Rules for the 2017 NCA Donato Cup.

Tournament Headquarters
Northern Columbus Athletic Assoc.
4625 Westerville Rd.
Columbus, OH 43231
Phone 614-633-8241
Fax 614-626-3037

Tournament Director: Milos Govedarica

Westerville, OH 43081

614-633-8241

Registration and Team Eligibility

Registration Check-In: 

NCA
4625 Westerville Rd.
Columbus, OH 43231
August 25, 2017, 6:00pm-9:00pm

Coaches must bring Travel permits (if outside OSYSA), signed medical release forms, signed liability release form , approved roster, and player passes, guest player passes and guest player rosters.

Games are played at one site in Columbus, Ohio. The Tournament will be played on Aug 25 & 27 2017.

Coaches should bring player passes to every game and medical release forms should be available at the field.

A. TEAMS FROM THE UNITED STATES – For teams from the United States:

1. The Players must present picture identification cards issued by the team’s Federation   Organization Member (USYS, AYSO, other)
2. Teams must provide proof of approval of the team’s participation from the team’s Federation Organization Member.
3. Teams from outside the State Association where the tournament is located must provide proof of permission to travel. Teams must be in good standing with their Federation Organization.

B. FOREIGN TEAMS – For a team coming from a CONCACAF nation:

1. 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.
2. Teams are required to have and present player picture identification cards.
3. Tournament rules require that the team have a completed form from its Provincial or National Association approving the team’s participation in the tournament.

Player Age and Eligibility

Boys/Girls

U-08 ,U-9,U-10 teams will play 7v7, and U11-12 will play 9 v 9 ,  U-13-U19 will play 11 v 11 . Top division is known as A. Lower division is known as B.

Team rosters will be limited to 22 players for teams playing the 11v11 format but only 18 players can dress for the game. Team rosters will be limited to 16 players for teams playing the 9v9 format and 16 players for 9v9. Team rosters will be limited to 14 players for teams playing the 7v7 format and 14 players for 7v7. The Roster submitted at Tournament Registration will be the official Roster for the Tournament and may not be altered. A player may only play for one team.

Five (5) guest players will be allowed per team Guest player Rosters (yours or ours) should be validated by your state association/country federation (if required by your association). Prior to the start of each game the Field Marshal shall check that each team have the following; current Federation player and coaches passes, Medical Release Forms, and Concussion parent Acknowledgement Form, approved guest roster (if applicable).

Teams

Home team is determined by the tournament scheduler. The first team listed at the tournament website (www.soccerincollege.com) is the home team. A maximum of 3 coaches are permitted on the coaches’ side of the field. All coaches will remain within 20 yards of the centerline on their half of the field, on the side opposite of both team's spectators. Field marshals will communicate which side is the coaches’ side if questions arise.

The home team will be responsible for using an alternate color uniform if necessary, and shall supply a suitable game ball (as determined by the Referee).

Spectators are not permitted behind the goals.   No air horns or bullhorns may be used by teams or spectators since this device will be used to signal weather delays.

Player Credentials and Uniforms

1. Player picture identification cards are to be present and available at all matches.
2. Identification cards are required to be checked by the field marshal or referee prior to each match.

3. The shirt number of each player must be the same as the player’s shirt number on

the daily match report or roster. If the numbers are not the same, the referee is not

to allow the player to take part in the match until the numbers are the same

(Examples –The player changing his or her shirt, or the daily match report being

changed).

Laws of the Game

All matches must be played in accordance with FIFA Laws of the Game, except as specifically modified as follows in the tournament rules:

a. Substitution Time:

Substitutions may be made with the consent of the referee.

1. before a throw-in in your favor.
 2. before a goal-kick.
 3. after a score by either team
 4. At half time
 5. After an injury, by either team, when the referee stops play.

 6  After a caution, one for one by both teams, if the cautioned player is substituted.

b. SUBSTITUTION

1. All matches will be “unlimited substitution”  

Player Equipment

a. Hard casts are not permitted; soft casts will only be allowed upon approval of the game referee.
b. Shin guards are required.
 

Games

Games will consist of two halves of equal length.

The age groups, players per side, ball size and length of

Games (minutes) are as follows:

Age                                 Ball             Game                  Finals

Group            Side          Size             Length                Length

U8/U09               7            4                  40                       50

U10                    7             4                  40                       50

U11/U12             9             4                  50                       60

U13/14              11            5                  60                       70

U15/19              11            5                  70                       80     

The Directors reserve the right to adjust game length for conditions beyond their control. See Weather/Reschedule section below.

a. The game clock will not be stopped because of injury to any player, except if deemed necessary by the referee. Due to the time allowed for the completion of all games, the clock should run continuously.

b. It is the intent of the NCA Donato Cup to provide a three person referee system for all tournament matches; however, if deemed necessary, matches may be conducted with club linesmen.

c. A coach may coach more than one team during the tournament.
 

Tournament Format

For all age groups the Tournament format calls for three preliminary round games (round robin) with a Final Matches in each division. (Some divisions may have Round Robin with Final Matches depending on the number of teams in the division).

Match Schedules

Each team will play a minimum of 3 games. A maximum of 2 matches will be played on any one day.

Referees

All matches will use referees certified by the FEDERATION.

Weather/Rescheduled

Games Match Delays (ex: Lightning delays game)
In the event play is delayed due to lightning or severe weather, an air horn will be used to signal stoppage (and restarting) of play.  All teams will take cover but remain at the tournament site for the duration of the current match. 

Do not remain on the fields or under trees.  One coach from each team must report to tournament headquarters for information concerning the delay.  If a delay occurs, a decision will be made according to the following guidelines.

1. If time permits, allow play to resume and play to completion, but not beyond scheduled starting time of the next match.

2. If time does not permit play to completion and:

a) The first half of the match was completed, the match will be considered complete and the score will stand as the final score;

b) The first half has not been completed; an attempt will be made to reschedule the remainder of the game.  Check at tournament headquarters for information.

3. All efforts will be made to return to the original schedule as soon as possible after weather delay. 

Games shall be considered completed if the first half has concluded and play is stopped by either the Field Referee or the Tournament Directors. The score at the stoppage of play will be the final game score. If the first half has not been completed and the game is stopped, every effort will be made to complete the game, or play to complete at least the first half and record the score as final. If the game is cancelled before it starts every effort will be made to reschedule the game.

Note: if necessary, game lengths may be shortened to accommodate scheduling requirements. It is the responsibility of each coach to check Tournament Headquarters for rescheduled information.

For more information regarding schedule changes: 614-633-8241

However, in the event that rescheduling is not possible, and game cancellation creates a situation where teams within the division are unable to play an equal number of qualifying games, the group winner will be determined on the basis of awarding the average tournament points earned in the other games, to the teams that were unable to complete an official game, followed by the tie breaking procedure if necessary. The team with the highest average points will be declared the winner of the group. In the event there is a tie which cannot be resolved by point averaging, the advancing team will be determined by penalty kicks, or a coin toss if necessary, per FIFA as directed by the Tournament Directors.

Forfeits

The score of a forfeited game shall be recorded as 2-0 in favor of the team not forfeiting, if; 1) the game has not commenced, or 2) the game has commenced and the non-forfeiting team has less than a 2-goal lead at the time of cessation. If the non-forfeiting team has more than a 2-goal lead at the time of cessation, the score shall stand. Forfeiture will be declared for a failure to begin play within fifteen (15) minutes of game time with a minimum of seven (7) players to start the game. Failure to complete a match or a team leaving the field during play may result in forfeiture. In no case will a team which has forfeited a game be declared a group winner or wild card.

Procedures for Determining a Winner (Scoring)

Coaches and game referee will sign the game card certifying the final score which will then be delivered to the HQ tent at each site. Site scorer will be responsible for updating score board. Posted scores will reflect a maximum goal difference of 4. Bracket standings, leading to championship play, will be determined on the following basis.

Standings and Tie-breakers

Three points will be awarded for a win, one point for a tie and zero points for a loss.

In the event of ties in point standings, the following sequence will be used:

a. Points earned from matches won or tied.
b. Result of head to head game (2 teams only)
c. Goal difference: Total net score for tournament games. Net score = goals scored, less goals scored against. A maximum differential of 4 goals per game will account for this purpose.
d. Fewest goals allowed.
e. The procedure for Kicks from the Penalty Mark, as outlined in the FIFA Laws of the Game, will be utilized”.

In the event of ties at the end of championship round games, winners will be determined as follows:
1. Two Five-minute overtime periods will be played, both mandatory.
2. Penalty kicks elimination as above. Only players on the field at the end of the second overtime are eligible for penalty kicks.

Match and Score Reporting

Referees will enter final game score on the game card, sign, and give to both coaches to sign. Field marshal will deliver signed game cards to the Site scorer. Site scorer then updates scores on the board at each site.

Protests and Disputes

Protests by any team must be submitted in writing, and accompanied by a $100.00 cash deposit to be presented to the tournament headquarters to the Tournament Directors within 30 minutes of completion of the game. The deposit will be returned only if the protest is upheld. Referees' decisions may NOT be the basis for protesting the game. The game referee must be informed of the pending protest at the conclusion of the game and must report in writing on the game card his comments regarding the protested situation.

Final Rulings

The final interpreter of the foregoing rules and regulations, and also any matters not provided for in these rules will be the Tournament Directors, whose decisions shall be final.

Conduct and Discipline

Disciplinary action taken against a coach will be levied in the next game in which he/she coaches the team playing at the time of the original infraction, or to the next game coached if the violation occurred during the last game for that team. If additional behavior problems occur, the Directors reserve the right to levy additional discipline up to and including expulsion from the Tournament.

COMPLEX RULES

NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES PERMITTED.  Anyone found with alcohol will cause the entire team with which they are associated to be asked to leave the complex.

The complex speed limit is 10 MPH. Observe directional signs; obey instructions of parking   directors. Not permitted at our tournament includes: pets, smoking, and verbal abuse. No swimming or fishing in the pond and Artificial noise makers.
 

All participants in the NCA Donato Cup will be expected to maintain high standards of conduct during their stay in the Columbus area. These standards are expected of players, referees, and other guests in the hotels and motels; keeping noise in the hallways to a minimum, refraining from kicking soccer balls inside any of the buildings, and being respectful of the property of others. Should it come to the attention of the Tournament Directors that a person (or persons) has failed to observe these guidelines; the Director reserves the right to take remedial action. Said action, depending upon the circumstances, may range from a warning, a reduction in points in the standings, or banning that team and/or all teams in its club from future participation in the tournament.

There shall be no dissent between players and/or coaches and the referee. Questioning a referee is considered dissent. All coaches are responsible for the actions of his or her spectators, specifically verbal abuse of referees. Such abuse will not be tolerated! Violation may result in forfeiture of the game and/or expulsion from further play.

Any player or coach receiving a red card shall be ejected from the current game and will be ineligible to participate in the next scheduled game. The player/coach pass is to be turned in to the referee headquarters immediately following the initial suspension game. If dismissed in the last game, card will be returned to state association within 1 week.

Any player or coach who receives an accumulation of Two (2) yellow cards in a game must sit out the next game.

Spectators may be ejected from the park for improper conduct, at the discretion of the tournament officials. 


No pets are allowed at the tournament sites.

Persons ejected due to any of the above situations must leave the site immediately.

Report of Disciplinary Action:

The disciplinary action taken or required shall be reported to that team’s provincial or

A.    For United States and CONCACAF Teams, the procedure for notifying the Federation Organization Member of that team of disciplinary action taken or required will be followed.

Awards

All U-8 through U-15 first and second place teams and individual awards will be awarded in each Division after the final game at the Finals site.

Cancellations

If the Tournament is cancelled due to events beyond the control of the Tournament Committee, the Tournament will not be required to make any financial remuneration. 

Game Balls

The home team is responsible for supplying the FIFA Approved game balls.