2023 VDA Super Cup

AGE AND ELIGIBILITY

A.    Games will be played on September 2-3

B.    Participation in the VDA Super Cup is open to accepted teams composed of a maximum of twenty-six (26) players for U13-U19 Teams, a maximum of sixteen (16) players for 11U and 12U.  Players must have been born during, or subsequent to, the divisional year, as defined by US Soccer Guidelines; Player registration cards duly authorized by State/Provincial or National Association will be required as proof of age.

C.   No “house” all-star, recreational, or ODP teams will be permitted to play. Each team accepted must be registered with a National State Association affiliated with the USYS/USSF or national equivalent and must present a valid (2018-2019) State or Provincial roster. Teams that are members of organizations of the United States Soccer Federation but not members of US Youth Soccer (such as AYSO, SAY, US Club Soccer or Super Y Leagues) DO NOT have to have a US Youth Soccer Application To Travel form (although that team’s organization may require that the team have permission). During tournament registration, all teams must present valid 2023-24 player cards, the approved tournament roster, and permission to travel as required.  All player passes MUST be signed by the registrar (for travel passes) or club designee (for rec passes).  A maximum of five (5) guest players may be used on a Tournament Team Roster. However, any team, including a team using guest players, must have no more than a total of twenty (20) players for U-13 through U-19 and a maximum of sixteen (16) for U-11 and U-12 on said game day roster. Guest players must be current USYS/USSF or national equivalent players . Guest players may be recreational players provided they have an authorized 2023-24 player registration card. 

D. Game Day Guidelines will be sent to ALL Coaches & Managers to read and distribute to families and staff. VDA reserves the right to ask spectators to return to their cars at any point if guidelines and protocols are not being followed. Please follow signs as set out on the field.

ROSTERS

Each team shall have a roster properly stamped by its sanctioning organization present at every game and rosters may be inspected at the request/decision of the referee. Rosters submitted at tournament registration shall govern.

Game Day Roster Size

• U13 to U19 (11 v 11) – 20 players
• U11 to U12 (9 v 9) – 16 players

GUEST PLAYERS

A team may use no more than five (5) guest players, which must be submitted by the team on-line registration deadline. Rosters with guest players are limited as follows:

• U13 to U19 teams may not have more than twenty (20) players on their game day roster, which number includes up to five (5) guest players.
• U11 to U12 may not have more than sixteen (16) players on their game day roster, which number includes up to five (5) guest players.

LAWS OF THE GAME

• All games shall be played in accordance with FIFA Laws, except as specifically modified by these rules. 

Heading rules for players U11 and younger

• Whenever the ball strikes a player in the head, play is stopped. The proper restart depends upon whether the player deliberately played the ball with his or her head. If deliberate, the proper restart is an indirect free kick to the opposing team. If this occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. If the play by the head is deemed inadvertent, then the proper restart is a dropped ball.

DIVISIONS, SUB-DIVISIONS and FLIGHTS Divisions:

• The Tournament will make available divisions according to competitive level.  Divisions may be deleted, combined or added at the Tournament Committee’s discretion.
  
• A forfeit shall be recorded as a 3-0 loss.
  
• If a team is the cause for termination of a game, that team will be considered to have forfeited that game.
  

DURATION

The duration of tournament games shall be in accordance with the following:

• 11U-12U -- two 30-minute halves, no overtime period
• 13U-14U -- two 35-minute halves, no over time period
• 15U-19U -- two 40-minute halves, no over time period*
• *15U-19U -- teams that have two scheduled games on one day or is playing an opponent with two scheduled games on one day will play 35-minute halves, no overtime period

Half-time for ALL games will be 5 minutes. All teams will be scheduled to play up to 3 games (this may be altered due to weather or other unexpected issues).    All games will be played with a running clock. The referee may stop the clock for serious injuries or other incidents. The referee is the official timekeeper and therefore all decisions regarding game duration are solely at the referee’s discretion and shall not be protested.  All 11v11 games will have 3 certified referees.  Small-sided games will feature one certified referee in 11U-12U.

GAME DAY INFORMATION, FIELD, AND GAME EQUIPMENT

• Each team for 13U-19U that has more players than the max game day roster of 20 must identify with the referee crew the 20 players participating in the match.  The referee prior to the match may check player identification. The remaining players (listed on the Official Roster but not listed on the Official Game Roster) may sit on the team bench side HOWEVER they may NOT be in uniform.
• Players must wear numbers visible on the back of their uniforms. Teams should not have duplicate numbers.
• Players shall wear shin guards in accordance with FIFA laws.
• No metal cleats will be allowed, and no jewelry will be allowed.
• Casts are permitted with the permission of the referee.
• Where the opposing team’s uniform colors are similar, the designated home team will change colors. The designated home team is listed first on the schedule. HOME Team should wear LIGHT COLOR KITS and the AWAY team should wear DARK COLOR KITS. 
• When requested by the referee, each team must provide a referee assistant.
• A #5 ball is used for U-13 through U-19 play; and a #4 ball is used for U-11 through U-12 play. The tournament will provide game balls at the field.  Players and coaches of both teams will take the same side of the field. All other supporters will take the opposite side. Only three team officials are permitted on the sidelines with their players.

FORMS, DOCUMENTATION and TOURNAMENT HEADQUARTERS

All players must have current Medical Release forms, Player Registration Cards, Team Rosters, and Permission to Travel Forms, if applicable unless otherwise approved by the Tournament Director (tournaments@vdasoccer.org). Acceptable exceptions are players on trial with National Level Programs. This player must be able to provide proof of birth or player card.

REGION 1 TRAVEL

Region I has established the following policy concerning permission to travel when attending US Youth Soccer sanctioned tournaments in Region I.  The purpose of this policy is to make it as simple as possible for the US Youth Soccer Region I teams to travel to tournaments within Region I.

The new policy states that any US Youth Soccer State Association teams within Region I that is accepted into a tournament in Region I do not need permission to travel papers. Permission to Travel is not required in friendly games within Region 1. 

National State Associations in Region I: 

Connecticut Jr Soccer Assn

Delaware Youth Soccer Assn

Eastern New York Youth Soccer Assn

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Assn

Soccer Maine

Maryland Youth Soccer Assn

Massachusetts Youth Soccer Assn 

New Hampshire Soccer Assn

New Jersey Youth Soccer Assn

New York State West Youth Soccer Assn

Pennsylvania West State Soccer Assn

Soccer Rhode Island

Vermont Soccer Assn

Virginia Youth Soccer Assn

West Virginia Soccer Assn 

PROTESTS

Game decisions by referees may not be appealed.  Decisions made by the tournament director involving disputes or protests are final and may not be appealed.

SUBSTITUTIONS

• Unlimited substitutions may be made with the referee’s permission
• After a goal has been made
• At the beginning of the second half of play or prior to the beginning of an overtime period;
• At a goal kick by either team
• Prior to a throw-in when the ball is in possession of the team substituting.  The opposing team may substitute as well if the team in possession is making a substitution.
• Limited substitutions may be made, with the referee’s permission:
• In case of stoppage of play for an injury
• To replace a cautioned player.
• Under no circumstances may substitutions be made (1) on corner kicks

CONDUCT

• Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves within the spirit of the LAW as well as the letter of the LAW. Displays of temper or dissent are cause for ejection from the game and the surrounding field area. Repeated violations may result in the suspension of the team from the tournament as decided by the Tournament Director.
• Players, coaches and team officials ejected from a game by the referee shall be ineligible for the next scheduled game (red card or 2 yellow cards). Ineligible coaches are not permitted at the field; ineligible players may sit on the bench (but not in uniform).
• It is the responsibility of the team’s coach or the person acting in the coach’s behalf to control the conduct of its parents and other spectators. Failure to do so may result in a warning to the coach or the person acting in the coach’s behalf by the referee. If unacceptable conduct continues, the referee may eject the team’s coach, or the person acting in the coach’s behalf, from the game.
• In accordance with the USYSA Tournament Hosting Agreement, all red and yellow cards and other matters involving team conduct will be reported to the home club and State/Provincial Association of the team involved as well as the US Youth Soccer National Office and the US Soccer Federation (foreign teams). There will be no disciplinary action for yellow cards accumulated in different matches during the tournament.
• Artificial noise making devices are prohibited.
• Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not permitted at any of the field sites.

TOURNAMENT WITHDRAWAL POLICY

Teams that withdraw in writing prior to the event registration deadline will be given refunds minus a $75.00 administration fee. No refunds will be guaranteed for teams dropping after the event registration deadline. If a team withdraws after schedules are released (2-4 weeks prior to the event) no refund is given. 

EVENT CANCELLATION

In the event of inclement weather or other circumstances, out of the Tournaments control leading to a Full Event Cancellation, VDA may refund up to a maximum of 75% of the Tournament's Registration Fees.

*The tournament committee reserves the right to make any rule and all changes to policy at any point during the tournament.