Rules

 

2025_GREAT_LAKES_LABOR_DAY_CHALLENGE_ 3

RULES and REGULATIONS 

Tournament Headquarters: 

ForeverLawn Sports Complex at HOF Village  

2333 17th Street NW 

Canton, Ohio 44708 

Tournament Director   Ed Bernstein  216 781 1010  ed.bernstein@att.net 

SANCTION AND AFFILIATION 

The 2025 GREAT LAKES LABOR DAY CLASSIC is sanctioned by US Club Soccer, an affiliate member of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). US Club Soccer does not  require travel permits but all non-US Club Soccer teams must satisfy their own state travel obligations. 

TOURNAMENT ELIGIBILITY 

US, Canadian and International Competitive Club teams, State/Provincial Select Teams,  Tournament Select Teams and ODP Teams who are registered and in good standing with  their official governing body (USSF or CSA affiliates) will be considered for application to all  of our events. 

U8 THRU U15 COMPETITION 

Open to all USSF, CSA and International affiliated teams. Sanctioning granted by US Club  Soccer which allows competitive competition for all age groups. 

NUMBEROF PLAYERS/FORMATS OFFERED 

U8, U9 and U10 – 7v7 (6+keeper) – Premier and Division 1  

U11 & U12 – 9v9 (8+keeper) – Premier and Division 1  

U13 and up – 11v11 (10+keeper)- Premier and Division 1 

Tournament officials reserve the right to combine flights and/or age groups should the  number of teams entered require such action. 

AGE REQUIREMENTS 

In order to play in a given age category, you must meet the following requirements:

U-09 or 2017	(born between 01/01/17 and 12/31/17)	7v7
U-10 or 2016	(born between 01/01/16 and 12/31/16)	7v7
U-11 or 2015	(born between 01/01/15 and 12/31/15)	9v9
U-12 or 2014	(born between 01/01/14 and 12/31/14)	9v9
U-13 or 2013	(born between 01/01/13 and 12/31/13)	11v11
U-14 or 2012	(born between 01/01/12 and 12/31/12)	11v11
U-15 or 2011	(born between 01/01/11 and 12/31/11)	11v11

ROSTER SIZE 

All age groups – maximum roster size as allowed by your governing organization. Younger  players are allowed to play up an age group as an individual or as an entire team.  Player(s)must be listed on all team rosters participating on. 

7v7- No more than 14 players can be rostered.

9v9- No more than 16 players can be rostered

11v11- No more than 18 players can be rostered

No limit on guest players. Guest players may be any player that is:  a. Age eligible 

1. Is currently affiliated with USSF or CSA and not on your current roster.

Guest player pass card must be issued by same organization as your official team roster. 

TEAM CHECK-IN AND REGISTRATION – Online Only 

Each team is required to upload one copy of an official approved roster. Validated team  player passes are required for each player and coach.. A medical liability/waiver form for  each player and guest player that is on the official tournament roster must be present at  the field. If your governing organization requires guest player/loan forms or permission  to travel/permission to participate, these forms must be uploaded as well. 

In compliance with Ohio HB 143 of the 129^th General Assembly: 

All teams are required to submit a copy of certificate of completion of online concussion  course for ALL adults (coach, manager, team parent(s) who will be present on players  sideline during all tournament matches. 

Three online training courses have been approved by the Ohio Department of Health: 

National Federation of High School Association (NFHS) Concussion In

Sports   https://nfhslearn.com/courses/concussion-in-sports-2

National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) Concussion Training   https://www.nays.org/concussion-training

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Heads Up Concussion in Youth

Sports  Training  https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/training/youth-sports.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/ headsup/youthsports/training/index.html

These are the ONLY concussion training courses that are accepted by ODH and CASA  Tournaments. Certificate of completion must be issued by NFHS, NAYS or CDC. Copies of  certificate are to be submitted to tournament officials at team registration/check in. 

All game times are subject to change, at the discretion of the tournament committee.

GAME PROCEDURES 

All games will be played as follows: 

Age Group	Length of Game	Ball Size
U8, U9, U10 (7v7)	Two 25 minute halves	4
U11 & U12 (9v9)	Two 25 minute halves	4
U13 and Up (11v11)	Two 30 minute halves	5

The first team listed on the schedule will be the home team. 

There could be exceptions, but as a general rule, teams will be on the same side of the

field with the home team on the North/East side and the visiting team on the South/West  side. 

The home team must have an alternate jersey and be prepared to change if, in the opinion  of the referee, there is a color conflict. 

The home team must supply the game ball. 

Teams should warm up in an adjoining area by the field and should be prepared to start  their game on time. 

No warmup on the field 

The minimum number of player necessary to start game: 11v11 is 7 (6+keeper), 9v9 is 6  (5+keeper), 7v7 is 5 (4+keeper) In the case of a team not having the minimum number of  players to field a team or a “no show” by opponent: the game may NOT be called and  declared a forfeit by referee. Referee must consult with assignor and tournament director.  The tournament director is the ONLY official that has authority to declare forfeit. 

COMPETITION FORMAT 

The competition format will be determined by the number of entries per age category. 

The Tournament officials reserve the right to combine age brackets/flights/formats should  the number of teams participating warrant such a move. 

Each team will play three (3) games. (Exception: in event of opponent withdrawing from  tournament or no opponent (TBA), effort will be made to find opponent for a “friendly”  game, but tournament cannot guarantee game.) 

Games scheduled for teams with no opponent (TBA), or in case of opponent forfeit, will be  awarded the win (1-0) and the points (3). 

DETERMINING CHAMPIONS IN EACH GROUP 

All team standings shall be determined by using the following criteria, in order of  importance. 

• Total number of points- each team receives 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 points for a loss. 
• Record head to head (If 3 or more teams are tied, head to head will not be used.) 3) Goal difference- Subtract total goals allowed from total goals scored. Please note:

The  maximum recorded goal difference in any one game shall be four (4) 

• Most goals scored (up to 4 per game)
• Least goals allowed
• Penalty kicks

In event of forfeit, rules 3 and 4 will be placed in a “per game average” 

Official scores/standings, semi-final bracketing and any field changes will be posted  online. 

OVERTIME PERIODS 

During group competition, no overtime will be played. Each team will be awarded one point  for a tie. 

FIFARULES APPLY TO ALL AGES AND FORMATS  

Substitutions may take place at any stoppage provided permission is granted by the referee. 

EJECTIONS 

If, for any reason, a player or coach get ejected from any game (receiving one [1] red card  or two [2] yellow cards) the same player or coach will lose his/her eligibility to further  participate in this game. In addition, they will lose the right to participate in the next  scheduled game. Furthermore, they may lose the right for further participation in the entire  tournament depending on the gravity of the offense. The tournament disciplinary  committee’s decision is FINAL. Foul and abusive language is cause for ejection. 

PROTESTS 

No protests will be heard. All decisions by the Tournament Directors Committee are final.  

WEATHER PROVISIONS 

Games called off in the first half, by the referee or Tournament Director, because of  weather conditions, will be decided as follows: 

1. The team up by two goals or more shall be awarded a win.
2. Score difference of one goal or less will be recorded as a tie.

Games called off during the second half are confirmed complete and will be scored  according to the score at the time the game is called off.

Under no circumstances whatsoever will the Tournament Committee, or hosting  organization, be responsible to any expenses (including the tournament entry fee) incurred  by any team. This includes a situation where tournament or any game(s) is (are) cancelled  in whole or in part. 

FIFA rules will apply to all games, conditions, and situations unless otherwise specified  within these tournament rules. 

ILLEGAL ACTIVITY 

• Any player or spectator found using illegal drugs on premises will be expelled from the  
• Any player who destroys or steals property will be expelled from the tournament. 3) No firearms on premises

REFUND POLICY 

Once accepted into the tournament, no refunds will be granted. If weather conditions or the state of the fields make it impossible to carry out the tournament to its full extent, it is  up to the organizers to make the necessary decisions concerning the arrangement or  cancellation of games for any reason. Fees are non-refundable if games or the tournament  are cancelled for any reason. 

REFEREES 

This tournament will use certified officials for all matches (USSF Rule 3040). 

BLOOD RULE 

Any player who is bleeding and/or has blood on any part of the uniform will be sent off the  field by the referee. A substitution can be made. The player sent off may return once the  bleeding is stopped and/or bandaged. The affected uniform must be cleaned before the  player may re-enter the game. 

SPECTATORS 

Coaches and players will be required to stand on the same side of the field during  competition – limited to three coaches/managers per team. Spectators will be required to  remain on the opposite side of the field. 

NO PETS ARE ALLOWED. 

AWARDS 

Awards will be presented to winners and second place teams for each age group. A  representative of each team finishing 1^st or 2^nd should come to tournament headquarters  (Brick Building) to pick up awards for their teams.