DISTRICT IX

Cup Championship Rules & Procedures

Revision: October 19, 2008

A complete copy of these rules in PDF format can be downloaded by right-clicking here.

These rules govern District Cup competition and supercede any other District IX / CYSA rules to the extent that other rules may be inconsistent with these rules.

I. JURISDICTION

The entire District IX Cup Championships shall be under the jurisdiction of the District Cup Coordinator as authorized by the District IX Board of Directors. The Board of Directors reserve the right to any final decision with regard to any and all games played in this competition.

II. DISTRICT CUP COORDINATOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The District Cup Coordinator, with the consent of the District IX Board of Directors, shall set the dates of play and advise the member leagues of those dates.
The District Cup Coordinator shall administer all aspects of running the District IX Cup Championships. Assistants to the Coordinator may be appointed as necessary to facilitate play.

III. HOSTING LEAGUE RESPONSIBILITIES

The host league is responsible for game fields (and/or alternate fields), field marshals, and a contact person. The recommended minimum dimensions for game fields are 100 yards long x 60 yards wide for U12 and U14; 100 yards long x 70 yards wide for U16 and U19. The District Cup Coordinator or the District Commissioner may place games on smaller fields if the use of such fields is necessary for the timely play of the District IX Cup Championships. Fields should be properly marked and ready at game time, with corner flags and nets in good condition. Artificial turf shall be approved on a case-by-case basis for use as a playing surface.
The host league is responsible for providing field marshals for each site. All sites shall have at least one field marshal at all times that teams are in attendance. The responsibilities of the Field Marshal shall include but not necessary be limited to:
1. Crowd control.
2. Enforcement of non-smoking policies.
3. Distribution and collection of games cards from officials.
4. Reporting of scores and the return of completed game cards to the Tournament Center.
5. Acts as a liaison between Cup Officials and the sites.
6. Single contact for Medical help.
7. Shall have a complete working knowledge of these rules and the CYSA Constitution as it applies to these competitions. The Field Marshal shall have the final authority in interpreting same on the field, to be superseded only by the District Commissioner or the District Cup Coordinator.
8. The host league is responsible for providing a Tournament Center, centrally located and properly staffed, to give out scores and information.
The host league is responsible for providing a centralized indoor location, for credentials check-ins on the Friday night prior to Cup play.
The host league is responsible for providing rest room facilities at all locations.
The host league is responsible for providing concessions stands to provide refreshments for players, referees and spectators.
Medical help should be available local ambulance services will usually provide free services and have an ambulance stand by at games. (Not mandatory, but highly recommended)

IV. FINANCES

The entry fee for the District IX Cup Championship will be based on the estimated number of teams willing to attend, referee fees and competition expenses. The determination of the entry fee will be made by the District Commissioner and the District Cup Coordinator. The District IX Board of Directors shall approve the entry fee each year.
Out of the entry fees collected the District will provide:
Awards for the first, second and third place teams in each division (all players and up to 2 coaches per team).
Commemorative pins for all players and up to 2 coaches per team that participate in the District IX Cup Championships.
Payment of all referee fees.
Each league who hosts will be rebated $20 for each team playing at their venues. This rebate shall be used to pay that leagues expenses incurred in running the Cup at their location.
All mailing, copying and other expenses directly related to the operation of the Cup.
Any remaining funds, after all expenses have been paid, shall be transferred to the District's Capital Fund.
All rebates to hosting leagues shall be withheld until all teams entered in competition from that league are paid in full.
Disbursement of funds to the leagues will be made within 30 days following the completion of the Cup. No funds are to be disbursed to leagues failing to complete and file all required paperwork on time or who have not met all their obligations under these rules.

V. DISTRICT IX CUP TEAM ENTRY AND FEES

Each League President shall submit the name of their league champion in each age/gender group along with the names of any other teams that wish to participate in the District IX Cup by the deadline. The final list of accepted teams will be posted within 72 hours of the deadline.
All entry fees shall be paid by league check (or other board approved method) and are due no later than the posted due date. Teams failing to pay may not participate. Personal checks will NOT be accepted.
It is the responsibility of each League to ensure that all District IX Cup Championship fees and fines are paid to the District Cup Coordinator. Leagues with outstanding fees and fines will be ineligible for State Level Cups and / or District Cup play the following year.

VI. DISTRICT IX CUP COMPETITION FORMAT

The District IX Cup Championships are held for boys' and girls' teams in the Under-12, Under-14, Under-16 and Under-19 age groups. Tournament rules provide for separate Division III and Division IV.
No more than 16 possible slots shall exist in any one age/gender/division Cup.
Each affiliated league within District IX, that is in good standing with both District IX and CYSA, shall be allowed to enter at least one team per age/gender group into the District Cup Championships.
If openings exist, each league will be given an opportunity to add a team until the Cup is full. The order of offers to add teams shall be first to the hosting league for that age group, then in reverse order by size (largest league first, second largest next, etc). Each league will be given an opportunity to add one additional team before the offer will be extended a second time to the leagues that previously entered a second team.
Additional slots shall only be offered to fill an age/gender/division to either 8, 12 or 16 teams. If less than 16 slots are filled, then the first 12 will be taken with the other teams being placed on a waiting list.
All Division IV Cups will be seeded by blind draw, with every effort being made to avoid teams from the same league playing in the same flight. Division III Cups will be seeded by their order in the Walt Zinko Playing League 17 days prior to the schedule start of Cup play for Division III.
When sufficient teams are entered, teams participating in District IX Cup Championship flight play will play a minimum of three (3) Preliminary games in a tournament format.
Variations in these rules necessitated by the number of available teams or by extreme weather conditions, can only be approved by the District Commissioner.
Unless a flight becomes invalid do to lack of teams, there will be no rescheduling of games for any reason other than extreme weather.
A minimum of three teams in an age/gender/division group is required to hold a Cup Championship round for that group.
If a total of 5 or less teams enter to play in an age/gender/division group, a single flight (round-robin) format will be used.
When 6 or more teams enter to play in an age/gender/division group, multiple flights will be formed. At no time shall flights have more than 5 teams.
In cases of a single flight in an age/gender/division group, then the team with the highest point total shall be declared the champion.
When more than one flight exists in an age/gender/division group, except as noted below and regardless the number of flights, the two highest point getters in their respective flights shall compete for the championship. The two teams with the second highest point totals in their respective flights shall contend for third place.
When the number of teams entered is 6, two divisions of 3 teams each shall be formed with all teams playing cross flight. The two teams with the highest point total, regardless of flight, will play for the championship and the next two highest point earners shall play for 3rd place.

VII. TEAM FORMATION, ELIGIBILITY AND CREDENTIALS

All teams and players participating in the District IX Cup Championships must be eligible under their respective CYSA state level cup rules.
Teams may play in only one (1) cup competition within the same current seasonal year.
Players may only play on one team in one (1) cup competition within the same current seasonal year.
All teams that play in a CYSA recognized playing league, reside in District IX and register in District IX, shall be considered eligible for District IX Cup play.
Within District IX, the sole Division III playing avenue shall be the appropriate age/gender group of the Walt Zinko Playing League. Division III teams may elect to participate in recognized Division III Playing Leagues outside District IX and remain eligible for District IX Cup play.
Teams may only 'play-up' at the consent of the District Cup Coordinator and the District Commissioner.
The deadline for transfers onto Division 4 teams shall be 24 days prior to the announced start date for that age/gender groups' cup.
The deadline for adds (new players, adults or coaches) and releases shall be fourteen (14) days prior to the announced date for the commencement of cup play, for that age group. All rosters are frozen at that time.
A team official is required to be in attendance at check-ins (credentials).
Teams are required to obtain credentials verification in their home league within ten (10) days of, but no later than 48 hours prior to, the scheduled start date of cup competition for their division. Teams are required to carry the official notice of verification with them to each round of competition. It is the coach's responsibility to ensure that he/she obtains a copy of that verification. No team will be permitted to play without first presenting this verification to the on-site game day cup officials.
Any team, upon checking, that is found to have insufficient credentials to field at least 7 qualified players, shall be disqualified and not allowed to play (see section XII - Fees, Fines and Forfeits for applicable penalties).
Players and team staff must present, prior to each match, a properly completed USYS Member Pass (see CYSA PIM 88-4 for more information).
Teams will be limited to four (4) staff members in the technical area at each match. Prior to Cup play commencing, the head coach will designate the four (4) individuals that will accompany the team throughout the competition. At that time any additional staff passes will be surrendered for the duration of Cup play. Those staff members without passes will be required to refrain from coaching and must remain on the "parent" side of the field and shall have no contact with the team (electronic or physical) during the match.
Medical & Liability Release forms (#1601), with original, inked (not carbon) parent/guardian signatures, must be presented for each player. Photocopy or NCR copies will be accepted only if parent signature is an original.
An original CYSA Roster (goldenrod), displaying the District Stamp, must be presented prior to participating in any round of play.
All questionable credentials shall be held for the District Registrar at the Tournament Center. The official that has been designated by the District Registrar to handle credentials at each site shall be responsible for those credentials and must forward those held credentials to the District Registrar within 24 hours. Any person who has had their credentials withheld, shall be ineligible to participate until being cleared by the District Registrar.

VIII. GAMES

All games will be governed by the CYSA Constitution, Bylaws, General Procedures and Specific Rules and the District IX Administrative Rules and Policies unless the rules of this competition determine otherwise. District IX considers each team that compete in the cup to have read all applicable rules prior to the team's first match and claims of not having read them are not admissible.
In Division IV play, every team shall be expected to play all of their willing and able players half of each match. Team officials are responsible for the implementation of this rule. Those failing to abide by this rule may be subject to disciplinary action by the District Board of Directors.
Where a conflict in jersey color exists the team listed first on the schedule will be required to change.
The team listed first on the schedule shall be deemed the home team and will provide three (3) game balls.
All games will be played as scheduled, unless rescheduled by the District Cup Coordinator. There will be no rescheduling to accommodate individual teams.
In all games, both teams' bench areas will be on the same side of the field and spectator areas will be on the opposite side from the teams. The only participants allowed in the team area are the players and staff who are properly registered with their respective teams. There shall be no coaching from the spectator side of the field. Enforcement to be provided by the field marshal.
Any team that enters the District IX Cup Championship agrees to play WHEREVER and WHENEVER they are assigned to play within District IX boundaries without complaint.
All games will start at the scheduled time. The official game clock shall commence at the scheduled start time of the match, regardless of the teams or referees preparedness to play.
If a referee begins a match that cannot be played to completion in the time remaining, the game will end regardless of balanced halves, at the designated time (total minutes of two halves plus half-time).
If a team has not taken the field with a minimum of seven (7) players at the scheduled time, the game will be forfeited to the team in attendance. If neither team takes the field by the scheduled game time, no points will be awarded to either team. Due to extreme last minute field changes, or unavoidable tournament delays, the referee shall grant additional time, not to exceed sixty (60) minutes, for either team to find the alternate field.
Any player receiving a caution (yellow card) may be substituted immediately. The player may return to the field at the next substitution opportunity.
The appearance of players is a vital extension of the game. Stockings/socks should be correctly worn in the pulled-up position completely covering shin pads or guards. Shirt/jerseys shall be neatly tucked into the player's shorts. The wearing of track suit trousers, long tights, cyclists pants, compression shorts or slide pants in a color that coordinates with the team's color is permissible in inclement weather. The wearing of long sleeve shirts/turtlenecks under the uniform jersey is permitted in adverse weather. All referees are instructed to enforce the uniform rule in all games.
The length of preliminary round games will be determined when all team entries have been confirmed and flights have been set. Championship and Consolation matches shall be played full length.
All ties in the preliminary round shall stand and no extra time shall be played. During overtime, the game will end as soon as one team scores a goal ('Golden Goal'). There shall be no 'half-time' break in overtime, play will stop and teams will switch ends of the fields. Play shall restart with a standard kickoff. In single elimination games, if the teams remain tied at the end of overtime play, then the winner shall be determined by kicks from the penalty spot per FIFA.
No team shall play in excess of the equivalent of two (2) full length matches, for their age group, in one day.

IX. FEES, FINES, AND FORFEITS

Any team that drops from District IX Cup Championship play AFTER they have been confirmed to the District Cup Coordinator, but early enough that a replacement team can be found, may lose their entry fee.
Any team that drops from District IX Cup Championship play, and a replacement team cannot be found, resulting in forfeited games, will lose their entry fee and be fined an amount equal to double the entry fee.
Any team that forfeits a game after the start of the preliminary round will lose their entry fee and be fined an amount triple their entry fee and the coach shall be banned from cup competition for a period of one calendar year.
Any team that is disqualified for insufficient credentials or that forfeits a Championship or Consolation game, will not be allowed to advance to the CYSA Cups, will be fined an amount triple their entry fee and the coach shall be banned from cup competition for a period of one calendar year.
In the event that a team forfeits and/or withdraws during the preliminary round competition, all games involving that team shall not be considered in determining the team that advances.
In the event a team forfeits or withdraws, that team will be declared ineligible for further participation in the District IX Cup Championships.
The District Commissioner may waive the above penalties in cases beyond the control of the offending team.

X. SCORING

In the preliminary rounds of all play, the following point system will be used to determine which teams advance:
3 points for a win
1 point for a tie
0 points for a loss
1 point for each goal (up to 3 maximum)
1 point for each goal not scored (up to 3 maximum)
The total of the points received by both teams must equal nine (9) except in the case of a tie, where the total number of points shall be 8 (4 for each team).
EXAMPLE: a 3-2 victory by Team A
• Team A would receive three (3) points for the win, three (3) points for goals they scored and one (1) point for a goal they did not allow. For a total of seven (7).
• Team B would receive 2 points for goals they scored.
• Seven (7) plus two (2) equal nine (9)
EXAMPLE 2: a 4-0 victory by Team A
• Team A would receive three (3) points for the win, three (3) points for goals they scored and three (3) points for goals they did not allow. For a total of nine (9).
• Team B would receive 0 points.
EXAMPLE 3: a 2-2 tie
• Team A would receive one (1) point for the tie, two (2) points for goals they scored and one (1) point for goals they did not allow. For a total of four (4).
• Team B would receive one (1) point for the tie, two (2) points for goals they scored and one (1) point for goals they did not allow. For a total of four (4).
• Four (4) plus four (4) equal eight (8).
Two (2) points will be deducted from the team's point total for each "Red Card" issued to a player from that team. Additionally, three (3) points will be deducted from the teams' point total for each "Red Card" issued to a team official from that team.
In the event of flights with unequal number of teams, a "Winning Percentage" will be used to compare the finishing order of teams. This number will be calculated by taking the actual points scored by the team in question divided by the total points possible for any team in that team's flight.
If teams are tied in points at the conclusion of the preliminary round, the following tie-breaking procedure will be used to determine which teams advance to the next round:
1. Results of head-to-head competition between teams that are tied.
2. Goal differential (goals scored minus goals allowed to a maximum of four (4) per game)
3. Least goals allowed
4. Most goals scored up to four (4) per game
5. Kicks from the penalty spot per FIFA
Should more than two teams be tied at the end of the preliminary round, the above list of tie-breakers will be used in sequential order until one team is determined to be the winner. The tie-breaking procedure does not revert back to previous tie-breaking criteria after one team has been eliminated.
In the event of a forfeit, the winning team shall receive a 3-0 victory and 9 points. This does not apply to teams that have withdrawn from competition.
In unusual cases, the District Commissioner, with the two coaches consent, may elect to allow teams that are tied at the end of preliminary play to enter overtime.

XI. AWARDS

Participation pins will be given to all rostered players and a maximum of two (2) coaches per team.
The District IX Cup Championship winning coach will be presented the perpetual District IX Cup Championship trophy for their age group for personal display for a period of 11 months. At the end of the 11 months the coach is responsible for returning the perpetual District IX Cup Championship trophy to the District Cup Coordinator or District Commissioner in the same or better condition than when it was received.
Should the cup be destroyed or damaged, while in the custody of the winning team, that team's league shall pay to the District the amount of the replacement cost of the cup, plus the cost of modifications (engraving, etc.) or the amount necessary to effect repairs, whichever is greater. Any league entering teams into this cup play shall be deemed to have assented to this clause.
Individual awards will be presented to the First, Second and Third place teams only.
Individual championship game awards will be presented only to:
Rostered players, up to a maximum of eighteen (18) awards.

XII. REFEREES

All games will be governed by the CYSA Constitution, Bylaws, General Procedures and Specific Rules and the District IX Administrative Rules and Policies unless the rules of this competition determine otherwise.
All officials should be in complete proper uniform.
The official game clock shall commence at the scheduled start time of the match, regardless of teams/referees preparedness to play. Referees shall not add "injury" time to a preliminary game except under the most extenuating circumstances.
Due to extreme last minute field changes, or unavoidable tournament delays, the referee shall grant additional time, not to exceed sixty (60) minutes, for either team to find the alternate field.
Referees will hold the passes, for those players and staff who have been 'sent-off', and turn them in to the on-site PAD Committee for disciplinary action along with a copy of the 'Game and Referee Report' card and a copy of the Referee's 24 hour.
The District Youth Referee Coordinator will assign all officials for District IX Cup Championship finals games.
Three licensed officials shall be assigned to each game. Licensed officials may be used from any league.
Walt Zinko Playing League Game and Referee Report cards or their CYSA equivalent shall be used for all Cup games.
Referees shall be paid at the prevailing rate in the Walt Zinko Playing League (prorated for games of less than full length and rounded up to the nearest half dollar).

XIII. SEND-OFF PROCEDURE & DISCIPLINE

Any team receiving two (2) red cards throughout this competition shall be immediately placed on probationary status. Upon receipt of a third (3) red card, that team shall be eliminated from this competition. All games scheduled for that team, in that round of play, will be considered forfeits.
The District shall have, a Protest, Appeals, Disciplinary (PAD) Committee to determine penalties for red card ejections. Committee decisions shall be communicated to applicable players, coaches or team officials.
Send-offs shall be handled in accordance with CYSA Specific Rules.

XIV. PROTEST AND APPEALS

Referees' judgment calls may not be protested. Only protests of a misapplication of the Laws of the Game will be considered.
In order for a protest of a competition to be valid, the referee must be notified that the game is under protest prior to leaving the field of play. The referee should record protests on game cards and inform the opposing coach.
The protest must be in writing and delivered to the Assistant District Commissioner/District PAD Chairman or his/her representative within 24 hours of the end of the game in question. A $200.00 non-refundable fee must accompany the protest or appeal.
The decision of the District IX PAD Committee shall be forwarded to the coach within 36 hours.
Game results and District IX PAD decisions are non-appealable and will stand. Scheduled District IX Cup Championship games will continue.
A game upon which a protest/appeal is upheld, will be replayed at the earliest possible time prior to the Championship Game. This date will be determined by the Cup Chairman.
There will be no make-up games against teams that have lost during the time of any protest or appeal procedure not filed by or against them.
Suspension penalties that cannot be served in the current season will carry over to the next season.
The Board of Directors may remove from cup competition for cause any team which violates section 3:01:03 of the General Procedures of the CYSA Constitution.
All Protests & Appeals shall be resolved consistent with the schedule of cup play.

XV. RAIN-OUTS

The tournament director at each site will make the final decision on postponement of the tournament due to inclement weather, no later than 6 pm on the Thursday preceding play for that site.
Postponed tournaments will be played from the point of postponement, on the next available weekend, as determined by the District Cup Coordinator.

XVI. AUTHORITY

The District IX Board of Directors reserves the right to change any rule prior to the competition, and such changes will take effect five (5) days after written notification has been mailed to all teams entered/remaining in that competition.
During the competition, questions regarding interpretation of these rules and matters not addressed herein shall be resolved by the District Commissioner or his/her designated representative.