2017 Desert Classic Tournament Rules
TOURNAMENT HEADQUARTERS
Tournament Headquarters will be located at the Reach 11 Sports Complex, 2425 East Deer Valley Road, Phoenix, AZ
85050.
TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR
Tournament Director is Matt Evans, [email protected] / (480) 747-3771. The SC del Sol office number is
(602) 867-2302.
REGISTRATION AND TEAM ELIGIBILITY
Desert Classic Tournament shall be open to all teams comprised of properly registered youth players (as defined by the
rules of the affiliated organization) in all age groups listed in the “Tournament Rules”, provided such team is in good
standing with its youth association.
Tournament officials shall conduct all credentials checks at each of the following times:
• Initial Registration. All teams must go through a mandatory registration and check in on Friday,
February 10, 2017, 5-9 p.m.
Sheraton Crescent Hotel, 2620 W. Dunlap Avenue, Phoenix AZ 85021
• Exceptions: Teams playing Friday matches must check in at your Friday game venues:• Reach 11 Sports Complex – Check in at Reach 11 between 4pm – 7pm.
• Red Mountain Sports Complex – Check-in at Red Mountain Sports Complex between 4pm -7pm
• Rose Mofford may check in at the Sheraton Crescent resort beginning at 4 p.m. (All other non Friday
teams begin at check in 5 p.m.)
• Prior to Remaining Matches. Player passes must be delivered to field marshal 30 minutes prior to
scheduled start of remaining matches; teams need not be present.
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED AT INITIAL REGISTRATION:
Teams from the United States:
• Players and bench personnel must present picture identification cards issued by the team’s Federation
Organization Member (USYS, US Club, USSF, other).
• Identification cards must be verified, photo attached, and laminated (if your association does not allow
lamination, cards must be encased in plastic sleeves). If your state issues virtual identification cards, be
prepared to present them electronically. All Arizona teams (including Arizona academy teams U7 – U10)
MUST present laminated identification cards. Out-of-state teams whose associations do not require player
identification cards for academy teams (U7-U10) must bring an official roster.
• Teams from a US Youth Soccer National State Association outside of Region IV may need to provide
proof of permission to travel. Please comply with your Federation Organizations travel protocol.
• Teams must provide a certified/approved tournament roster from the team’s Federation Organization.
• A Medical Release approved by the teams Federation Organization.
International Teams:
• Players must present passports at registration or, if from a nation that the United States does not require a
passport, proof of entry into the United States that is required by the United States.
• Teams are required to have and present player picture identification cards.
• Teams must have a completed form from its Provincial or National Association approving the team’s
participation in the tournament.
• A Medical Release approved by the team's Federation Organization.
• Teams must provide a tournament roster.
Documentation required for pre-match check-in:
All Teams
• Teams are required to have and present player and bench personnel picture identification cards.
Identification cards will be checked against the tournament generated match reports.
• Teams must have on hand a certified/approved tournament roster from the team’s Federation Organization
in case of any discrepancies with the tournament generated match reports.
• Each team is limited to three (3) coaches on the bench, all of which must be listed on the team roster. In no
case will a team be allowed to participate without a properly registered coach or assistant
• The uniform number of each player must be the same as the player’s uniform number on the tournament
roster. If not the referee is not to allow the player to take part in the match until the numbers are the same
(uniform or roster changed).
A player who arrives late at the playing field after the pre-match procedure may enter the match once the match’s
official(s) verify the player is eligible and with the permission of the center referee.
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Player eligibility may be challenged by an opposing manager/coach in unusual circumstances. Challenged player(s) will
be noted by the Referee on the match report and will be allowed to participate in the match (if said player has been
certified as eligible by the Desert Classic Tournament Credentials Committee). A late arriving player may be challenged
at the time he/she is allowed to participate by the Referee. ANY TEAM USING AN INELIGIBLE PLAYER WILL
FORFEIT ALL TOURNAMENT MATCHES PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. A report will be filed with the
offending team’s National Organization or National State Association. If you are not sure of a player’s eligibility ask, in
writing, the Tournament Director.
MANDATORY: All teams must enter their rosters complete with bench personnel into the tournament’s on-line
scheduling system no later than Monday, February 6, 2017. The minimum required information is name, date of birth,
player ID number, uniform number and gender. Handwritten revisions can be made to the roster at check in on the night
of team registration. This information will appear on the tournament match reports to be used by the referees for checkin on the field prior to each match. Write-in changes may be made directly to match reports.
PLAYER AGE AND ELIGIBILITY
In no event will a player be allowed to participate who has not been certified by the Desert Classic Tournament
Credentials Committee.
AGE DETERMINATION: The player’s playing age is determined by the following guidelines for 2016/2017.
Age Division
Under 19
Under 18
Under 17
Under 16
Under 15
Under 14
Under 13
Under 12 (9v9)
Under 11 (9v9)
Under 10 (7v7)
Under 9 (7v7)
Under 8 (4v4)
Under 7 (4v4)
Birth Year
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Maximum Roster
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
16
16
12
12
8
8
Guest Player Limit*
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
*Each team will be allowed to have guest players who are properly registered through their National and State
Association, Federation or any other USSF affiliated organization. Guest players must have permission to participate/
travel from their National and State Association, Federation or any other USSF affiliated organization. Players within
your own club are considered club pass players and are not considered guest players. Guest players are players from
outside of your club.
Players may NOT play for more than one team in the tournament.
LAWS OF THE GAME (U11 – U19)
All matches must be played in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game, except as specifically modified as follows
in the tournament rules.
THE BALL
The home team will provide the match ball unless provided by the tournament. This ball is to be presented to the referee
at the start of each match. The ball is the team’s responsibility and will not be replaced if lost or stolen.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
U11 – U12
Nine per side
U13 and Older Eleven per side
*Tournament rules comply with those of the U. S. Youth Soccer Association.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Teams may substitute only with the referee’s permission and only at the following times:
• Prior to a throw-in by the team in possession;
• Prior to a goal kick, by either team;
• After a goal, by either team;
• After an injury on either team when the referee stops play;
• At halftime;
• On a caution; only the cautioned player may be substituted at that time.
PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT
Player equipment must conform to FIFA rules. All players will wear shin-guards (under the socks). Players may not play
with metal or removable cleats. It will be at the Referee’s discretion to determine the safety and suitability of player
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equipment including the wearing of an orthopedic cast or hard brace. No jewelry or hair pins are allowed.
Teams will wear uniforms of matching design and color with a minimum of six inch numbers affixed to the back of the
uniform shirt.
In case of similar team colors, the home team will be required to change to a color accepted by the referee. The first
team listed on the match report will be considered the home team. In playoff matches a coin toss will decide which team
is required to change to a color accepted by the referee. The first team listed on the match report will call the toss.
The uniform of the goalkeeper must be distinctly different in color from the basic colors of the competing teams and the
referee.
DURATION OF MATCHES
Age Group
Pool Play (min)
U11 - U12
2 x 30 = 60
U13 - U14
2 x 35 = 70
U15 - U19
2 x 40 = 80
Consolation & Playoffs (min)
2 x 30 = 60
2 x 35 = 70
2 x 40 = 80
Overtime (min)*
none
none
none
All group play matches will be called not less than five minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next match regardless
of the amount of time played up to that point. A match is “complete” upon completion of one half of play regardless of
the circumstances of termination with the final results based on the score at the time the match is terminated. Group
play matches can end in a tie. Semi-final, and Final matches tied at the end of regulation time will be decided by kicks
from the mark, according to FIFA rules. There will be no overtime.
HALFTIME
Halftime will be exactly 10 minutes, unless the center referee or Site Director determines that halftime should be
shortened due to unforeseen delays in scheduled match start times, extended break due to injuries, etc.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT
Weather permitting, each team is guaranteed a minimum of three matches, with a maximum of two matches per day.
The following formats will be used. The Tournament Director may modify formats as necessary. Teams affected by
such changes will be notified of the appropriate rules for the associated format.
NEW USSF RULE: UNDER-11 Age-Group & Younger
No heading in age groups under-11 and younger is allowed. If, during the course of a match, a header is
performed, play will be stopped and will resume with an indirect kick for the opposing team.
U11 – U18:
FOUR TEAM DIVISIONS
Divisions will consist of one group of four teams. Each team will play the other three teams in its group for a total of
three matches. Final standings shall be determined by the total points accumulated during this round robin play. There
will be no Final.
FIVE TEAM DIVISIONS
Divisions will consist of one group of five teams. Each team will play the other teams in its group for a total of four
matches. Final standings shall be determined by the total points accumulated during this round robin play. There will
be no Final.
SIX TEAM CROSS-OVER DIVISIONS
Divisions will consist of two groups of three teams. Each team in a group will play the three teams in the opposite
group for a total of three matches. The top two teams in the overall division standings will meet in a Final.
EIGHT TEAM DIVISIONS
Flights will consist of two groups of four teams. Each team will play the other teams in its group for a total of three
matches. The group winners will then play in the Final.
TWELVE TEAM DIVISIONS
Flights will consist of four groups of three teams. Each team will play the others within its group for a total of two
matches. The group winners will advance to the Semi-finals. The winners of the Semi-finals will then play in a Final.
Teams not advancing to the Semi-final round will play a consolation match.
DETERMINATION OF GROUP WINNERS/WILDCARDS
In group play, there will be no overtime matches. Standings in a group will be determined by the following:
Match Points:
• Maximum of 10 points per match
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• Six points for a Win
• Three points for a Tie
• No points for a Loss
• One point for each goal scored up to a maximum of three per match.
• One point for a shutout Win
• Eight points for a Forfeit Win (scored as a 1-0 Win)
• Minus two points for a Forfeit or Match Abandonment Loss AND disqualification for advancing to playoff
rounds
In the case of a tie in group standings, placement will be determined by:
1. Head to head result
2. Net goal differential, maximum of four goals per match
3. Most goals scored, maximum of four goals per match
4. Least goals allowed, no maximum
5. If a two-way tie exists after steps one through four, FIFA Kicks from the Penalty Mark will be taken fifteen minutes
prior to the scheduled start of the Semi-final or Final match.
If a multi-way (three or more) tie exists after steps one through four, steps two through four will be applied to attempt to
eliminate one or more teams. If one or more teams can be eliminated in this manner, steps one through four are
again applied to the remaining teams. If these procedures do not resolve the remaining tie, FIFA Kicks will be
taken after a draw by the Tournament Committee.
For the draw, the following rules will apply: In a three way tie, the first team drawn will receive the bye; the remaining
teams will participate in a shootout with the winning team competing against the bye team in penalties to determine
the group winner.
In a four way tie, the Tournament Committee will draw the four teams into two FIFA Kicks contests whereby the first
two teams drawn will be paired and the second two teams will be paired. The winners of these contests will shootout to determine the overall winner.
In a 9 team bracket, the wildcard will initially be determined by the team with the highest point total. In the event of a
tie the tiebreaking procedure for the determination of a group winner will be utilized.
The tournament reserves the right to adjust pairings in the consolation round. The tournament will also reassign
wildcard teams to prevent a replay of a group play match in a Semi-final match. The wildcard team will be passed to
the group winner with the highest point total. In the event of a tie between group winners, the wildcard team will be
passed to the winner of Group B.
FORFEITS
A minimum of seven players per team constitutes a match. Matches will start at the given start time. In case the team
does not have seven players present, there will be a maximum of five minutes grace period before awarding the match
to the opponent. A forfeit will be scored 1-0.
In no case shall a team which forfeits a match be declared a group winner or wild card team. The team with the next
best record will be named group winner or wild card.
MATCH PROTESTS AND DISPUTES
There will be NO PROTESTS OR DISPUTES. Decisions by referees may not be appealed.
POST MATCH PROCEDURES
As a mutual courtesy, both teams will meet at the center circle and congratulate each other for a match well played.
Manager/coach of both teams will insure their respective sideline areas are clean and that all trash is in containers.
At the end of each match, a team representative must sign/initial the match report at the field marshal tent prior to
collecting the player cards, with the exception of any players or coaches sent off. The ultimate responsibility of
collecting the passes from the field marshal lies with the coach/manager of the teams participating. Teams must not
leave passes with the field marshals between matches; they must be picked up at the conclusion of each match.
A completed match report will be submitted to the tournament director complete with scores and a supplemental report
for send offs, injuries or special circumstances that need explanation.
CONTROL OF SIDELINE CONDUCT
Players, reserve players, managers, coaches, and fans are expected to conduct themselves within the letter and spirit of
“The Laws of the Game.” The Site Director has the authority and the responsibility to remove any person(s) from the
tournament for abuses of conduct, in addition to any specific disciplinary action brought about by any other authority. In
addition to good manners, the following rules will apply to the Desert Classic Tournament:
Both teams will share one sideline. Spectators will occupy the opposite sideline, with supporters of a given team sitting
directly across the field from the team. While the match is in progress the manager/coach/trainer and all reserve players
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must remain on their respective benches and may not roam the sidelines, except as necessary to warm up for entry into
the match. The manager/coach is responsible for the behavior of their team’s supporters. The referees will have the
authority to warn and ultimately send off, any manager/coach whose supporters behave in an abusive or disruptive
manner.
ARTIFICIAL NOISE-MAKING DEVICES ARE PROHIBITED.
CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE
It shall be solely the team's responsibility to determine the status of its players. Any suspension from a tournament, local
league, etc. is the responsibility of the team to notify the Tournament Director of this suspension at the time of the
player's check in.
Desert Classic Tournament will have a Discipline Committee of no fewer than three members. The Discipline
Committee will review and rule on all reports of unacceptable conduct by players, manager, coaches, referees,
spectators, etc.
All players and managers/coaches shall be subject to Arizona Youth Soccer Association Discipline and Sanctions.
A player, manager, or coach ejected will have an automatic minimum one match suspension regardless of the reason for
the ejection.
A coach who is ejected must leave the field area immediately (out of sight and sound). Failure to comply will result in
suspension from the entire event and may jeopardize inclusion into future events.
Suspended Coaches may not be present while serving their suspensions; players may sit with the team but may not be in
uniform.
Depending on the severity of the unacceptable conduct, the Discipline Committee may recommend the suspension of up
to the duration of the tournament with further disciplinary action by the appropriate National and State Association,
Federation or any other USSF affiliated organization. The Discipline Committee recommendations will be available to
the affected parties no later than before the start of their next scheduled match.
At the conclusion of the Desert Classic Tournament, it is the responsibility of the team’s coach or manager to pick up
the passes from the tournament office (even if suspension has not been completed). A complete report will be sent to the
Arizona Youth Soccer Association Review & Discipline Committee for forwarding to the appropriate State and National
Association.
EXTERNAL CONDITIONS, WEATHER, ETC.
The tournament officials cannot control the weather, nor can they control whether the fields remain playable.
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 the tournament will strive to keep teams informed through use of text
messaging and the tournament website. In the case of inclement weather, please check those sources for information.
DO NOT CALL FOR INFORMATION. We will work diligently to keep you informed.
In case of inclement weather, the following may occur:
• Matches may be shortened. The Tournament Director may reduce the length of matches due to weather
conditions before the start of a match; all such matches will be considered official.
• Halves may be shortened. The Tournament Director may reduce the length of halves before the restart of a
match once delayed due to weather; all such matches will be considered official.
• Matches may be rescheduled (time and location determined by Tournament Director).
• Matches may go to “Taking of Kicks from the Penalty Mark” (time and location determined by Tournament
Director)
• Some matches or the entire event may be cancelled.
If the Tournament Director rules that during the group play rounds “Taking of Kicks from the Penalty Mark” will be
done due to inclement weather or field conditions, the following rule will apply:
• Each team will take a maximum of five penalty kicks.
• At the end of five kicks the match will be scored as a 1-0 win for the team that has scored more penalty kicks,
or a 0-0 tie if both teams are tied in penalty kicks at the end of five kicks.
• In the overall standings, three points will be given for the win, one point for a tie and zero points for a loss.
• The 1-0 win in penalty kicks will not be counted for or against to determine the tie breaker for advancement.
• If regular matches have been played in the bracket and the Tournament Director has determined that other
matches go to penalty kicks due to inclement weather or field conditions, the regular match score will revert
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back to a 1-0 win or a 0-0 tie.
Only referees or a facility manager can suspend a match already started due to weather conditions. Any one single
suspension of a match may last no longer than 60 minutes or to the next scheduled match start time whichever is later.
The tournament director has sole discretion to reschedule and/or shorten Sunday matches to accommodate special needs
of our participants. While we request that teams make travel plans that do not interfere with planned match schedules,
sometimes unexpected events (e.g. flight cancellations) occur that make playing on schedule impossible. If a match can
reasonably be rescheduled and/or shortened, it will be. If it cannot, the team that was unavailable to comply with the
originally scheduled match shall forfeit that match.
TERMINATED MATCHES
If due to inclement weather matches must be prematurely terminated, the following rules will apply:
GROUP PLAY
In the event a referee terminates a match (different from temporarily suspending), before half time, it will be up to the
Tournament Director whether to record the score at the time of the termination or finish the match at a rescheduled time
and location.
In the event a referee terminates a match (different from temporarily suspending) after half time, the score will be
recorded as it was when the match was stopped.
SEMI-FINALS
In the event a referee terminates a match (different from temporarily suspending) the score will be recorded as it was
when the match was stopped. In the event the match ends in a tie, the team that earned the most points during group
play will be declared the winner. If the teams have the same number of points, the criteria in the tie-breaker scenarios of
the DETERMINATION OF GROUP WINNERS will be applied, including head-to-head, if applicable.
FINALS
In the event, a referee terminates a Final match (different from temporarily suspending) while the teams are tied, cochampions will be declared.
Matches terminated for other than inclement weather (e.g. violent play or uncontrollable situations) will not be replayed.
The decision as to the score of such matches and whether teams advance will be made by the Tournament Director after
receiving reports from match officials. The decision of the Director will be final and is binding on all parties. Further
disciplinary actions may be taken, depending upon the circumstances.
CHAMPIONSHIP CEREMONY
Following the completion of each Finals match, the two competing teams will present themselves to the Tournament
Director for awards ceremonies.
GENERAL
Desert Classic Tournament, the Tournament Committee, Arizona Youth Soccer Association and/or the host affiliate will
not be responsible for any expense incurred by any team due to the cancellation in part or whole of this tournament.
The Tournament Committee’s interpretation of these rules and regulations shall be final, and the Committee reserves the
right to decide on all tournament matters.
The Tournament Committee has the responsibility to uphold any previous suspension imposed by Arizona Youth Soccer
Association, US Youth Soccer and/or affiliates of USSF. Desert Classic Tournament is not responsible for the behavior
of players, coaches, and spectators off the field, or damages resulting from such behavior. Coaches and players
committing breaches of the law may be ejected from the tournament at the discretion of the tournament committee.
PLEASE REMEMBER
•
AT THE END OF EACH MATCH, A TEAM REPRESENTATIVE MUST SIGN/INITIAL THE MATCH REPORT.
•
PICKUP YOUR PLAYER CARDS FROM THE FIELD MARSHAL TENT AT THE END OF EACH MATCH.
•
RED CARDS MUST BE RETRIEVED FROM THE FIELD MARSHAL TENT ONCE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN
SERVED.
•
PLEASE ENSURE YOUR TEAM REMOVES ALL TRASH FROM THE SIDELINE AFTER EACH MATCH.
•
IN THE EVENT OF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY THERE ARE CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINERS ON SITE.
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•
COACHES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BEHAVIOR OF THEIR SPECTATORS.
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