Easter Cup Rules
i. Laws of the Game
All games shall be played in accordance with IFAB Laws of the Game, US Youth Soccer policies, and North Texas Soccer rules, except as specifically modified herein.
ii. Team Rosters and Guest Players
A. Teams must be registered with US Youth Soccer (USYS) or US Club Soccer (USCS) and all team paperwork must be from the same organization. The official team roster that a team submits as part of online or in-person check-in MUST be certified through one of these organizations.
B. All players, including guest players, must be listed on the team’s online tournament roster prior to check-in.
C. A player may not play on two different teams in the same tournament
D. The Easter Cup is open to accepted teams composed of 8 or fewer players for 7U-8U 4v4 format, 12 or fewer players for 8U-9U 7v7 format, 16 or fewer players for 10U to 12U 9v9 format, 18 or fewer players for 12U-14U 11v11 format, and 22 or fewer players for 15U through 19U. 7U-10U academy teams may not include any guest players on the roster. 11U-19U teams may include a maximum of five (5) guest players on the roster. Roster maximums detailed herein for 11U-19U teams include guest players.
E. The Easter Cup will follow the Calendar Year format as outlined below:
Easter Cup will follow the Calendar Year format as outlined below by USSF and NTX Soccer:
Player ID cards will be required for all players on Non-North Texas Soccer teams. They will be checked at registration and may be checked prior to the start of each game.
iii. Game Procedures and Conduct
The players, coaches, team managers, and team medical personnel (if any) on each team will occupy designated areas of the field. All parents and spectators will occupy the opposite side of the field. Only rostered adults may occupy the players area with no more than three (3) allowed at any time. All others must remain on the opposite side of the field
Both teams are required to verify the score posted to the website. If there are corrections, they should be reported to the complex director, where the game was played, for correction. Both teams will turn in game/misconduct reports
Players are required to wear shin guards in accordance with IFAB Laws of the Game
Home team is the team listed first on the schedule
Home team will wear white or light-colored jerseys. Visitor team will wear dark colored jerseys. If there is a conflict, the Home team will change. Referees will change in case of team color conflict
Each team must have permanently numbered alternate jerseys or numbered T-shirts available. Taped numbers will not be accepted expect with advanced permission from the tournament director. Violators will be removed from the field and not allowed back on the field of play until player’s equipment is corrected.
The games will begin at the scheduled time or immediately following the prior game, whichever is later. A forfeit will be declared if a team is not ready to play at the published time for Competitive/Academy games.
During bracket play, no overtime will be played. Games may end in a tie for bracket play.
In the playoff, the losing team is eliminated from the competition.
Players, coaches and spectators are expected to conduct themselves within the spirit of the Law as well as the letter of the Law. Failure to comply may be cause for removal from the soccer complex or facility including removal of your team from the tournament.
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at the game sites or in the parking lots. Teams caught with alcohol will be dismissed from the tournament.
iv. Length of Games
U9-U10 – 7v7 – 25 minute half
U10-U12 – 9v9 – 30 minute half
U13-U14 – 11v11 – 35 minute half
U15-U19 – 11v11 – 40 minute half
v. Minimum Number of Games
For the 7U through 19U age groups, three (3) games minimum will be provided. .
Each game will be the same length as designated on the Application to Host
Teams should be prepared to play at 8:00am Friday through Sunday at 6:00pm.
Schedules will not be adjusted for teams traveling outside of the North Texas area.
vi. Groupings
Teams will be divided into groups based on the number of teams in the age division. Some groups in some age divisions will play cross-over games within the age division.
The method of advancement to play off rounds will be dependent upon the number of teams in each age division and will be explained on the tournament schedule.
vii. Advancement
A. Total number of points is decisive. The following 10-point system will be used:
6 points for a win
3 points for a tie
0 points for a loss
1 point per goal scored with a maximum of 3
1 point for a shutout (not allowing opponent to score) including a 0-0 result
A forfeit game will be scored a 3-0 win – total of 10 points will be awarded
B. Tiebreakers will be determined in the following order:
Winner of head-to-head
Goal differential (Maximum of 6)
Fewest goals allowed in all preliminary round games
Most goals scored in all preliminary round games (Maximum of 5)
IFAB kicks from the mark (IFAB kicks). Team with most goals after five (5) kicks will advance. If still tied after five kicks, then alternating IFAB kicks will be taken one-on-one until one team outscores the other after each team has taken an equal number of shots. All players on each team, including the goalies, must shoot once before any player can shoot a second time.
NOTE: It is each team’s responsibility to be aware of their standings. If it appears possible that a tie may exist at the end of bracket play, the teams who are involved in the tie are instructed to keep their players “on call” so that they will be available to participate in IFAB kicks at a moment’s notice, if necessary.
C. In divisions where a wildcard team advances, the wildcard team will be the teams from any group in the age division with the next highest points after the first 3 qualifiers are identified. In the event of a tie in determining the wildcard, the above tiebreakers in B.1-5 will be used to break the tie. In crossover brackets, the runner up and/or wildcard team will be from the total six (6) team crossover groups.
viii. Playoff Rounds
Playoff rounds will consist of a semi-final and final game. In age groups of more than sixteen (16) teams, quarterfinal games will be played.
After advancement is determined, the teams will be seeded 1 through 4 based on points at the end of group play. In the Semi-Final, the 1-seed will play the 4-seed and the 2-seed will play the 3-seed.
If there is a Quarter-Finals, The 1-seed will play the 8-seed. The 2-seed will play the 7-seed. The 3-seed will play the 6-seed. And the 4-seed will play the 5-seed. For the semi-final in this situation, the winner of the 1 vs 8 game will play the winner of 4 vs 5 game. And the winner of the 2 vs 7 game will play the winner of the 3 v 6 game.
In playoff competition, there will be no overtime for 4v4, two five (5) minute overtime periods will be played for 7v7, and two ten (10) minute overtime periods for 9v9 & 11v11 with a two (2) minute interval between the two overtime periods. If the game is tied, IFAB Kicks will be taken to determine who advances. (Tournament officials may shorten the overtime periods if necessary to help keep the games on time.
Only the players on the field at the end of the second overtime period are eligible to take the IFAB Kicks.
ix. Substitutions
A. Unlimited substitutions may be made, with the consent of the referee, at the following times:
Prior to a throw in, by the team with possession of the ball.
Prior to a goal kick, by either team.
After a goal, by either team.
At half time and prior to the beginning of an overtime period.
Anytime at the discretion of the referee.
B. Limited substitutions may be made, with the consent of the referee, on a one-for-one basis for an injured player.
x. Red Cards and Send Offs
Any player, coach or team official receiving a RED CARD/SEND OFF will be ejected from the game and suspended from playing/coaching in the following game.
Two (2) yellow cards in one game is equivalent to a RED CARD AND WILL SIT OUT THEIR NEXT GAME.
xi. 7U-8U Specific 4v4 Rules
Format: 4v4, Field size 25×35, 4×6 Goal, Size 3 Ball
No goalkeepers
When the ball goes out of bounds via the sideline, the restart will be an indirect kick-in.
Build out lines at 14 yards from the end line. When the goalkeeper has the ball, either during play or from a goal kick, the opposing team must move behind the build out line. The goalkeeper may then pass, throw, or roll the ball to a teammate (no punting). Once the ball is in play the opposing team may cross the build out line and play resumes.
Heading is NOT allowed per US Soccer Federation
xii. 8U-10U Specific 7v7 Rules
Format: 7v7, Field Size 47×30, 6.5×18.5 Goal, Size 4 Ball
Played with Goalkeeper and Offside
Build out lines at 14 yards from the end line. When the goalkeeper has the ball, either during play or from a goal kick, the opposing team must move behind the build out line. The goalkeeper may then pass, throw, or roll the ball to a teammate (no punting). Once the ball is in play the opposing team may cross the build out line and play resumes. The build out line will also be used to denote where offside offenses can be called.
Heading is NOT allowed per US Soccer Federation
xiii. 10U-12U Specific 9v9 Rules
Format: 9v9, Field Size 75×47, 6.5×18.5 Goal, Size 4 Ball
Played with a Goalkeeper and Offsides
No build out lines
For 10U-11U, heading is NOT allowed per US Soccer Federation
xiv. Protests
All referee decisions are final. No protests are allowed, except for the use of an ineligible player. The Tournament Committee is empowered to make all decisions regarding competition during the tournament. All decisions are final. No appeals will be allowed.
xv. Forfeits and Team Withdrawal
A forfeit in group competition will be awarded as 10 points for the win to all teams in that bracket. The score will be recorded as 3 – 0.
Any team that forfeits a game will be removed from the competition.
Forfeits in playoff rounds will be recorded as 3 – 0 games.
Teams withdrawing once accepted and scheduled will not be invited to the Easter Cup for the next year and will forfeit their entry fee to the tournament. Teams will also be reported to their home association for disciplinary action.
xvi. Weather Provisions
In the event of inclement weather, the Tournament Committee will have the authority to relocate, reschedule, and/or change the duration and/or format of any game(s), or cancel any games that have no bearing on group rankings.
Preliminary games terminated after one completed half of play, because of weather, will be considered official as of the time of termination (second half does not need to begin).
In case of inclement weather, please check the website and all social media for updated field conditions. It is each team’s responsibility to check the website for schedule/field changes.
A lightning strike in a 10-mile radius of the playing field will result in all ongoing games to cease play for at least 30 minutes since the most recent lightning strike.
xvii. General
Under no circumstances whatsoever, will the Easter Cup Committee or Premier Tournament Series be responsible for any expenses (including the tournament entry fee) incurred by any team. This includes any situation where the Tournament or any game(s) are canceled in whole or part.
The Tournament Committee’s interpretation of these rules is final.
The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to this tournament.
All games shall be played in accordance with IFAB Laws of the Game, US Youth Soccer policies, and North Texas Soccer rules, except as specifically modified herein.
xviii. Refund Policy
If inclement weather cancels the tournament prior to the completion of a team’s first scheduled game of the tournament, a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of the team’s entry fee may be retained by the tournament to cover start-up cost of the tournament.
