Tournament format and rules - NIKE Cup NY

Age categories:

• U13 boys – born on/after August 1, 1996 (ONLY boys– GCVSA, PDA and Massapequa)
• U15 boys – born on/after August 1, 1994
• U15 girls – born on/after August 1, 1994
• U18 boys – born on/after August 1, 1991
• U18 girls – born on/after August 1, 1991

Tournament format:

• 16 teams per category.
• Teams will be divided into 4 brackets of 4 teams each.
• 64 total teams.
• Each team will play a minimum of 3 (sometimes 2) games.
• Three (sometimes 2) games in the bracket followed by one intermediary/follow up round.
• On Sunday, July 11th quarter finals, semi finals and finals will be played at Metropolitan Oval before the World Cup Final viewing party at 1:30PM EDT.

Tournament rules:

• 4 Players (4v4) and 1 goalkeeper – 5 players on the field at a time.
• Maximum number of players per team is 8 (5 on the field + 3 subs).
• Game length is two 10 minute halves – no half time, teams just switch ends after 10 minutes.
• Open Substitution - subs go in on the fly.
• Field Size: approx. 25 yards wide x 40-45 yards long. 
• Regular size goals. 
• Goalie can only touch ball with his/her hands inside the 6 yard box.
• Kick-ins only for restart - cannot score directly from a kick-in.
• Indirect free kicks only.
• Defenders must be 3 yards from the ball on kick-ins and free kicks.
• 3 Points for a win, 1 for a tie and 0 for a loss. 
• Tie breakers for intermediary rounds and finals: Golden goal (a coin toss will determine who kicks off).
• If a goalie handles the ball with his/her hands outside of the goal keeper box, an indirect kick will be given.
• For all free kicks opposing players needs to be at a distance of 5 yards from the ball.
• In the event of a tie during quarter finals and semi finals (so NOT during bracket/group play), a 5 minute overtime will be played. If teams are still tied after 5 minutes, golden goal rule applies.
• Group Tiebreakers 
  • Head to head match
  • Goal differential
  • Most goals scored
  • Least amount of goals given up
  • Coin toss or draw of lots

PLAYER CREDENTIALS: Laminated player ID cards issued by a US Soccer affiliate or another official form of ID with date of birth on it must be present at check in and available at all matches.

DISPUTES & PROTESTS: Decisions by the referees may not be appealed, and decisions by the entity deciding a protest or dispute are final and may not be appealed. All non-referee disputes will be resolved in person.