1. U9/U10 and U11/U12: All preliminary games and final games will be 50 minutes in length, divided in to two (2) 25-minute halves. All games will have a two (2) minute break between halves. All games will start as stated in the schedule of games.
2. U13 and above: All preliminary and final games will be 60 minutes in length, divided in to two (2) 30-minute halves. All games will have a two (2) minute break between halves. All games will start as stated in the schedule of games.
3. Final games may be shortened at the discretion of the Tournament Directors.

1. Home team is the first team listed on the game schedule.
2. All teams must provide an alternate set of jerseys. In the event of a conflict of jersey colors, the home team will change uniforms.
3. All players must wear shin guards, covered by socks.
4. No hats allowed except for the goalkeeper.
5. If available, Field Marshal will provide a game ball. In the case a tournament ball is not available, teams will provide a game ball, deemed suitable by the referee.
6. Arm casts must be checked at registration by the Director of Referees prior to the first game.
7. U9/U10 and U11/U12: A size 4 game ball will be used.
8. U13 and above: A size 5 game ball will be used.

1. Team representative (does not have to be coach or manager) MUST register at the registration site on Friday between 3:00 and 8:00 p.m. Special arrangements for registration on Saturday will ONLY be made for those teams with a travel hardship (generally 1+ hours travel distance.).
2. Player pass cards, league rosters, guest rosters, and medical release forms will be needed at this time. Team check-in will take place 15 minutes before each scheduled game at the fields.
3. Non-USYSA teams (this includes US Club and AYSO teams): EACH player’s parent or guardian MUST sign an insurance waiver. This is separate from the medical waiver, and is available on the tournament website. NO player from a non-USYSA team will be registered without this insurance waiver.

1. A maximum of 11-18 players per team is allowed on the roster, depending on the division. At the time of tournament registration, you must submit your final tournament roster with up to five (5) guest players marked with an asterisk (*).
2. Players can be registered with only one (1) team in the tournament – NO EXCEPTIONS.
3. USYSA/FIFA pass cards (or accepted regional pass cards), official league roster for the current 2007-2008 season, and all required guest player forms (as per team’s home state requirements) must be presented along with the team roster to the Registrar at time of check-in.

• For U-9 and U-10 divisions:
• Format: 6 v 6
• Roster size: 11 (maximum) 
• For U-11 and U-12 divisions:
• Format: 8 v 8
• Roster size: 14 (maximum)
• For U-13 and older divisions:
• Format: 11 v 11
• Roster size: 18 (maximum)

1. All schedules are final. In the event of adverse weather conditions, game times may be shortened.
2. Regardless of weather conditions, coaches and teams must appear on the field of play as scheduled. Failure to appear will result in forfeiture of the game. Only referees or Tournament Director may cancel or postpone a game.
3. Should a game’s progress be terminated due to weather conditions after 20 minutes of play, the game will be considered official and the score at the time will stand.
4. Coaches are responsible for checking the accuracy of game scores on the boards.

1. FIFA rules, with exceptions for USYSA 6v6 and 8v8 formats, will apply to all games unless otherwise specified in this set of tournament rules. The tournament director and tournament committee reserve the right to decide on all matters pertaining to the operation of the tournament and its judgment is final.
2. Coaches and players will be required to stand on same side of field during competition; spectators will be required to remain on the opposite side of the field.
3. The referee will keep the official time of all games. Game clock will not be stopped in event of an injury to any player unless the injured player must be removed from the field by medical personnel. Due to the time allowed for completion of all games, the clock runs continuously.
4. U9/U10 ONLY: Offsides will NOT be called, in compliance with USYSA 6 v. 6 small-sided game rules.

1. A maximum of five (5) minutes grace period will be allowed after scheduled kick-off time before a game is awarded to an opponent.
2. Minimum number of players:

• U9/U10: A minimum of four (4) players constitutes a team and if four are present, the game may not be delayed.
• U11/U12: A minimum of six (6) players constitutes a team and if six are present, the game may not be delayed.
• U13 and above: A minimum of seven (7) players constitutes a team and if seven are present, the game may not be delayed.

3. Any team intentionally not playing a scheduled game or leaving the field during play will result in the game being called a forfeit for that team. In no case shall a team, which has forfeited a game, be declared a bracket or wild card team winner.
4. If a team does not appear at the tournament and no replacement can be found, all games will be listed as a 3-0 win for each team within the affected bracket.

1. Substitutions can be made under the following conditions (including goalkeeper substitutions):

• Throw-in (see MSYSA rule below)
• Before any goal kick (see MSYSA rule below)
• After a goal is scored (either team)
• At beginning of any period of play (either team)
• Any time in case of injury (1 for 1)
• When a player is removed from the field because of an open sore or wound. The opposing team, if desired, may substitute (1 for 1) at this time also. After clean-up, bleeding player may return at discretion of referee.

2. Per MSYSA rules, team in possession may substitute during throw-ins and goal kicks. The opposing team may also substitute IF THE TEAM IN POSESSION IS ALSO SUBSTITUTING AT THE SAME TIME. This rule allows for speedier play.  Examples:

• Red Team and Blue Team have substitutes waiting to be called on to the field by referee. Red Team gains possession for a throw in. Red AND Blue teams may both substitute at this time.
• Blue Team has substitutes waiting to be called on to the field by referee.  Red Team gains possession for a throw in. Blue Team may NOT substitute at this time.

1. Three yellow card cautions to any one player during the tournament will result in ineligibility for the next scheduled tournament game.
2. At minimum, one red card ejection will eliminate that player from the remainder of the game in which he or she is redcarded and that player will sit out the next game of the tournament. At the Tournament Committee’s, Referee Assignor’s, or officiating referee’s discretion, sitting out future games beyond the minimum required may be enforced.
3. No substitutions can be made for the dismissed player during the red-carded game.
4. Foul and abusive language is cause for ejection.
5. Any player, coach, assistant, or manager who does not sit out the required number of games during the tournament must sit out the required number of games starting with her/her next league game.
6. All red and yellow cards will be reported to the player, coaches, and/or team’s State Association and league, pursuant to MSYSA tournament rules.

1. Teams will be ranked in order of points earned for wins and ties:

• Three (3) points for each win
• One (1) for each tie
• Zero (0) points for a loss

2. Ties will be allowed to stand in preliminary rounds. During semi-finals and finals, if two teams are tied at the end of the game, two five (5) minute overtime periods will be played in their entirety (no sudden-death ending). If the score is still tied at the completion of the second five (5) minute overtime, penalty kicks will be taken according to FIFA rules to decide the game.  Penalty kicks will be taken at the game field immediately, unless the Tournament Committee deems it necessary to move to another field to keep following games on schedule. Time and field location will then be determined by the Tournament Committee.

1. Teams will be ranked in order of points earned for wins and ties (three (3) for each win, one (1) for each tie, and zero (0) for each loss). For teams with same number of points, final placing will be determined by the following tie-breaker rules:

• First tie breaker: Head-to-head competition (not applicable if tie involves more than 2 teams).
• Second tie breaker: If the teams are still tied after head-to-head competition a bonus system will be used. A team will receive one (1) bonus point for each goal scored up to and including the third goal. No team can receive more than three (3) bonus points per game. However, each goal a team allows up to three (3) goals in a game will be subtracted from their bonus point total.  Examples:
• If Team A beats Team B by a score of 3-0, Team A will receive 3 bonus points.
• If Team A beats Team B by a score of 3-2, Team A will receive 1 bonus point.
• If Team A beats Team B by a score of 6-3, Team A will receive no bonus points.
• Third tie breaker: In cases where the above spread does not differentiate between teams, goals against each team will be totaled for the first three or four games. The team having the fewest goals scored against them will be determined as having the better record.
• Fourth tie breaker:  Most wins during the preliminary round of three or four games.
• Fifth tie breaker: Goals scored by each team will be totaled for the first three or four games. The team having the most goals will be determined as having the better record.
• Sixth tie breaker:  Penalty Kicks:  The Tournament Directors will determine time and field location.

2. In situations where MORE than two (2) teams are tied:

• The tie-breaker review starts with the second tie-breaker rule (bonus points.)
• When a tie-breaker rule eliminates one team, the review continues with the remaining tie-breaker criteria (review does not start again at beginning.)

3. In divisions where a wild card team advances to the semi-finals, bracket A winner plays bracket B winner and bracket C winner plays the wild card team. If the wild card team is from the C bracket, then bracket A plays the wild card and bracket B plays bracket C winner.
4. In the event of a forfeit, the winning team receives three (3) points for the win plus maximum bonus points.

1. Divisions will consist of four or more teams, where possible.
2. A round-robin competition may be held. A minimum of three games is guaranteed. The Tournament Directors reserve the right to adjust the competition format, as necessary, and will make appropriate efforts to communicate any changes to all registered teams as far in advance as possible.
3. U9-U12: Each team will be presented with participation awards, which will be made available to the coach at registration.

• Lakeshore Soccerfest presented by the Chicago Fire Juniors - West Michigan requires adherence to MSYSA risk management policies for all MSYSA registered teams. MSYSA risk management information may be located at the MSYSA website risk management information page (http://www.michiganyouthsoccer.org/riskmanage.html). All MSYSA registered teams will be required to present Risk Management cards for coaches, assistant coaches and team managers.

1. In the unlikely event of tournament cancellation due to circumstances beyond the control of the tournament committee, no refunds of tournament fees will be allowed.
2. Upon notification of tournament acceptance, no refund of tournament fees will be allowed.

• All non-USYSA teams will be required to sign a letter stating recognizing that Lakeshore Soccerfest tournament insurance coverage does not extend to their teams. Non-USYSA teams will not be allowed to register without completion of this insurance statement. (See Section 3.)