2024 Overlea Cup Rules and Regulations

&

FIFA Laws of the Game as Modified for the 2024 Overlea Cup

The 2024 Overlea Cup will be played in accordance with the 2024 Overlea Cup Rules and Regulations and the FIFA Laws of the Game as Modified for the 2024 Overlea Cup.  The decisions of the Tournament Committee and Officals are final.

2024 Overlea Cup Rules and Regulations

1. General
   1. All teams must register within their current season age division and competition level.  Teams that misrepresent themselves will be forfeited out of all trophy competition.
   2. Registrations are through Got Soccer only.  Only checks are accepted for registration fee payment.  Multiple team discounts, when applicable, are only valid when all forms and payment are received within the advertised dates.
   3. All teams must supply an Overlea Cup Roster waiver from listing all players with birth dates and corresponding jersey numbers.  Duplicate jersey numbers are not allowed.  A legal guardian's signature must accompany each player's name.  Proof of age for the tournament may include laminated picture ID cards, birth certificates, passports, or state issued ID cards.
   4. Teams that do not have a roster on file prior to the tournament by the start of the first game will be subject to immediate disqualification from trophy competition.
   5. Teams are allowed a maximum of three (3) guest players provided they do not exceed the roster limits as stated in Section I, J.
   6. There are no refunds.  Any team that withdraws from the tournament will not receive a refund.
   7. If the tournament is cancelled in whole or shortened in part for any reason, including inclement weather or any other 'Act of God', no total refunds will be given; a pro-rated refund credit will be issued per the decision of the tournament committee.
   8. The tournament committee and Overlea Soccer will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any team, club or organization if the tournament is cancelled in whole or in part.  The tournament committee reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to the operation of the tournament and its judgement is final.
   9. No team will be entered or bracketed into the tournament until all fees and registration materials have been received.
   10. Teams are allowed three guest players provided the team remains within the roster maximum permitted:  for 7v7 teams of 14 players, for 9v9 teams of 16 players, and for 11v11 teams of 18 players.  High School Age group teams may carry up to 22 players on the roster but may only dress 18 players for each game.
   11. In the event two teams have the same colored jersey, the home team must change.
2. Eligibility
   1. Girls may play on boys' teams, but boys may not play on girls' teams.
   2. The coach of each team is responsible to have a copy of their roster and valid proof of age for all players listed on the roster.
   3. Tournament rosters are fixed as of the start of the team's first game.
   4. Players may play up in age but never play down.
   5. Players my be rostered on mulitple teams, but may not be rostered on two teams in the same age bracket.  (Example:  A U10 player may play on a team playing in the U10 age group and may also play on team playing in the U12 age group, but may not play on two teams in the U10 age group.
   6. Roster checks may only be requested prior to the start of the game or at half time.  Only the head coach, assistant coach, or manager listed on the team's roster may request a roster check.  A team found to be fielding an illegal player(s) not listed on the approved roster will forfeit the game, and the game will be recorded as a 1-0 loss with no shutout bonus points.  If a team is found to be fielding an illegal player in a Championship game, the team will forfeit the game, and the third place team will be awarded second place in the tournament.
3. Age Determination
   1. Age brackets are established in accordance with F.I.F.A. rules.
4. Inclement Weather
   1. If inclement weather causes the stoppage of a game after one half or more of the game has been played at the time it is stopped, the game shall be considered complete.  If less than one half has been completed, a 0-0 tie will be awarded by the tournament committee.
   2. The site director, in accordance with the referees, shall be the judge(s) of the conditions of the playing fields.
   3. If all games scheduled for the first day of the tournament are cancelled, the tournament committee reserves the right where feasible, to adjust the schedule and time duration of the games to provide all participants with their three guaranteed games.  In the case of the second day of the event being cancelled, final results will be determined using the tie breaking procedures.
   4. Inclement weather information will be posted on the tournament's home page which is accessible from the Overlea Soccer website.
5. Conduct
   1. No spectators are allowed on the field of play or behind the goal areas during a match.  Teams shall take opposite sides of the field from spectators.  Coaching is allowed only from your team’s area of the field, 25 yards from the side of the center linee.
   2. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players, families, and fans.
   3. Teams are responsible to clean up their bench area at the conclusion of each game.  We are guests of the local venue and you are expected to treat the facilities in the same manner that you would like your community to be treated.
   4. The venues are smoke free, alcohol free, and pet free.  No air horns or noisemakers are allowed at any venues.  We appreciate your cooperation.
6. General Rules and Information
   1. Standings will be posted on gotsoccer.com 
   2. All play will be in accordance with F.I.F.A. Laws of the Game as modified for the 2021 Overlea Cup. 
   3. In any preliminary (round robin) game which ends in a tie, there will be no overtime. 
   4. Forfeit time is 10 minutes after scheduled start time.  If the start time is delayed by the preceding game, both teams must be ready to play immediately at the conclusion of the preceding game. 
   5. All decisions of the referees are final and binding and cannot be protested.
7. Scoring
   1. Points are awarded as follows: WIN=3 Points, TIE = 1 Point, SHUTOUT=1 Bonus Point, LOSS= 0 Points
   2. Play-Offs:  In 3, 4 and 5 team brackets the first place team (by point total) will be declared the winner, and the second place team will be declared the runner-up at the end of preliminary play.  In any division with two brackets, the first-place team from each bracket will play in a championship game.  In six team divisions composed of two multiple ages; each team will play the teams in their bracket with one crossover game; with a final game between the 1^st place teams.
   3. Tie Breakers:  If any ties exist in the standings, the following tie-breaker procedures will be followed in the order listed:
      1.  Head-to-Head competition
      2. Goal Differential:  Limit of 3 per game
      3. Goals against: Limit of 3 per game
      4. Goals for: Limit of 3 per game
      5. Penalty Kicks- Teams should be prepared to field five players for tie breaking penalty kicks.  If teams are still tied after the first five penalty kicks the teams will go into a sudden death shootout using the same five shooters until one team scores and the opponent does not.  If a quarter final, semi final, or championship game ends in a tie, two (2) 5-minute sudden death overtime periods will be played and then penalty kicks.
8. Build Line for 7v7 Play
   1. The spirit of this rule is to encourage the U9 and U10 teams to learn how to play the ball forward from the first third. Traditionally keepers have been able to just punt the ball across the midway line which was a detriment to the players learning how to progress the ball forward from defense to mid field to the attackers.
   2. When the goalkeeper has the ball in his/her hands during play, the opposing team must move behind the build-out line until the ball is released from the goalkeeper's possession and crosses the penalty area.
   3. Once the opposing team is behind the build-out line, the goalkeeper can release the ball by passing (NOT dribbling), throwing, or rolling the ball to a teammate who is on his/her side of the build-out line or beyond the build-out line.
   4. The goalkeeper may roll (not bounce) the ball and then pass the ball to a teammate on their side of the build out line.
   5. PUNTS and DROP KICKS are not allowed from the keeper.
   6. After the ball is released from the goalkeeper's possession and crosses the penalty area, the opposing team may cross the build-out line and play resumes as normal.
   7. The goalkeeper releasing the ball from possession or the player taking the goal kick does not have to wait for the opposing players to move behind the build-out line.
   8. The play from the goalkeeper or from the goal kick can be played to a teammate beyond the build-out line.
   9. Goal Kicks, the ball must be kicked and cross the penalty area before the opposing team can cross the build out line to attack the ball.
   10. OFFSIDE
       1. The build-out line shall be used as the line to determine offside. Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build-out line.
       2. Players can be penalized for an offside offense between the build-out line and goal line.

FIFA Laws of the Game

(as Modified for the 2024 Overlea Cup)

Updated August 8, 2023

Law 1:  Field of Play

• Field size for U8-U12 players is reduced for small-sided play 
• U13 and above play on regulation size fields

Law 2:  The Ball

• U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, and U13 play with size 4 soccer balls
• U14 and above play with size 5 soccer balls

Law 3:  Number of Players

• U-8, U-9 & U10 Play 7v7 with maximum of 14 players on the roster
• U-11 & U12 Play 9v9 with maximum of 16 players on the roster
• U13 and Above Play 11v11 with maximum of 18 players on the roster
• All ages are allowed unlimited substitutions but may only substitute on kick-offs, goal kicks, at the beginning of a half or on their own throw-in.  If the opposing team is substituting on their throw in, a team may ‘piggy-back’ substitute.

Law 4:  Player Equipment

• Shin guards worn under the socks are mandatory.
• Cleats are recommended but not required.
• No baseball cleats with a “toe cleat” or metal spikes are allowed.
• Absolutely no Jewelry is permitted during play. Tape over earrings is not permitted even if the earrings are new and may not be removed. If the jewelry may not be removed the player may not play.

Law 5 and Law 6:  The Referee and Assistant Referee

• U8, U-9 and U10 Games are officiated by one referee.
• U-11 and U12 games are officiated by two referees.
• U13 and above games are officiated by two referees.

Law 7:  Duration of the Match

• All matches will consist of two 25-minute halves (running time) with a 5-minute half-time break.

Law 8:  Start and Restart of Play

• The team that wins the coin toss chooses which goal to defend.
• The other team starts play with a kick from the center mark.
• Teams alternate kicks from the center mark to start play at the beginning of each.
• Players may not touch the ball twice at the start of play.
• Goal Kicks – The ball does not have to go outside the goal box before another player can touch the ball.  As soon as the ball is kicked, it can be played by an offense or defensive player.

Law 9:  Ball In and Out of Play

• The ball is in play until it completely crosses over a touchline or a goal line.

Law 10:  Method of Scoring

• A goal is scored when the ball completely crosses over the goal line, between the goal posts and below the crossbar.

Law 11:  Offside

• A player is offside when he/she is in the opponent’s half of the field, nearer the goal than the second to last defender and/or the ball and involved in play.
• Offside will be enforced for matches in all age groups.
• Build Out lines will be used for 7v7 play.

Law 12:  Fouls and Misconduct

• Fouls are classified as either Penal (Contact) or Technical (Non-Contact)
• Penal fouls include tripping, pushing, etc.  Technical fouls include dangerous play and impeding (obstruction)
• Yellow or red cards are administered for fouls committed carelessly or recklessly for all age groups
• Officials have the right to eject from the game (straight red card) or from the playing area any player, coach, manager, or spectator who commits a flagrant offense.
• Any player ejected (straight red carded) from a game may not be replaced for the remainder of that game, and the team must complete the game in a ‘player down’ situation.
• Any player or coach ejected from a game must sit out the team’s next scheduled game.
• ‘Yellow/Red’ card rule is in effect.  Any player receiving two yellow cards during a game will receive an automatic red card and will have to sit out the remainder of the game.  The team is allowed to substitute for the ejected player, and the ejected player will be allowed to play in the team’s next game.
• A player red carded for taunting will receive an automatic Yellow/Red card.

Law 13:  Free Kicks

• Free Kicks are either direct or indirect
• A goal can be scored from a direct free kick
• Indirect kicks must be touched by another player before going in the goal for the score to count
• Free Kicks/Wall – When the defense forms a wall, no players from the offensive team are allowed to be in the wall

Law 14:  Penalty Kick

• Penalty kicks are awarded when the defense commits a direct free kick foul in the penalty area for all age groups

Law 15:  Throw-In

• A throw-in is taken when the ball completely crosses the touchlines (sidelines).
• U-8 players are allowed a second attempt after an illegal throw.  After the second attempt, the opposing team will be awarded a throw-in.

HEADING POLICY:  NO HEADING ALLOWED in games for age groups U11 and younger.