OURNAMENT RULES

TEAMS ACCEPTED:

Teams accepted and paid are not guaranteed entrance to the tournament until after bracketing is completed, which may occur less the 30 days prior to the tournament.

If there are not a sufficient number of teams to create a Gold, Silver or Bronze bracket, your team will be refunded in full.

GAME DAY PROCEDURES:

Please read the tournament rules and regulations.

A) TOURNAMENT CHECK IN - Check-in will take place at the field one hour prior to the start of their first game.

B) TEAM MANAGER/ADMIN/COACH IS RESPONSIBLE for entering their roster online, and presenting game cards and admin/player cards to the referee before the start of each game - ONLY IF REQUESTED.

C) GAME DAY CHECK-IN: Managers will check in at the main Field Marshall tent upon entering the complex one hour before the start of their first game. Managers will need to provide player cards (digital is fine), a printed roster, and have medical releases (digital is fine) available if called upon. Failure to do so may result in a forfeit.

D) GAME CARD Referees will handle the game card.

The Cardiff Sockers Cup will be complying with the USYSA/USSF birth year mandates with the birth years as of January 1st. Teams registering will need to comply with the rules and make sure all players are using their 2025-2026 cards.

If you will be attending from outside the South region or USA, please be sure your travel papers and rosters from your state affiliation are in order and submitted to the tournament.

Player passes must be registrar-approved cards for the 2025-2026 season. Administrator credentials for US Club teams according to US Club Rules and Regulations are required.

Unlimited guest players are allowed but MUST have properly laminated VALID player cards and properly signed registration forms or the player(s) will NOT be allowed to participate.

1.FIELD MARSHALS ASSISTANCE:
Field Marshals will be located at four different locations throughout the complex, and

can help with scoring, rules, and tournament information.

ANY ADMINISTRATOR THAT SIGNS UP FOR THE WRONG BIRTH YEAR AGE GROUP WILL NOT BE GUARANTEED A SPOT IN THE TOURNAMENT UNLESS THERE IS ROOM IN THE APPROPRIATE AGE GROUP. IF THERE IS NO ROOM IN THE PROPER AGE GROUP THE TEAM WILL NOT BE REFUNDED UNLESS THE TOURNAMENT FILLS THEIR SPOT IN THE TOURNAMENT.

Problems and rule interpretations from team administrators must be referred to the Tournament Director through the Field Marshal.

Official standings are continually updated on the website. Red cards will be kept with the Field Marshal.

There will be no refunds after the set application deadline. Prior to the application deadline, refunds will be made less administrative fee.

2. RULES:

All games will be played by FIFA laws of the game, except as modified by US Club and/ or clarified by these rules.

AGE GROUP: PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU’RE LISTING YOUR TEAM UNDER THE BIRTH YEAR.

We are adopting the Calendar year, January 1st – December 31st birth year for all ages competing so all birth dates will be checked at the Field Marshall tent.

3. CONDUCT:

a) Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their sidelines, including players, parents, and friends.

b) Alcoholic beverages are NOT permitted at game sites.

c) Smoking is NOT allowed on any US Club gaming fields.
d) NO DOGS ALLOWED
e) Each team is responsible for picking up trash on the field after each game.

f) If a referee terminates a game due to misconduct of players or spectators, the offending team will forfeit. The offending player, spectator or team may be banned from further participation in the tournament.

g) For CONCACAF teams, the tournament committee will notify the US Soccer Federation of disciplinary action taken, and that the Federation will transmit the disciplinary action taken or required to that team’s provincial or national association.

4. GAME CARDS:

The coach or team manager/administrator will be responsible for signing the game card from the referee to the field marshal after each game.

5. REFEREES:

a. All referees are “USSF-certified”.

b. The start of the game shall be determined by the visiting team choosing their side to defend or the kickoff.

c. Pool play for 2018-2014 age brackets will have one assigned referee. d. All matches for 2013-2012 will have three assigned referees.

e. The referee has final say on safety of each player’s equipment, including shin guards and any type of knee brace or cast. Shin guards are mandatory.

f. After the start of a match, it will be the decision of the referee whether playing conditions are safe or not.

g. Referees will make sure shirt and player name/number correspond with game roster.

6. SUBSTITUTIONS:

Referees will comply with FIFA rules and Substitutions. Substitutions can be made at any stoppage or dead ball but ONLY with the permission (discretion) of the referee.

7. HOME TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES:

a. The HOME team is listed first on the game schedule.

b. The home team will provide a game ball. The game ball is subject to referee approval.

c. The home team will switch to an alternate jersey if the referee declares a color conflict.

8. SPECTATOR SEATING:

Teams and coaches will be on the same sideline, while the spectators will be on the opposite side of the players and coaches.

In all cases spectator and team seating will allow the referee’s assistants clear runs and views of all touch lines. Please respect the dotted BLUE line which Coaches and families should stay behind.

NO spectators behind the goals.

9. RED CARDS:

a. A player or coach receiving two yellow cards in one game equals one red card.

b. A player or coach given two yellow cards, or one red card shall be expelled from the game, will not be replaced in that game, and will not be permitted to play or coach in the next game, as a minimum. The Tournament Director may give a further suspension for violent conduct. Any adult or coach who is ejected must leave the field of play.

c. Teams that are short a player(s) due to red card ejection will also play any overtime short a player(s).

d. Cards for ejected player or coach will be available from the Field Marshal after the team’s last scheduled game.

e. All red cards are reported to US Club Soccer.

10. PROTESTS / DISPUTES: No protests will be allowed, and all games will be considered final. The Tournament Director will resolve any situation not explicitly covered by the rules. Disputes relating to the interpretation of these rules will be resolved with the field marshal and ONLY the administrators/coaches that are registered with the involved team(s).

11. FORFEITS: A forfeit results in a 1-0 score and will receive 3 points. If at the discretion of the Tournament Director a forfeit provides an unfair advantage, the Tournament Director may make an adjustment in the bracket. If both teams fail to appear, each team will receive 0 points. Teams forfeiting their first game will be assumed to forfeit all their games unless they contact tournament headquarters at least 3 hours prior to their subsequent games. Team may forfeit for any of the following reasons:

a. Teams fail to check in at the required location, ready to play five minutes before the scheduled kick off time.

b. Home team fails to produce an alternate color jersey if referee determines there is a conflict in color.

c. Teams fail to produce approved player passes and/or coach’s pass.

d. Teams fail to report to the field with the minimum number of players to start the game, 5 players for 2018-2016 and 7 players for 2015-2012.

e. Coach is ejected and fails to leave the field when directed to do so.

f. Coach is ejected and there is no other coach or administrator available with Credentials/Card.

g. Game is suspended due to the misconduct of players, coaches, administrators, parents, or spectators.

12. FIELD SAFETY/INCLEMENT WEATHER: The referee or Tournament Director will determine if a field is safe for play. Teams are expected to show up for scheduled game time unless notified by a tournament official. Rain or other weather conditions will not delay play unless the referee determines the fields are unsafe. If games cannot be rescheduled or played due to rain or other circumstances the Tournament Director will make refund adjustments and scores will stand as follows:

a. One half matches completed; score stands.
b. Stoppage in first half of match, no score.
c. Matches may be played next day if field space available. d. Matches may be shortened to accommodate schedule.

e. If matches unplayable, standings will be based on FIFA penalty kicks for top two teams or decided by the tournament director if kicks cannot be taken.

f. If play is terminated due to misconduct from one or both teams, the offending team will not benefit from termination.

g. If a quarter or semi-final match cannot be played, FIFA penalty kicks will determine the winner.

h. If the final game cannot be played, the teams with the highest points will be awarded 1st and 2nd place.

GAME FORMAT:

Pool play is followed by single elimination leading to a championship round.

Duration of pool play, semi-finals and/or finals in minutes: NO GOLDEN GOAL!

BELOW: AGE GROUPS BASED ON 2025-2026 PLAYER CARDS & BIRTH YEAR MANDATES.

PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL PLAYERS ARE USING THE SAME BIRTH YEAR CARDS, UNLESS PLAYING UP.

Birth Year Heading Players Pool Play Finals ONLY (overtime) Ball Size

??

Duration of Final

???

FIELD SIZES & MANDATES:
– All field sizes will be consistent with the New Mandates set forth by USSF.

BUILD OUT LINE RULES APPLY FOR 7 V 7.

– Heading – Per US Soccer rulings, 2016 & below are restricted from heading the ball. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, an indirect free kick should be awarded from the nearest corner, of the goal area, to where the infringement occurred.

TOURNAMENT PLAY

All teams participating in the Tournament are guaranteed three (3) games. Final games tied at end of play will go directly to FIFA penalty kicks.

Brackets of 6: Teams with the 1st highest points and 2nd highest points across the six teams will play in the final.

Running clocks for all games.

Team Standings from Pool Play will be determined by a 3-point system:

a. 3 points/win
b. 1 points/tie
c. 0 points/loss
Ties in Standings from Pool Play will be resolved as follows: a. Winner of head-to-head competition (WHEN APPLICABLE)

b. Goals Against
c. Goal Differential d. Goals For
e. Most Shutouts
f. Most Wins
g. Fewest red cards 

h. PK shootout

In the event of a three-way tie - rules b - g will be used to break the tie. The tournament will look to advance the teams using the above criteria. If there are still two teams tied after the first team is pushed through, the next team to advance will advance on head- to-head competition. If the tie cannot be broken, a coin flip will be used to advance a team.

We guarantee 3 games played per team. In the event of a last-minute team drop and your team/teams don’t play 3 games; refunds will be issued as follows: There will be no refunds to teams who forfeit their own games Refunds below are not valid for discounted fees.

 $125 refund per game
 2013– 2012 $140 refund per game

Weather:

Rain or other weather conditions before or during the Tournament shall not delay play unless the referee deems the field unsafe. In the event of inclement weather or unsuitable field conditions, games may be shortened, go directly to FIFA penalty kicks, or be cancelled. The Tournament committee will assess any reimbursements of fees for cancellation or forfeiture of the tournament or of any game.

Payments & Policies:

1. 7v7 – $995
2. 9v9 – $1095
3. 11v11 – $1195
4. Discounts when advertised.
5. Deadline to apply: November 1, 2026
6. Acceptance Notification: when payment is made prior to deadline.
7. Withdrawal Penalty: After deadline: November 1, 2026, NO REFUND. Refund Policy:
1. Cancellation of all matches – 100% refund less $175.00 administrative fee 2. One match played – 60% refund after $175.00 administrative fee

3. Two matches played – 40% refund after $175.00 administrative fee
4. Three matches played – 0% refund. A match is defined as 50% (half time) completed Tournament Rules May Be Modified Without Notice.