Nordic Cup 2008 Rules
REGISTRATION
State roster, player passes and medical release forms for each player must be presented at
registration. Teams may have no more than 18 players (14 for U12’s). Three guest players will
be permitted as long as they are currently USYSA registered and possess a stamped player
pass card in the correct age group. Permission to travel forms must be received for all teams
traveling from outside the state of Vermont.
A. Ball Size:
U-13 to U-19: Size 5
U-10 to U-12: Size 4
B. Game Duration:
U13 to U-19 (11v11) 2 x 30 min. halves Half time – 5 min.
U-11 to U-12 (8v8) 2 x 25 min. halves Half time - 5 min.
U10 (7v7) 2 x 20 min halves Half time - 10 min.
Game clock will not stop for injuries, subs, late arrivals, etc. No extra time awarded.
C. Substitutions: Unlimited substitution, after a goal, at half-time, on goal kicks, injuries with
permission of referee, start of overtime period, throw-in (possession only). All substitutes
shall be made from the half field line and entrance upon referees signal.
D. Home Team: Team listed first is the designated Home Team and must change jerseys
when the referee determines a conflict to exist.
E. Forfeits: No grace period allowed. The score will be counted 4-0. Game clock will start
even if teams are not on the field at their designated time at the beginning of the 1st or
2nd half.
F. Inclement Weather: The Tournament Rules Committee reserves the right to make the
following changes in the event of inclement weather:
1) Relocate and/or reschedule a match;
2) Change a division structure;
3) Reduce scheduled duration of a match;
4) Cancel a match.
In the event of inclement weather forcing play to be halted and preventing the match
from completing during the scheduled time, the score shall stand if at least one-half of the
match has been completed.
The lightning policy for the tournament is as follows:
At the first visible sign of lightning or sound of thunder (regardless of the estimated
distance from the field) all play will be stopped and players and spectators will be asked to
move to a safe location. For all games that were in progress the game clock will continue
to run. If time runs out and the game was at or past half time when play was stopped the
result at the time of play being stopped will stand. If the game had not reached half time,
the game will be rescheduled or canceled.
Play will not resume until 15 minutes after the last visible lightning or audible thunder
(regardless of the estimated distance from the field). When play is resumed the game
scheduled closest to the time play was resumed will begin.
When play is stopped or resumed due to lightning is at the sole discretion of the referees
and the tournament committee and strict adherence to the above policy will be enforced
by the referees and tournament officials. Personal safety is the number one concern of the
tournament and it will supersede any game situation.
G. Players Equipment: All players must wear shin guards. Splints or casts will be allowed
if appropriately padded (with referees’ permission).
H. Rules for Advancement: Game points - 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points
for a loss. If teams are tied in the standings, the following criteria will be used to determine
the team’s order of finish and/or placement in any subsequent playoffs including Wildcard
draws:
1. Head to Head competition (used only if 2 teams tied);
2. Goal differential (maximum 4 goal difference per game);
3. Fewest goals allowed;
4. Goals scored (maximum 4 per game);
5. FIFA Penalty kicks
When the tiebreaker system is used, the criteria are followed from 1 through 5 until only
one team remains.
I. Game Scores: The referee will turn in scores with game summary. Posting can be
found at Tournament Central (The Essex Tree Farm) and on the official Nordic Cup website
— nordicsoccer.org.
J. Resolving ties in playoff/championship matches: If the match is tied at the end of
regulation time, the teams will be given a five minute rest and then two ten minute Golden
Goal (sudden death) overtime periods will be played. This applies to all age groups. If still
tied after the two overtime periods are completed, the winner will be decided using the
FIFA penalty kick procedure.
K. Divisions: U10s play four games with no playoffs. Each non-U10 team will play 3 qualifying
round matches followed by playoffs as defined. Wildcard is defined as “the team with
the most points who has not qualified for playoffs by winning their group.”
L. Protests: There will be no protests. All officiating decisions are final.
M. Officiating: Qualified officials will referee each game. Most games will be officiated by
a referee and two assistants, although availability of qualified officials might necessitate
use of fewer linesmen at some games played by the youngest age groups.
N. Sideline Behavior: Both teams will sit on the same side of the field. Only coaches and
trainers may stay on the player’s sideline. Harassment of the officials from coaches and
spectators will not be tolerated and is grounds for said person to be ejected from the facility.
O. Ejection: If a player or a coach receives a red card or two yellow cards during a match,
that player or coach will sit out their next match. A coach must leave the field immediately
upon receiving a red card or two yellow cards, and must remain away from the field during
his team’s next match.
P. 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 site/facility.
All individuals responsible for a team and all spectators shall support the referee. Failure to
do so can undermine the referee’s authority and create a hostile environment for players,
coaches, referees, and spectators. Therefore, the Nordic Cup Tournament has adopted the
following rule:
No one is to address the referees during the game.
A. Individuals responsible for a team (coach and assistant coaches)
Exceptions:
During the game:
• Responding to communication initiated by a referee
• Requesting substitutions
• Informing a referee of an emergency situation or safety issue
At halftime or at the conclusion of a game:
• A coach or assistant coach can ask in a polite manner for a referee to explain
a law of the game.
Enforcement:
1st infraction: The referee shall stop the game to remind the coach or assistant
coach of Nordic’s Zero Tolerance Policy.
2nd infraction: The referee shall stop the game to issue a caution to the coach or
assistant and show the Yellow Card.
3rd infraction: The referee shall stop the game to issue an ejection to the coach or
assistant and show the Red Card. The referee shall instruct the coach or assistant to
leave the vicinity of the field. Vicinity of the field is understood to mean out of sight
and sound of the match. If the coach or assistant coach fails to leave the vicinity of
the field, the referee shall abandon the game.
B. Spectators
Exceptions:
During the game:
• When the referee initiates communication
• Informing a referee of an emergency situation or safety issue
Enforcement:
1st infraction: The referee shall stop the game to have the coach remind the
spectator of Nordic’s Zero Tolerance Policy.
2nd infraction: The referee shall stop the game to have the coach inform the
spectator that if there is a subsequent infraction, the spectator shall be ejected or the
referee shall abandon the game.