Rules For the 2025 Players Challenge Cup
Division
Boys & Girls born on or after January 1, of the year specified:
2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 2010, 2009, 2008/07 Divisions.
Team Check-in Process & Eligibility
Refer to the Team Check-in Page of the tournament website.
Guest Players
Unlimited loan players are permitted.
Format
2019 thru 2016 Divisions will play 7 v 7
2015 & 2014 Divisions will play 9 v 9
2013 thru 2007/08 Divisions will play 11 v 11
Small Sided Rules
7V7 Divisions
Build out lines.
No Heading allowed.
No Punting is allowed.
9v9 (2015) Divisions
No Build out lines.
No Heading allowed.
Punting is allowed.
9v9 (2014) Divisions
No Build out lines.
Heading is allowed.
Punting is allowed.
Roster Size
2019 thru 2016 (7v7 Division): 14 player max roster. All players may dress and play.
2015 & 2014 (9v9 Division): 16 player max roster. All players may dress and play.
2013 thru 2007/08 (11v11 Division): 22 player max roster. All players may dress and play.
Match Times for Pool Play, Semi-Finals & Finals
All Divisions will play two 30 minute halves.
Tournament Club Pass Rule
Goalkeepers are allowed to participate in more than one team within all age groups, provided that it is age appropriate and strictly in the capacity of a Goalkeeper; they are not eligible to participate as a field player. To do so, a Goalkeeper must be included on the official team roster and listed as "GK" prior to their respective team's first game. It's important to note that no Goalkeeper can be added to the roster after the Roster Freeze deadline.
Field Players are not allowed to participate in more than one team within their own team's age group. However, players are permitted to club pass "up" or "down" if age appropriate between teams outside of their team's age group. To do so, a player must be included on the official team roster prior to their respective team's first game. It's important to note that no players can be added to the roster after the Roster Freeze deadline.
Substitution
Substitution will be allowed during natural stoppage of the match at the referee’s discretion. All divisions, free substitution and re-entry will be allowed.
Choosing Sides:
Silverlakes Soccer Complex & Huntington Beach Sports Complex:
Both teams will be on one side of the field and Spectators on the opposite side of the field designated by the tournament. Spectators must mirror their team on opposite side of the field.
The Home team is the first team listed on the schedule and has choice of field half.
All other Facilities not mentioned above:
Teams will sit on opposite sides of the field. All Spectators from a team will sit on the same side of the field as their team. The Home team is the first team listed on the schedule and has choice of sides.
Player Uniforms
Opponents must wear colors that distinguish them from each other, and also the Referee and the Assistant Referees. It is recommended that the home team wears light uniforms while the away team wears dark uniforms. If there is a conflict in the uniform color, the away team shall change uniforms.
Game Balls
The home team is the team listed first on the official schedule. The home team will furnish three game balls.
Protests
NO PROTESTS WILL BE ALLOWED. Only the Tournament Director can make decisions relating to the interpretation of the Tournament Rules. Inquiries relating to the interpretation of these rules will be resolved with the administrator/coach that are registered with the involved team(s). Individuals may not represent a team if not registered as an administrator/coach with the involved team(s). The Coach or Team Administrator must present their valid ID Card related to questioning rules or when voicing concerns. (The Tournament Director reserves the right resolve conflicts).
Flight Determination
The Tournament Committee will determine the team flight placements for each age division, taking into consideration any requests made by the team. Not every division will have more than one flight.
Player Equipment
The referee’s decision is final concerning whether a player will be permitted to play with their existing equipment and physical condition (knee braces, cast, etc.). No orthopedic (hard) casts, air splints, or metal splints may be worn. Players will be allowed to play in a soft cast at the discretion of the Referee. The Tournament does not have the authority to overrule a referee when it comes to player equipment. This is a US Club Soccer & USYS Sanctioned Rule.
2 Yard Sideline Rule
All spectators must always be at least 2 yards away from the sideline. This rule will be enforced by the Referee Coordinator and Showcase Officials.
Injury Time
There will be no time allowance for injuries. The in-charge referee cannot extend the specified game time.
Tournament Scoring System
3 points for a win
1 point for a tie
0 points for a loss
Qualifying matches ending in a tie will stand. Quarter-final, Semi-final and Final matches ending in a tie will proceed immediately to FIFA penalty kicks to determine a winner.
Standing Tie Breaker
In the event there is a tie in the standing after the qualifying matches or a wild-card determination, the following method will be utilized to resolve the tie:
1. Head to Head Competition
2. Goal Differential (goals scored minus goals allowed)
3. Fewest Goals Allowed
4. Most Goals Scored
5. Most shut-outs (ties included)
6. FIFA Kicks from the Penalty Mark
7. Coin Flip if a team cannot be present to do a Penalty shootout.
If more than two teams are tied at the end of preliminary rounds, the tie breaker criteria list shall be used in order shown to advance or eliminate teams. Once one team advances or is eliminated and if the remaining two teams are still tied, those two teams will then be compared beginning with criterion 1 (Head to Head) to determine ultimate placement. (See different examples below).
Example 1: Three way tie:
Head to Head cancels out since all 3 teams either beat or tied each other. The three teams will then be compared beginning with criterion 2 (Goal Differential) to determine ultimate placement.
Team A Goal Differential +3
Team B Goal Differential +2
Team C Goal Differential +1
In this above example Team A is first place, Team B is second place and Team C is third place.
Example 2: Three way tie:
Head to Head cancels out since all 3 teams either beat or tied each other. The three teams will then be compared beginning with criterion 2 (Goal Differential) to determine placement.
Team A Goal Differential +3
Team B Goal Differential +3
Team C Goal Differential +1
In this above example Team C is Third Place with the lowest Goal Differential. Since Team A and Team B are still tied, those two teams will then be compared beginning with criterion 1 (Head to Head) to determine ultimate placement. In this case, Team A beat Team B in Pool Play. Therefore, Team A is first place, Team B is second place, and Team C is third place.
Example 3: Three way tie:
Head to Head cancels out since all 3 teams either beat or tied each other.
Team A Goal Differential +3
Team B Goal Differential +1
Team C Goal Differential +1
In this above example Team A is in First Place with the Highest Goal Differential. Since Team B and Team C are still tied, those two teams will then be compared beginning with criterion 1 (Head to Head) to determine ultimate placement. In this case, Team B beat Team C in Pool Play. Therefore, Team A is first place, Team B is second place, and Team C is third place.
Playoff Format
Flight of 4 Teams:
Top 2 teams with the most points will advance to the Championship Game.. In the event there is a tie in the standing the Standing Tie Breaker Rules will be utilized to resolve it.
Flight of 5 Teams:
Round Robin- All teams play 4 games total. The team with the most points is Champions. The team with the second highest points is the Finalist. If tied in points, then the standing tie breaker rule will apply.
Flight of 6 Teams:
Top 2 teams with the most points will advance to the Championship Game.. In the event there is a tie in the standing the Standing Tie Breaker Rules will be utilized to resolve it.
Flight of 8 Teams:
1st Place from Group A & Group B will advance to the Championship Game.
Flight of 12 Teams:
Will consist of three (3) Groups of four (4) teams each. Each team will play the other teams in its Group for a total of three (3) preliminary round games.
Teams advancing to the Semi-Finals: The winner of Group A will play Wild card #1 and the winner of Group B will play the winner of Group C. If Wild Card comes from Group A, then it will be winner of Group B vs Wild card and winner of Group A vs Group C. The winners of semifinal games will meet for the Championship.
Award Ceremonies
Both, the Champion and Finalist will receive awards and are both expected to participate in the Award Ceremonies. Any team who does not comply will be reported to the their State Association, League, Club Board of Directors and Club Director of Coaching. We promote good sportsmanship at our event whether you win or lose.
Forfeits/Team Disqualifications
If a team forfeits due to a no show or not having enough players during the preliminary round, the following will apply “Forfeit one-forfeit all”. If a team forfeits in a later round, only that match will be forfeited. If a team doesn’t have their player cards present by the end of the match, only that match will be forfeited. Games will be recorded as a 1-0 victory for the opposing team. Any team that forfeits will be reported to their State Association, Club President and Club Directors.
Grace Period
All matches will have a 5 minutes grace period to appear with at least 7 players (2013 thru 2007/08), 5 players (2019 thru 2014) to avoid a forfeit.
Player/Coach Conduct
Any player receiving a double yellow / red card or coach receiving an ejection shall be ineligible to participate in the remainder of that match, plus that team's following match.
Team Responsibility to Help Prevent Heat Exhaustion
Hydration and cooling supplies:
Bring a cooler stocked with plenty of ice, cold water, and electrolyte drinks (or powders/tablets) to replenish fluids and salts. Include multiple cold towels or sponges for quick cooling during warmups, breaks, and between matches.
Cooling options during play:
Use portable misting fans or spray bottles and/or attachable misters that can be easily added to and removed from your canopy and/or bench area.
Cooling options between games:
We encourage participants and their families to explore cooling options outside the facility if there is not enough cool shaded areas available to safely cool down between games.
Watch for heat exhaustion signs in players at the tournament:
Dizziness or lightheadedness, headache, extreme fatigue or weakness, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, pale or clammy skin, heavy sweating, rapid pulse, confusion or irritability, and fainting or near-fainting. If you see any of these, move the player to shade, loosen restrictive clothing, provide cool fluids (electrolyte drink or water), apply cold towels or a cool mist, monitor closely, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or do not improve within a few minutes, or if there is confusion, vomiting, or fainting.
Water Breaks:
The tournament will incorporate two (2) minute water breaks in the middle of each half with running clock if necessary.
Monitoring:
The tournament will monitor the heat index and conditions continuously and shorten games if needed to protect players
Team communication:
The tournament will communicate any schedule changes, heat advisories, or safety updates promptly via email to the main contacts listed on your team registration.
All of the items listed above are precautionary measures. Participation in this tournament is voluntary. Soccer activities carry inherent risks, including heat-related illness and injuries. Participants agree to follow safety guidelines, hydration requirements, rest breaks, and personal medical instructions. By participating, guardians of participants acknowledge these risks and understand that the organizers provide safety measures but cannot guarantee against all injuries.
Inclement Weather or Unexpected Termination of Play
In the event of inclement weather, which the Tournament Committee deems as being unsafe for the players and/or the fields for competition to continue; or the unexpected termination of the match, the following system for determining the winner will be implemented:
Matches that are at the half time break or in the second half of play will have the score stand.
Matches before the halftime break will be deemed not to have been played and may be postponed and played at a later time or the following day if a field is available. If a field is not available, then a coin flip by the Tournament Director will determine the winner and the score will be reported as 1-0.
Matches may be shortened in order to play all assigned matches. If all assigned matches are unable to be played, awards will be made based on a point system to be determined by the Tournament Committee.
Refund Policy:
- Any team withdrawing before August 1, 2025, will receive a full refund minus $100 processing fee. Any team withdrawing after the August 1, 2025, will not be entitled to a refund unless the tournament is canceled.
- If the Tournament is canceled due to the Inclement Weather prior to the start of competition, teams will be issued partial refunds as determined by the Tournament Committee, after a reasonable amount has been deducted for incurred tournament costs.
- If the Tournament is canceled once it begins, refunds will be issued according to the following schedule:
- Three matches played - No Refund
- Two matches played- $100 Refund
- One match played- $200 Refund