RULES

Modified Indoor/Futsal Rules are designated for the Wildcats Indoor Bash Tournament, as well as the Wildcat Winter Freeze Indoor Tournament, and the tournament committee will administer the rules as stated, but reserves the right to adjust or amend any rules as necessary to accommodate any unforeseen problems or circumstances before and/or during the tournament. All FIFA rules shall apply unless otherwise noted below. 

TEAMS

Teams must check in at least 30 minutes prior to their first game or forfeit the first game. All players must be able to provide verification of birth date AT THE TOURNAMENT (i.e. birth certificate or state-issued identification with birth date on it.)   For mixed-gender age group teams, there must be at least two (2) females on the court at all times.  An approved roster/signed medical release waiver is required.  Without these documents, the player(s) will NOT be allowed to play. If a player who is not properly registered plays in a game, that game will be automatically forfeited to the opposing team. 

In classification of age groups, USSF mandates apply. U8-U14 teams will play four (4) field players and 1 keeper with a roster limit of 10; U16 and older teams will play three (3) field players and 1 keeper with a roster limit of 10. Team must have 4 players to start up to U14 and 3 players to start U15 and above. Violations result in a forfeit. Players must wear matching uniforms/colors with numbers and the keeper must wear a contrasting shirt. In the case of color conflict, the home team must change. Teams are FROZEN at check-in. Players cannot play on more than one team in any one age bracket with a maximum of two teams in the tournament. Teams must have an adult coach or team manager on the sidelines.

FEE PAYMENT AND REFUNDS

Since payment is not required until sign-in for each team, if the tournament is cancelled, there will be no need for refunds.  Also, once a team begins play in the tournament, there will be no refunds issued.

EQUIPMENT

All players must wear shin guards; footwear must be gym shoes or indoor soccer shoes that will not mark the gym floor. Jewelry is not allowed.

OFFSIDE

There will be no offside.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Unlimited—the player leaving the floor must be within 3-5 feet of the substitution area before the replacement player enters the field of play. The player leaving the floor must not be involved in the play of the game during his/her departure from the playing area.  If an advantage is gained by substitute entering early, a Yellow card may be given.

GAME DURATION

Games shall be 17 minutes in length, completed in one period.  Game length may be adjusted to maintain schedule or to compensate for inclement weather. The clock stops only for circumstances determined by the referee.  Teams must be in staging area five (5) minutes before start of game.

START OF GAME

The ball must be played backwards by the home team.  Opponents should be 10 feet on all free kicks.

GOALKEEPER

Keeper must release the ball within five (5) seconds and once the keeper plays the ball after possession, it cannot be picked up again until touched by an opposing player. 

Keepers may not drop kick or punt the ball- No exceptions. 

All goalkeeper throws must touch a player or the playing surface before crossing the half-line. Any one (1) minute penalty assessed against the keeper may be served by another team member on the court. A goal cannot be scored on a throw by the keeper. This will result in a goal kick by the opposing team. Any ball handled by the keeper that was intentionally played back by his own team will result in the attacking team being awarded an indirect free kick from the 3-point penalty arc.

PENALTY KICKS

Shall be taken from the top of the 3-point arc. All players other than the kicker and keeper must be outside and behind or to the side of the penalty mark, at least 10 feet from the mark until the ball has been kicked. The player taking the kick may not play the ball again until it has been touched by another player.

GOAL CLEARANCE

All goal kicks shall be roll-outs from the penalty area. No drop-kicks or punts.  Defenders must remain ten (10) feet from the ball on all free kicks/rolls. Goal kicks must touch a player or the playing surface before crossing the half-line and are indirect. Violations result in an indirect kick for the opposing team. 

Goal Clearance:  Ball must be thrown beyond the penalty box.  Once the keeper releases the ball he/she may not receive it back from a teammate until it crosses the half line or is touched by an opponent.

HIGH KICKS

Kicks that are higher than the top of the basketball backboard are considered a dead ball.  A kick-in will be awarded to the opponent at the closest to point of the infraction.

BALL IN PLAY

The ball is out of play when it strikes the ceiling or any suspended structure, or crosses wholly the goal line or touch line.  Play will resume with either a kick-in or a corner kick.  A goal may not be scored from a kick-in on the touch line.  A goal may be scored on a corner kick.

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

1. Handling the ball in the goal box by the defending team shall result in a penalty kick. 

2. Violent conduct (deliberately striking or kicking a player, or foul or abusive language) shall result in a red card and possible ejection from the tournament at the discretion of the tournament director. 

3. Violation of applicable FIFA rules –unnecessary roughness, deliberately kicking or throwing the ball out of bounds shall result in a red or yellow card. 

4. All yellow cards will result in a one (1) minute penalty with no substitution. Two yellows will result in a red card. 

5. All red cards will result in an ejection from the game with no substitution for 2 minutes. Player will also not be allowed to play in the next game. Two red cards shall result in ejection from the tournament. Red cards shall be at the discretion of the referee. 

6. An opponent scoring a goal cancels any remaining penalty time. 

7. ABSOLUTELY NO slide tackling. Violations will result in an automatic yellow card.

8. Players damaging school property will be ejected from the tournament, and the player's (players')  team will be responsible for paying  to repair the damages and/or replace equipment as deemed necessary by the hosting facility.

SCORING AND STATISTICS

Scoring will be based on the ten (10) point system. Six (6) points for a win, three (3) for a tie, zero (0) for a loss, one (1) for a shutout, and one (1) for each goal scored (maximum of 3).  Forfeits will result in a 1-0 score to the non-forfeiting team.  A 0-0 tie will be scored as a tie only, NOT A SHUTOUT!

Tiebreakers

1.  Head to head competition

2.  Goal differential (max of 3 per game) 

3. Most goals scored (max of 3 per game)

4. Least goals allowed 

5. Least amount of yellow cards (red cards count as 2 yellows) 

6. Coin toss

*If teams are tied in points, the tie breaker rules will apply.

Sudden Death Playoff for Championship games: 

1. 5 minute sudden death playoff (no substitutions).

2. Each team will pull a player after each minute of the game (during a dead ball)

   1. 5 minutes = 5 v 5

   2. 4 minutes = 4 v 4

   3. 3 minutes = 3 v 3

   4. 2 minutes = 2 v 2

   5. 1  minutes = 1 v 1

3. Play is golden goal, first goal scored wins the game

4. At the end of overtime, if the game is tied, a shoot out will occur.

5. Sudden Death Playoffs apply to games that are highlighted and must have a winner.

PROTESTS

This is a "friendly" tournament event, there will be no protests.

*REMEMBER ALL FREE KICKS, KICK-INS, GOAL CLEARANCES, & KEEPER POSSESSION ARE SUBJECT TO THE 5 SEC RULE.   WHEN A RED CARD IS ISSUED, THE REFEREE ON THE BENCH SIDE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 2 MINUTES THAT A TEAM MUST PLAY SHORT. THE 2 MINUTES START WHEN THE BALL IS PUT INTO PLAY. *Ejected players cannot play in the remainder of the current game and the team's next game. Players ejected in two games will be ejected from the tournament. Players damaging school property will be ejected from the tournament, and the player's (players') team will be responsible for paying  to repair the damages and/or replace equipment as deemed necessary by the hosting facility.

OFFICIALS AND ASSIGNING

The assigning of officials for the tournament will be done by Rufus Woodard (certified 2021) and/or Mitch Clark (certified 2021) of the Columbia Soccer Association (or other approved assignor at the discretion of the tournament director).

RISK MANAGEMENT

The tournament director takes sole responsibility for communication in response to weather-related issues, addressing any legal issues involving criminal actions, contacting emergency management services, and reviewing the venue to assure safety and compliance.

• All TSSA team officials must be risk management certified by TSSA and must be able to present their risk management card at any time during the tournament. Team officials from other state associations and/or other organizations must be able to show proof of their organization’s equivalent risk management certification. 

• If weather-related issues occur prior to the start of the tournament, the tournament director will contact local emergency management services determine whether or not it is recommended to cancel the tournament.  If weather conditions present themselves during the tournament detrimental to player/fan safety, the tournament director will, at such time, determine the feasibility of cancelling the remainder of the tournament.  Prorated refunds of team entry fees will be issued in such cases to teams, but not for spectator admission. 

• If a child is reported missing, all entries and exits will be secured, and the tournament director will incorporate the tournament volunteers to perform a search  throughout the complex as able.  normal operations will ensue upon confirmation of the lost child.

• A basic first-aid kit and AED will be on-site in case of injury.  The tournament WAIVES ALL LIABILITY in issues of injury; however, all effort will be made to provide first aid up to, and including, calling 911 and performing basic first aid and CPR if necessary.

• Any player, who is bleeding, regardless of how minor, will not be allowed to play until the bleeding has completely ceased.  

CONCUSSION POLICY

Concussions (and risk of them) are taken very seriously.  All players suspected to have (or diagnosed with) a concussion during the tournament will be required to be withheld from participating in the tournament from that moment for the duration of the tournament.  Final decision will rest with the head of officiating for the tournament with collaboration involving the tournament director and the coach(es) of the player(s).  

All TSSA coaches must be able to provide their CDC Heads-Up Concussion Certification.  All non-TSSA coaches must be able to provide the CDC Heads-Up Concussion certificate or the NFHS Concussion in Sports certificate. Teams must be able to provide the CDC Parent and Athlete Concussion Information Sheet for each player attending the tournament. 

There are NO exceptions to this policy!

CONTACT 

Eric Craig, Tournament Director

(931) 762-3581

Lawrence County School System

1620 Springer Road

Lawrenceburg, TN  38464