Divisions
Teams will be grouped according to past playing record to make the most competitive divisions possible. The Ohio Galaxies Turf Fest Committee alone determines final placement. The Committee uses many factors when ranking teams including league division and record, past tournament results, etc.

Format
U11 and U12 teams will play 9 v 9 format. U13 -U19 age groups will play 11 v 11. The top division is the Black division followed by Red and White where applicable.

Each team will play a guaranteed 3 games + a possible final.

Game length and ball size
U13 to U19, 60 min. games, with size 5 ball
U11 to U12, 50 min. games, with size 4 ball

Roster Sizes
Team rosters will be limited to 18 players for teams playing the 11 v 11 format (other than allowed by USYSA). Team rosters will be limited to 16 players for teams playing the 9 v 9 format. The Roster submitted at Tournament Registration will be the official Roster for the Tournament and may not be altered. A player may only play for one team.

Guest Players
Unlimited guest players will be allowed per team for all teams. Guest player Rosters should be validated by your state association/country federation (if required by your association). Prior to the start of each game, the Referee shall check that each team has the following: current Federation player and coaches passes, Medical Release forms and approved guest roster (if applicable).

Playing Site
The host site of the events is the state of the art, Athletes in Action Sports Complex, located in Xenia, Ohio (15 miles east of Dayton).  With two full-sized NCAA synthetic turf soccer fields and an interchangeable, fully lit, football/soccer field, the sports complex provides the opportunity to comfortably host the Turf Fest regardless of weather conditions.

Check-In
Team registration and check-in for the Ohio Galaxies Turf Fest will be by ONLINE submission only. You can upload your registration forms by login into your Got Sport account.

Laws of the game: 
International Rules (FIFA/USSF) apply with the following exceptions:
1. Players must be at the half way line.
2. Players must be given permission from the referee to enter the field. Substitution is allowed by:
· The team in possession of the ball prior to a throw in
· The team not in possession of the ball prior to a throw in if the team in possession is substituting
· Both teams, prior to a goal kick
· Both teams, after a goal
· Both teams, after an injury when the referee stops play
· Both teams, at half time
Both teams, after a caution, if the caution player is substituted

The opposing team must be at least eight (8) yards from the ball until it is in play during a free kick in the U11 through U12 divisions.

Forfeits:
Failure to complete a match, or a team leaving the field during play, will result in forfeiture. The team winning by forfeit will be awarded one goal, or remaining team will have the score recorded at the time of walk off (whichever is higher). The opponent’s score will be zero. This score will be the official score in case goal differential is necessary. The Tournament Officials reserve the right to decide all matters concerning a forfeit. A team must have 7 eligible players to start a game for 11v11 and 5 for 9v9. A team will be required to forfeit if they do not have the minimum number of players 5 minutes after the scheduled start time of the match.

Score:
Scores will be posted as quickly as possible on the website. Coaches should report any discrepancies to Headquarters prior to their next game. Scores are reported to Headquarters by the Field Marshal and Referee game card.

Tie breakers in semi final and final games:
If the score is tied after the end of regulation, kicks from the penalty mark will follow. (see definition below). No overtime will be played.

Kicks from the Penalty Mark:
Only players on the field at the end of the game will be eligible for kicks from the Penalty Mark. A coin flip will determine who will go first, visiting team calls. Five kickers per team, alternating kicks per team. The most goals scored after five kicks for each team wins the game. If the score remains tied, teams will alternate shooters until there is an unmatched goal between the teams. After all eligible players on the field of play have taken kicks, teams will start with their first kickers again and in the same order.

Standings:
Each team will be awarded three points for a win, one point for a tie and no points for a loss. 1 point will be awarded for a clean sheet and 1 for each goal scored (up to 3 points max). In the event of ties in the group standing, the following procedure will determine the group winner:

1. Winner of the game played between the tied teams. If three or more teams are tied for the lead, go to step 2.
2. Highest number of total NET goals (goal differential). Maximum goal differential per game is three (3). For example, for a score of 4-1, goal differential is 3 for the winner and –3 for the loser. For a score of 6-2, goal differential is 3 and –3 as above.
3. Most goals scored (max goals is 5 per game)
4. Fewest total goals allowed (gross).
5. Kicks from the Penalty Mark (FIFA laws of game, see definition below).

In a Division that only has one group (such as a four team division), the top two teams will play for the Championship. In a 3 way tie, tie breakers are followed from step 2 to 4 until all advancing teams are determined.
Ties will be resolved using the above procedure.

Standards of Conduct & Discipline:
Disciplinary action taken against a coach will be levied in the next game in which he/she coaches the team playing at the time of the original infraction, or to the next game coached if the violation occurred during the last game for that team. If additional behavior problems occur, the Directors reserve the right to levy additional discipline up to and including expulsion from the Tournament.

A. There shall be no dissent between players and/or coaches and the referee. Questioning a referee is considered dissent. All coaches are responsible for the actions of his or her spectators, specifically verbal abuse of referees. Such abuse will not be tolerated! Violation may result in forfeiture of the game and/or expulsion from further play.

B. Any player or coach ejected from a game will be ineligible to participate in the next scheduled game (a minimum of one game suspension depending upon the severity of the offense). The player/coach pass is to be turned in to the referee headquarters immediately following the initial suspension game. If dismissed in the last game, the card will be returned to the coach unless it was for assault, fighting or spitting in which case it will be returned to the appropriate state association. Records of all dismissals will be sent to the appropriate association.

C. Spectators may be ejected from the park for improper conduct, at the discretion of the tournament officials. Artificial noise makers are not permitted.

Protests:
No protests will be heard.

General:
1. Coaches are required to bring player cards and medical release forms to every game.
2. If a game is temporarily suspended due to weather problems, field conditions or other situations beyond the tournament’s control, each team involved must check with their site’s tournament headquarters for further instructions. Games interrupted in the first half: (a) if time permits play the full game to completion, (b) if time permits, play to completion of at least the first half and record the score as complete. In the event of bad weather, it may be necessary for the Tournament Committee to change the length of games.
3. The tournament’s co-directors’ interpretation of the foregoing rules/regulations shall be final.

Concussion Law:
In order to protect young athletes, the State of Ohio has passed a concussion law, commonly called the “Return to Play” law. Therefore, all Ohio tournaments are responsible to monitor and track compliance with the concussion training requirements of the Return to Play law. Each coach (head coach and assistants) must receive approved concussion training prior to April 26, 2014. See O.R.C. 3707.511(C) (1).

If a player is believed, by either a coach, referee or tournament official, to exhibit the signs, symptoms or behaviors of concussion during the tournament, that player shall be prohibited from continuing to play that same calendar day and may not play until they have received clearance to “return to play” by a physician (M.D. or D.O.).

For more information please email us at info@ohiogalaxies.com

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