The Cape Cod Classic provides a unique playing experience toward the end of the spring season for teams and clubs. Allowing teams to compete at appropriate levels, plan social events in a beautiful setting, and play on natural grass fields.

NEW ENGLAND SOCCER CLASSIC on CAPE COD

RULES of PLAY

I. General

A. Roster –Only two coaches will be allowed on the team bench area with the players. No additional

coaches will be allowed to coach from anywhere around the field.

1. Roster Size – all players on the roster, submitted at registration, are eligible to play all matches. Players

may not switch to another team during the event and be added to the roster

A. 7 v 7 – Recommended roster size maximum is 13 players.

B. 9 v 9 – Roster maximum is 16 players with a maximum of 3 guest players.

C. 11 v 11 – If using your official roster and no guest players, all players are eligible.

1. Roster maximum is 18 players if using guest players.

2. A maximum of 5 guest players are allowed.

2. Guest players - will be allowed in all age groups. The guest player names are to be added to a copy of

the roster. Guest players must have a current valid player pass.

3. All teams must have current US Youth Soccer or approved organizational Player Passes, or the appropriate

National Association passes for all players. All teams must provide an official roster that includes all

traveling players and team officials, signed or stamped by the appropriate registrar.

B. Miscellaneous

1. The Tournament Director reserves the right to decide on all matters relative to the tournament. All decisions

of Tournament Director are final. There are no protests!

2. The Tournament Director, Oceana Soccer Club, or Rock Harbor Sports Group Inc. will not be responsible for

any expenses incurred by tournament participants if the tournament is canceled for any reason.

3. During games, coaches and players shall remain on one side of the field and the spectators shall remain on

the other side. The teams and coaches will stay within the designated bench area, if marked, or on one half

of the side of the field from the 5 yards from the halfway line down to the top of the penalty area.

4. If in the opinion of the Tournament Director, the conduct of a team, its coaches or supporters do not meet

the standards of sportsmanship that are expected, a team may be barred from further participation in the

tournament. There will be no refunds of fees or costs in the event of expulsion. A full report of the reason

for the barring will be sent to the State Association and League of any team so expelled.

II. Tournament Format

A. Flights of 4 teams: Teams will play 3 group matches. The top 2 teams on points will advance to the final.

B. Flights of 5 teams: Teams will play 4 group play matches on Saturday & Sunday. The top 2 teams on

points will advance to the final on Monday.

C. Flights of 6 teams: Teams will be divided into 2 brackets of 3. Teams will play 3 qualifying matches, 2 in

the bracket and 1 crossover. The top team in each bracket will advance to the final on Monday.

D. Flights of 7 teams: Teams will play 2 preliminary matches on Saturday. The results will seed the teams

#1-7 for play on Sunday with the first place team receives a bye in the quarter-finals. The seeding will

be adjusted to guarantee a different opponent in the quarter-finals for all teams. The winners will

advance to the semi-finals.

E. Flights of 8 teams: Teams will be divided into 2 brackets of 4 teams for group play. The top 2 teams in

each bracket will advance to the semi-finals on Monday.

F. Friendship Festival: All teams will play four matches with no play-offs. The matches will be on Saturday

and Sunday only.

G. Friendship Games: If the 2 teams are not evenly matched, players may be added to one side. This may

be done by the coaches from the beginning of the match, if it is known that there is an imbalance or may

be done at a 4 and 6 goal differential. That is, a player will be added at a 4 goal differential and another if

it goes to 6 goal differential. The team that puts the extra player(s) on can stay that way until the score

gets tied.

III. Tournament Rules

All games shall be played in accordance with FIFA laws, except as specifically superseded by these

rules.

A. Friendship Games:

1. Unevenly Matched Teams: If the 2 teams are not evenly matched, players may be added to one

side. This may be done by the coaches from the beginning of the match but will be mandatory at

a 4 and 6 goal differential. That is, a player will be added at a 4 goal differential and another if it

goes to 6 goal differential. The team that puts the extra player(s) on can stay that way until the score

gets tied.

2. Build-up Line: The midfield line will be used to mark the build-up line. The opposing team must have all players

retreat behind the buildup line (midfield) for all goal kicks and be retreating to the build-up line when GK has

possession of the ball. The GK can play quickly before team retreats behind build-up line or can wait until all of the

opposing players are behind midfield without incurring an infraction. As soon as the ball is played by the team taking

the goal kick and as soon as the GK releases the ball into play, the players on the opposing team can advance. On

a goal kick if a team plays a ball before the team has retreated to the build-up line at midfield that is their prerogative

B. Point System: Group or Division standings will be based on total points from the results of

preliminary matches.

Results: Win = 6 points Tie = 2 points Loss = 0 points

Bonus Points: Shutout = 1 (including 0-0 shutouts)

Goals = 1 for each goal (maximum of 4 per match)

*A maximum of 4 goals for or against will be counted. That means a 4-0 score is the best you can

do. Additional goals for aren’t used at anytime in the calculation for placement.

*A deduction of 1 point will be made if a coach is dismissed or a player is red carded.

C. Tie Breaking Procedure: The tie-breaking procedure to determine flight or bracket standings will be used

in the order below:

1. Results of head to head competition with team(s) that are tied.

2. Most wins

3. Greatest bonus points

4. Least goals against

5. Most goals scored all matches (a maximum of 4 per match)

6. Most shutouts

7. Penalty shootout/coin toss

In the event of a 3-way tie, the tie breaking rules will be followed in order until:

a.1 team advances and declared the Flight/Bracket winner. The other team to advance will be decided

by the head to head result. If this does not resolve the tie, tie breaking procedure beginning with rule

#2 will determine runner-up

b.1 team is eliminated. The remaining 2 teams qualify for the play-offs and will be placed by starting at

#1 of the tie breaking procedures.

D. Resolving ties in Knock-out Round, Quarter-Final, Semi-Final and Championship Matches

All excluding Championship matches - If the match is tied at the end of regulation time, the winner will be

decided by using the FIFA penalty kick procedure with a best of 3 kicks format.

Championship matches - If the match is tied at the end of regulation time, two 5-minute overtime periods

will be played. If the match is still tied after the two overtime periods, the winner will be decided by using the

FIFA penalty kick procedure with a best of 3 kicks format.

E. Substitution Procedure:

• The name of the substitute must me on the official roster.

• The Referee or Assistant Referee must be informed of any proposed substitution.

• The substitute only enters the field from the halfway line and during a stoppage in the match.

Substitutes won’t be allowed to enter from the bench area unless for an injured player.

• The substitute only enters the field of play after the player being replaced has left the field of play

at the halfway line and after receiving a signal from the referee.

• Players may re-enter the match at a later stoppage in play.

F. Length of the Game and Ball size:

Boys & Girls # of Players Roster Size Length of Match Ball Size

U10 & U11 Friendship 7 --- 50 Minutes (5 min. half-time) 4

U11/12 Competitive 9 16** 50 Minutes (5 min. half-time) 4

U13 – U14 11 18** 60 Minutes (5 min. half-time) 5

U15 – U19 11 18** 70 Minutes (5 min. half-time) 5

**Leagues and associations where the allowed roster size is greater, all players on the official roster are

allowed to participate in the tournament, provided there are no guest players (see D.3 above - Roster Size).

The roster size limit in this case refers to how many may play in a particular match.

There will be no time allowance for substitutions and injuries or other compensating time. The referee will

start the clock at the beginning of each half and run it continuously until the conclusion of that half. The only

time the referee will stop his clock for an injury is if the game has to be stopped because a player on the

field may not be moved while the rescue squad is summoned.

G. Players Equipment:

1. Player’s having splints or casts will be permitted to play if deemed safe by the referee assignor.

2. All players must wear shin guards that are age and size appropriate.

3. If a uniform conflict occurs, the Home Team (team listed 1st on the schedule) must change jerseys,

unless visiting team offers to do so.

H. Conduct:

1. Any player receiving an accumulation of 2 yellow cards will not be allowed to participate in his team’s next

match. Cards carry over into the play-offs.

2. Any player dismissed/sent off (red card or second yellow in same match) will not be allowed to participate

in his team’s next match. Cards carry over to the play-offs.

3. A team will have 1 point deducted from their point total for each red card received.

4. Any player dismissed for fighting or violent conduct will not be allowed to participate further in the

tournament. The team will have 1 point deducted from their point total.

5. A Coach who is dismissed will not be allowed to participate further in the tournament. The team will have

1 point deducted from their point total.

6. A report will be sent to the State Association and League/Club of teams whose players or coaches receive

yellow/red cards. A case of referee assault will be referred immediately to the Massachusetts Youth Soccer

Association in accordance with USSF Rule 1108.

7. If in the opinion of the Tournament Director, the conduct of a team, its coaches or supporters do not meet

the standards of sportsmanship that are expected, a team may be barred from further participation in the

tournament. There will be no refunds of fees or costs in the event of expulsion. A full report of the reason

for the barring will be sent to the State Association and League of any team so expelled. The team will

forfeit their Performance Bond.

I. Forfeits:

1. Teams playing 11v11 that do not have 7 players ready to play at the designated start time of the scheduled

match time will have a forfeiture declared for the match. The score of a forfeited match will be 3-0 in favor

of the team ready to play.

2. Any team forfeiting a match will not be allowed to advance to the play-offs.

3. Forfeiture of a match violates the Performance Bond Agreement and results in the team forfeiting their

Performance Bond.

J. Inclement Weather:

1. Regardless of weather conditions, coaches and their teams must appear on the field of play and be ready

to play their scheduled game. Failure to appear will result in forfeiture of the game. Only the Tournament

director can cancel or postpone a match.

2. Inclement weather before the game: In the case of severe weather conditions before play begins, the

Tournament Director may reduce the length of the game by 50%.

H. Heading Protocol - In accordance with the new restrictions on heading the ball, the new rule is in effect

for all U9, U10 and U11 matches. If in the opinion of the referee, a player intentionally heads the ball, the

player will be penalized and the other team awarded an indirect free kick.

The New England Soccer Classic on Cape Cod provides a unique playing experience toward the end of the spring season for teams and clubs. Allowing teams to compete at appropriate levels, plan social events in a beautiful setting, and play on natural grass fields.

Enjoy all that Cape Cod has to offer: great food, beautiful beaches, plenty of family-friendly activities, shopping, and wonderful accomodations with any of our hotel partners.

Be sure to mention "NESC" when booking to claim your discounted rate!