The Junior Cup

2024
SCHEDULES
AND TEAMS

FAST FIND

Welcome to the 2025 The Junior Cup

Rules for the 2025 The Junior Cup

ELIGIBILITY:
This tournament will accept teams (including guest players) of no more than 14 players in the 7v7 divisions and 16 players in the 9v9 divisions. There is no limit on guest players. Players may not play on more than one team. Teams traveling from outside Region II must file travel permits with the tournament director (not applicable to US Club teams).

AGE:
Players must be born within January 1 - December 31 time frame established by the USSF for the division in which they would participate. Player passes or roster, duly authorized by an appropriate USSF State Registrar must be presented at each game.

LAWS OF THE GAME:
International Rules (FIFA/USSF) apply, except as hereafter noted.

SUBSTITUTIONS:
Unlimited. By either team, prior to a throw-in that is in the favor of the team that will be substituting a player, goal kick, after a goal, and after the half break. Additionally, if a player for the opposing team is at the mid-field flag waiting to be a substitute when the team that is awarded a throw-in has a substitute to enter the game, the substitute for the opposing team may also enter the game. If the team that has been awarded a throw-in does not have a substitute, then neither team may substitute a player. Finally, by either team at a stoppage of play for injury, caution, or ejection. A player who is bleeding or has blood on his/her uniform shall be removed from the field and cannot return until the bleeding is stopped and the uniform is cleaned or changed. Substitutions may be made for injured players as well as all players at the mid-field flag.

HEADING
There shall be no heading in any games. In the event a player deliberately heads the ball, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.

BUILD-OUT LINES
There are none.

PUNTING
Punting is permitted.

FORMAT:
U8-U10
7 v 7
ALL games shall be 25 minute halves and shall have one referee.

U10-U12
9v9
ALL games shall be 25 minute halves and shall have either two or three referees.

ALL Half-times will be five minutes and may be shortened, if needed, at the referee's discretion.

Match Lengths: All games will consist of two halves of equal length. See the chart above for game lengths. No overtime periods in preliminary games.

Goal Kicks: Goal kicks for U8s will be at the top of the penalty box. For all other ages, goal kicks will be at the traditional spot.

The tournament will schedule a minimum of three games. U8 divisions will not keep standings and all players will receive a participation award. For all other age groups, divisions of four or five teams will play round robin with NO championship match. Champions and finalists will be determined based on points as described below. Divisions with six or more teams will have a championship match.

Semi-Final and Championship Games tied at the end of regulation will be decided by penalty kicks (FIFA Laws of the Game). Only players on the field at the end of the second half period are eligible for penalty kicks. A coin flip will determine who will go first (visiting team calls). Five penalty kickers per team. The most goals scored after five kicks for each team wins the game. If the score remains tied, teams will alternate shooters until there is an unmatched goal between the teams. After all eligible players, including goalkeepers, on the field of play have taken kicks; teams will start with their first kickers again and in the same order. The tournament director reserves the right to adjust game length for conditions beyond their control. See INCLEMENT WEATHER section below.

The game clock will not be stopped because of injury to any player, except if deemed necessary by the referee. Due to the time allowed for the completion of all games, the clock should run continuously.

CODE OF CONDUCT:
Player: Any player ejected from a game will be ineligible to participate in the team's next game. No substitution will be permitted for an ejected player. Anyone fighting can be subjected to ejection from further tournament participation. Passes will be retained by the tournament and returned to the coach of the team after the player has sat out their suspension. The coach is responsible for picking up the players pass after their suspension is completed.

Coach: In the event a coach is ejected from a game, he/she must leave the complex and not return until the conclusion of the team they were coaching completes their next game. A coach may not coach another team until the suspension has been completed.

FORFEITS/WITHDRAWALS:
There is no minimum number of players needed to start a match. All matches will start as scheduled regardless of the number of players a team has. Failure to complete a match, or a team leaving the field during play, will result in forfeiture. No team that has forfeited a match will be declared a group winner for advancement purposes. If a team is accepted into the tournament and decides to withdraw after its acceptance, there shall be no refund.

INCLEMENT WEATHER:
At first seeing or hearing of lightning or thunder, referees shall advise teams to seek shelter. Play will not be resumed before 30 minutes from the last of seeing or hearing of lightning or thunder. Players must go to their cars during any weather delay. Fields shall remain closed until further notification. Any weather-related game delay after the first half of play is complete will result in termination of the game. In the event that a final cannot be played or finished and the game has reached half time, then that score will stand and a winner declared. If less than one half of the game has been played or the game is tied after one half has been played, then co-champs are declared; however, which awards received shall be determined by a coin toss.

The Tournament Director shall have the authority to make the following changes if deemed necessary:
1. Shorten the duration of the games.
2. Cancel any or all games if necessary. The Junior Cup, NAYSL, NAPD, the tournament committee, any of their sponsors, advertisers, supporters, or providers of soccer facilities are not responsible for any expense incurred by cancellation of scheduled games.

GAME SCORES:
The center referee will keep the official game card, which he shall receive from the designated field marshal prior to each game. The center referee shall obtain the signature of each participating head coach at the conclusion of each game. The referee will be responsible for returning the game card to the designated field marshal at the conclusion of each game. Once signed, the score is considered official. Scores will be posted regularly. Any discrepancy must be reported to the site HQ by a team official at which time an official will compare what is entered to what is written on the scorecard.

STANDINGS AND TIE BREAKS FOR PRELIMINARY GAMES:
1. Game Points –
A. Points will be awarded for each game in accordance with the following schedule:
- Six points for a WIN
- Three points for a TIE
- Zero points for a LOSS
- One point for a SHUT-OUT (including 0-0 game)
- One point for each goal scored, up to four maximum, regardless of win or loss.
B. For a forfeited game, the winner will be credited with a 1-0 win and awarded eight points (six for the win, one for the
goal, and one for the shut-out). A game abandoned by another team during the game will be awarded the greater of (i) eight points or (ii) the results of that game based on the score at the time of the abandonment.
C. NO points will be awarded if neither team shows up.
2. Tie Breaking Within a Bracket/Division or for Wild Card Team or a --
In the event of a points tie, places will be determined as follows:
A. Head to head.
B. Wins
C. Goal differential (maximum of a four goal difference per game).
D. Least goals allowed.
E. Most goals scored (maximum of four goals per game).
F. Shutout points (0-0 shut-out will count)
G. Registration materials submitted on time
H. Penalty kicks.

NET GOAL DIFFERENTIAL:
To determine the "net goal differential" between two or more tied teams, all preliminary games will be counted. Net goal differential shall not exceed four (4) per game.

PROTESTS:
THERE WILL BE NO PROTESTS. ALL DECISIONS OF THE REFEREE AND TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR ARE FINAL.

PLAYER UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT:
All players of a team will wear the same color shirts, shorts, and socks. Every player must then be dressed alike. The uniforms must be worn with the shirts tucked into the shorts and the socks must be pulled up to cover the shin guards. In the event of a color conflict, the home team will change.

FINAL ARBITRATION:
The Tournament Director will be the final interpreter of the rules and regulations and reserves the right to issue the final decision on all matters pertaining to the Tournament.

COACH CONFLICTS
Coach conflicts only considered for those coaches that pay the no conflict fee. No conflict fee only applicable to preliminary games and not relevant to playoff or consolation matches. The fee is $5/team. i.e. if you have two teams, the fee is $10.

GENERAL:
1. Coaches are required to bring all player/coach cards or roster to every game. It is highly suggested that you bring medical release forms with you in case of injury.
2. All teams are required to clean up their sidelines after each match.
3. A coach may coach more than one team at the tournament; however, a player may only play on one team in the event.
4. Alcoholic beverages, smoking, and verbal abuse are not permitted at the tournament site.
5. PETS are not permitted at the tournament site.
6. Tents with stakes are not permitted at the tournament site.
7. Both teams shall be benched on the same side of the field opposite any spectators.
8. The use of a remote control drone or other remote control aircraft at the tournament site is prohibited.

PARKING:
Parking is limited and certain zones may require parking passes or a parking fee. Regardless, there will be at least one zone that is free.

REFUNDS:
In the event the tournament is canceled (for whatever reason), only teams that have purchased entry fee protection will be eligible to receive a refund of the entry fee. For those that purchase entry fee protection:
1. if the event is canceled prior to starting, 100% of the entry fee will be refunded;
2. if the event has started and one game has been played - 50% shall be refunded;
3. if the event has started and two games have been played - 25% shall be refunded; and
4. if the event has started and three or more games have been played - 0% shall be refunded;

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The Junior Cup

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