Tournament Rules - Boarded Soccer

COACHES INFORMATION

· All elements of the team, including parents, coaches and players are expected to maintain themselves in accordance with the highest standards of good conduct. Instances of unsportsmanlike conduct will be investigated and addressed without delay.

· Coaches are responsible for reminding team supporters that good sportsmanship rewards exceptional play regardless of who makes the play. Good sportsmanship does not detract from the game but rather makes it more enjoyable for all. While it’s understood that competition is a healthy part of the game, supporters should never lose sight of respect for the game or their competitors.

· Individuals displaying unacceptable behavior will be requested to leave the facility. Facility staff can hold the coach responsible for the actions of their team and supporters and they reserve the right to deny entry to any person or entire teams at their discretion.

· The organizing committee reserves the right to adjust tiers and groups as needed to provide balanced pools or ensure teams are competitively balanced.

· No refunds will be issued after the registration process is closed (Sept 29, 2023).

· These rules are intended to be as inclusive as possible; however, in the event of unforeseen circumstances the tournament committee reserves the right to make binding decisions upon all participants.

SECTION 1: GENERAL RULES

1.1 All teams are required to fill out their team’s roster online no later than October 6, 2022 @ 4:00pm. Guest/Trialist forms must be attached to game sheets and submitted prior to the start of each game. No changes to the team roster can be made once that team’s first tournament game has been played. Any corrections requiring change after the October 6th deadline must be made at the EMSA Main office or at tournament headquarters.

1.2 A maximum of five (5) coaching staff members may be on the bench during the time of play. One of the staff members must be the same gender as the players.

1.3 Players are only permitted to play on ONE team in this tournament. (Under exceptional circumstances the tournament committee may allow a player to play up-Covid)

1.4 All mixed-gender teams will participate in the corresponding male age group/tier/division.

1.5 Players on U9-U19 teams must be of the appropriate age group as outlined in A.S.A. rules but may include players from a lower age group.

SECTION 2: ELIGIBILITY OF COACHES/PLAYERS

2.1 All coaching staff and players (including guest players) must be currently registered with a youth soccer association recognized by A.S.A. or C.S.A for the Indoor 2023/2024 season to participate in this tournament.

2.2 Any coaches or players that are currently under any disciplinary action from any ASA or CSA recognized soccer association must advise the tournament committee; who will decide (based on the offence) if the player/coach will be permitted to participate in the Copa Edmonton Tournament. All suspensions will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Player cards, where mandated for regular play, are not required for this tournament, however must be shown upon request by tournament officials.

Please note: Failure to produce player identification (if requested) may result in the forced forfeit of the game(s) being played by the team. Please refer to ASA rules for other forms of acceptable ID in lieu of 2.2 above.

SECTION 3: GUEST PLAYERS (TRIALISTS)

3.1 Each team is permitted five guest players during the tournament.

3.2 Guest players must be currently registered with a youth soccer association recognized by A.S.A. and/or C.S.A for the Indoor 2023/2024 season to participate in this tournament.

3.3 EMSA trialists can only come from within the same North/South Boundary- With the coaches permission.

3.4 A guest player will be allowed on the following basis: Tier 1–4: can only be from the same or lower age / lower category or lower division as the age group of the receiving team’s tournament category in order to be registered on that team’s roster with written approval as noted below; Tier 5-9: can be from the same or lower age / same or lower category or same or lower division as the age group of the receiving team’s tournament category in order to be registered on that team’s roster with written approval as noted below. *due to covid and illness we will be flexible to ensure teams have enough players*  

The tournament has final decision on players player registration

3.5 Teams must submit guest forms and one copy of the game sheet to the referee prior to the start of the game. Coaches must submit a copy of the guest form for each game a guest player participates in. A guest form can cover a range of play dates.

3.6 All guest player(s) must have written approval from their original team with signatures from their original team as well as their tentative tournament team.

3.7 Guest players must be identified on the team roster/game sheets.

3.8 Any player that is registered in the EIYSA 2023/2024 Indoor league may be permitted to play as a guest player in the Copa Edmonton tournament provided that an ASA roster is provided for the EIYSA player confirming registration on the appropriate EIYSA team.

3.9 EMSA Players may not play as a guest player on an EIYSA team in accordance with EMSA rules.

3.11 Guest and trialist mean the same thing and the wording can be interchanged without changing the meaning.

SECTION 4: TEAM ROSTERS

4.1 All teams are required to register their completed roster and identify any guest player(s) no later than October 6, 2023.

4.2 No changes to a teams’ roster can be made after that teams’ first tournament game.

4.3 Players not on the team roster prior to the team’s first tournament game are deemed ineligible.

4.4 Players cannot be registered on more than one team roster.

4.5 The maximum number of players permitted on a team roster is as follows:

· U9 & U11: (18) players including goal keepers(s)

· U13-U19: (20) players including goal keeper(s)

· A team may dress a maximum number of players according to their age group.

4.6 Non- EMSA teams are required to carry a signed copy of their ASA team roster and provide it to any tournament official upon request.

Please note: Absolutely no player registrations will be approved at tournament headquarters, please ensure you have enough players prior to entering the tournament.

SECTION 5: OUT OF PROVINCE TEAMS/NON-EMSA TEAMS

5.1 Travel Documents All out of province teams must submit travel sanction forms with their roster on or before 4:00pm on October 6, 2023.

5.2 Facility Waivers (Non-EMSA teams) - All teams who are not playing in the EMSA league for the 2023/2024 Indoor season must provide EMSA headquarters with facility waivers for each player / coach / manager / bench attendant prior to their first game or confirmation from their home zone that they hold in their possession copies of the team’s waiver forms.

SECTION 6: GAMES

6.1 Format of Game

a) The length of games will be as follows:

U9: 25 min x 2 
U11-U19: 25 min x 2
(5 minute change over)

b) Games may end in a tie during Round Robin play; however, a game that requires a result will go to “Kicks from the Penalty Mark.”.
c) Each team will play a minimum of three (3) games and medals will be awarded after the last game.
d) The “Mercy Rule” will apply to this group. No team will be given more than a 5 (five) goal win differential. Tie-breaking procedures will use statistics AFTER the mercy rule was applied. i.e. if a team wins 6-0, they will only receive credit for 5-0 regardless of the actual score.
e) U9 & U11’s will play in accordance with EMSA’s policy for the 2023/2024 Indoor season being a 7v7 format (6 players and 1 keeper).

f) U13 and up will play 6 vs 6 (5 players and 1 keeper) for boarded
g) No Time Outs

h) Where the Mercy Rule (as per d) is in effect, no time will be stopped on the clock.

6.2 Pool Format

a) “Round Robin” play format and will have NO play-off games within a pool or between pools. All tied games in Round Robin play format will stand.
b) “Play-Off” pool format will have play-off games scheduled within a two-sided pool or between pools. Ties will stand in the first round of game for two-sided pools and/or the first round of pools that play off against another pool.
c) Medal games are defined as the final games in a two-sided pool or between pools that play- off against one another, whose results determine Medal stands (Gold and Silver). If a Medal Game results in a tie at the end of regulation time, penalty Kicks will be used to determine the winner of the match. If for 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th game results end in a tie, the team with the higher plus minus will be placed higher. if still tied a points per game including fair play will result in the teams placement.  NO Pentalties except for the gold/silver games.

d) In pools of 5 there will be a gold medal game

6.3 Game Sheets

a) Official Copa Edmonton game sheets will be used throughout the tournament and are available to print off the website.
b) Game sheets are to be completely filled out and given to the game official prior to the kickoff of each tournament game.
c) Ensure all players (including guest players, labeled as “guest”) are listed on the game sheet prior to kick off. Any player not listed on the game sheet prior to kick off will be deemed ineligible to play

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6.4 Game Balls

a) The home team is required to provide 2 suitable game balls, as determined by the game official, which is as follows:

· U9/U11 SIZE 4

· U13-U19 SIZE 5

6.5 Point system

a) A win entitles a team to three (3) points.
b) A loss entitles a team to zero (0) points.
c) A tie entitles each team to one (1) point.
d) NO points will be awarded for shutout games. See rule 6.7(b)

6.6 Tie-Breaking Procedures

2-Way Tie	3-Way Tie
Head to Head	Goal Differential
Goal Differential	Least Goals Against
Least Goals Against	Fair-Play (Least Amount of Yellow/Red Cards)  Penalty Kicks (see section 10 for rules)
Fair-Play (Least Amount of Yellow/Red Cards) Penalty Kicks (see section 10 for rules)	NOTE: Most goals for cannot apply due to mercy rule.

6.7 Forfeiting Games

a) Should any team forfeit a scheduled game the opposing team will be awarded a final score of five to zero..
b) Should both teams forfeit a scheduled game the final score will be recorded as N/S (no score) and no points will be awarded.

6.8 Delayed Games

a) On-field issues that delay or interrupt a game, such as facilities cleaning carpet, will result in shortened playtime as the clock will be running as if a normal game were in progress. There will be no additional make-up time allocated.

6.9 On-Field Medical Distress

a) Injuries occurring that require on field medical attention will not result in additional "makeup game time" being allocated.
b) If there is a serious injury that occurs in the first half and results in a stoppage in play for more than 10 minutes the Tournament Committee, in consultation with the Referee in Chief, will determine how the result for that game will be determined.

c) Where game time remains greater than 10 minutes game play will resume with the final score determining the outcome.
d) Should the score be tied and game play can resume with less than 10 minutes remaining on the clock coaches may elect to go to penalty shots to determine a winning team.
e) If less than 5 minutes remains on the clock the Penalty Shoot-out is not an option and game play will resume until time runs out.
f) Should one coach wish to play out the remaining time whereas the other coach desires a penalty shootout a flip of the coin by team captains will resolve the issue.
g) Where resolution requires a coin flip the referee will request tournament officials oversee the coin flip.

SECTION 7: RULES OF PLAY / DISCIPLINE / PROTESTS

7.0 Miscellaneous

a) If not clear, the team mentioned first on the schedule is deemed the Home team.
b) In the event that both teams wear like colors, the home team will be required to change jerseys or wear pinnies as determined by the referee.
c) Scores and team stats will be posted on the official tournament page.

7.1 Rules of Play

a) The Tournament will follow the Rules of Indoor Soccer, except where modified as advised e.g. U9 and U11 games. These can be found at the following website http://www.albertasoccer.com/referee/resources/ under Alberta Rules of Indoor Soccer (ROIS).
b) All players, coaching staff, assisting personnel and team supporters are expected to obey the Alberta Rules of Indoor Soccer (ROIS) and respect all tournament officials.
c) The Rules of Indoor Soccer are in effect for the time period beginning immediately before, during and immediately after the game and said authority extends to the area immediately surrounding the field of play and includes the bleachers.

Please note: Foul or abusive language will not be tolerated. Threats and/or assaults made towards any tournament officials during this tournament will generate an immediate suspension pending the A.S.A. Discipline Committee action in accordance with A.S.A. Rules and Regulations.

7.2 Discipline for U11-U19 teams (boarded)

a) Specific to U9/U11 – U9 and U11 is considered “mini-soccer” and players are learning the game, the consequence of Red/Yellow/Blue cards is modified to consider the development of the player. Teams affected by these modified rules will not play short hand while serving time penalties.

i) No cards will be shown to U9 players. However; for offenses that are considered serious the referee can instruct the coach to temporarily remove the player from the field of play to instruct the player on game conduct. The team will not play shorthanded.

ii) Red Card - U11 players receiving a Red Card not as a result of 2 yellow cards will sit in the box for 5 Minutes Stop-Time then proceed to their team bench where they will remain for the duration of the game.
iii) Yellow Card - U11 players receiving a Yellow Card will sit in the box for 2 Minutes Stop-Time. Players receiving a second caution (Yellow Card) in the same game will sit in the box for 2 minutes then proceed to their team bench where they will remain for the duration of the game.
iv) U11 Players receiving a Red Card will not serve any additional suspension and are able to return to regular play for subsequent games. Notwithstanding, the Copa Edmonton Disciplinary committee reserves to right to issue game suspensions to any player, including U9 & U11, involved in violent conduct.
v) Blue Card – Referees are discouraged from issuing Blue Cards to U11 players except for repeated re-occurrences. Upon noticing a Technical Offense the referee shall stop play immediately (unless an advantage situation exists) and correct the action instead of issuing a Blue Card. Example, too many players will result in immediate game stoppage until the issue is corrected. Any goals scored by a team with too many players on the field shall not be counted.

U9 and U11 Retreat Line is in effect:

The Retreat Line will come into effect in the following 3 situations:

• a goal kick

• a free kick to the defending team within their own penalty area (goal area in U9 outdoor games)

• the goalkeeper makes a save and has possession of the ball in their hands

At these 3 restarts the opposing team is required to move beyond the Retreat Line, which is the following:

•  A line that is one third of the way down from the goal line. If there is no line, cones off the field can be used.

On a goal kick or free kick the ball is in play when the first of the following occurs:

• The ball touches another player from the team taking the restart, apart from the player taking the goal kick or free kick

• The ball stops and has left the penalty area/goal area  from a goal kick or free kick

• The ball crosses the Retreat Line

• The ball goes out of play

On a goalkeeper save the ball is in play when the first of the following occurs:

• The goalkeeper, after making a save, kicks or throws the ball beyond the Retreat Line

• The goalkeeper, after making a save, releases the ball and it touches another player from the same team

• The goalkeeper, after making a save, puts the ball on the ground and more than 5 seconds has passed after putting the ball down on the ground

• The goalkeeper, after making a save, puts the ball on the ground and dribbles the ball beyond the penalty area

• The ball goes out of play

If an opposing player comes in from the Retreat Line AND interferes with play, the game will be stopped, and the restart will be a free kick to the opposing team from where the player crossed the Retreat Line.

For any infraction by the team taking the goal kick, free kick or a goalkeeper save when the Retreat Line Rule is in effect, the restart will be a free kick at the center of the closest Retreat Line.

• Retreat Line At the Edmonton Centers the retreat line is marked on 1/3 of the field.

Restarts for U9s • All restarts are now indirect (a goal cannot be scored directly from that restart).

Boarding (U9s) • Any player committing a boarding offence can take no further part in the match.

Penalty Kicks (U9s)

• There are no penalty kicks

• Restart would be an indirect free kick at the top of the penalty arc

a) Specific to U13 and up: Double yellow or Denying a goal scoring opportunity will not result in any further games of suspension.  Other Red Cards will be automatic one game suspensions and the Discipline committee will decide the number of games (if any)

b) If a player receives a second red card in the tournament, that player must report, with the affected teams’ coach, to HQ immediately after his or her team’s game. The player will not be permitted to participate in any further tournament play and may face further disciplinary action.
c) It is the coach’s responsibility to ensure that their players serve their discipline during the tournament.
d) Players who are ejected from a game for U13 and up must immediately leave the field of play and either go to their dressing room or leave the field area. 
e) Any coach/manager who is ejected from the game must leave the playing area as defined under section d. An ejected coach could be suspended from their next game. This will be determined by the Discipline Committee based on the Referee Report. Any coach suspended will be advised before their next game.
f) Any suspended player/coach/manager serving a next-game suspension cannot be in the dressing room or hallway prior to the game and cannot enter the field of play for the warm up or for the end of game handshake.
g) If the nature of the suspension warrants, The Discipline Committee will convene and advise the coaching staff of its findings. The regular process of appeals remains available if needed.

7.3 Protests

a) Protests of any tournament game results will be reviewed provided that the protest is in writing and accompanied by payment of $100.00. Cheques are to be made payable to the Edmonton Tournament Inc. The tournament headquarters must receive written submissions within one hour of the protested game’s completion. Protests related to application of the “Rules of Indoor Soccer” by game officials will not be accepted. Successful protests will result in the $100.00 being refunded.
b) Playing ineligible players will result in the forfeit of any game the said player participated in. Affected teams will be awarded a 5 to 0 score as well as three points.

SECTION 8: AWARDS (MEDALS)

8.1 Commemorative Award

8.2 Awards Presentations

a) Gold & Silver (for the U9/U19 Premier & U9-U19 Categories)Medals or Trophies will be awarded to the top two (2) teams in each category. They will be presented to one of the team official at the Headquarters in each Soccer Center following the final game of the schedule in that age category.

SECTION 9: FIELD LOCATIONS

Fields: (ESD) Edmonton Soccer Dome – 3105 101 Street SW

Victoria Soccer center- 14025 142 St NW,

Edmonton Soccer Centers (East, West, South)

SECTION 10: PENALTY KICKS

In the event of a tie where a result is needed (medals determination), “Kicks from the Penalty Mark” as per ASA Rules will be the determining method used to break the tie game. Affected teams are provided 1 minute to select 5 players and prepare the goalkeeper.

Procedure

Before the start of kicks from the penalty mark, teams shall be required to equalize the number of players on each team. e.g. if one team has 14 players and the other team has 16 players, the team with 16 players must reduce their team size by 2 players. These 2 players will be in the penalty box during the duration of the penalty kicks.

The referee chooses the goal at which the kicks will be taken

The referee tosses a coin and the team whose captain wins the toss decides if they will kick first or second

The referee and the assistant referee will keep a record of the kicks being taken.

Shots from the penalty mark will follow the ASA 2022/2023 Rules of Indoor Soccer.