Tournament Rules
Looking for Academy Rules? Click here!
1. Laws of the Game
  • All games will be played in accordance with WYSA/USYSA/FIFA laws. Any exceptions are as noted below.
2. Eligibility to Play
  • All players must have been born in the year of their age group classification, unless a player has received an age exemption from his/her team's club and league coordinating body. Players may play in an older age group within the rules of the WYSA.
  • For U8 Academy teams, the maximum roster size is 8. Guest players are not allowed at this age level.
  • For U9 & U10 Academy teams, games will be 7v7 and the maximum roster size is 14. Guest players are not allowed at this age level.
  • For U11 & U12, teams will play 9v9 and the maximum roster size is 16, which may include up to 4 guest players.
  • For U13 through U19 teams, the maximum roster size is 20, which may include up to 4 guest players, however only 18 players may dress for each game. Players ineligible to play must wear a pinnie or some other indicator to show they are not playing in that game.
  • Guest players must have the necessary release form from their respective state association.
  • Teams may use unlimited club pass players, which do not count as guest players.
  • No roster changes will be permitted after registration unless approved by the Tournament Director.
  • All players must have valid USSF/USYUSA Player Passes or rosters. All players must be listed on the official roster form. If your club has player passes, they must be presented to the Field Marshal or referee prior to the start of each game.
  • A Medical Release/Waiver of Liability form is required for all players.
  • A player may only play for one team in the tournament. The Tournament Director may allow exceptions to this rule in rare circumstances.
  • All out-of-state teams must provide official "Permission to Travel" forms.
3. Game Information
  • Teams should be present at the field on which they are to play at least 30 minutes prior to game time. Teams will then check in with a referee at their designated field for the roster and equipment check.
  • There will be NO on field warm-ups. Failure to comply may result in a point penalty, game forfeit or tournament disqualification at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
  • All games will have a 5 minute halftime period.
  • U8 Academy games will have two 20 minute halves and play 4v4.
  • U9 & U10 Academy games will have two 25 minute halves and play 7v7.
  • U11 & U12 games will have two 25 minute halves and play 9v9.
  • U13 through U15 games will have two 30 minute halves and play 11v11.
  • U16 through U19 games will have two 35 minute halves and play 11v11.
  • Game play time may be adjusted, if necessary, by the referee crew to account for inclement weather or other unforeseen events.
  • There will be a coin toss to determine who kicks off and who defends what side. The team which wins the toss decides which goal it will attack in the first half of the match. The other team takes the kick-off to start the match.
  • The team listed first on the schedule is the home team and is required to change jerseys if a color conflict exists.
  • The home team will provide the game ball(s).
  • Both teams will have their bench on one side of the field. Parents and spectators must watch the games from the opposite side of the field across from their team's bench and must stay behind the spectator lines.
4. Wildcard Games
  • Divisions with 7 and 10 teams will have wildcard berths. The wildcard team will be decided after preliminary round play has completed.
  • In a 7-team division, teams will be seeded based on overall points after the preliminary round. The #1 seed will receive a first-round bye and proceed directly to the semi-final round. The quarter-final matchups will be #2 vs #7, #3 vs #6, #4 vs #5. If teams in quarter-final games have previously played each other in the preliminary round, matchups may be changed to avoid repeat games. The 3 winners of the quarter-final games will join the #1 seed in the semi-finals.
  • In a 10-team division the wildcard berth is awarded to the team with the most points that has not won their bracket. The semi-final matchups will be as follows:
    • Bracket A winner vs the wildcard
    • Bracket B winner vs Bracket C winner
    If the wildcard comes from Bracket A, then the semi-final matchups will be as follows:
    • Bracket A winner vs Bracket C winner
    • Bracket B winner vs the wildcard
  • The Tournament Director reserves the right to reassign teams to the quarter-final & semi-final. Match-ups will be at the discretion of the Tournament Director and cannot be negotiated.
5. Uniforms & Equipment
  • Shin guards are required. Socks must be pulled over the shin guards.
  • Casts (soft or hard) are allowed per the following conditions:
    • Hard casts, splints and braces are allowed and are subject to approval by tournament staff. Players with casts, splints or braces must submit a Permission Form prior to that player's first game of the tournament. Tournament staff will need to examine the player's cast, splint or brace. If the tournament staff decides to permit that player to play, they will sign the form and the player will need to present the form to the referee prior to each game.
    • Casts must be padded with closed-cell slow recovery foram no less than 1/2 inch thick.
  • No jewelry or knotted headbands allowed.
  • All players on a team must have the same type of jersey. All jerseys must be tucked in.
  • Jerseys must have a unique number on them.
6. Discipline
  • Players receiving a red card will be suspended for at least one game. Red cards may be issued for violent conduct, violent fouls or abusive language. Player suspensions are at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director.
  • Players receiving two yellow cards in a single game will be issued a red card.
  • All red cards will be reported to the Tournament Director.
  • All red cards will be reported to the state soccer association of the player's team.
  • Substitutions for players receiving red cards will not be permitted.
  • A player receiving 3 yellow cards during the tournament may be suspended for one game.
  • Harassment of officials will not be tolerated. Referees may temporarily stop games or suspend play in the presence of persistent sideline harassment or intimidation. In the case of a game suspension, the Tournament Director will decide the outcome of the game.
  • Coaches are responsible for the conduct of players, parents and spectators at the fields, hotels and other locations for the duration of the tournament. If the Tournament Committee receives complaints regarding conduct of any player or person associated with your team, the Tournament Director may ask any/all people to stay away from the tournament, and/or ask the team to leave the tournament, and/or ban the team from future tournaments.
7. Forfeits/Failure to Show
  • All teams are expected to complete all scheduled games. Any team that fails to show within 10 minutes of posted game time, or leaves the field of play before the end of a game, may be disqualified from the tournament.
  • That team may also be banned from future tournaments and its state association will be advised of its misconduct.
  • A minimum of 7 players constitutes a team for U11 through U19 teams.
  • Once the schedule is released and live on the TeamSnap Tournament app, no refunds will be issued to any teams that withdraw from the tournament for any reason.
8. Substitutions
  • Substitutions may be made prior to a throw-in in favor of your team, prior to a goal kick by either team, following a goal by either team, following an injury to a player from either team or at half time. Substitutions may also be made for your team on the opposing team's throw-in if the opposing team also has a player at the half-way line.
  • A player with blood on the uniform or on the body must be substituted out. The bleeding must be stopped, the injury covered with a bandage, and the uniform must be blood-free before the player may return to play.
9. Tournament Director and Referee Authority
  • All referee decisions are final. No protests are allowed. The Tournament Director has the right to relocate, reschedule, cancel, or reduce the length of any game. Oshkosh United Soccer Club is not responsible for the expenses incurred by any team or individual if the tournament is canceled in whole or part.
  • Referees ensure the safety of all players and the equipment worn by players as laid out in previous rules.
10. Scoring
  • 3 points are awarded for a win, 1 for a tie and 0 for a loss.
  • For teams tied after the preliminary round, tie-breakers are as follows:
    1. Head to head matchups
    2. Most wins
    3. Goal differential (goals scored minus goals allowed -- maximum of 3 per game)
    4. Fewest goals allowed
    5. Most goals scored
    6. Penalty kicks
  • In the event that penalty kicks must be used, USYSA/FIFA rules will be followed. Each team will select 5 players to kick from those that were on the field at the end of regulation. The goalie for the shoot-out must be on the field at the end of regulation. Teams will alternate kicks with the visiting team shooting first. If the score remains tied after 5 kicks, teams will alternate kicks one at a time until a winner is determined. All eligible players must be used before anyone can repeat. Both teams must use the same number of players before anyone can repeat.
  • Quarterfinal, semifinal and championship games that are tied at the end of regulation play will be decided by penalty kicks.
  • Ties in round robin play will remain a tie.
  • A forfeit will result in the winning team being awarded 3-0 win and awarded 3 points.
  • The Tournament Director has the right to change seedings to avoid possible rematches. This will be done at the Tournament Director's discretion.
  • There is no championship game for a 4 or 5 team bracket. The team with most and second most points will determine first and second place.
11. Awards
  • First and second place awards will be presented to players and coaches immediately after the championship game or end of round robin play if no championship game is to be played. If you are in a group of 4 or 5 with no championship game, awards will be handed out to first and second place based on results as they are determined.
  • U8 and U10 Academy players will each receive a participation award with their registration swag bag.
12. Weather/Cancelation Policy
  • The Oshkosh on the Water Soccer Classic is a rain or shine tournament. If a game in progress is suspended due to severe weather, the game will be considered complete if the game has reached half-time.
  • If the entire tournament is canceled, a partial refund will be provided based on expenses that are incurred by the club. The Tournament Committee will have the final say in all refunds.
13. Contact