NORDIC CUP TOURNAMENT RULES & POLICIES
REGISTRATION.
Nordic Cup 2025 will be Saturday June 14th and Sunday June 15th in Burlington, VT.
Registration will open in January 2025.
This will be our 27th year hosting this event which annually draws 200 local, out of state, and Canadian teams!
All age groups will play at various locations throughout Chittenden County.
Nordic Soccer Club has partnered with EventConnect by RoomRoster for all hotel accommodations management for Nordic Cup. The RoomRoster event support system is a convenient online web and mobile application built to help teams register for the tournament, select and manage their team hotel for a tournament. RoomRoster has pre-selected Official Tournament Host Hotels in order to provide teams with the best options on value, location, and amenities. All travel teams attending the Nordic Cup are required to book their hotels through EventConnect by RoomRoster as a condition of final acceptance into the tournament as a 'travel team'. 'Travel teams' are teams that are traveling from 90 miles distance or greater from the primary venues in Burlington, VT.
Throughout the tournament registration process, the Team Manager will be able to select the team hotel, a unique team member link is created and emailed to the Team Manager for them to forward to each team member who wants to book a room from the team’s block. Hotels will require a two-night minimum stay.
A dedicated Support Team is available at RoomRoster in order to service questions and provide assistance for Team Managers. Team Managers can contact the Support Team by dialing 1-888-723-2064 or by email via support@eventconnect.io.
Teams participating and traveling 90 miles or more to their competition venue in the tournament must (as a condition of acceptance) make all hotel accommodations using our tournament housing service. Teams not using our tournament housing service may be disqualified or sanctioned by tournament director and will not receive a refund.
Tournament Check-In, Roster, Medical Waiver Forms: Will be done electronically on our tournament platform. Roster and medical waiver forms must be completed and uploaded on the tournament platform site 10 days prior to the start of the tournament. There will not be an in-person check in process Friday night or at the field.
RULES
FIFA Laws are in effect, with modifications as published below. Website rules supersede all other published Tournament Rules.
AGE GROUPS/ROSTER SIZE/FORMAT OF PLAY/GAME LENGTH
The age group structure as established by US Soccer will govern. All players (including guest players) must have been born during the specified year for their age classification.
|
Age Group |
Roster Max |
Format |
Length |
|
U9: 2015 U10: 2014 |
14 |
7v7 |
25-minute halves |
|
U11: 2013 |
16 |
9v9 |
25-minute halves |
|
U12: 2012 |
16 |
9v9 |
25-minute halves |
|
U13: 2011 |
22 |
11v11 |
30-minute halves |
|
U14: 2010 |
22 |
11v11 |
30-minute halves |
|
U15: 2009 |
22 |
11v11 |
30-minute halves |
|
U16: 2008 |
22 |
11v11 |
30-minute halves |
|
U17: 2007 |
22 |
11v11 |
30-minute halves |
|
U18: 2006 |
22 |
11v11 |
30-minute halves |
|
U19: 2005 |
22 |
11v11 |
30-minute halves |
ROSTER AND PLAYER PASSES
Player passes for all players must be available to present and verified against the team roster as requested by the referee, field marshal, tournament committee and/or tournament director.
Teams should be prepared to present player passes/official roster at any time during the tournament.
· A valid roster (from US Youth Soccer or other Soccer Organizational Member).
· Teams must have completed the required Nordic Cup electronic medical release forms for all players.
While playing for more than one team is strongly discouraged, a player may "Club Pass" on the rosters of two teams in the same age group as long as they are not in the same division (Premier/Club), subject to the approval of the coaches of both teams AND one of the player’s parents.
A player can only "Club Pass" for one other team.
· Maximum roster number may be waived by the tournament director in advance.
· Each team is allowed five (5) guest players. The total number of guest players may be waived by the tournament director in advance of Nordic Cup. Guest players may only appear on ONE roster and must have a valid player pass (from US Youth Soccer or other Soccer Organizational Member).
A guest player is a player that is registered with another club.
TOURNAMENT SECTIONS
There will be multiple divisions at each age level: Premier and Club Teams.
NUMBER OF GAMES/GAME LENGTH
Subject to weather and other conditions beyond the control of the Tournament Committee, each team entering the tournament is guaranteed 3 qualifying games (unless a team forfeits). Qualifying and playoff game length is listed above, with one 5-minute half time interval. There will be no extension of time for substitutions, injuries or balls out of play, mandated water breaks – the play clock will run continuously. At the conclusion of each game the two coaches and the referee will sign the scorecard attesting to the game score. If any game is terminated after one half of play, the score at the time will stand and the game will be considered official. Teams named first in the schedule will be considered the home team. Home team will wear white or light colored jerseys. Home team must change to an alternate jersey in the event of a color conflict.
GAME SCHEDULES
Qualifying games will be played on Saturday and Sunday with Championship games on Sunday when applicable. Coaches may coach more than one team as long as each team has a different, credentialed Assistant Coach. Once the schedule has been published, no further changes will be made (unless a team drops out, field conditions change, or other issues as determined by the Tournament Committee come up that require a schedule change).
OFFICIATING
Qualified officials will officiate each game. Most if not all games will be officiated by a referee and 2 assistant referees in the U13–U19 brackets, although the availability of qualified referees might necessitate the use of fewer linesmen at some games played by the youngest age groups. For U10-U12 games you should expect only one official for games. Nordic Cup Tournament Zero Tolerance Policy is in effect for the duration of the tournament.
COACHING
All coaches have total responsibility for the conduct of their players, substitutes, and spectators at all times. Coaching from the sidelines (giving direction to one's own team on points of strategy and position) is permitted, provided: No mechanical devices are used; The tone of the voice is instructive and not derogatory; Each coach or substitute remains within 10 yards on either side of the halfway line; No coach, substitute, or spectator makes derogatory remarks or gestures to the referees, other coaches, players, substitutes, or spectators; No coach, substitute, or spectator uses profanity or incites, in any manner, or any disruptive behavior.
CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS
A player receiving two cautions (yellow cards) in a single game is considered to have been given an ejection (red card). A player who has been ejected (sent off), will not be replaced. A player who has been ejected will not return for that game and will not be allowed to participate in the next scheduled game. A player who is ejected for violent conduct or serious foul play may be expelled from the tournament, at the discretion of the Tournament Director. Any player or coach who assaults a referee will be expelled from the Tournament. A coach who has been ejected (sent off) will not be allowed to participate in the next scheduled game, and may be expelled from the tournament at the discretion of the Tournament Director. During game suspension(s) for coaches, there can be NO contact between the team and the coach during the game and the coach must be out of sight and sound of the field. Additionally, the coach must not be involved in unacceptable conduct (defined as coaching his/her players by any means or method, or harassment of opponents/players/referees/staff). Failure to adhere to this rule will result in an immediate ejection from the tournament for the coach. The tournament director will notify the appropriate federation regarding disciplinary actions taken.
HEADING RULE
U10 and U11 players are not allowed to head the ball intentionally. The restart is an indirect free kick for the opposing team. U11 players playing in U12 or older age groups will abide by the age group heading rules. (i.e. younger player playing up may head the ball intentionally.) U10 will employ a buildout line on goal kicks. Defensive teams must be behind that line until the first pass is received.
PLAYER SAFETY
It is expected that coaches will keep players who have sustained injuries off the field. Players wearing a PERMANENT CAST SHALL BE ELIGIBLE to participate in any game with WRITTEN approval from a doctor, and judgment as to safety is at the discretion of the referee. In addition, soft braces can be worn, with WRITTEN approval from a doctor, and judgment as to safety is at the discretion of the referee.
PLAYER WELLNESS POLICIES AND PROCEDURE
Nordic Cup makes safety of players as our #1 priority. As a club and tournament, we are always looking at the risk associated with youth soccer participation and seek solutions to those issues to keep all players safe. Please take the time to review the policies and procedures listed below.
PLAYER WELLNESS TENTS.
Nordic Cup makes every effort to have each field venue have a player wellness tent. Nordic Cup and Nordic Soccer Club have attempted to align themselves around player safety with Vermont Soccer Association, US Youth Soccer Guidelines, and USA Soccer Guidelines. The Wellness Tents are staff with a certified Athletic Trainer(s). Our tournament makes these professionals staff members available at their tent locations (tent service). They are available to for pregame treatment, assessments, and post-game treatments. Any player who requires taping, is ask to bring the needed material with them. ATC will only be beckoned to field locations on request of the Nordic Cup field marshal and in any medical emergency situation. To help ATC’s manage the workload, their priority will be to manage player wellness policies and procedures listed below before supporting individual player needs.
PLAYER CONCUSSION POLICY AND PROCEDURE
Nordic Cup and Nordic Soccer Club has aligned itself with Vermont Soccer Association and US Youth Soccer for Concussion procedures. Parents and players are required to follow this procedure.
A player who might have endured a concussion will be required to report to the Player Wellness Tent for an assessment from a certified Athletic Trainer. Players can be requested to report to the Wellness Tent by their coach, field marshal, or referees. The player(s) are required to bring their player card and is to be accompanied by an adult: parent, team manager, coach, or assistant coach. If the player is assessed to be concussed, the ATC will keep the player card until the team manager or the head coach of that team can pick it up. ATC will give the player card to the team manager or head coach with instruction that player will not be eligible until further notice and has completed the return to play protocol (cleared by ATC or medical note from a doctor). The ATC will notify the Nordic Cup Tournament Director of the concussed player. The Tournament Director will notify the site coordinator to ensure that the concussed player does not participate. Any coach who intentionally allows an identified concussed player to participate without prior proper medical clearance, may be sanctioned by the Nordic Cup Tournament Director. The Tournament Director has final say on whether a player can return to play or not (supersedes medical note).
INCLEMENT WEATHER
In the case of inclement weather, every attempt will be made to play all scheduled games in the tournament. At the sole discretion of the Tournament Director and Committee, some games may be declared a 0-0 tie and not be made up. The following priority will be given to games needing to be made up:
1. Teams that have not yet played a game in the tournament
2. Teams that have only played one game in the tournament
3. Games that will have a material impact on the final standings; however, all play is considered final even if games cannot be scheduled for a makeup.
4. All other games
If inclement weather affects a game and it is rescheduled by the tournament, the time and field location then becomes final. Failure to play the game will result in a forfeit.
If a game must be stopped before halftime, the Tournament Director and Committee will rule on its rescheduling or other resolution. Such a game may be temporarily halted or recommenced, picking up where play was halted. Regardless of weather conditions, it is the responsibility of all affected teams to monitor the status of their games (via the tournament website) and to appear with their team ready to play as scheduled by the Tournament Director if games are recommenced. The referee, Tournament Director, or field marshal may postpone any game. Once the decision is made to cancel a game, that decision is final. Teams that continue to play may be suspended from tournament. In all cases, the Tournament reserves the right to abbreviate or shorten all games in order to adjust to weather or other complications that may occur.
When play is resumed the scheduled game closest to the time play is to resume will begin. For example, if play is stopped at 2:50pm and restarted at 5:20pm the teams scheduled to play closest to 5:20pm will play, NOT the teams scheduled to play at 2:50pm. Every attempt will be made to make up the 2:50pm game at a later date and or time. All decisions made by the Tournament Director and the Committee will be final.
LIGHTNING POLICY AND PROCEDURE
https://usys-assets.ae-admin.com/assets/980/15/VERMONT SOCCER ASSOCIATION LIGHTNING POLICY.pdf
Nordic Cup and Nordic Soccer Club has aligned itself with Vermont Soccer Association on lightening procedures. Parents and players are required to follow this procedure. The Athletic Trainer at each site shall monitor the weather and decide when to “clear the fields.” The ATC will collaborate with the Tournament Director, Site Coordinators, Fields Marshals, and Referees. When a decision has been made to “clear the fields,” all players, parents, spectators, team managers, and coaches must vacate the fields and return to the parking lot to their vehicles. The Tournament Director and Site Coordinators will make every attempt to keep our tournament cliental updated verbally, and through email. Teams refusing to “clear the fields” and following instruction may be sanctioned by the Tournament Director.
HEAT GUIDELINES
https://usys-assets.ae-admin.com/assets/980/15/Heat_Guidelines.pdf
Nordic Cup and Nordic Soccer Club has aligned itself with USA Soccer Heat Guidelines. Parents and players are required to follow these guidelines. The Athletic Trainer at each site shall monitor the heat index. The ATC will collaborate with the Tournament Director, Site Coordinators, Fields Marshals, and Referees. The Tournament Director may impose a mandatory water break half way through each half. This is a two-minute water break and the game clock will be running (time not to be added on). If a decision has been made to “clear the fields” because of excessive heat, all players, parents, spectators, team managers, and coaches must vacate the fields and return to the parking lot to their vehicles. The Tournament Director and Site Coordinators will make every attempt to keep our tournament cliental updated verbally, and through email. Teams refusing to “clear the fields” and following instruction maybe sanctioned by the Tournament Director.
COLD WEATHER GUIDELINES
https://usys-assets.ae-admin.com/assets/980/15/Cold_Weather_Guidelines.pdf
Nordic Cup and Nordic Soccer Club has aligned itself with USA Soccer Cold Weather Guidelines. Parents and players are required to follow this guideline. The Athletic Trainer at each site shall monitor the temperature and wind chill. The ATC will collaborate with the Tournament Director, Site Coordinators, Fields Marshals, and Referees. If a decision has been made to “clear the fields” because of cold temperatures, all players, parents, spectators, team managers, and coaches must vacate the fields and return to the parking lot to their vehicles. The Tournament Director and Site Coordinators will make every attempt to keep our tournament cliental updated verbally, and through email. Teams refusing to “clear the fields” and following instruction maybe sanctioned by the Tournament Director.
SUBSTITUTIONS.
Eligible players from the roster shall be allowed to substitute for players on the field subject to permission and signal by the referee. Substitutions may be made at any stoppage of play subject to the Referee's Discretion. Less than 2 minutes of play remaining in the game it will solely be up to the Referee's Discretion. In the event of a cautioning, only the player(s) cautioned may be substituted for, (not mandatory): opposing team is entitled to a like number of substitutions at that time. In the event of injury, both teams may substitute freely.
MAXIMUM GOAL DIFFERENTIAL.
For qualifying games, in the event of a strongly one-sided game, the maximum goal differential that will be recorded will be 5 goals even if the margin of victory was greater than 5 goals.
FORFEITS.
All teams are expected to be at the appropriate field at the time when they are scheduled to play. In the event of a team not appearing at the scheduled time, a 5-0 win may be awarded to the opponent after consultation with, and at the discretion of, the Referee and Tournament Committee. All decisions of these committees are final. Any team that does not play all 3 games will be ineligible for the playoffs. (In other words, even if you qualify for the playoffs after two games, you still need to play your third game).
GUEST TEAMS.
The Tournament may accept a team as a “Guest Team” to fill a late vacancy in a Division/Pool. Guest Teams cannot advance out of Bracket. Guest Team game results are predetermined to be a 5-0 win against the Guest Team.
TOURNAMENT COMPETITION AND ORGANIZATION DETERMINING WINNERS.
Teams will be awarded points on the following basis:
Six (6) points for each Win
Three (3) points for each Tie
Zero (0) points for each Loss
One (1) point for each goal scored (maximum 5 per game)
One (1) point for each shutout (including 0-0 matches)
At the end of a preliminary round, the group placements shall be determined by the number of points earned in preliminary matches. In the event of a tie within a group, the following criteria shall be used to determine final group placements, used in order, until the tie is broken:
1. Head to head competition.
2. Most wins.
3. Goal Differential (maximum (5) per game)
4. Goals For (maximum (5) per game)
5. Goals Against (maximum (5) per game)
6. Record against common opponent ranked in highest order
7. Flip of a coin.
Placement of group winners (U16-U19) and determination for playoff rounds (only U11-U15 teams) shall be determined by the same criteria. Where teams are in different groups, or did not play each other, #1 above will obviously not apply. In the event of a tie between three or more teams, #1 above will only be considered if all three teams played each other. The Tournament Director, acting within the parameters of these rules, will determine the teams to advance to the final rounds or determine the champion of that group.
Playoff Format
Should a playoff game remain a draw after the end of regular play, a five-minute sudden victory overtime will be played. If a winner has not been determined, FIFA penalty kicks will be taken to determine the winner. The best of five penalty kicks taken alternately by each team will determine the winner. Only those players on the field at the end of the game may compete. If the penalty kick score is tied at the end of the five kicks, the teams will continue to take penalty kicks alternately until there is a winner. All players on the field must kick before any player may kick a second time.
U10 Age Group
This age group will be a jamboree format. Each team is guaranteed 4 matches. There will not be playoffs or a group winner. Participation medals can be pick up at the headquarters tent at your venue.
AWARDS
U16-U19 Age Groups
Group winners by points will be determined group champions. Teams may pick up their championship medals and plaque at the group venue played at.
U11-U15 Age Groups
Winners of the finals may pick up their championship medal and plaques at the conclusion of the championship match at the headquarters tent of the finals.
U10 Age Group
This will be in jamboree format. All participants should report to the headquarters tent at their venue on Saturday or Sunday with their Coach to receive their participation medals.
UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
A player’s uniform will consist of a shirt, shorts, socks, shin guards, and footwear. Team uniform shirts must have a number on the back. Each player shall have a different number and this number must be the same as listed on the official tournament roster.
The home team is the first team listed on the schedule. Goalkeepers shall wear colors that distinguish them from the other players on both teams as well as the referee.
GAME BALL.
The tournament will supply one game ball at each field. The HOME team should also be prepared to supply 1 FIFA approved game ball each if the tournament game ball is lost or misplaced.
GOAL SIZE
U10: 6.5’X12’, U11-U12: 6.5’X18.5’, U13-U19: 8’X24’
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 complex area. All coaches have total responsibility for the conduct of their players, substitutes, friends, and spectators at all times.
TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR AND COMMITTEE
In the event of conditions beyond the Tournament Committee's control, final decisions with respect to game cancellations, shortenings, or terminations shall lie solely with the Tournament Director and Committee. The Tournament Director and Committee, in conjunction with the Referees' Committee, reserves the right to change field assignments. In addition, the Tournament Director and Committee reserves the right to change sectional and divisional assignments in the interest of fair and balanced competition.
PROTESTS
No protests will be considered.
REFUND POLICY
Nordic Soccer Club charges a $25 administrative fee on any refund
• If a team withdraws after registration/applying for the Nordic Cup Tournament prior to or on May 3rd, the team will receive a 50% refund minus the $25 administrative fee.
• If a team withdraws after registration/applying for the Nordic Cup Tournament on or after May 3rd, the team is not eligible for a refund.
If the entire tournament is cancelled due to weather prior to your first scheduled match, Nordic Soccer will either partially or fully refund your team once all tournament expenses have been fully covered.
If weather curtails the tournament thereafter, every reasonable attempt will be made to assure teams play at least 2 games but no refunds will be given.
GENERAL PROHIBITIONS
• Alcoholic beverages and smoking are prohibited at any tournament location, including parking areas.
• Noisemakers are not allowed as they interfere in facilitating a fair play event and are a distraction to players.
DISCLAIMER
The Tournament Director, members of the Tournament Committee, Nordic Soccer Club, its members and board of directors, any participating associations, colleges, advertisers, school districts and recreation departments, and related municipalities will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any team, player, or spectator nor will they be held liable for any injury of any player, coach, or spectator that may result from the participation in, or travel to and from the tournament. Each team will be responsible for its own medical and liability insurance. The tournament director and committee reserves the right to decide on all matter pertaining to the conduct and administration of the tournament and their judgment shall be deemed as final.
