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Tournament Rules

AGE AND ELIGIBILITY.

Participation in the Liberty Cup Elite Challenge and Liberty Cup Soccerfest is open to accepted teams meeting the roster and age limit of the specified division.   Players must have been born during, or subsequent to, the divisional year. Each team must be registered with a National State Association affiliated with US Youth Soccer or a USSF affiliated league.   U.S Club soccer teams are invited to participate.
 
TEAM CHECK-IN.

TEAM REPRESENTATIVES MUST CHECK-IN THEIR TEAM AT THE MANDATORY REGISTRATION AND TEAM CHECK-IN. The Team Check-In locations and times are available by clicking on the "Team Check-In" Link on the left navigation bar. 

 

Failure to check in will result in automatic disqualification from the Tournament.  At Check-In, we will distribute any schedule changes, validate rosters, and answer questions.

REQUIRED CREDENTIALS.
 
The following credentials are required at team check-in:

1. Team Rosters.  Each team must submit two (2) state or USSF affiliated league approved rosters to the Tournament Registrar at Team Check-In. The Tournament Registrar will validate/stamp the rosters and return one validated copy to the team for use during the tournament to be shown to the field marshal prior to match.  U16 and older teams having greater than 18 players listed on their roster must bring six (6) copies of their roster for validation by the Tournament Registrar.  This is necessary so team officials can modify each game day roster to no more than 18 players.

 

Guest Players.  Teams participating in the Tournament may have up to three (3) guest players.  Teams must have their state or league approval for guest players.

2. Travel Permits.  Teams outside the jurisdiction of the Alabama Youth Soccer Association must have travel permits. U.S Club Soccer teams are not required to obtain a travel permit.

3. Medical Release Forms.  One original Medical Release form for each player on the form provided by your state association or league must be completed and signed by the parent/guardian and, if applicable, notarized.  The Medical Release forms will be checked by the Tournament Registrar at team check-in and will be returned to the team for use in case of medical emergency.

4. Player Release Forms. The parent or guardian of each player on the roster must sign Tournament Player Release form to be submitted to the Tournament Registrar at Team Check-In.  These forms will be retained by the Tournament Registrar.


Tournament Player Release Form

5. Player ID Cards.  Each player must have a Player ID Card with picture.  All Player ID Cards must be laminated and correctly signed.  U.S. Club Player ID Cards are not required to be signed.  All Player ID Cards will be checked against the official team roster during team check-in.
NOTE:  All of the above listed documents and items are required for team registration.  Exceptions cannot be made!  Note also that if the team checks in as a U.S. Club team, all documentation must be U.S. Club team documentation and forms.  If a team checks in as a state affiliated team, all documentation must be the state affiliated documentation and forms.  Mixing and matching of documentation is not permitted.


LAWS OF THE GAME.

The Liberty Cup will follow USYS/FIFA Laws of the Game, except as modified in these Rules.


DURATION OF GAME,

The duration of tournament games shall be in accordance with the following. Current AYSA rules for age eligibility apply.

 

Age Group
Ball Size

Minimum

# Games
Games Length
Roster Size
U10
4
3
50 min.
14 (8v8)*
U11
4
3
50 min.
14 (8v8)*
U12
4
3
50 min.
14 (8v8)*
U13
5
3
60 min.
18 (11v11)
U14
5
3
60 min.
18 (11v11)
U15
5
3
70 min.
18 (11v11)
U16
5
3
70 min.
22 (11v11)**
U17
5
3
80 min.
22 (11v11)**
U18
5
3
80 min.
22 (11v11)**

*Out of state teams may have 16 on roster
**Game day rosters may include no more than 18 players

LIBERTY CUP ELITE CHALLENGE


In semi-finals and wildcard games, proceed directly to Kicks from the Penalty Mark per FIFA. Overtime will be used only in finals. After a five (5) minute rest, teams will play two ten (10) minute halves. If still tied, use Kicks from the Penalty Mark per FIFA.


LIBERTY CUP SOCCERFEST


In semi-finals and wildcard games, proceed directly to Kicks from the Penalty Mark per FIFA. Overtime will be used only in finals.  After a five (5) minute rest, teams will play two five (5) minute halves. If still tied, use Kicks from the Penalty Mark per FIFA.


GAME CHECK-IN PROCEDURES .

At each match, the coach must present to the field marshal 1) the Players ID cards; and 2) a copy of the validated team roster. The field marshal will check the player cards against the roster before the game. The field marshal will hold the validated roster and Player ID cards and will return these items to the coach after the match.


EQUIPMENT.

In accordance with FIFA, teams will wear uniforms and each player will have a unique number on his/her jersey. Home team is the team listed first for the match and must provide an acceptable game ball. When jersey colors are similar, the home team will change jerseys. No jewelry allowed. If long sleeve shirts are worn they must match other players on the same team. The referee will be the final judge of allowable equipment including casts and medical wraps.


SUBSTITUTIONS.

Substitutions shall be unlimited and may be made with the referee’s consent at the following times:


1. Prior to a throw-in for your team.
2. Prior to a goal kick by either team.
3. After a goal by either team.
4. After an injury, only the injured players and an equal number for the opposing team.
5. At half time.
6. For a cautioned player. No substitutions for opposing team.


SCORING SYSTEM.

Division winners will be determined by the point system indicated. At the end of the preliminary round, the division winner shall be the team with the most points in their division. Division winners advance directly to the Finals. In some cases, semi-final and/or wild card games may be required.
Each team will be awarded points as follows:

 

6 points for a win
3 points for a tie
0 points for a loss
1 point for a shutout
1 point per goal, up to a maximum of 3


*Preliminary games decided by penalty kicks (e.g. for inclement weather) will be scored as 1-0 for points determination.


Examples:
2 – 1 gives the winning team 8 points and the losing team 1 point.
0 – 0 gives both teams 4 points.

8 – 2 gives the winning team 9 points and the losing team 2 points.

1 – 0 gives the winning team 8 points and the losing team 0 points.


TIE BREAKING PROCEDURES.

In the event of a tie within a division, the following criteria shall be used to determine the winner.

 

  1. Winner of head to head games
  2. Highest goal difference (goals for minus goals against) max. 3 per game
  3. Most goals scored, max 3 per game
  4. Fewest goals allowed
  5. Most Shutouts
  6. Kicks form the Penalty Mark

 

If a three way tie occurs, use Procedures 1-5 until one team emerges as the winner or one team is eliminated, whichever occurs first.  In the latter instance, start again with Procedure 1 for the remaining two teams.  If all three teams remain tied after Procedure 5 go to Procedure 6.  Use a coin toss to determine the first two opponents.  The  winner will then face the third team.


FAILURE TO SHOW AND FORFEITS.

Match time is forfeit time.  A minimum of 7 players constitutes a team for teams playing in the Elite Challenge.  A minimum of 5 players constitutes a team for teams playing in the Soccerfest. In no case shall a team, which forfeits a game, be declared a division winner or a wild card team.   A forfeit in the preliminary round shall be awarded as 10 points for the win to the opposing team and any other team that the forfeiting team has played or will play.  Deliberate forfeit means expulsion from the tournament.


EJECTIONS.

A player or coach ejected from a match will be barred from further participation in that match and the next succeeding match for that team. (For coaches with multiple teams ejections are only for the team playing at the time of the ejection.)  An ejected coach must leave the field area.  The referee will give the Player’s ID Card to the field marshal who will deliver it to Soccer Central at the Liberty Park Soccer Complex.  Soccer Central will retain the card until the player’s next game or the end of the tournament.  The coach is responsible for retrieving the Player ID Card.


REFEREES.

Matches for the Liberty Cup Elite Challenge will be officiated by three persons, USSF referee teams.  The referees will use the diagonal system of control. 


Mmatches for the Liberty Cup Soccerfest will be officiated by three persons, USSF referee teams.  The referees will use the diagonal system of control.  If two assistant referees are not available, a club linesman may be used.  The only duty of the club linesman is to call ball in and out of bounds. 


PROTESTS.

For the game, all decisions of the referees are final.  No protests are allowed. For the Liberty Cup Tournament, all decisions of the Tournament Director are final.  No protests are allowed.


INCLEMENT WEATHER.

In case of inclement weather, the Tournament Committee will have the authority to change games.  The following may occur:

 

 

•  Relocation or rescheduling of any game(s).

•  Changing the duration of the match(es).

•  Canceling any preliminary game(s).    Cancelled matches may be decided by a shootout.  The game is scored 1 -0 for points determination.

•  Preliminary games terminated by game or tournament officials after one half of play will be considered official as of the termination time.  The game may be considered complete and the score at termination will be final and used for points determination.

 

The Tournament Committee reserves the right to cancel any match or the tournament if playing conditions dictate. In the event of inclement weather, full or partial refunds of tournament entry fees may be made in the discretion of the Tournament Committee.  The decisions of the Tournament Director are final and cannot be appealed. 



TOURNAMENT RULES INTERPRETATION. 

The Tournament Committee interpretation of these rules is final.  The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to the Tournament.