Rules

Updated August 25th 2025

Town of Poughkeepsie Soccer Club

37th Annual Columbus Day Weekend Tournament Rules 2025

Town of Poughkeepsie Soccer Club

37th Annual Columbus Day Weekend Tournament Rules 2025

GAME MATCHES: All games throughout the tournament will be started / stopped on the

sound of the horn. Goals scored on plays in motion when the horn ends the match will count.

The tournament timekeeper will be responsible for keeping the times for all games.

REGISTRATION: Each coach must register at least 60 minutes prior to their first game. A

roster, player passes/club passes and medical release forms will be required at Check-in.

GUEST PLAYERS: Up to 3 guest players are allowed on a team. The coach must have the

player pass for the guest player and the player must be on the roster that the coach submitted.

The coach must present a signed guest player form from their league organization at the time of

registration.

Guest players from the same club are unlimited provided the guest players have guest player

release forms and the guests are not playing for another team in the same tournament.

No player can be rostered on more than 1 team in this tournament unless approved by TOPSC

in advance.

SOCCER FIELDS: NO ALCOHOL, PETS or SMOKING - All spectators, players and

coaches are expected to respect the tournament rules, facility rules, and any local applicable

local, state and federal laws. This includes the prohibition of alcohol and any tobacco or

cannabis products from being used, consumed or present at any tournament site. The prohibition

of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis products will be strictly enforced throughout the weekend. Any

violators will be reported to the tournament director. At the discretion of the tournament director

a team shall be subject to expulsion from the tournament based upon fans or parents violating

this policy. The tournament director thanks all fans, parents and participants for their

cooperation.

Pets, alcoholic beverages, the smoking or use of tobacco or cannabis products, and

barbeques/stoves are strictly prohibited on the grounds.

Town of Poughkeepsie local law prohibits dogs or other pets from the town parks therefore,

pets should not be brought to the field.

LIABILITY: Teams participate in the tournament at their own risk. TOPSC, the TOPSC

Tournament Committee and the Town of Poughkeepsie cannot and do not accept liability for any

injuries that may occur as a consequence of playing in the tournament. The act of participation

by a team, player, coach, parent and/or spectator is a release by them of any and all claims

against TOPSC, its members and/or the Town of Poughkeepsie.

ELIGIBILITY CHALLENGES: A coach may challenge the eligibility of a player by notifying

the Referee prior to game conclusion so that the players name and number can be recorded on

the scorecard. The tournament director will then rule on eligibility. Any team using an ineligible

player forfeits any game in which that player has participated and the appropriate League and

State Associations may be notified.

PROTESTS: Protests must be submitted in writing by the registered team coach to the

Tournament Director within Twenty (20) minutes of the conclusion of the game in which the

protest relates. Any protests after said time will be considered at the discretion of the

Tournament Director. All decisions of the Tournament Director are final.

FORFEITS: If a team is not on the field ready to start a match within 10 minutes of game time,

they forfeit the match and the opposing team receives credit for a 3 - 0 victory. No points are

awarded if both teams forfeit. If an accepted team fails to appear at the tournament, there are no

refunds and all games are forfeited.

DISQUALIFICATION: Any team leaving the field prior to completion of a match is

disqualified for the remainder of the tournament. The remainder of their schedule will be

recorded as forfeits.

AWARDS:

First and second place teams from each division U8-U12 will receive trophies, medals or t-shirts

and first place teams from each division U13 and above will receive either trophies, medals or

t-shirts.

STANDINGS: All divisions are round robin play, except where the number of teams dictates

otherwise. Standings are determined on a point system. Teams receive 3 points for a win, 1 point

for a tie and 0 points for loss. No points are deducted for cards issued.

Tie breakers:

1. Head to head,

2. Most wins,

3. Most shutouts,

4. Goals against,

5. Goal differential ( max 3)

6. Penalty shootout.

If a Bracket has a Consolation Game and/or a Championship Game, the Tie Breaker Rules are

not used.

If the championship game is tied, the teams shall bypass overtime periods and go straight to

kicks from the penalty mark. All players shall be eligible to take kicks regardless of whether

they were on the field of play at the end of the game however they all need to be rostered. After

five (5) kicks have been taken by both teams and no winner has emerged, all remaining eligible

players on both teams (subject to the 'reduce to equate numbers’ requirement) must kick before

any players are allowed to kick a second time. The winner is declared on who wins the Penalty

Shootout.

DEFINITIVE SCORES AND RANKING

All scores and rankings will be maintained at the Tournament Headquarters Tent at each venue

and logged into GotSport. Scores that are posted by, and rankings that are electronically

calculated by GotSport, are for the convenience of the players, coaches and parents. In the case

where there are discrepancies between those scores and rankings posted on the official

scoreboard the scores recorded on the official scoreboard shall take precedence. Scores may also

be viewed on the GotSport app. The Tournament Director shall endeavor to make corrections to

GotSport in the case of any discrepancies.

LAWS OF THE GAME: FIFA Rules are used with the following exceptions:

Law I - Start and Stop for each game will be signaled by the air horn. No Stoppage time added

for any reason.

Law II - divisions U8 through U12 will use a size 4 ball, U13 and above will use a size 5 ball

Law III - Micro divisions (U8 through U12) must have at least five players to start a match.

Substitutions at any time WITH PERMISSION OF THE REFEREE. The substitute must enter

the field at the half line after the player s/he replaces has left the field.

Law IV - Both teams must have available alternate jerseys . In case of conflicts, the home team

will change colors.

Law V. Referee: The tournament timekeeper will be responsible for time and will use the air

horn to start and stop all games.

Law VI. - A three man system will be used in U13 and above divisions, unless referees are not

available then a single referee may be used.

Law VII - All games will be 25 minutes.

Law VIII - The home team (listed first) will kick off, the visiting team will get choice of goal.

Law IX - Red cards may result in the player being ineligible for the next game or the remainder

of the tournament at the discretion of the Tournament Director.

PARKING RULES: The TOPSC will have parking attendants directing everyone to legal

parking areas. Handicap parking is available to those with valid handicap parking permits down

by the field. Anyone parking illegally or in areas marked no parking are subject to fines and/or

towing. NO CARS shall be parked on or along the road coming into and out of the fields.

WEATHER: Games will be played rain or shine except for severe weather or lightning. Games

are considered complete after 15 minutes. If a game is halted before 15 minutes have elapsed, the

Tournament Committee will decide the course of action. The Tournament time keeper is the sole

authority of time played. In case of cancellation due to severe weather conditions, the

Tournament Committee reserves the right to reschedule or offer other alternatives.

SEVERE WEATHER: In the event of severe weather, the tournament committee will rely on

the head referee to assess field conditions and will abide by the head referee's decision on

continuing play. Two horn sounds, bad weather and everyone must leave the field. Three horn

sound, everyone can return to the field.

MAKE UP DAY: In the event that either Saturday (10/11/2025) or Sunday (10/12/2025) is

canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, we will follow the Refund Policy. We will make

every attempt to play the games as scheduled.

REFUND POLICY: In the event that the tournament (either or both days) is canceled by the

head referee, tournament director or the town due to inclement weather, governmental shutdown,

travel advisories, field closings or any other “act of God” which would prevent games or the

continuation of games, no refunds are guaranteed; however, partial refunds may be mailed to

each team contact on file once all Tournament expenses and obligations are paid in full. Any

refund shall be at the sole and exclusive discretion of the Tournament Director.

WITHDRAWALS: All teams withdrawing from the tournament after registering will forfeit a

$100 non-refundable application fee. Any team withdrawing after acceptance shall forfeit 100%

of their registration fee.

SPECIAL MICRO SOCCER RULES: Micro soccer divisions will play on fields sized as per

U S Youth Soccer guidelines. U8, U9, U10 and U11 and

12 will play on a field with 7x21 goals which is 70-80 yards long by 40-50 yards wide. U8, U9

and U10 will play 6 + keeper and U11 and 12 will play 8 + keeper, U13 and older, 10 and a

keeper. Roster Size: U8 –U10 is 14, U11-U12 is 16 and U13 + is 18.

SPECIAL NOTE: No player will be allowed to wear any orthopedic cast during games unless

fully bubble wrapped.

If something is not covered here, HVYSL and ENYYSA rules apply.

PROPERTY DAMAGE: It is essential that the town’s properties, facilities and neighboring

private property be respected. Teams will be required to pay for any property damage caused by

their team. Any person causing property damage will be reported to the local authorities.

HEAD INJURIES: Trainers certified in concussion management of orthopedic doctors will be

used to evaluate any head injuries that might be concussions. Injured players will exit the game

and will not be permitted to re-enter any game in the tournament unless re-entry is certified by a

doctor in writing.

SPORTSMANSHIP: Players, coaches, managers and supporters are expected to conduct

themselves within the spirit of good sportsmanship at all times. Those failing to meet acceptable

standards will be ejected from the grounds.

The Town of Poughkeepsie Soccer Club Inc. and the Town of Poughkeepsie assume no

responsibility for any injury resulting from participation in this tournament. By accepting these

rules and procedures, all participating clubs and players indicated that they carry their own

insurance and will hold harmless the TOPSC, its members and the Town of Poughkeepsie.