TOURNament rules

1. Tournament Committee

The Committee is responsible for the overall organization of the tournament. All

decisions made by the Committee regarding the interpretation of its rules are final.

2. Team Categories

The maximum number of players allowed to register and play for a team is fourteen

(14).

No player may register or play for more than one team during the tournament.

A boys’ team may include girls, regardless of the category. However, a girls’ team

may not include boys.

3. Player Eligibility

Each player must have a valid Affiliation Card issued by their Federation or

Association. Affiliation cards will be checked during team registration, and the

Committee reserves the right to verify them at any time during the tournament.

Teams can update their player list up to the day of team registration. After this date,

no modifications are allowed.

A team may include up to five (5) players from another club, provided they play in

the same or a lower competition category. All players must meet the maximum age

requirement for the category in which their team is registered.

4. Team Eligibility

All teams must comply with the rules of their respective Federation or Association.

Any team not part of the South Shore Regional Soccer Association (ARSRS) must

present a valid travel permit, which will be verified during registration.

5. Coach Eligibility

A maximum of three (3) coaches and one (1) sports therapist are allowed on the

bench, each possessing an affiliation card issued by their Federation or Association.

All must wear their bracelets to be allowed on the players' bench.

6. Laws of the Game

The 7-a-side and 9-a-side rules of Soccer Québec apply, except as specified in these tournament rules.

7. Referees

The Committee appoints a referee for each match. The referee's authority begins as soon as they enter the field of play.

8. Substitutions

Unlimited substitutions are allowed, with the referee’s approval, in the following

situations:

● Goal kick

● After a goal is scored

● At halftime

● Replacing an injured player

● During a team’s throw-in

If one team makes a substitution, the opposing team may also substitute at

the same time.

9. Ejections

Players (red card) and/or coaches ejected during a match are automatically

suspended for the following match and may be banned from the tournament by the Committee in case of severe issues.

10. Equipment

If, in the referee’s opinion, both teams wear similar colors, the visiting team must

change to an alternate jersey or wear pinnies. Teams must provide their own

alternate jerseys. Goalkeepers must wear a jersey distinguishing them from other

players.

11. Match Balls 

The Organizing Committee provides #4 match balls.

12. Match Duration

All matches will last 35 minutes of continuous play. A six (6) goal differential

automatically ends the match. Teams must arrive 30 minutes before the start of

each match. Failure to appear may result in forfeiture and disqualification.

13. Minimum Number of Players on the Field

U-8 to U-10 categories: 7 players

U-11 / U-12 categories: 9 players

14. Protests

NO PROTESTS ARE ACCEPTED

15. Qualification Rounds

Qualification rounds are played in a “Round Robin” format within groups. If groups have an uneven number of teams, inter-group matches may be played. Points are awarded as follows:

● Regulation win: 3 points

● Penalty shootout win: 2 points

● Penalty shootout loss: 1 point

● Regulation loss: 0 points

● Forfeit: -1 point

If a match ends in a draw, a penalty shootout will decide the winner, with each team

taking one shot until a winner is determined.

If two (2) or more teams have the same points at the end of the qualification rounds,

rankings are determined in this order:

1. Head-to-head results (including penalty shootout outcomes).

2. Most points in matches among tied teams.

3. Best goal differential in matches among tied teams.

4. Best overall goal differential.

5. Fewest goals allowed in all matches.

6. Most goals scored in all matches.

7. Penalty shootout: 3 shots per team.

16. Elimination Rounds

Qualification criteria depend on the number of groups (see the schedule for details).

● For one-group categories, the top two teams play in the final; no

semifinals.

● For two-group categories, the top team from each group advances to the

final; no semifinals.

● For three-group categories, the top team from each group and the best

second-place team advance to the semifinals.

If an elimination match ends in a draw, a penalty shootout immediately

follows:

● Semifinals: One shot per team.

● Finals: Three shots per team.

17. Miscellaneous

During matches, players on the bench must remain seated, except for warming up.

Coaches must also remain seated, except for one coach giving instructions.

Anyone disrupting the match may be removed by the referee or tournament

officials. Teams are responsible for the behavior of their supporters. Referees may

stop a match if supporters, coaches, or players enter the field without permission.

The offending team may forfeit the match and be disqualified. The Committee

reserves the right to expel teams for unsportsmanlike behavior.

18. Organizing Committee, ARSRS, and Soccer Québec Liability

The Organizing Committee, ARSRS, and Soccer Québec are not responsible for theft,

loss, or accidents during the tournament.