Tournament Rules

NEW ENGLAND FORCE TOURNAMENT SERIES

OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT RULES
REGISTRATION AND CREDENTIALS

All teams must register with the tournament prior to the start of the
competition. Final MANDATORY REGISTRATION details will be
communicated with accepted teams. Failure to register will result in
automatic disqualification from the tournament without a refund of the fee.

TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS
Matt Jones – mjones@newenglandforce.com
Don Whitaker – dwhitaker@newenglandforce.com
TOURNAMENT HEADQUARTERS

Union Point Sports Complex (Weymouth, MA)

CREDENTIALS
The Tournament is unrestricted and is sanctioned by USYSA and US
Soccer. The event is open to all US Club Soccer, USYSA, USSF, USSSA,
and International teams.
At the Mandatory Registration, teams must provide the required
credentials.

This includes:
● Two copies of the league or state approved roster, with all players
(including guests) who will be participating for the team at the Tournament
represented.
● Proof of date of birth for every player indicated on the roster. Acceptable

Forms of documentation include:
● Approved and current player pass card if not displayed on Official
Roster ○ Copy of birth certificate ○Copy of passport ○All other
government issued documentation certifying date of birth
●Completed and signed tournament medical release forms for every player
indicated on the roster. No club forms, or other medical release forms, will
be accepted. These forms will be kept by the Tournament.
●Guest player documentation (see Guest Players rule)
●Permission to Travel forms provided by the state association. USYS
teams traveling from Region I States do NOT need to provide permission to
travel documentation, with the exception of USYS teams playing out of
New Jersey. USCS teams do NOT need to provide permission to travel
documentation. Teams affiliated with other USSF (AYSO, Super Y, etc.)
organizations MUST provide insurance and permission to travel
documentation.
For a team coming from a CONCACAF nation:
● Players must present passports at registration or, if from a nation that
the United States does not require a passport, proof of entry into the
United States that is required by the United States.
● Teams are required to have and present player picture identification
cards.
● The team must have an approved travel permit form from its
Provincial or National Association approving the team’s participation
in the tournament.
A note on credentials: Team representatives must have the mandatory
credentials at the mandatory registration, but also easily accessible at the
fields of each tournament match.

CLUB PASS
A player who has been properly registered for the Tournament may play for
any team at the Tournament that is affiliated with the same club as the
player, provided they have an eligible birth date to participate in that team’s
age group. Club pass players do not need to be otherwise noted in the
team’s tournament roster. Players may play for more than one team during
the tournament.

 

GUEST PLAYERS
Guest Players shall be defined as players who are not regular, official
members of the club whose team will be utilizing them in the tournament.
All guest players must be members of an affiliated USSF organization.
Proof of membership should be included with the credentials provided
during the Mandatory Registration. Up to and no more than five (5) guest
players may be utilized by any team during the Tournament. Guest players
may be hand written into the approved Tournament roster. Accepted
documentation includes:
● USYS/USCS, or other USSF approved player pass cards
● A copy of a USYS/USCA, or other USSF approved roster of the team
where the player is registered,
with the player indicated
● USYS/USCS or other USSF affiliate Guest Player/Loan Player
forms/documentation
Per the Tournament Rules, teams must also have the other required
credentials for every Guest Player

DUAL ROSTERING
A player may be rostered to two different teams within the tournament.

ROSTERS
Teams may register a maximum of (22) players for 11v11 divisions, a
maximum of (18) g for 9v9, and (16) players for 7v7; This number of
players INCLUDES Guest Players. (at this event, all rostered players will
be eligible to play in a given match within these limits.)

RULES OF PLAY
FIFA Laws of the Game will apply as modified by USYSA and New England
Force as described herein. The 2024-2025 IFAB Laws of the Game will be
used for this game.

REFEREES
Referees will be certified by USSF.
DURATION OF GAMES AND SIZE OF BALL
-All 5v5, 7v7, and 9v9 U8 – U12 tournament matches will be 60
minutes in length, consisting of two 30 minute halves.
-All 11v11 U13-U15 tournament matches will be 60 minutes in length,
consisting of two 30 minute halves.

-Half time will be five minutes long; however, this period may be
shortened at the discretion of the Tournament Director, in the event that the
tournament schedule has fallen behind.
-All games will be played with a running clock. In consideration of our
tight scheduling, time will only be added in very extreme circumstances.
The referee is the official timekeeper, and all disputes shall be settled at the
discretion of the Tournament Director.
-5v5, 7v7, and 9v9 age groups will utilize a size 4 ball.
-11v11 age groups will utilize a size 5 ball.

PLAYERS AGE AND ELIGIBILITY
This tournament is for players born in the following birth years; 2011, 2012,
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and younger.

CHECK-IN, FIELD AND GAME EQUIPMENT
All teams must be present to check in with the appropriate Field Marshal 30
minutes prior to their kickoff time. Any team failing to check-in may be
required to forfeit that match at the final discretion of the Tournament
Director. Players are required to wear shin guards in accordance with FIFA
Laws of the Game.

Where uniform colors are similar, the designated home team will wear light
color jerseys and socks. Home team is listed first on the schedule. The
away team will wear dark color jerseys and socks. Away team will begin the
match with the ball, the home team will choose sides. If there is a clash in
colors the team not abiding by the color designation will be responsible to
change uniforms. Players and coaches will take one side of the pitch, and
supporters will take the other side of the pitch. No one will be allowed
behind either end line. Covered Casts are permitted with the permission of
the referee. All players are required to wear shin guards.
The tournament will supply game balls at each field. Each team should also
be prepared to supply 1 FIFA approved game ball each.

SUBSTITUTIONS
For all ages, a player may be substituted at a stoppage of play with the
permission of the referee.

COACHING
All Coaches have total responsibility for the conduct of their players,
substitutes, friends and spectators at all times. Coaching from the sidelines
(giving direction to one’s own team on points of strategy and position) is
permitted, provided:
● No mechanical devices are used; ● The tone of the voice is instructive
and not derogatory; ● Each coach or substitute remains no less than 10
yards on their side of the halfway line; ● No coach, substitute, or spectator
makes derogatory remarks or gestures to the referees, other coaches,
players, substitutes, or spectators; ● No coach, substitute, or spectator
uses profanity or incites, in any manner, disruptive behavior.

CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS
A player receiving two cautions (yellow cards) in a single game is
considered to have been given an ejection (red card). A player who has
been ejected (sent off), will not be replaced. A player who has been ejected
will not return for that game and will not be allowed to participate in the next
scheduled game.
A player who is ejected for violent conduct or serious foul play may be
expelled from the tournament, at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
Any player or coach who assaults a referee will be expelled from the
Tournament. A coach who has been ejected (sent off) will not be allowed to
participate in the next scheduled game, and may be expelled from the
tournament at the discretion of the Tournament Director. During game
suspension(s) for coaches, there can be NO contact between the team and
the coach during the game and the coach must be out of site and sound of
the field. Additionally, the coach must not be involved in unacceptable
conduct (defined as coaching his/her players by any means or method, or
harassment of opponents/players/referees/staff). Failure to adhere to this
rule will result in an immediate ejection from the tournament for the coach.
The tournament director will notify the appropriate federation regarding
disciplinary actions taken.

SUSPENDED AND TERMINATED GAMES
If in the opinion of the referee a game must be suspended (for reason), the
game may be resumed, but is subject to being ended not less than five (5)
minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game. If in the opinion of
the referee, a game must be terminated for misconduct of players, bench
coaches, or spectators; the offending team could be suspended from
further play and will forfeit that game and all remaining games. All previous

points earned remain as played.

OFFSIDE
The offside law will be applied by referees in all games. (5v5, 7v7, 9v9, &
11v11)

5v5 and 7v7 Games
1. There is NO intentional heading allowed
2. The keeper cannot dropkick or punt the ball.
3. The Midfield line will serve as the “BuildOut” Line for all 5v5 and 7v7
games. Goal kicks opposition retreats to midfield
4. Offside is in effect and enforced following the IFAB Laws of the Game.

HEADING RULES
U11 Players are not allowed to head the ball intentionally. The restart is an
indirect free kick for the opposing team.
U11 Players playing in U12 or older age groups will abide by the age group
heading rules. (i.e. younger players playing up may head the ball
intentionally.)

TOURNAMENT COMPETITION AND ORGANIZATION DETERMINING
WINNERS
Teams will be awarded points on the following basis:
Three (3) points for each Win
One (1) points for each Tie
Zero (0) points for each Loss
At the end of a preliminary round, advancement shall be determined by the
number of points earned in preliminary matches. In the event of a tie within
a bracket, the following criteria shall be used to determine final placements,
in order:
1. Head to head competition
2. Most Wins
3. Goal Differential (maximum (5) per game)
4. Goals For (maximum (5) per game)
5. Goals Against(maximum (5) per game)
6. FIFA penalty Kicks (to be organized at the discretion of the Tournament
Director) A coin flip may be utilized if Penalty Kicks are not able to be

scheduled.
Placement of bracket winners and determination of wild card winners for
playoff rounds or for consolation match ups should be determined by the
same criteria. Where teams are in different groups, #1 above will obviously
not apply. In the event of a tie between three (3) or more teams, #1 above
will not be considered. The tiebreaker criteria will be used in numerical
order until the tie has been resolved.
The Tournament Director, acting within the parameters of these rules, will
determine the teams to advance to the final rounds. The Tournament
Director may change placements and match-ups to better conform to
tournament goals: for example, if teams have already played at this event
during group tournament play; if teams are familiar due to local/league play;
or if teams are from the same club
Field Marshals, in cooperation with the referees, will be responsible for
score reporting.
Playoff and Bracket Advancement
Bracket of 8 Teams – Will play a final consisting of the top team from each
side of the group meeting in the final.
Bracket of 6 Teams – Will play a crossover format playing all teams in the
opposite group. The final will consist of the top two “wildcard” teams from
the total bracket of 6. This could mean that both “Wildcard” teams could be
from the same group.
Bracket of 4 Teams – Will play a final consisting of the top two teams from
the bracket of 4.

FORFEITS
All forfeits per the following rules can be overturned by the tournament
director.
A team shall be allowed a five (5) minute grace period after the scheduled
kickoff time before the match is awarded to their opponent. In 11v11
matches, a minimum of seven (7) players constitutes a team and if seven
(7) players are present, the game will not be delayed.
In no case shall a team, which forfeits a game, be declared a group winner
or wild card team. If an apparent group winner forfeits a game, the group
team with the next best record shall be named the group winner.
If a team is the cause for termination of a game, that team will be
considered to have forfeited that game.
A forfeit in the preliminary rounds shall be awarded as (3) points

For tiebreaking purposes, the score will be recorded as 3-0.
Forfeits of a game in the playoff rounds shall be recorded as 3-0 game.

PLAYOFF ROUNDS
Winners of each group advance into the playoff rounds.
Should a playoff game remain a draw after the end of regular play, FIFA
penalty kicks will be taken to determine the winner. The best of five penalty
kicks taken alternately by each team will determine the winner. Only those
players on the field at the end of the game may compete. If the penalty kick
score is tied at the end of the five kicks, the teams will continue to take
penalty kicks alternately until there is a winner. All players on the field must
kick before any player may kick a second time.

INCLEMENT WEATHER
In case of inclement weather or other force majeure, the Tournament
Director will have the authority to change games as follows:
1. Relocate or reschedule any game(s). 2. Change the duration of any
game(s). 3. Cancel any preliminary game(s). 4. Preliminary games
terminated by Game or Tournament officials after one half of play shall be
considered official as of the time of termination. 5. Determine format for
advancement.

GUEST TEAMS
The Tournament may accept a team as a “Guest Team” in order to fill a late
vacancy in a Division. Guest Teams cannot advance out of Bracket. Guest
Team game results are predetermined to be a 3-0 against the Guest Team.

PROTESTS
A team wishing to protest must do so to the Tournament Directors within 30
minutes of the game in question. The formal protest must be made from the
head coach of the team protesting, and must be made by email to the
Tournament Directors. All decisions of the Tournament Directors are final.

TOURNAMENT SITE RULES
In addition to specific facility rules posted to the tournament website please
see the following rules that must also be adhered to. Individuals and Teams
not adhering to these rules, or those of Mass Youth Soccer that have been

communicated to teams, may be expelled from the tournament at the
discretion of the Tournament Director.
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at game sites. Smoking is prohibited
at all sites and is enforced. Dogs or similar pets are not allowed. The
placing or erection of any structure or object which will cause the
penetration of the synthetic surface is prohibited.
The use of chewing gum is prohibited. The consumption of sunflower seeds
or shelled nuts is prohibited. The use or possession of glass containers of
any kind is prohibited. The use of roller blades, skateboards or bicycles is
prohibited. The use of BBQ grills or any other open flame is prohibited.
Metal cleats or spikes are prohibited. The marking of lines onto any surface
with paint, tape or any other substance are prohibited. Stakes that enter the
ground are strictly prohibited.

GENERAL
Under no circumstances whatsoever will the Tournament, New England
Force (or any members of this organization), US Soccer (or any of its
affiliates), or any of our Tournament Facilities be responsible for any
expenses (including the Tournament entry fee and hotel fees) incurred by
any team participating in the Tournament. This includes any circumstance
where the Tournament must cancel any Tournament match, any part of a
Tournament match, or the Tournament in its entirety.
Tournament entry fee is non refundable.
All decisions regarding refunds will be made by the Tournament Director.
Any team accepted into the Tournament that withdraws will forfeit the entry
fee in its entirety. The Tournament Director’s interpretation of the rules shall
be final. The Tournament Director reserves the right to decide on all
matters pertaining to this Tournament.

HOTEL
Teams traveling to participate in the Tournament must (as a condition of
acceptance) make all hotel accommodations using our tournament housing
service. Teams not using our tournament housing service will be
disqualified, and will not receive a refund.

REFUNDS
There are no refunds.