REGISTRATION

State roster, player passes and medical release forms for each player must be presented at

registration. Teams may have no more than 18 players (14 for U12’s). Three guest players will

be permitted as long as they are currently USYSA registered and possess a stamped player

pass card in the correct age group. Permission to travel forms must be received for all teams

traveling from outside the state of Vermont.

A. Ball Size:

U-13 to U-19: Size 5

U-10 to U-12: Size 4

B. Game Duration:

U13 to U-19 (11v11) 2 x 30 min. halves Half time – 5 min.

U-11 to U-12 (8v8) 2 x 25 min. halves Half time - 5 min.

U10 (7v7) 2 x 20 min halves Half time - 10 min.

Game clock will not stop for injuries, subs, late arrivals, etc. No extra time awarded.

C. Substitutions: Unlimited substitution, after a goal, at half-time, on goal kicks, injuries with

permission of referee, start of overtime period, throw-in (possession only). All substitutes

shall be made from the half field line and entrance upon referees signal.

D. Home Team: Team listed first is the designated Home Team and must change jerseys

when the referee determines a conflict to exist.

E. Forfeits: No grace period allowed. The score will be counted 4-0. Game clock will start

even if teams are not on the field at their designated time at the beginning of the 1st or

2nd half.

F. Inclement Weather: The Tournament Rules Committee reserves the right to make the

following changes in the event of inclement weather:

1) Relocate and/or reschedule a match;

2) Change a division structure;

3) Reduce scheduled duration of a match;

4) Cancel a match.

In the event of inclement weather forcing play to be halted and preventing the match

from completing during the scheduled time, the score shall stand if at least one-half of the

match has been completed.

The lightning policy for the tournament is as follows:

At the first visible sign of lightning or sound of thunder (regardless of the estimated

distance from the field) all play will be stopped and players and spectators will be asked to

move to a safe location. For all games that were in progress the game clock will continue

to run. If time runs out and the game was at or past half time when play was stopped the

result at the time of play being stopped will stand. If the game had not reached half time,

the game will be rescheduled or canceled.

Play will not resume until 30 minutes after the last visible lightning or audible thunder

(regardless of the estimated distance from the field). When play is resumed the game

scheduled closest to the time play was resumed will begin.

When play is stopped or resumed due to lightning is at the sole discretion of the referees

and the tournament committee and strict adherence to the above policy will be enforced

by the referees and tournament officials. Personal safety is the number one concern of the

tournament and it will supersede any game situation.

G. Players Equipment: All players must wear shin guards. Splints or casts will be allowed

if appropriately padded (with referees’ permission).

H. Rules for Advancement: Game points - 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points

for a loss. If teams are tied in the standings, the following criteria will be used to determine

the team’s order of finish and/or placement in any subsequent playoffs including Wildcard

draws:

1. Head to Head competition (used only if 2 teams tied);

2. Goal differential (maximum 4 goal difference per game);

3. Fewest goals allowed;

4. Goals scored (maximum 4 per game);

5. FIFA Penalty kicks

When the tiebreaker system is used, the criteria are followed from 1 through 5 until only

one team remains.

I. Game Scores: The referee will turn in scores with game summary. Posting can be

found at Tournament Central (The Essex Tree Farm) and on the official Nordic Cup website

— nordicsoccer.org.

J. Resolving ties in playoff/championship matches: If the match is tied at the end of

regulation time, the teams will be given a five minute rest and then two ten minute Golden

Goal (sudden death) overtime periods will be played. This applies to all age groups. If still

tied after the two overtime periods are completed, the winner will be decided using the

FIFA penalty kick procedure.

K. Divisions: U10s play four games with no playoffs. Each non-U10 team will play 3 qualifying

round matches followed by playoffs as defined. Wildcard is defined as “the team with

the most points who has not qualified for playoffs by winning their group.”

L. Protests: There will be no protests. All officiating decisions are final.

M. Officiating: Qualified officials will referee each game. Most games will be officiated by

a referee and two assistants, although availability of qualified officials might necessitate

use of fewer linesmen at some games played by the youngest age groups.

N. Sideline Behavior: Both teams will sit on the same side of the field. Only coaches and

trainers may stay on the player’s sideline. Harassment of the officials from coaches and

spectators will not be tolerated and is grounds for said person to be ejected from the facility.

O. Ejection: If a player or a coach receives a red card or two yellow cards during a match,

that player or coach will sit out their next match. A coach must leave the field immediately

upon receiving a red card or two yellow cards, and must remain away from the field during

his team’s next match.

P. Field Marshals: Field Marshals will be present at all fields. All participants should be

aware that the Marshals have the authority and right to remove any unruly or uncivil spectators

from the game field perimeter and/or the field site/facility.

Zero Tolerance Policy

All individuals responsible for a team and all spectators shall support the referee. Failure to

do so can undermine the referee’s authority and create a hostile environment for players,

coaches, referees, and spectators. Therefore, the Nordic Cup Tournament has adopted the

following rule:

No one is to address the referees during the game.

A. Individuals responsible for a team (coach and assistant coaches)

Exceptions:

During the game:

• Responding to communication initiated by a referee

• Requesting substitutions

• Informing a referee of an emergency situation or safety issue

At halftime or at the conclusion of a game:

• A coach or assistant coach can ask in a polite manner for a referee to explain

a law of the game.

Enforcement:

1st infraction: The referee shall stop the game to remind the coach or assistant

coach of Nordic’s Zero Tolerance Policy.

2nd infraction: The referee shall stop the game to issue a caution to the coach or

assistant and show the Yellow Card.

3rd infraction: The referee shall stop the game to issue an ejection to the coach or

assistant and show the Red Card. The referee shall instruct the coach or assistant to

leave the vicinity of the field. Vicinity of the field is understood to mean out of sight

and sound of the match. If the coach or assistant coach fails to leave the vicinity of

the field, the referee shall abandon the game.

B. Spectators

Exceptions:

During the game:

• When the referee initiates communication

• Informing a referee of an emergency situation or safety issue

Enforcement:

1st infraction: The referee shall stop the game to have the coach remind the

spectator of Nordic’s Zero Tolerance Policy.

2nd infraction: The referee shall stop the game to have the coach inform the

spectator that if there is a subsequent infraction, the spectator shall be ejected or the

referee shall abandon the game.