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Rules

The N.H.B.F.C. Tournament Committee would like to take this opportunity to welcome the players, coaches, referees, parents and friends to our 44th Annual NHB Cup.

 

Sideline and sideline behavior

  • Players and Coaches will sit on one side of the field and Spectators will sit on the other side of the field.
  • Spectators will sit on the side mirroring their respective team.
  • No noise makers will be allowed.
  • Coaches, players and spectators will respect the referee at all times or risk ejection from the game or tournament.

 

 

Home Team

  • Has choice of sideline (bench). Both teams are on the same side of the field.
  • Must change uniform color in the event of a color conflict determined by the referee.
  • Supplies the game ball.
  • Has choice of direction to start the game.

 

 

Visiting Team

  • Has choice of uniform color.
  • Kicks off to start the game.

 

 

Post Game

  • Teams to exit the field as soon as possible to allow for the next game.
  • Manager or Coach reviews the game card and signs upon confirmation of the score.

 

 

Rules of Play

  • Games will be played according to FIFA Laws of the Game except as modified by these tournament rules

 

 

Game Length

Age

Game Length

2016 (U8) - 2014 (U10)

25 Min Halves

2013 (U11) - 2010 (U14)

30 Min Halves

2009 (U15) - 2005 (U19)

35 Min Halves

 

*** 5 minutes between halves.

*** All games will have a 5 minute grace period; failure to start on time will result in forfeiture.

Overtime:

  • Semi-Finals:
    • No overtime.
    • Straight to kicks from the penalty spot.
  • Finals:
    • Two - Five minute overtime periods will be played.
    • If still tied at the end of the overtime period, FIFA kicks from the penalty spot will determine the winner.

 

 

Point System

  1. Three (3) points shall be awarded for each win.
  2. One (1) point shall be awarded for each tie.
  3. Zero (0) points shall be awarded for each loss. 

 

 

Tie Breaker

Five levels of tie breaking will be employed to resolve ties in standings: 

  1. Head to Head competition, (in case of a 3 way tie, head to head is never used and move directly to tie breaker number 2).
  2. Goal Differential, (Goals scored minus goals allowed. Up to a five goal differential only will be counted per team for each game. Example: 8-1 & 6-1= the same 5 goal differential).
  3. Goals scored, (Up to five goals only will be counted per team for each game).
  4. Goals allowed, (Up to five goals only will be counted per team for each game).
  5. F.I.F.A. kicks from penalty spot

 

 

Forfeits

  • A team will be determined to have forfeited if:
    • They do not have enough players to start.
      • Game scored 1-0.
    • A game is terminated by the referee due to their misconduct.
      • The Tournament Committee will have broad discretion to determine the scoring outcome of the game.

 

 

Substitutions

  • Unlimited substitution will be allowed. A player receiving a caution (yellow card) may be substituted for at that time.

 

 

Tournament Regulations

  • A player shown a straight red card or a double yellow (red) will be suspended for the next game.  
  • Loan Players: Unlimited loan players will be allowed.
  • You can carry a roster of 22 players for U14-U19, 18 players for U13, 16 players for U11-U12 and 14 players for U9-U10. 
  • Players may only be rostered to 1 team in the tournament. 
  • The game referee will determine whether a player with a brace is able to play.
  • A player will not be allowed to play with an orthopedic cast.

 

 

Heading

  • Not allowed in 2015 (U9), 2014 (U10) and 2013 (U11) age groups.

 

 

Build out Line

  • Only 2015 (U9), 2014 (U10) age groups will have a build out line.

 

 

Discipline

  • Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their team which includes all players and spectators.  Any player or coach shown a straight RED CARD will be suspended for the NEXT GAME (and could be suspended for the remainder of tournament depending on severity of red card). All players that are sent off due to a double yellow will have a 1 game suspension. Under no circumstances may a referee's decision, issuance of a red or yellow card, or a coach or team staff ejection be reviewed or overturned. Any attempt to cause physical harm to referees by players, coaches or parents will result in the team being automatically suspended from the tournament. No protests can be made or will be accepted.

 

 

Match Termination

  • The referee has the discretion to terminate the match due to weather, field conditions or misconduct. The Tournament Committee will determine the impact of the decision.

 

 

No protests will be allowed

 

 

Brackets

  • Groups of 6
    • 2 bracket games
    • Semi Finals:
      • 1st A vs. 2nd B
      • 1st B vs. 2nd A
    • Consolation Game
      • 3rd A vs. 3rd B
  • Groups of 8
    • 3 bracket games
    • Finals:
      • 1st A vs. 1st B
  • Groups of 12
    • 2 bracket games
    • Semi Finals:
      • 1st A vs. 1st D
      • 1st B vs. 1st C
    • Consolation Games
      • 2nd A vs. 2nd B; 2ndC vs. 2nd D
      • 3rd A vs. 3rd B; 3rd C vs. 3rd D

 

 

Awards

Trophies will be awarded to the players of the first and second place teams.

 

 

Refunds

  1. A team paying by check who withdraws their application before acceptance notifications have been sent, will receive a full refund. Acceptances are usually sent 1-2 weeks after the tournament entry deadline.

 

  1. A team paying by credit card who withdraws their application before acceptance notifications have been sent, will receive a full refund minus the processing fee. However, credit cards are not charged until a team is accepted. Acceptances are usually sent 1-2 weeks after the tournament entry deadline. CC processing fee will not be refunded. 

 

  1. No refunds will be given once your team is accepted, unless your spot is filled with a paid team. Every effort is made to fill the spot with a paid team, but at times a discount has to be given to the new team especially if it is a last minute drop.  In this case, your team will only receive a partial refund depending on what the new team pays. CC processing fee will not be refunded. 

 

 

Rules not covered

The Tournament Committee will review any issues or problems that arise which are not specifically covered in these rules. The Committee reserves the right to establish policy as deemed necessary to deal with such matters. The decisions of the Committee are final and there will be no appeals.  

 

 

 

Our best wishes to all the teams participating and may you enjoy and 
play your games in the true Spirit of Soccer