Columbia Soccer 11-a-side Rules

Rosters

• A team shall consist of 11 players. Seven (7) players are required to start and continue a game, no more than six (6) of one gender on the field at any given time.
• Primary & backup UNIFORMS shall be like-colored jerseys with permanent numbers on the back (bring a permanent marker :).
• Each team's ROSTER is due 30 minutes before the team’s first game and is limited to 24 players. All names MUST be on the roster.
• There are NO protests, all referee decisions are final. Any player eligibility issues should be brought to the attention of the referee before halftime and will be handled by the referee at halftime.
• A player may play on only one team in the tournament. Players not listed on an official roster may not play on any team.
• The above rules apply for the entire tournament and any violation of these rules will result in game forfeiture.

Game Play

• A team shall consist of 11 players. Seven (7) players are required to start and continue a game, no more than six (6) of one gender on the field at any given time.
• Primary & backup UNIFORMS shall be like-colored jerseys with permanent numbers on the back (bring a permanent marker :).
• Each regulation game is 60 minutes (2 x 25-minute halves).  There is no overtime for regulation games, they will remain tied.
• Playoff games are 50-minutes (2 x 25-minute halves)
• Slide-tackling is allowed in all divisions.
• All goals shall be scored as ONE (1) point.
• A forfeit is awarded if a team is not present to play within 5 minutes of their scheduled game time and the winning team will be awarded a 1-0 score.
• The HOME team, listed first on the schedule, MUST change their jersey in case of any color conflict (as determined by the referee).
• The AWAY team, listed second, MUST provide the game ball. 

Playoff scenario has changed and is as follows:

-          we decided to take the top 2 teams from each of the 3 brackets to increase your playoff chances (50% now)

-          we'll rank these top 2 teams from 3 brackets 1-6 based on points.

-          teams #1 and #2 will have a 1st round bye

-          teams #3,4,5 & 6 will then play a wildcard game just like in the NFL (quick 30-minute games)

-          team #1 will play the winner of #5 vs #6

-          team #2 will play the winner of #3 vs #4

-          teams #7,8,9 & 10 will play a consolation round  (we'll make it so you play a team if possible) 

Penalties

• ‘Hot Head Rule’ - Yellow-carded players MUST sit out for 10 minutes but may be replaced by the same gender.
• The opposing team may also substitute ONE player upon a yellow-card violation (one-for-one).
• RED-Carded players may not be replaced and must sit out for the game in which they're ejected and the team's next scheduled game. Repeat red-carded players will be ejected from the tournament. A team will play short by whichever gender was carded.

Weather

• All games will be played as scheduled unless lightning or other conditions cause the referees or park officials to suspend play.
• Each coach is responsible for notifying his or her team of any weather-delay, which will last 20-minutes.  Play will resume in 20 minutes, please have your team ready to play.
• Unless modified by this set of rules, all games shall be played in accordance with the current F.I.F.A. rules.

Group Standings & Playoffs

• Group standings will be determined as follows: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, zero points for a loss.
• Tie breakers will be determined as follows: (1) Head to head competition, (2) Number of goals scored against, (3) Number of goals scored for, (4) Number of 'shutouts' (games where your team was not scored on), (5) 20-minute mini-game, (6) 5v5 sudden death shootout.
• Bracket winners are eligible for the playoffs. Divisions (like both the rec and int for 2006) with 3 full brackets will have a wildcard team for the 4^th playoff spot in that division. The wildcard team will be selected based on total points, goals against, goals for, and # of shutouts, 20-minute mini-game, sudden-death shootout.
• Playoffs games ending in a tie after 50 minutes of play will go straight to a shootout, no overtime.  The shootout will be a regular 5-vs-5 penalty kick shootout, followed by a sudden death shootout which will continue until a winner is determined. Each coach is responsible for making sure the officials record the last 11 players on the field at the end of regulation play. Only these 11 players may participate in the shootout. Teams may begin with either gender but then MUST alternate genders throughout the entire shootout period (i.e. if #5 was a man, #6 must be a woman).

Awards

• One set of 18 individual awards will be given to the championship team in each division.
• ONE team trophy will be given to the second place team in each division.