Rules of Play

This tournament will adhere to IFAB Laws of the Game and current ASA Rules. The Wetaskiwin Spirit Cup Tournament shall abide by ASA Governance Documents, including the By-Laws, Governance Policies and Rules & Regulations. 

-IFAB/ASA U13-U19 11v11 2022 Laws of the Game: https://albertasoccer.com/wp-c...

-U11 8v8 2021 Laws of the Game: https://albertasoccer.com/wp-c...

-U9 2021 Mini Soccer Rules: https://albertasoccer.com/wp-c...
MODIFICATIONS:
- U9 teams will play 6v6 format
- U9 games will not include throw-ins. Instead, when the ball exits the field of play, it will be passed in by foot by a member of the opposite team.

---

1. Scheduling requests can be communicated by posting notes on your registration page. We will do our best to accommodate scheduling requests. Please note that this is not always possible. Schedules will be established as soon as possible after the Deadline Date. No changes will be made to the Schedule except at the discretion of the Tournament Coordinator.
   
   
2. The first team on the schedule is the home team. In the event of a clash of colors, the home team will be required to change to their alternate jerseys. 
   
   
3. The game sheet shall be brought to headquarters by a field marshal if present. If no field marshal is present, then the winning team should deliver the game sheet. In the event of a tie, the home team is responsible for handing in the game sheet
   
4. Officials - All referee decisions are final.
   Players and team officials are expected to obey the Laws of the Game and respect all game Officials. Coaches and team officials must stay within the technical area and spectators are not allowed in the technical area. All mixed gender teams must have representation from both genders in the technical area. Teams are responsible for the behaviour of their players, team officials and their spectators.
   

5. U9 Substitutions may enter with the referee's permission.
   FREE SUBSTITUTIONS (U11-U19)
   To allow more flow to our tournament games, players may substitute freely without the referee's permission under the following conditions:

• The substitution occurs after a stoppage in play when the ball goes out of play. This does not include free kicks (direct, indirect, or penalty).
• The players coming off the field must exit on the bench side of the field. Failure to follow this condition will result in a yellow card.
• Players coming on must wait at the center flag until players coming off have left the field.
  
• Play will not be held up for the substitutions to be completed. Get them done as quickly as possible.

6. Team Rosters:
   The maximum number of players on a team roster is 20 for U11+, and 16 for U9 (including goalkeepers). All players must be registered with ASA. There will be no changes to team rosters after May 31, 2022. Rosters will be locked and gamesheets printed after this date. Any changes to the roster after a team's first game will be at the discretion of the tournament coordinator. Teams playing ineligible player(s) will forfeit any game in which the ineligible player participated. Proof of age and eligibility must be presented by team officials upon request.
   

7. Player Eligibility:
   Teams may include a maximum of three guest players from the same or lower age group from within their registered league. A player shall only be listed on one roster and only players listed on that roster shall play for that team. Any team playing ineligible players will forfeit the game. Guest Player Form must be completed for each player added: https://wetaskiwinsoccer.com/w...

8. Protests:
   If a team is protesting a player's eligibility, the game must be played in its entirety first. The team then has 30 minutes after completion of the game to lodge its protest at headquarters. No other protests will be accepted. Field marshals do not have the responsibility to entertain any protests. If the protest is upheld, the team will be awarded the game by a 3 to 0 margin.
   

9. Discipline:

• A player who receives two yellow cards in the tournament will be suspended from playing in the next game. A player receiving a red card will receive an automatic one game suspension. This may be increased pending the decision of the discipline committee. A player who receives two red cards will be suspended from the tournament. All cautions and ejections will be reported to the team's home association, and to A.S.A. Please note foul or abusive language will not be tolerated. This will be a book-able offence.
• Teams are responsible for the behavior of players, coaches and spectators. Violent conduct offences will result in a player, team official, or spectator being removed from the Tournament.
• ASA rules prohibit any coach, team official or player ejected from a match, or suspended by the proper authority, to be within sight or hearing distance of the field of play during his/her suspension. 
• Any coach or team official that is coaching more than one team in the tournament and is suspended on one team is automatically suspended from any other team or teams until the suspension has been served.

10. Duration of games: 

• U9: 2 x 20 minute halves. Half time will be 5 minutes.
• U11-U19: 2 x 30 minute halves. Half time will be 5 minutes.
  
  During the round robin section, tied games will stand. During the medal games, in the event of a tie at the end of regulation time, the game shall proceed to two Five (5) minute Overtime halves, and then penalty kicks, if necessary. Only players on the field at the end of the game are eligible to take penalty kicks. Penalty kicks shall be taken in groups of five (5), with the teams taking alternative kicks. If the score is still tied after the first round of five, teams will alternate shots until a winner is determined.

11. Round Robin Points System:

• 3 points for a win (+1 for a shutout)
• 1 for a draw
• 0 for a loss
• 0 points for default (forfeit).

12. Tiebreakers after round robin play:

Two Team tie breaker will go as follows:

1. Head To Head
2. Goals Against
3. Goals Differential
4. Goals For
5. Penalty Kicks

Three Team tie breaker will go as follows:

1. Goals Against
2. Goals Differential
3. Goals For
4. Penalty Kicks

13.  Inclement Weather
    

• All teams are required to show up to the field for their regular scheduled game regardless of current or pending weather conditions. The decision to play the game will be decided at game time.
• Tournament organizers reserve the right to shorten games due to inclement weather, and if needed games will go directly to penalty kicks to determine a winner.
• Have your teams show up to the field at the regularly scheduled time and if the air quality is at 7 or higher or other inclement weather conditions be prepared for the game to go directly to penalty kicks. The decision will be made by the referee at the field at game time.

Any situation occurring in tournament play, that is not covered by these Rules & Regulations, shall be assessed by The Wetaskiwin Spirit Cup organizers on an individual basis. Any decision or ruling made will be considered official and final. In the event that there is a conflict between the listed tournament rules & regulations and CASA or ASA modifications, the tournament rules & regulations will take precedence.