Rule Document for a simplified explanation.

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ENCROACHMENT OF THE RETREAT LINE:  If the defending team encroaches across the retreat line before an opposition player touches the ball then the referee blows the play stopped and issues a re-take of the goal kick.  If the opposing team repeatedly infringes the retreat line, an indirect free kick shall be awarded from the place where the offence occurred for not respecting the restart.

 

OFFICIAL  U10 PLAYING RULES

 

BALL:  The ball must conform to FIFA standards and must conform to the FIFA inflation specifications = Size four (4)

THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS:  A game is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than seven (7) players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than five players one of whom is the goalkeeper.

 

SUBSTITUTIONS:  At any stoppage, substitutions are unlimited and must be done with the officials’ permission.

 

GAME UNIFORMS:  Uniforms must distinguish teams, the home team changes if there is a colour conflict. The goalkeeper should wear a colour that distinguishes him/her from both teams. Shin guards are mandatory and must be worn under the socks. Jewellery is not permitted.

 

THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY:  Conform to FIFA with the exception of the opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least eight (8) meters from the ball until it is in play. Dropped balls are not part of Small Sided Games Program at this age group and an indirect free kick will be awarded to the team who had possession when the play was stopped.

OFFSIDE RULE:  None

 

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT:  Conform to FIFA with the exception that all fouls shall result in an indirect free kick. An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team at the centre spot on the halfway line if a goalkeeper punts or drop-kicks the ball in the air from his/her goal area into the opponents goal area. No cards shown for misconduct. If a player intentionally strikes, deliberately kicks or spits at an opponent, this player must be substituted and will not be permitted to participate further during the game. The coach should inform the player as to why and correct these actions.

 

FREE KICKS:  Conform to FIFA with the exception that all free kicks are indirect. All opponents are at least eight (8) meters from the ball.

 

THE PENALTY KICK:  None

 

THE THROW-IN:  Conform to FIFA.

 

THE GOAL KICK:  Conform to FIFA except that: it: shall be taken from anywhere within the goal area. Unlike FIFA, a goal cannot be scored directly from a goal kick.  

 

RETREAT LINE:  The retreat line is initiated when the ball has gone out for a goal kick. All opposing players will ‘retreat’ to the markers indicating the retreat line and cannot pursue the ball until:

 

• The ball is received by a teammate OR, the ball travels over the retreat line OR, the ball leaves the field of play

 

For simplicity, the retreat line will be marked at the 1/3 line of the field. 

 

See linked Retreat Line Rule Document for a simplified explanation.

 

ENCROACHMENT OF THE RETREAT LINE:  If the defending team encroaches across the retreat line before an opposition player touches the ball then the referee blows the play stopped and issues a re-take of the goal kick.  If the opposing team repeatedly infringes the retreat line, an indirect free kick shall be awarded from the place where the offence occurred for not respecting the restart.

 

THE CORNER KICK:  Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents remain at least eight (8) meters from the ball until it is in play. Unlike FIFA a goal cannot be scored directly from a corner kick.

 

OFFICIAL U11 - U13 PLAYING RULES

 

BALL:  The ball must conform to FIFA standards and must conform to the FIFA inflation specifications = Size four (4)

 

THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS:  A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than eight (8) players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than seven players one of whom is the goalkeeper. 

 

SUBSTITUTIONS:  At any stoppage, substitutions are unlimited and must be done with the officials’ permission.

 

GAME UNIFORMS:  Uniforms must distinguish teams, the home team changes if there is a colour conflict. The goalkeeper should wear a colour that distinguishes him/her from both teams. Shin guards are mandatory and must be worn under the socks. Jewellery is not permitted.

 

THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY:  Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least nine (9) meters from the ball until it is in play.

 

OFFSIDE RULE:  Conform to FIFA, with the exception of only occurring in the attacking third. A line may be marked as a dotted line, and solid line or single cones on the touch line.  When an offside offence occurs, the referee awards an indirect free kick to be taken from the position of the offending player when the ball was last played to him by one of his team-mates.

 

A player in an offside position (A) may be penalised before playing or touching the ball, if, in the opinion of the referee, no other team-mate in an onside position has the opportunity to play the ball.

 

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT:  Conform to FIFA with the exception that an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team at the centre spot on the halfway line if a goalkeeper punts or drop-kicks the ball in the air from his/her penalty area into the opponents penalty area. Cautionary and expulsion cards are used.

 

FREE KICKS:  Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents are at least nine (9) meters from the ball. An indirect kick awarded to the attacking team that occurs inside the penalty area, shall be taken from the outside edge of the penalty area in line where the offense took place.

 

THE PENALTY KICK:  Conform to FIFA with the exceptions that the penalty mark is marked at nine (9) meters from the goal line. All players except the player taking the kick must be nine (9) meters from the ball.

 

THE THROW-IN:  Conform to FIFA.

 

THE GOAL KICK:  Conform to FIFA except that it shall be taken from anywhere within the penalty area. 

 

THE RETREAT LINE:  The retreat line is initiated when the ball has gone out for a goal kick. All opposing players will ‘retreat’ to the markers indicating the retreat line and cannot pursue the ball until:

 

• The ball is received by a teammate OR, the ball travels over the retreat line OR, the ball leaves the field of play

 

For simplicity, the retreat line will be marked at the 1/3 line of the field. This is the same line used for offside calls. 

 

ENCROACHMENT OF RETREAT LINE:  If the defending team encroaches across the retreat line before an opposition player touches the ball then the referee blows the play stopped and issues a re-take of the goal kick.

If the opposing team repeatedly infringes the retreat line, an indirect free kick shall be awarded from the place where the offence occurred for not respecting the restart.

 

THE CORNER KICK:  Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents remain at least nine (9) meters away from the ball until it is in play.

 

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