The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) is affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).
USSSA is one of the largest
truly multi-sport organizations in the United States. USSSA Soccer is supported
through Team registration fees, Tournament fees, NDT Program fees, Camp fees,
and Sponsorships.
The USSSA National Soccer
Committee manages USSSA Soccer, which is a sports division of the United States
Specialty Sports Association (USSSA).
USSSA Sanctioned Open
Tournaments, State, National and World Cup Championships:
USSSA
Open Cup Tournaments: These
Tournaments are open competition conducted by the Association. Proper
procedures for applying for a USSSA Open Cup Tournament may be obtained from
the Tournament section of this manual. A USSSA Tournament Host Application Form
must be submitted to the USSSA National Soccer Committee for approval prior to
a Tournament being sanctioned and approved. The Host after approved by the
National Soccer Committee manages their Open Cup Tournaments. There is a one
time sanctioning fee of $75 paid to the National Headquarters prior to each
Open Cup Tournament sanctioning.
USSSA
State Cup Tournaments: These Tournaments are open competition conducted by
the Association leading to annual National and World Championship Cups in the
U10 through U19 youth age groups as well as the Amateur and Senior age groups
in all three divisions and both genders.
USSSA National and World Cup Tournaments: These Tournaments are open competition conducted by the
Association utilizing a point qualification system for all age groups, genders
and divisions. Check your Tournament section of this manual for all detailed
information as well as Bid fees and Bid Procedures.
USSSA SOCCER
REGION I
REGION II
Connecticut
Illinois
Delaware
Indiana
Maine Iowa
Maryland
Kansas
Massachusetts Kentucky
New Hampshire
Michigan
New Hampshire
Michigan
New Jersey
Minnesota
New York
Missouri
Pennsylvania
Nebraska
Rhode Island
North
Dakota
Vermont
Ohio
Virginia
South Dakota
West Virginia Wisconsin
REGION III
REGION IV
Alabama
Alaska
Arkansas
Arizona
Florida
California
Georgia
Colorado
Louisiana
Hawaii
Mississippi
Idaho
North Carolina
Montana
Oklahoma
Nevada
South Carolina
New Mexico
Tennessee
Oregon
Texas Utah
Washington
Wyoming
Tournament Regulations
The State and/or Regional Directors of Soccer shall oversee all Tournaments within their defined State or Region and ensure that proper administration is being effected at all times. No tournament shall be considered as sanctioned by the Association if all applicable fees and registrations are not promptly paid to the Association.
The USSSA National Soccer Committee shall decide each year what tournaments are to be classified as State, National or World Cup Championship Tournaments. The Committee will approve all dates for such tournaments to be held.
No
Team will be allowed to compete in any USSSA State, National or World Cup
Championship Tournament unless they are registered with the Association.
Tournament Applications
All
USSSA Soccer Tournament Hosts must complete a USSSA Tournament Host
Application Form (see Forms section) and submit that form to the National
Soccer Committee or appropriate Regional Director of Soccer for approval prior
to any Soccer Tournament being sanctioned. There will be a one time Tournament
Sanction Fee of $75 that must accompany the USSSA Tournament Host Application
Form. The sanction fee check must be made out to USSSA.
Tournament Information
All USSSA Soccer sanctioned tournaments must follow the Official USSSA Soccer Tournament Rules and Guidelines adopting FIFA “Laws of the Game”, USSF rules take precedence.
Youth
soccer teams will have a maximum team roster of eighteen (18) players and
amateur/senior teams will have a maximum team roster of twenty-two (22) players
during a tournament event. Only youth teams U10 through U19 and Amateur/Senior
teams may participate in USSSA Soccer Tournament events. The format for
Tournament Play will be pool play to single elimination with a four (4) game
guarantee.
There
will be three (3) competitive divisions for teams to participate: Gold
Division: which include those teams that may participate in more than 25 games
annually; Silver Division: which include those teams that may participate in 25
games or less annually; and the Bronze Division: which include Recreational and
starter teams.
Teams Applying to a USSSA
Tournament
Teams
may apply to any USSSA Open Cup Tournaments. Tournament entry deadlines are
fourteen (14) days prior to the tournament date. Because some tournaments
receive more entries than can be accommodated, each tournament reserves the
right to close the tournament to further entries prior to the application
deadline. The policy is in place so that rejected teams have the opportunity to
apply to other Open Cup Tournaments.
All
Tournament entries must be sent to the appropriate Open Cup Tournament Director
for verification and approval. If any of these requirements are not met, your
entry will be returned to you without being approved: 1) Complete the entire
entry form. 2) Sign the entry indicating that you have read and understand
USSSA Soccer policies. 3) All rosters must contain complete birth dates for
each player (i.e… 07/07/77). 4) Include a check or money order payable to the
Tournament to which you are applying for the amount of the entry fee. 5) A team
may apply to only one Tournament per weekend.
A
team participating in an Open Cup Tournament agrees to abide by all rules,
regulations, policies and procedures as set forth by USSSA Soccer and the
individual Open Cup Tournament. Failure to do so may result in appropriate
penalties.
It
is the responsibility of the coach to have the following paperwork available
when entering an Open Cup Tournament: 1) Copy of official team roster. 2) USSSA
player passes signed by the player or coach for whom it is issued, stamped by
their organization and registrar (Optional for USSSA Tournaments). 3) Copies of
any pertinent add, release or transfer forms for players added to or dropped
from your team. 4) Copies of Birth Certificate.
Procedures for Traveling
Outside of the United States
No later than ninety (90) days prior to your departure date, submit to USSSA Soccer for approval: 1) A completed United States Soccer Federation Application for Foreign Travel (Must be original NO faxes). 2) USSSA official Blue Travel Roster, which includes ALL traveling players and team officials. MUST HAVE ALL REQUIRED SIGNATURES PRIOR TO FINAL APPROVAL. 3) A signed Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act Agreement form. 4) A copy of the official brochure, pamphlet, invitation or other applicable material of the Tournament of Games Host. 5) Checks or money orders (NO Cash Please) for the following travel processing fees: a) $25 made payable to US Soccer. b) $19 made payable to USSSA.
c) Any applicable late fees.
USSSA
is NOT required to approve an application submitted less than ninety (90) days
in advance. If an application is submitted LESS than ninety (90) days in
advance, late fees may be charged by USSSA. Consult your National Soccer
Committee for specific policies and fines. Incomplete applications will be
returned.
After
ensuring that your team or organization is in good standing, USSSA will forward
these documents to US Soccer Federation for approval. After approval, a copy of
the approved application will be returned to USSSA and to your team coach or
manager. US Soccer Federation will notify the National Association of the
country of countries to which your team is traveling, that your team is
properly affiliated and has permission to travel.
US
Soccer Federation is NOT required to approve an application submitted less than
ninety (90) days in advance. If an application is submitted LESS than ninety
(90) days in advance of your desired travel date, the following non-refundable
late fees must be enclosed and made payable to USSF: 1) Less than ninety (90)
days, but more than sixty (60) days-$25. 2) Less than sixty (60) days, but more
than thirty (30) days-$50. 3) Less than thirty (30) days in advance-$100.
Guest Player Policies
Guest Players are defined as players who are currently registered, but who are not listed as a rostered member of the team with which they are playing for the particular Open Cup Tournament. Every Tournament has the responsibility to establish a policy regarding the participation of teams with guest players in their Tournament. The Tournament’s policy regarding the participation of guest players must be stated in their invitation letter/rules document. The decision to allow teams with guest players in any USSSA Open Tournament is solely at the discretion of the Open Cup Tournament as long as their policies are in keeping with USSSA guest player policies.
Rules governing the use of Guest Players
An individual team may utilize no more than three (3) approved guest players for any single Tournament. Acceptance of guest players will be in accordance with the rules of each USSSA Tournament. At no time shall the number of players rostered to a team plus the number of guest players being utilized for the specified event total more than 18 players. A team with 18 players rostered may not utilize guest players. A team with 17 players rostered may utilize no more than one (1) guest player per Tournament. A team with sixteen players rostered may utilize no more than two (2) guest players per Tournament. A team with 15 or fewer players may utilize no more than three (3) guest players per event.
USSSA guest players must be a member of a team from within the same USSSA Region as the borrowing team. Teams other than USSSA teams must abide by the USSSA guest player policies.
Sanctioned Tournament
All Tournaments and events held within USSSA Soccer in which USSSA Soccer teams participate MUST be sanctioned (approved) by USSSA National Soccer Committee and/or appropriate Regional Director of Soccer. The purpose of USSSA sanctioning is to ensure that ALL competitions will be held in a manner consistent with the policies and procedures of USSSA as well as for proper insurance coverage. It is required that in each sanctioned Tournament, USSSA rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
A competition sanctioned by USSSA will be conducted in accordance with USSSA Soccer Tournament procedures. Any tournaments included on the USSSA Soccer Tournament calendar must be approved by the USSSA National Soccer Committee and/or the appropriate Regional Director of Soccer and will comply with all USSSA policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
United States Specialty Sports
Association (USSSA) is proud to adopt FIFA, the Federation Internationale de
Football Association “Laws of the Game”, with exceptions, as the governing
rules of the game for all tournament play.
Any rules provided which are in direct conflict with USSF Rules shall be
voided and the appropriate USSF Rules will cover the situation.
FIFA Laws of the Game
These
rules will apply to all competitions except as otherwise provided herein.
Game Length
A regulation game for the
following age groups will be:
U10
– Four 12 minute Quarters
U11
– Four 12 minute Quarters
U12
– Four 15 minute Quarters
U13
– Two 35 minute Halves
U14
– Two 35 minute Halves
U15
– Two 40 minute Halves
U16
– Two 40 minute Halves
U17
– Two 45 minute Halves
U18
– Two 45 minute Halves
U19
– Two 45 minute Halves
Halftime
will be five (5) minutes)
Tournament Bracket Scoring
System
Each age/gender group game will
be scored:
6
points for a Win
1
point for team goal (up to three maximum)
1
point for a shutout
3
points for a Tie
0
points for a Loss
10
maximum points per game
A match that finishes in a 0 to
0 tie in bracket play shall be scored as 4 points.
Scoring System Policies for
Bracket Standings and Ties
All
ties stand except in the optional quarterfinal games, the optional semifinal
games, and the championship games. A
winner in the tied exception games will be decided through the play of the
specified age group period and, if still tied, kicks from the penalty spot
(FIFA application).
Forfeit Game Policies
A team
who forfeits any game will forfeit ALL games with a score of 0-3 against
them. It will be ineligible for
championship play although it may play all remaining scheduled bracket play.
A
team forfeits a game when it: (1) Leaves the field of play without the
referee’s permission; (2) Is not ready to play at the scheduled game time; (3)
Does not wear an alternate jersey upon the referee’s request; (4) Does not meet
the player participation rule for every tournament rostered player (see Player Participation
rules and disciplinary policies); (5) Is disqualified due to unsportsmanlike
conduct; or (6) Does not field the minimum number of field players.
The
forfeiting coach, organization and team, who do not play all scheduled games,
will suffer the following automatic penalties:
(1) The coach/team manager will be suspended for six months starting on
the Monday after the tournament. (USSSA
sanctioned teams only) (2) The Team will be suspended for 30 days after the
tournament completion date (USSSA sanctioned teams only) (3) The winner of a
forfeited game will receive 6 points in the tournament scoring team. If the application of this rule caused two
or more teams to change positions for first and/or second place in the final
preliminary round robin bracket play standings, the tie breakers in Scoring
system policies for bracket standings and ties, these rules, shall be applied
to the affected teams to determine who qualifies for semifinals and/or
championship games in the Tournament schedule.
Tournament Responsibilities
of Each Coach and Their Team
Team Rosters
Teams
are to submit an approved printed roster for all sanctioned events two weeks
prior to Tournament dates. Teams must
check in at the Tournament Headquarters prior to play. Team player passes will be checked at this
time if appropriate. Teams may bring up
to three (3) guest players with maximum number of players on a roster at
eighteen (18) for youth teams and twenty-two (22) for amateur/senior teams.
Tournament Entry Fees
Due thirty
(30) days prior to the Tournament.
Tournament entries are only guaranteed after receipt of the entry
fee. Reservations into USSSA events
will be held up to thirty (30) days prior to the Tournament.
Team Insurance
Required
for all teams and teams are required to provide proof of team insurance. A copy of the team’s certificate of
insurance must be provided at the team check-in or mailed or faxed to USSSA
Tournament Director prior to check-in.
To
comply with all published Tournament rules (see Player Participation rules and
disciplinary policies).
To
report game scores to the Tournament Headquarters within ½ hour of the game
conclusion if they win or tie a game.
To
wear an alternate jersey when it is the home team if color conflict should
occur and the Game referee requests a jersey change. The home team is listed first in the game schedule. T-shirts with taped or written numbers will
be acceptable as the alternative jersey.
To
remain in an area 10 yards either side of the midfield line regardless of the
existence of a marked area during the play of the game.
To
choose his/her team’s field side when they are the home team.
To
furnish a game ball if requested and selected by the Referee. The correct ball sizes are #4 (U10-U12); and
#5 (all others).
To
be responsible for its players, parents, and spectators behavior including no
allowance or toleration of foul and abusive language.
Player Participation Rules
and Disciplinary Policies
Every
U10 through U19 Amateur Soccer player except absent, ill, injured, disciplined,
or suspended must play in a half of one Tournament game.
An
injured or cautioned U10 through U12 player who is removed from a game will be
considered to have played the entire quarter.
The
disciplinary actions for rule violations are the scoring of the game as the 3-0
losses for the violating team.
The
automatic suspension of the violating coach for the next scheduled Tournament
game. The coach must not either attend
this game or be on the Tournament playing site.
Possible
additional USSSA disciplinary action based on the Tournament Director’s report
to USSSA. Maximum punishment would be
one-year suspension.
The
team coach must accomplish the following responsibilities to help administer
this participation rule. (1) Report
accepted category players to the USSSA Tournament Director at team registration
when known and as soon as possible prior to other affected games. (2) Complete the USSSA distributed game
cards for each Tournament game with player names and jersey numbers in
numerical order (lowest to highest).
(3) Turn the properly completed game card into the referee before the
start of the game.
Substitution and Game
Re-start Policies
Division
U10 through U19, amateur/senior substitutions are unlimited and may be made at
the following times: (1) Prior to your
teams throw in (Referee approval) (2)
Any goal kick (Referee approval) (3)
After any goal (4) Player injury for
any team (5) A yellow-carded player
(mandatory substitution) (6) Half time (7) After Quarter.
After
the two-minute break at the end of the first and third periods, U10 through U12
games will be restarted in the second and fourth quarters at the stoppage point
(throw in, goal kick, etc.). The
quarter break will be taken at a natural stoppage within a one to two minute
window of the scheduled minutes for a game quarter. Teams may leave the field during this break but the game will be
resumed exactly two minutes after the stoppage of play.
A
coach will not replace an ejected player from the game (Red Card). Any Red carded player must sit out the next
Tournament game.
An
ejected (Red Carded) coach must leave the game premises prior to the Referee
restarting the game. He/She may be
present at the next scheduled game but may not exercise their coaching
responsibilities.
Protest Policies
A
team or its representatives cannot protest any matter associated with either
the Tournament or its games.
The
Tournament Director has the authority to resolve a clearly substantiated
violation of the Tournament rules or Laws of the Game, which is reported to the
Director. The Director may take the
following actions in resolving a valid violation. (1) Replay a game in its entirety. (2) To forfeit a game in which a team plays an unauthorized
player. (3) To disqualify a Tournament
team from further participation due to unsportsmanlike conduct. (4) To disqualify individual team members,
coach, or team manager from further or selected Tournament participation due to
unsportsmanlike conduct.
By
definition, unsportsmanlike acts are not in accordance with the rules of fair
play or reasonable personal conduct.
Such acts include, but are not limited to, starting or participating in
an individual team fight or team brawl; damaging, destroying, or stealing another
team’s property; harassing, taunting, physically abusing or verbally abusing
Referees, Tournament Officials, opposing players, other team managers, and
other team coaches.
Game Conduct and Uniform
Policies
The
game Referee will enforce the USSSA policy regarding the use of directed or
non-directed foul play or abusive language on the field of play.
All
participating players must meet the following uniform standards in order to
play in a Tournament Game. (1) All
players must wear the same uniform including shirts, shorts, and socks except
the goalkeeper. Some minor exceptions
can apply to alternate jerseys.
Any
hardships rule must be requested in writing and approved by the Tournament
Director prior to the first game. (2)
All players must wear commercially manufactured shin guards under their pulled
up socks. (3) Shirts must be tucked
in. (4) Warm ups will be allowed under
the shorts in adverse weather conditions or on fields of play rendering them
necessary. (5) Sliding or Bicycle
shorts may be worn under shorts if they are the same color as the predominant
color of the team shorts and not extended farther than the top of the
knee. (6) The game Referee will
determine if a player’s uniform complies with this uniform standard. (7) A player, who does not play due to a
non-compliance with this uniform standard, is not an exception to the player
participation requirement.
Other Tournament Policies
The
Tournament Director has the sole discretion and authority to deal with ANY
matter, which is not covered, in these rules.
Tournament
Directors will use a standardized playing format for all age/gender groups
unless the number of entered teams in a specific age/gender group requires a
different format. The playing format
shall not include cross bracket games in an age division, except semifinal
games.
The
game Referee will report all game ejections to the Tournament Headquarters on
their turned in game card.
The
consumption of alcoholic beverages will not be allowed on or near the playing
fields. NO EXCEPTIONS.
The
game Referee may suspend a game due to adverse weather conditions or to protect
players when play or crowd becomes uncontrollable. If after suspending play, the situation does not improve within a
reasonable time period, the Referee shall report the suspended nature of the
game to the Scorer’s Table and turn in their game report. Referees will not terminate any games since
the Tournament Director reserves the right to invoke a mini-game format on the
final Tournament day to reach an outcome in a suspended game necessary to
determine a proper bracket or round robin finish. The Tournament Director will decide if a game is to be
terminated, if the Referee suspended it due to weather and/or safety
considerations. If it cannot be restarted
within sixty (60) minutes from the stoppage time, the following termination
policies shall apply to the game. (1)
If one half (1/2) of the match has been completed prior to the stoppage, the
score at the time of the stoppage shall stand.
The game will not be replayed in the Tournament. (2) If less than one half (1/2) of the match
has been completed at the time of the stoppage, the match will be replayed in
its entirety on either the same day or the next available playing date. (3) A second stoppage of play due to weather
conditions shall result in the termination of the game on that date. The two (2) preceding policies then will be
applied to this game.
Pets
No
pets will be allowed on or near the Tournament premises. NO EXCEPTIONS.
No
Tobacco products or alcoholic beverages are allowed near the playing fields or
in the Tournament area.
Refunds
(1)
Full refund if no games are begun. (2)
No Refunds once first game begins. (3)
Rain Out and Rescheduling information will be available via designated
information numbers provided by Tournament Officials.
Gate Admissions
Some
USSSA events will have an admission charge for all persons age 6 or over. Children ages 5 or younger and
players/coaches will always be admitted free.
Gate fees will vary depending on events.
Coaches Passes
Each
team will receive Three (3) coaches’ passes in your tournament packet. All packets will have been thoroughly
double-checked. Coaches who lose,
forget or misplace their passes will be required to pay a non-refundable gait
admission. Individuals who abuse or
misuse these passes shall forfeit their passes for the duration of the
Tournament.
Facility Clean Up
USSSA
facilities will be without question some of the finest, most well maintained
youth sports facilities available.
Teams are expected to pick up trash and debris in and on the field of
play and surrounding areas before departure from all games. Your assistance in keeping these facilities
in pristine shape would be greatly appreciated. USSSA believes that the respect of a facility is something that
coaches, parents and fans can, by example, teach young players, along with
learning, how to play the game we love.
Classes of Play
USSSA
Soccer will offer open competition Tournament Play and qualifying Championship
Play.
Division of Play
USSSA
Soccer offers three (3) divisions of Tournament Play:
Gold Division: Teams may
participate in more than 25 games annually; Silver Division: Teams may
participate in 25 games or less annually; Bronze Division: Teams are
recreational or starter teams.
Age Classification
Tournament Play age groups are youth U10 through U19, amateur and senior.
Gender
USSSA Soccer provides for coed, female and male teams to compete in each division of play.
Referees
Referees are currently United States Soccer Federation approved Referees.