Zf challenge Rules

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All matches shall be played in conformance with the most current rules and regulations of WSYSA, USYS, FIFA, and CONCACAF, unless modified and stated herein, as approved by the governing bodies. The Zipfizz Cup tournament will only use currently registered USSF Referees. 

All teams must have the appropriate tournament documents approved for participation. These will include Team Roster and Medical Releases. Each team is required to have on-site at all games the ability to provide, upon demand (by tournament staff), acceptable proof of player’s age and a properly completed medical release form for each player. 

All teams will check-in online, which must be completed by the designated day. You are not required to come to tournament headquarters before the first game. Tournament pins will be available for pick-up at any point throughout the weekend at the main tournament tent.

• If using US Youth Soccer, the club registrar must sign the roster. (if you are writing in a guest player, use the "Additional documents" upload option to submit copies of the guest player cards)

• If using US Club Soccer, teams must provide an official US Club roster. (if you are writing in a guest player, use the "Additional documents" upload option to submit copies of the guest player cards)

Medical Releases - During online check-in you will be asked to confirm you have medical releases for each player.
Players cards are NOT required! We use the official roster as proof of registration and birthdate.

Players are only allowed to participate on one team during the event, unless the tournament director approves an exception for special circumstances.

No roster changes will be permitted after a team roster has been approved at the tournament registration.  

The shirt number of each player must be the same as the player’s shirt number on the official roster. All teams shall bring an alternate color jersey. The designated home team will wear light uniforms, and the away team will wear dark uniforms. All player equipment shall conform to the requirements of Law 4 of the Laws of the Game. The referee must enforce the Laws of the Game and the WSYSA Rules of Competition concerning player equipment. Protective orthopedic devices, prosthetic devices and any equipment, gear, appliance or apparatus that is protective for a known medical condition may be worn during a game if the referee determines that the device conforms to Law 4 of the Laws of the Game. 

All teams, including goalkeepers, must warm-up off the game fields until 5 minutes before kickoff.  This is to help to keep the fields in great playing condition for the games.

The Home team will choose the side of the field they wish to defend. The Away team will get the kick-off to start the game. 

All penalty kicks will be taken by Law 14 of the Laws of the Game. The modified penalty mark for 7v7 and 9v9 games will be located 10 yards from the goal. This will also be the spot where kicks from the mark need to be taken in a division that has been playing 7v7 and 9v9.

For age groups 15 and under, free substitution is allowed. For age groups 16 years and older, free substitution is allowed as long as the matches do not include National Teams of CONCACAF member countries. If it does include National Teams, then up to six substitutions are allowed. Substitutions may be made, with the consent of the referee, during any stoppage in play. 

Any coach or player receiving two yellow cards or one red card in one match will be sent off and suspended from play in the following match. The referee shall file a misconduct report with the Tournament Committee, who shall review the report and may at their option, increase or decrease the suspension by WSYSA guidelines. 

The referee shall have total control of their fields during their assigned matches. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players, parents, guests, and staff. Abusive behavior toward the referee, opponents, tournament staff, etc. will not be tolerated. Any such actions are grounds for immediate individual or team removal from the tournament and/or 

Only coaches may protest a misconduct report or the outcome of a match. The referee of the match must be notified immediately after the match concludes and the coach must follow up within sixty (60) minutes after the match with a written request and a $100 non-refundable bond (Cash or Money Order).  All protests are submitted in writing to the tournament committee at Tournament Headquarters for consideration.  The Tournament committee will have final authority on all matters related to them.  

Notes:

• Protests of game outcomes will be considered only in the case of overage or suspended players or the clear misapplication of the Laws of Play by a referee. 
• Protest of game outcomes will be considered only in the case of overage or suspended players or the clear misapplication of the Laws of Play by a referee. 
• Protests involving Referee judgment will not be accepted.
• All protests not involving misconduct will be reviewed by the tournament committee

A minimum of seven (7) players constitutes a legal team for either a 9v9 or 11v11 game.  A minimum of five (5) players constitutes a legal team for a 7v7 game.  Any team not having enough players for a legal team at the start time for the match shall be granted a single 10-minute grace period. If a team is still unable to field at least seven players at the expiration of the grace period, they shall be deemed to have forfeited the game. If a forfeit is determined, the winning team will be awarded a score of 4-0 and will receive the appropriate points for that score. Any team that forfeits a match will not be eligible to advance to the knockout rounds of the tournament.

A maximum of three (3) points may be awarded per game. Three (3) points shall be awarded for a win, one (1) for a tie, and zero (0) points for a loss. 

If teams finish group play tied in total points, the following tiebreaker shall be implemented: 

1. Head-to-head competition 
2. Highest Goal Differential, all games – Limit of 6 per game. 
3. Most wins. 
4. Most Goals For, all games – Limit of 6 per game. 
5. Fewest Goals Against, all games – Limit of 6 per game. 
6. To determine advancement, the tournament will use a Penalty kick shoot-out – 5 players per team; if still tied, sudden victory penalty kick shoot-out. 
7. For determination of seeding the tournament will do a coin toss at the tournament headquarters.

In the event of a 3-way tie (and head to head is not applicable to all three teams involved), the tiebreakers will be followed starting at #2 until 1 team advances, then the tiebreakers will be started again (at #1) for the remaining 2 teams.

In a group match, games that are tied at the end of regulation time will end as a tie. 

In a quarter-final, semi-final, or final match, games tied after regulation will go directly to FIFA Kicks from the Mark to determine the winner.

The tournament committee will attempt to avoid rematches of round-robin opponents during the first round of the playoffs.

Players of both teams will be positioned on one side of the field. Spectators of both teams shall be on the opposite side of the field. 

All teams, including goalkeepers, must warm-up off the game fields until 5 minutes before kickoff.  This is to help to keep the fields in great playing condition for the games.

The Home team will choose the side of the field they wish to defend. The Away team will get the kick-off to start the game. 

Game balls will be supplied by the tournament and must be returned to the referee or Field Marshall immediately following each match. 

The referee will give the Field Marshall a completed match Game Report, including full names of both teams, score, and any Misconduct Reports, at the field after the match. 

By default, a team will play either one or two games a day. On an exception basis, it may be necessary to play less than one or more than two games. When this occurs, an attempt will be made to ensure teams from the same bracket are scheduled for the same number of games per day.

If a team plays more than one game on a day, the tournament game schedule will strive to provide a minimum rest time of at least two games between the end of one game and the start of the next game.  This rest period may need to be shortened.

The Tournament Committee has the right to shorten and/or cancel matches due to climatic conditions or other acts of nature, which are beyond the control of the tournament, most notably in the case of lightning or loss of light.  By default, if a game is shortened or canceled after match play has started the score will be considered final if the second half of play has started.  Match delays due to unforeseen circumstances or occurring prior to the start of the second half will be addressed by the tournament committee. The Tournament Committee’s decision will be final. 

The tournament committee will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any team in the event games are discontinued or canceled due to inclement weather or adverse field conditions. 

Dogs, pets, alcohol, illegal substances, and weapons are not permitted in the 60 Acres Soccer Park at any time.

The tournament committee has final authority on all matters not covered by the rules above. The tournament committee also has the final and only say on rule clarifications.