East Fishkill Dutchess Cup Tournament Rules

The East Fishkill Soccer Club requests that you communicate the following information and regulations to all players, coaches, parents, and other guests.  Please respect these conditions to avoid jeopardizing our ability to host future tournaments and your team’s ability to participate. This year’s Dutchess Cup Tournament will be held on the grounds of the East Fishkill Soccer Complex.

 

ASSUMPTION OF RISK:

Teams participate in the Dutchess Cup at their own risk.  EFSC, the EFSC Dutchess Cup Committee and the Town of East Fishkill cannot and will not accept any liability for any injuries that may occur because of the tournament. The act of participation by a team, player, coach, parent and/or spectator is a release by them of any and all claims against EFSC, its members and/or the Town of East Fishkill.

PROPERTY DAMAGE:

It is essential that the town’s properties, facilities, and neighboring private property be respected. Teams will be required to pay for any property damage caused by their team.

SPORTSMANSHIP:

In accordance with FIFA policy, there shall be no dissent between players and/or coaches, and the referee. Questioning a referee’s call is considered dissent. Coaches are responsible for the actions of their fans and are expected to demand their support in monitoring and enforcing this policy.  A player or coach who receives a red card is automatically ejected from the tournament. A player or coach who receives two yellow cards in a game is out of the game and the following game. A player or coach who receives three yellow cards during the tournament is ejected from the entire tournament. For gross misconduct, the Tournament Director will suspend a player or a coach for the entire tournament. Any coach that receives a suspension will not be permitted to participate as a coach or an assistant for any other age group or team.

REGISTRATION:

Each coach must register at least 20 minutes prior to their first game and must submit a team roster. Guest players must be listed on the roster (in handwriting).  All team members must be registered intramural players.  Guest-players are allowed. In general, a maximum of three guest players will be permitted; however, exceptions to this rule may be permitted under special circumstances and must be pre-cleared with the Tournament Director prior to registration.  Players may compete for only one team in a division.  Travel players are not eligible to participate for CU/GU12 through CU/GU19 divisions.

LAWS OF THE GAME:

Tournament games will be played under FIFA rules with the following exceptions:

1. Unlimited substitutions at all stoppages with the consent of the main referee. All substitutions to be made at the half-way line.
2. Match duration as described below.
3. No heading of soccer balls is permitted U8 through U12.
4. U8 and U10 goalies are not allowed to punt soccer balls and break-out line will be used to enforce offsides for U10.

END OF GAME:

At the completion of every game both coaches are required to go onto the field to approach the main referee for signature of the scorecard.  A runner then will bring the score card to the main desk.  If a coach disputes a final score, it should be noted on the card by the coach at that time and will be discussed with the Tournament Director, East Fishkill Division Leader, and Referee Coordinator (who may consult the main referee and assistant referee(s) at his discretion).  Once a scorecard has been submitted (without dispute) it is considered final and not subject to further consideration.

PLAYER EQUIPMENT:

FIFA rules apply. Shin guards are mandatory and must be completely covered by a sock worn over the shin guard. Jerseys will always be tucked into the players’ shorts.

STARTING TIMES:

A team must be on the field with a minimum of seven dressed players at the scheduled start of play or forfeit the game.  Exception is U8 through U10, which may start with a five-player minimum.

DURATION OF PLAY:

All U8-U19 games will be 28 minutes in length. There will be no half time, just time to switch goals (at referee discretion if there is an unfair sun advantage to one team). There will be 2 minutes between games.  A game is considered complete if played 25 minutes (due to inclement weather).

HOME TEAM/ (UNIFORM – EFSC vs EFSC):

The home team will be listed first on the schedule. The home team will kick off and is responsible for providing the game ball. The visiting team will choose the goal to defend. Each team will bring an alternate jersey. In case of conflict of colors, the home team will change jerseys. When an East Fishkill team is playing an East Fishkill team, the home team wears the blue jersey, and the visiting team wears white.

ROSTER:

Bring 2 copies of your roster to the Dutchess Cup.  You will be required to provide a copy of your game roster when checking in for registration.  Prior to your first game your roster will be checked by the referee.  If it is determined that you played a non-roster player during a game, you will be disqualified for the entire tournament and forfeit all games.

STANDINGS:

Each team will be awarded three (3) points for a win, two (2) points for a tie with goals, one (1) point for a 0-0 tie and zero (0) points for a loss. Teams winning a game by forfeit shall be credited with a 4-0 win. Teams will be ranked according to total points earned. In the case of ranking ties, the following criteria will be used to break the tie in the order they are listed:

1. Head-to-Head
2. Fewest goals allowed
3. Goal differential – Maximum goal differential per match is four (4), e.g., if a score is 4-1, the goal differential is 3 for the winner and -3 for the loser. For a score of 7-2, the goal differential is 4 for the winner and -4 for the loser.
4. Most wins
5. Most goals scored
6. Most shutouts

WEATHER:

Due to circumstances or conditions beyond its control, the Dutchess Cup Committee will not be responsible for loss of any funds due to the cancellation of all, or any part, of this Tournament.  The Committee reserves the right to withhold $125 of the registration fee for administrative purposes.  Referees and the Referee Coordinator will work with the Dutchess Cup Director to describe the severe weather procedures before the tournament begins. In the case of severe weather, the Dutchess Cup Director shall be in charge. However, the Dutchess Cup Director will consult with the Referee Coordinator, town officials, and monitor weather tools when making any decisions. In the event of lightning, one long blast of an air horn will indicate that teams should leave the playing field and seek shelter. Play will be stopped for up to 30 minutes following the last visible signs of lightning. Two short blasts of an air horn will indicate players should return to the field. Three short blasts of an air horn will indicate that play will begin. The current game or subsequent games may be shortened to accommodate weather conditions.   Should the weather exceed 94 degrees Fahrenheit, play may be stopped to ensure player safety and resume when tournament director deems safe to both players and refs.

GENERAL:

1. Coaches are required to rosters and medical release forms to every game.
2. If a game is temporarily suspended due to weather, field conditions, or other situations, each team must check with registration desk for further instructions.
3. The Dutchess Cup Director’s interpretation of the foregoing rules and regulations shall be final.
4. The Dutchess Cup Director reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to the East Fishkill Dutchess Cup.
5. No alcohol is permitted – all alcohol is strictly prohibited.
6. No barbeques, stoves or open flames allowed except by vendors.
7. Pop-up tents for shading are permitted.
8. Park in designated areas only and do not block another car in.  Violators may be towed at owner’s expense.