VEGAS CUP TOURNAMENT INFO AND RULES

TEAM AND PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

This tournament is open to all teams properly registered in good standing with their association and which comply with the Rules and By-Laws of the USYSA, NYSA, and US Club Soccer.

Teams must register and have paid the tournament application fee by the deadline established on the Tournament Application form.
Players may not play for more than one team in the tournament.

TOURNAMENT SERVICE

All teams are guaranteed at least three (3) matches (weather permitting)
Vegas Cup will provide seating for the players and coaches at every field.
Vegas Cup will provide Water and Gatorade stations for the players and coaches.

Athletic Trainers will be on site at all field locations.

HOTEL REQUIREMENTS

As a condition of acceptance, all teams, other than those in the local area, are required to stay in Tournament designated hotels. A list of these hotels can be found on the tournament webpage.

If you have special hotel needs that cannot be met through the hotels on our approved hotel list, please notify the Vegas Cup immediately at 702-878-3644.

Failure to use one of our tournament-approved hotels may result in your team being dropped from our tournament with no refund given.

ROSTERS

FINAL ROSTER UPDATES ON GOTSOCCER
Final Rosters must be updated at gotsoccer.com by 5:00pm on Monday January 9, 2012.

Please make sure the Head Coach is listed as the Head Coach on Gotsoccer. This will assist in the process when trying to avoid coaching conflicts. It is also important to make sure the coach’s name is spelled the same on all teams.

MAXIMUM ROSTER SIZE
U9 and U10 Divisions - Fourteen (14) players
U11 thru U16 Divisions - Eighteen (18) players
U17 and U18 Divisions - Twenty-two (22) players

MAXIMUM GUEST PLAYERS
Teams U11 and above are allowed a maximum of five (5) guest players, with proper and complete USSF Guest Player Release forms.
Teams U10 and younger are allowed a maximum of three (3) guest players, with proper and complete USSF Guest Player Release forms.

CHECK IN

Check in will be on Friday January 13, 2012 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm; location to be posted at vegascup.net.

Teams scheduled to play on Friday will check in at their game location one hour prior to their start time. (Out of State teams will only play on Friday if requested)

It is mandatory that a representative from each team attend the check-in.

ITEMS REQUIRED AT CHECK IN
Current laminated USYSA player card, or approved USSF Affiliated organization equivalent (i.e. US Club Soccer), or the appropriate national organization pass to participate. (All foreign players will need to present passport at registration)

Medical Release from affiliated organization for every player

Loan Player Forms

Travel Papers- Official form from State Association or National Association providing permission to participate and certification of the team roster. (If traveling from outside of Region 4)

Proof of Insurance from USSF Affiliated organization or National Organization (teams entering tournament as a non USYSA team)

GAME CHECK-IN CONDUCT

Player passes must be at the Field Marshall tent 30 minutes prior to the start of each match.

Referees will check players in prior to the start of each scheduled game.

A team who fails to report within 5 minutes of a scheduled kick off will forfeit the game.

No card, no play

The Coach/Manager is responsible for picking up players passes after each match from the Field Marshal tent, and signing game card.

GAME TIME

Las Vegas teams and Out of State teams requesting Friday play will begin play on Friday January 13, 2012 at 5:00pm.

Out of State teams will begin play on Saturday morning at 10:00am.
All finals will be scheduled on Monday January 16, 2012 with the last game being scheduled at 2:00pm.

BRACKET FORMAT

Each age group will play under a format, which is dependent upon the number of teams in the age group: pool and bracket play

SIXTEEN TEAM DIVISION
Each Division will consist of four (4) Brackets of four (4) teams. Each team will play the others within its bracket for a total of three (3) preliminary games. The winner of Bracket A will play the winner of Bracket B in the Semi-Final Game 1, and the winner of Bracket C will play the winner of Bracket D in the Semi-Final Game 2. The Semi-Final winners will meet for the Championship.

TWELVE TEAM DIVISION
Each Division will consist of four (3) Brackets of four (4) teams. Each team will play the others within its bracket for a total of three (3) preliminary games. The winner of Bracket A will play the Wildcard Team in the Semi-Final Game 1, and the winners of Bracket B and C will play in Semi-Final Game 2. The Wildcard Team will be the second place team with the highest points in all brackets. If the Wildcard Team comes from Bracket A, then the Winner A will play Winner B, and the Winner C will play the Wildcard. The Semi-Final winners will meet for the Championship.

EIGHT TEAM DIVISION
Each Division will consist of four (2) Brackets of four (4) teams. Each team will play the others within its bracket for a total of three (3) preliminary games. The winner of Bracket A will play the second place team of Bracket B in the Semi-Final Game 1, and the winner of Bracket B will play the second team of Bracket A in the Semi-Final Game 2. The Semi-Final winners will meet for the Championship.

FIVE TEAM DIVISION
The Division will consist of one (1) Bracket of five (5) teams. Each team will play the others within its bracket for a total of four (4) preliminary games. The winner of the Bracket will play the second place team of Bracket in the Championship Game.

RULES OF PLAY

FIFA Laws of the Game shall apply as modified by USYSA and the Vegas Cup Tournament Committee as described herein.

DURATION OF GAMES

Division	Halves
U-18	30 minutes
U-17	30
U-16	30
U-15	30
U-14	30
U-13	30
U-12	30
U-11	30
U-10	25
u-9	25

Preliminary and Quarter Final Games will be called not less than five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next games regardless of the amount of time played in each half up to that point. A game is “complete” upon completion of one half of play regardless of the circumstances of termination during the second half with final results based on the score at the time the game is called. Preliminary games can end in a tie.

Semi-Final and Championship games tied after overtime will go straight to penalty kicks.

Half Time will be exactly five minutes.
Delays of the game due to injury will result in appropriate time being added to the full game time, based on the judgment of the referee. However, all preliminary games will be terminated not less than five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game.

SUBSTITUTIONS
Teams may substitute only with the referee’s permission and only at the following times. (including overtimes):
Except as provided by USYSA, substitutions shall be unlimited. Substitutions may be made, with the consent of the referee, at any stoppage play. (USYSA Rule 302)

HOME TEAM
The Home Team is listed first on the game schedule and is responsible to supply the game ball. If the referee declares a uniform color conflict, the Home Team will be required to change jerseys.

If the Home Team cannot supply alternate jerseys, the Home Team will forfeit the game.

Home side of the field is the East and South side.

No two teams will play from the same side of the field. Fans/spectators will occupy the same side of the field as their team.

PLAYERS EQUIPTMENT

It will be at the Referee’s discretion to determine the safety and suitability of player equipment.

All players must wear shin guards under the socks.
Teams will wear uniforms of matching design and color with a minimum of six-inch numbers affixed to the back of the uniform shirt.
The uniform of the goalkeeper must be distinctly different in color from the basic colors of both competing teams.
No two players may have identical uniform numbers while participating in any match.
Players shall wear approved cleats.
No jewelry may be worn in competition.
No hard casts are permitted; soft casts may be permitted with approval of Referee.

SCORING

POINT SYSTEM
The 10-point system will be used for advancement. Teams will be awarded points for qualifying matches based on the following:
Six (6) points for each Win

Three (3) points for each Tie

Zero (0) points for each Loss

One (1) point for each goal scored up to a maximum of three (3) per game

One (1) point for each shut out

Minus one (-1) point for each player or coach ejected

A 0-0 tie will be scored as 4 points for each team (3 for tie, 1 for shut out)

*For a forfeited match, the winner will be credited with a 1-0 win and awarded (8) points (six for the win, one for the goal and one for the shut-out). A team abandoned by another team during a match will be awarded at least (8) points. The results of that match shall be based on the score at the time of the abandonment. A minimum of seven (7) players constitutes a game. Games should start at the given start time. In case the team does not have seven (7) players present, there will be a maximum of five (5) minutes grace period before awarding the game to the opponent.

SCORE REPORTING
Upon completion of the match, the game card will be given to the Field Marshal. The Coach/Manager is responsible for picking up players passes after each match from the Field Marshals, and signing game card. Scores will be posted at the Tournament Headquarters and on GotSoccer.com upon receipt from the Field Marshal.

TIE BREAKERS
In the event of a tie in points at the end of bracket play; the teams to advance will be determined as follows:
1. The winner in head to head competition.
2. Fewest goals against
3. Most goals for
4. Most total wins
5. Most shut outs
6. If a tie still exists after steps 1 through 5, FIFA Penalty Kicks from the Mark will be taken thirty (30) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the appropriate Semi-Final game.
7. If a three-way tie exists within a bracket after steps 1 through 5, a three-way coin flip will be conducted. The teams that tie in the coin flip will compete in FIFA Penalty Kicks from the Mark to eliminate one team prior to proceeding to FIFA Penalty Kicks From the Mark with the third team. The coin flip and time of the FIFA Penalty Kicks will be 30 minutes prior to the Semi-Final games.
8. If ties exist in the determination of a wild card team, criteria 2 through 7 will be applied.

COACHING

All Coaches have total responsibility for the conduct of their players, substitutes, friends and spectators at all times. Coaching from the sidelines is permitted, provided:
Each coach or substitute remains within 10 yards on either side of the halfway line;

No coach, substitute, or spectator makes derogatory remarks or gestures to the referees, other coaches, players, substitutes, or spectator.

No coach, substitute, or spectator uses profanity or incites, in any manner, disruptive behavior.

CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS

Any coach, team official or player ejected (sent off) from a match, or suspended by the proper authority, is prohibited to be within sight or hearing distance of the field of play during his/her suspension.
A player receiving two cautions (yellow cards) in a single game is considered to have been given an ejection (red card).
A player who has been ejected (sent off) will not be replaced.
A player who has been ejected will not return for that game and will not be allowed to participate in the next scheduled game(s).
A coach, team official or player who is ejected for violent conduct or serious foul play will not be allowed to participate in the next TWO scheduled games.
Any player, coach, or team official who assaults a referee will be expelled from the Tournament.
A coach who has been ejected will be suspended the same as a player ejection.
Tournament Points will be deducted for all ejections.

FIGHTING

Fighting will not be tolerated for any reason.

Coaches, team officials, players or spectators sent off for fighting (striking or attempting to strike another coach, team official, player or spectator) will not be allowed to participate in any further tournament matches.

Coaches, team officials, players or spectators who enter the field of play for any reason, in the event of a fight, will be ejected from the tournament.

If the coaches, team officials, players or spectators cannot be identified, the entire team will be removed from the tournament.

No refunds will be made to any team that is removed from the tournament for fighting.

The coach/team official shall forfeit the carded coach’s, team official’s or player’s pass to the Center Referee who will give the pass and the match report to the Field Marshal.

The coach, team official or player in question shall be ineligible until the pass is returned to said coach, team official or player by the Tournament Committee.

Any coach or team official that is coaching more than one team in the tournament and is suspended on one team is automatically suspended from any other team or teams until the suspension has been served.

If, in the opinion of the Center Referee, a match must be terminated for misconduct, the offending team forfeits that match and will be suspended from further play in all remaining matches, which would be forfeits.
Previous points earned and any right to a refund, awards or other consideration will be forfeited. In addition, the home league and State Association will be contacted.

Any verbal abuse directed at committee members, referees or other volunteers would also result in suspension and ejection.

Referees have complete authority during all matches and will not allow abusive or profane language, threats of any kind or any style of play that detracts from the Game of Soccer.

REFEREE INFO

The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final. The referee may only change a decision on realizing that it is incorrect or, at his/her discretion, on advice of an assistant referee, provided that he/she has not restarted play.

ALTERNATE MATCH SCHEDULING
The Tournament Committee has the authority to alter the schedule, move matches to the next day or move match sites for the good of the tournament.

AWARDS

Players and coaches in the Championship matches in each age group, first (1st) and Second (2nd) place teams, will receive individual awards. Awards will be presented at the field of the championship match after the completion of the match. Awards will NOT be mailed to teams failing to stay for presentations.

INCLEMENT WEATHER - UNEXPECTED TERMINATION OF PLAY INCLEMENT WEATHER

Matches will be played in all weather conditions, unless the Center Referee or Tournament Director determines the conditions are dangerous and/or life threatening as per FIFA/USYSA/USYSNV regulations. The Tournament Committee will do every thing in their control to make sure all matches are played, but if it is out of their control, the standings at that time will be final. No refunds will be given!

CONTINGENCY PLAN

Plan A: All matches will be played as scheduled.
Plan B: Shorten all first round matches to (15) halves.
Plan C: Plan B plus shorten all second round matches the same.
Plan D: Plan C plus shorten all third round matches the same.
Plan E: In the event the fields become totally unplayable or the weather becomes a hazardous condition, it may be necessary to decide some matches with FIFA penalty kicks.

PROTESTS

All decisions of the Tournament Director are final. NO PROTESTS WILL BE ALLOWED.

Only the Tournament Director can make decisions relating to the interpretation of the Tournament Rules. Disputes relating to the interpretation of these rules will be resolved with the administrator/coach that is registered with the involved team(s). Individuals may not represent a team if not registered as an administrator/coach with the involved team(s).

WITHDRAWAL POLICY

ENTRY WITHDRAWAL
A team withdrawing an entry on or before the entry deadline for the tournament will receive a refund equivalent to their entry fee less a $50 processing fee. Request to withdrawal must be made by email to info@lv-sa.com.

LATE WITHDRAWAL
Any withdrawal after the entry deadline of the tournament will be considered to be a Late Withdrawal. The Entry Fee for a Late Withdrawal will be handled as follows: If a fully paid entry is found to replace the withdrawing team, the withdrawing team will receive a refund equivalent to their entry fee less a $100 processing fee.

If a fully paid entry is not found to replace the withdrawing team, no amount of the Entry Fee will be refunded or credited.

The Tournament Director assumes no duty or responsibility to find a replacement entry for a Late Withdrawal.

GENERAL

The Vegas Cup, the Tournament Committee, United States Youth Soccer Association Nevada 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 the foregoing rules and regulation shall be final and reserves the right to decide on all tournament matters.

The tournament committee has the responsibility to uphold any previous suspension imposed by any affiliates of USSF; the Vegas Cup and/or Las Vegas Sports Academy are 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.

In the event that the tournament is cancelled, a refund of the entry fee (if any) or a portion of the entry fee (if any) will be determined by the Board of Directors after all expenses have been calculated.