Summer Challenge Rules, Seeding, Refund & Eligibility Policies
Rules & Warnings:
HS A - U10(10v10) Divisions
Game Operations
11-minute running quarters.
1 minute between quarters
Halftime will be 1 minutes
Counts are in effect 20-10. 20 seconds to cross midfield, and 10 seconds to step it into the box. (HS/U14/U12 Divisions only)
Over and back rule applies.
If a team is stalling they will be forced to keep it in the box on officials discretion
Timeouts: One 30-second timeout per game. Officials will stop the game clock. Timeonts can only be called in the offensive zone or during a dead ball (as per NCAA rules).
Stop/start time in the last 1 minute of the game if the score difference is 3 or less.
Under 2 min if the score difference is 3 or less teams leading will be told to ‘get it in and keep it in the box’. The leading team has 10 seconds to get it in and then must stay in the box at the 2-minute mark.
If tied during Pool Play: go to ‘Sudden Victory’ with 5 min OT. No Timeouts. If Tied after OT period the game will end in a Tie (Pool Play Only)
We will play sudden-death overtime during the playoffs with no clock until a team scores.
If tied in playoffs: There will be no Timeouts permitted in overtime and the overtime period will last until a goal is scored. No stoppages during overtime. (Playoffs Only)
On flag down situation, play continues until the usual stoppage or the defense gains possession For HS/U14/U12. The ball can come out of the restraining box and play continues. If the ball is loose and the fouling team commits a technical foul, it is a time-serving foul. NOTE: Stoppage for U12/U10/U8 divisions on flag down, when the ball hits the ground, NO continuation.
Change of Possession Offside- Ball is re-started at the location whistle is blown.
All penalties are running normal length starting on refs whistle. The referees and scores table keeps running the game clock, penalty clocks and official score.
The field coordinator assists in scores, times, and penalties. The FC sends scores to HQ for Tourney Machine after each game after getting signed confirmation from refs.
Warmup will take place prior, games will start as soon as teams get to the field, delay of game can be called if teams are not ready to go.
Faceoff Rules will be NCAA rules. SNG (Standing, Neutral Grip) ONLY. NO Knee down and No Motorcycle
grip.
No Dive
Mercy rule, if a team is winning by 7 goals or more, the losing team will be awarded the ball after all goals at the Faceoff x.
U8 AND U10 (7v7) DIVISIONS – RULES/INFORMATION
In addition to the items listed above with the following exceptions/clarifications for the U8 and U10 (7v7) divisions are as follows:
7v7 Format (2 mids/2 attack/2 defenders/1 goalie
Modified Field
22 Minute running halves.
1-time out per half. TO's can be called anytime during the game. The clock will stop.
No Counts
Goalkeeper 4-second count will be enforced.
Longest pole is 60” in length (only U10). No more than 4 sticks between 44”-60.” **NO poles at the U8 division.
One step-hit rule applies.
Body contact is allowed. No contact to the neck or head.
Mouth guards, arm pads are required
All penalties will result in the substitution of the player who committed the penalty and the opposing team will receive a fast break at midfield (3v2) all other players will start 10 yards/designated line behind midfield
On a flag down situation, play stops when the ball hits the ground or the defense gains possession.
Faceoff’s after every goal and to start quarters (unless mercy rule is in effect)
Pool Seeding
In the case of ties in the final standings for pool play, the following process will be used until all ties are broken and the seeding process is completed (ties will be broken in rank order beginning with the first procedure).
If more than two teams are tied for a pool or division seed, once one team is removed from the tie, the seeding criteria will revert back to the beginning of the procedure for the remaining teams tied.
Tie Breaker Procedure:
1. Head-to-Head.
2. Record vs Team(s) tied with.
3. Total goals against teams tied with; only games where tied teams played each other.
4. Goal differential teams tied with (goal differential will not exceed +/- 10 per game), only games involving teams tied with.
5. Total goals against common opponents.
6. Goal differential against common opponents (goal differential will not exceed +/- 10 per game).
7. Goals against overall.
8. Goal differential overall.
9. Coin flip.
*Seeding in a 5 or 7-team pool in which the teams do not play everyone, pool seeding will be determined by:
1. Winning percentage
2. Goals against average
Divisional Seeding
Divisional seeding will follow below criteria after pool seeding is determined.
1. Seed in Pool.
2. Overall Record.
3. Goals Against Average.
4. Goal Differential (goal differential will not exceed +/- 10 per game).
5. Coin Flip
*If teams from the same program are scheduled to play in the first round of the non-championship bracket, the Tournament reserves the right to change the seeding.
Only currently registered players for the specific tournament and who agree to the “Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity and Parental Consent AGREEMENT,” may participate in tournament games. It is the coach’s responsibility to ensure all of his team members are registered. The Florida Summer Challenge will notify a coach if a player did not agree to the Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity and Parental Consent AGREEMENT.
Players may play “up” in age/grade groups, but may NOT play “down.”
Any team that forfeits a game during the tournament will be ineligible to compete in any playoff games. The score for any forfeit will be:
10-0 since the greatest Goals Differential is 10
No player may compete, or be rostered, on more than one team in the same division or age group during the tournament unless they are approved by the tournament directors in advance. Any team with a player in violation of this rule will forfeit all games in which the player is known to have competed and therefore, forfeit the opportunity to advance to the playoff round.
Tiebreaker information is available under Game Rules.
Any player, fan or coach ejected from the game will be prohibited from competing in his/her team's next game.
Decisions on the field will be the final ruling. Any fighting or flagrant disrespect toward an official will result in expulsion for the remainder of the tournament. No Exceptions, No Refunds.
Spectators also need to respect the Officials and the Players. Bad behavior will not be tolerated. Should referees or tournament director deem a spectator, player, or coach needs to be removed from the site(s) of the tournament, it will be the responsibility of the coach from the offender’s team to remove the offender from the site(s).
Each field is assigned a Field Timer; the Field Timer will record the score on a scorecard for each game. At the end of each game one referee who officiated the game will sign the scorecard to confirm final score and expulsions. Coaches should check the scorecard on the field if they wish to validate or challenge a score. Any challenges must be made immediately following the game with the Officials and Field Timer, who will contact a tournament administrator to address the issue. Once the scorecard reaches the administration tent the score is considered final.
Weather Policy
In the event of adverse weather or unplayable field conditions, the tournament director reserves the right to:
Reduce game times in order to catch up with schedule.
Finish games before inclement weather arrives, or to preserve field conditions.
Reschedule games, if possible.
Convert tournament to a "festival" format without playoffs or championships to provide the majority of teams the opportunity to play as many games as possible.
Every attempt will be made to update cancellations on the website. However, weather conditions can change rapidly and all teams should be prepared to play as soon as weather and fields are playable. The directors of The Florida Summer Challenge reserve the right to cancel, shorten, or reschedule tournament games due to inclement weather, poor field conditions, or player and fan safety concerns. No refunds will be granted if these actions are necessary. Field directors will communicate game changes. Schedule changes will be available at the Administration Tent and online at www.flsummerchallenge.com
Thunder/Lightning Policy
If thunder or lightning is observed play will be suspended immediately and players and fans will be asked to leave the fields to return to cars. Play will be allowed to resume 20 minutes after the last sound of thunder or sighting of lightning is observed which will be determined by the tournament medical staff. Every attempt will be made to begin subsequent games on time. Subsequent games will begin immediately after preceding games. These games may consist of one 30 minute running time period until games are back on schedule. Once games are back on schedule they will revert to “normal” tournament game time procedures.
Refund Policy
No team will receive a full refund.
No refunds will be issued if the tournament is shortened in part for any reason, including inclement weather or any other "Act of God."
No refunds will be issued for playoff or championship games that are canceled due to weather.
No refund for any team that is removed from the tournament by the tournament director for using illegal players or behavior that requires the team to be removed from the tournament.
The Florida Summer Challenge, its officers, employees, and staff will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any team, club or organization if the tournament is canceled in whole or in part. The Tournament along with local County or school officials reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to the operation of the tournament and its judgment is final.