PLAYOFF SEEDS 

Teams will be seeded according to their overall record based on points; teams receive 3 points for a win, and 1 point for a tie. If two teams are tied on points after the pool play the following tie-breakers will be used. 

1) Head to Head 

2) Goal differential (max 7 per game +/-) 

3) Goals against 

4) Coin flip. 

In the event of a 3+ team tie, the tiebreaker process starts at step 2. Once a team is selected as winning the 3+ team tiebreaker. The process starts at step 1 once 2 teams are remaining. 

PLAYOFF FORMAT 

Fall season full-field playoff games will be 20 min in length with no half time, unless it is a  quarterfinal that is a part of the team’s game guarantee, in which case it will be regulation length. Summer season playoff games will be regulation length unless otherwise noted. 

ROSTER REGULATIONS 

No player can compete on more than one team within the same age group or grad year for a  different club. Limited age exceptions can be made in advance at the discretion of tournament directors. No roster limit. No high school graduates are eligible to participate in the event. 

INJURY 

Delays of the game due to injury may result in shortened game times. All games must end prior to the next scheduled game on that field. Field coordinators should summon the trainer to the field in case of injury or emergency.

SPORTSMANSHIP 

If a player leaves the sideline to get involved in an on-the-field altercation, or a player on the field runs from the opposite end crossing the midfield, that player is automatically ejected from the game and the following game. The player may also be removed from the league/tournament. The offending team may have to forfeit the game at the discretion of the tournament director. In the event that both teams have players exhibiting this behavior the game may be called and both teams will have the game recorded as a loss. The offending team or teams also may render themselves ineligible for the playoffs. The coaches and officials are expected to protect and promote the safety and well-being of all players. Any player, fan, or coach ejected from a game will be prohibited from competing in/coaching/watching his/her team’s next game. If this happens a second time, said participant will be disqualified from the event. Ejections are determined by the referees; expulsions by the tournament directors.  

NO TOLERANCE POLICY 

Alcohol, drugs, discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation by players,  coaches, or fans. If a player, coach, or fan is proven to be in violation of this, the result will be an immediate ejection from the tournament venue, at the discretion of the Tournament Director. 

GAME/TOURNAMENT DELAYS 

Weather is monitored through Schneider Electric’s WeatherSentry Online and the current venue’s weather system. Directors have the authority to postpone or cancel games. The schedule may be modified if necessary due to inclement weather or poor field conditions. 

LIGHTNING SAFETY: Three (3) blasts of an air horn indicate LIGHTNING and all fields must be cleared IMMEDIATELY. Players and fans must go to the tournament's designated safe shelter. Safe shelter is considered any fully enclosed building that involves plumbing and/or electrical wires that act to electrically ground the structure-places that people live or work. If such a shelter cannot be found, take shelter in any vehicle with a hard metal roof and closed windows. No outdoor activities are to be resumed until 30 minutes after the last sign of lightning/thunder or the all-clear email has been received. For every strike observed, the 30- minute timer is reset. Five (5) blasts means the field is now open and play can resume. 

HOT WEATHER SAFETY: Tournament Director will monitor the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature.  When indicated by the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, tournament game times will be modified to comply with current recommendations. 

COLD WEATHER SAFETY: In circumstances involving precipitation, decisions about participation restrictions will be made by the Director on an individual basis based on current best practices. 

ISSUES OR CONCERNS 

Tournament Directors will only communicate with Club Directors OR coaching staff serving as deputy directors on site.