Date:

November 22 & 23, 2008

Where:

The Valley Playoffs will be played in the new Brownsville Sports Park.  Exit on Merriman and go east and this will take you to the back of the park.  Concessions will be available at the park.  The City of Brownsville has asked two things – 1) Park on the designated parking areas only, anyone parking on the grass will be towed. 2) Keep the park clean.       

Check In:

Participating teams are required to Check-In at the fields at least one hour prior to their first game.  At this time, teams must present Laminated Passes (ID Cards), and Coaches Kid SAFE Pass for inspection.   

Credentials:

Two coaches per team will be allowed on the Sidelines.  The Coaching Staff must have a 2008 – 09 Kid SAFE Pass (Gold).  Pass need to be worn visibly during the tournament.  All players & Coaches must have valid laminated ID cards with photo, registrar’s signature and player signature.  Players must be listed on the home club official roster in order to compete in games and may only participate on one team.  No guest players are allowed.  Player/Coach passes must be available for inspection by tournament officials or referees at anytime during the event.

Format:

In the U- 9 Girls, will play a round robin format.  The highest and second highest point will play a final match.  In the U- 10 Girls, 2 Brackets of 4 teams.  The top two teams in Bracket B and C will advance into a Semi Final with winners advancing into a finals match.  Round robin games will consist of two 20-minute halves.  Finals consist of two 25-minute halves.  Half time will be 5-minute in length.
           
In the U- 9 Boys Brackets D will consist of four teams and form the Club Champions Groups.  The two highest point teams will play a final match after round robin play.  Brackets E and F will consist of four teams each.  Bracket winners will play against Bracket Runner ups and the winners will advance to the finals.  Round robin games will consist of two 20-minute halves.  Semi-finals and final will consist of two – 25-minute halves.  Half time will be 5-minute in length.

In the U- 10 Boys Brackets G will consist of four teams and form the Club Champions Groups.  The first and second place teams will play a final match after round robin play.  Brackets H and I will consist four teams each.  Bracket winners will play against Bracket Runner ups and the winners will advance to the finals.  Round robin games will consist of two 20-minute halves.  Semi-finals and final will consist of two – 25-minute halves.  Half time will be 5-minute in length. 

In the U-11 Boys, points will determine the bracket winner and runner-up after the round robin play.   The first place team will qualify for the STYSA Western Play-offs to be held in the Corpus Christi on December 6 and 7, 2008.  Round Robin will play 25 Minute Halves

In the U-12 Boys, the top teams will advance to a final match with the winner advancing to the STYSA Western District Play-offs to be held in Corpus Christi on December 6 & 7, 2008.  Round Robin will play 25 Minute Halves.  The final match will play 30 Minute Halves.

Scoring:

   Points are determined by the following system:

• Six (6) points for a win, three (3) points for a tie and zero (0) points for a loss will determine the standings in the round robin. 
• One (1) point will be awarded for each goal scored up to three goals. 
• One (1) point will be awarded for a shut out.
• A win by forfeit results in ten (10) points for the winning team (score 3-0). 
• If two teams have the same number of points at the end of the round robin play, ties will be broken in the following manner:

      winner in head to head competition; then

• The difference between goals scored minus goals allowed with the maximum difference of five goals per game.  Any loss would be scored as zero for the losing team (a score of 7-3 would be scored as +4 for the winning teams and 0 points for the losing teams); then,
1. Total goals allowed (team with fewest goals allowed shall advance; then,
2. The FIFA method of taking penalty kicks for determining the winner in knockout competition.
3. if Semi-Finals and Finals matches are tied at the end of the regulation time, FIFA penalty kicks will determine the winner.  No overtimes will be played. 

Game Time:

Teams are expected to be ready to play prior to game time.  Thereafter, if a team is not present at the time a game is scheduled to start, the game may be declared a forfeit.  Tournament officials will determine forfeits due to late arrival.  The maximum number of players on the field for U-11 & U-12 game is eleven with a minimum of seven.  The maximum number of players for a U- 9 and U- 10 game is eight with a minimum of six.

Playing Time:

Every effort must be made by the coach to play each registered player that is present at least
50% of each game.  If a player is injured or has taken ill, the referee must be advised at the
earliest opportunity.  If a player is present but will not be playing, the referee and opposing
Coach must be notified for the reason. 

Game Ball:

Each team shall furnish a game ball.  U- 9 - U-12 use a size 4 ball.  U-13 uses a size 5 ball.

Home Team:  Teams listed first on the schedule is the home team.  In case of color conflict, the home team will change jerseys, or when requested by the referee or tournament officials. 

Designated Sidelines:

Each team with coach(s) will occupy same sidelines and stay on half side of the field. Spectators will be on the opposite side of the field as their respective team.  There will be no spectator coaching allowed and specifically no coaching done from the spectator sideline or from either goal area.  Check your field map for assignments.

Ejections:

See attached Kid Safe Policy. A player or coach that receives an ejection must immediately leave the game in progress and the immediate area.  Coaches are reminded that a player/coach receiving a red card is not eligible to participate in the next schedule game.  Participation of an ineligible player will result in the forfeiture of any and all games played by player.

Forfeits:

Disciplinary action by the Rio Valley Youth Soccer Association D & P Committee.  If a game is forfeited, the coach and/or club will be fined $ 50.00 per game and subject to further

Score Board:

Tournament Headquarters will have schedules, standings, field locations and any changes.  It is the coach’s responsibility to review for changes during the course of the tournament.  Standings will be updated from the game cards.  Game cards are turned into the Headquarters by the winning team or the home team in case of a tie score.   

Weather:

Every effort will be made to play games even in inclement weather as long as the safety of the players is not a factor.  Stoppage due to weather will be at the referee’s discretion or tournament directors.  The Tournament Officials reserve the right and have the authority to rule on any situation not specifically listed above.