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Tournament Information

• The tournament is open to all core/alliance teams. Teams will be bracketed accordingly.
• Upper division for alliance players
• Lower division for core players

Tournament Date

• September 6, 2025.

 Playing on Multiple Teams

• No player may be rostered on more than one team.
• If a player is found to have played on two teams in the any division, games played by both teams will be forfeited.

Player Eligibility

• Coaches must provide AYSO Player medical waiver Forms for each player at check-in and at any game for review by tournament officials or referees. Check-in will be an hour before the first scheduled game.
• Each head coach is responsible for assuring the eligibility of all players on his/her team.
• Each AYSO Player entering this tournament must have played in the regular (Core/Alliance) season (current regional season) in that age group/division.

Duration of the Game

• Two-day tournaments: Three 11-minute periods with 2-minute breaks.
• One-day tournaments: Two 12-minute halves with a 2-minute halftime.

Registration

• The number of teams in each division is limited due to field availability

• The Tournament Committee will accept applications from teams in the order they were received, based on the application letter postmark. A team becomes an official tournament entry only after payment of the required registration fee, acceptance of the registration application by the Tournament Registrar or the designated representative and the team coaches meet the minimum Coaching Certification (effective August ’08). Registrations fees may be paid by regional check (recommended not required).

• All teams must be registered on or before August 30, 2025. Registrations will only be accepted after this date if there is an opening in an age division.

• Teams selected for participation will be notified by letter or email prior to the tournament and coach’s packet / schedule distribution.

• Any registered team selected for participation in this tournament that elects not to participate in the tournament will forfeit its entry fee after August 30th if prior notification is not supplied.

• Any team not selected for participation will receive a full refund by letter postmark not later than June 28th, 2025

 COACH ELIGIBILITY

• Coaches need to have appropriate certification for the age-level

• Only certified coaches listed on tournament roster are allowed in the coach’s area during any game.

Number of Players

• Teams must consist of 5 players, one being the goalkeeper. U8 teams may play 6v6.
• Substitutions are on-the-fly, with the exiting player leaving the field before the new player enters.
  
• A team with fewer than 4 players will forfeit the game.

Teams and Roster size

• 8u-19u: 12 players

• If over player limit, all players must be from the original team roster must be preapproved by Tournament Director. In no case will the team roster exceed tournament guidelines (some exceptions will be allowed with Tournament Director approval). A copy of the original team roster must be provided at the time the team submits its tournament application.

• All members of original home roster must be asked to participate prior to asking players from another team to join your team for tournament play

• Participation waiver must be signed by parent and regional commissioner for any player on the original home roster not participating in the tournament if you are adding players to your team. Coaches will need to mail these waivers in with their tournament application.

• Teams discovered to have ineligible Player(s) shall be disqualified from further competition. Previous matches won by a disqualified team will be recorded as a 1-0 win for the opposing team.

SCHEDULING

• All teams will be guaranteed a minimum of three (3) scheduled matches.

• All groupings will be conducted by random draw.

 Player Equipment

• Teams must wear matching colors to differentiate themselves from opponents.
• Shoes and shin guards are prohibited; socks or beach soccer socks are recommended.
• Standardized AYSO beach soccer balls will be used.

 Referees

• Referees have full authority over the game, and their decisions are final.

Conflicts

• In case of a conflict, the game may be stopped, and teams will move to opposite corners until the issue is resolved by the tournament director.

GAME CANCELLATION AND CONTINGENCY PLAN

• Referees are to postpone their match in the event of lightning.

• Tournament Officials will notify the referees in the event of other conditions that may arise that may cause match cancellations, i.e., tornado warnings, heavy rain, hail, lightning etc.

• A match is considered official as soon as the second half begins. Matches must be started promptly. Move quickly if the weather turns bad.

GAME CARDS

• Supplied game cards must be provided before the match by each coach. If the five minute delay rule is broken because of no game card, the offending team will forfeit the game.

• Players should be listed in number order. Coaches are responsible for turning in completed cards, which have been signed by the referee, to the Tournament Official at the main tent at each site. The winning coach must turn in both game cards as soon as possible so that the scoreboard can be updated.

• In the event of a tie, both coaches are to turn in the game cards independently as soon as possible. Failure to turn in cards will result in forfeit of points.

MISCONDUCT

•  If a caution or send-off is given during the match, the Referee will make out a report at the Referee Tent immediately after the match. A misconduct report will be available at the Referee Tent.

• Send-Offs (Ejections) Two yellow card cautions to any one player during the tournament will result in ineligibility for one game.

• That suspension must be served at the next playable match.

• One red-card will eliminate that player from the remainder of the match in which he/she is sent-off and at least one or more games as determined by the Tournament Director and Tournament Referee Committee based on the gravity of the incident. No substitutions can be made for the sent-off player during the match. The Field Marshall and/or Referee will be responsible for removing the sent-off individual’s player medical waiver and/or player ID card and returning it to the referee tent. The coach shall have the responsibility of obtaining a suspended player ID.

• If a coach is ejected (sent-off) from any match, the minimum penalty for an ejection is that he/she shall not be permitted at the immediate next tournament game of his/her team.

Scoring

• Win: 3 points
• Tie: 1 point
• Loss: 0 points

The Start of Play

• A coin flip or “rock, paper, scissors” determines the kickoff team.
• Teams switch sides after halftime, and the opposite team kicks off.

Tie Game

• Ties during regular games stand.
• Ties in semifinals or finals lead to a 3-minute golden goal period, followed by a shootout if necessary.

Shootouts

• Shootouts involve 3 shooters from each team. The team with the most goals after these shots wins.
• If tied after 3 shooters, kicks proceed 1 for 1.
• All rostered players must take a kick before any player may take a second kick.

Offsides

• There are no offsides in beach soccer.

 Kickoffs and Free Kicks

• All free kicks, including corner kicks, are DIRECT.
• Kick-ins and throw-ins from sidelines are INDIRECT.
• Kickoffs are INDIRECT.
• A ball out of bounds on touchlines results in a throw-in or kick-in for the opposing team.
• Teams have 6 seconds to play the ball on a free kick, or possession is forfeited.

Goalkeepers

• Goalkeepers may handle the ball within eight yards of their goal.
• Goalkeepers can handle back-passes.
• Goal kicks must be thrown in; punting is not allowed.
• Goalkeepers cannot score by throwing the ball into the opposition’s goal.

Advancing out of Bracket

• Tie-breakers are determined by:
1. Most points
2. Head-to-head results
3. Goal differential (max +5)
4. Shootout
• In divisions with groups of 5, placement is based on points from 4 guaranteed games. No finals are held.

Free Kicks (Cone Rule)

• Direct Free Kicks are awarded for fouls, taken by the fouled player.
• No walls; opposing players must be at least 5 yards away.
• “No man’s land” is established for defensive end fouls, with players outside this zone until the kick is taken.
• For offensive end fouls, players must be behind or in line with the ball.

Spectators

• All must follow the rules of the beach/park and city where the event is held.

Disputes

• No protests will be entertained/allowed; officials’ decisions are final.

Safety and Fun

• The primary objectives are safety and enjoyment for all.