Participant Entry Fees and Deadlines:
Registration Deadline (July 1); Fee: Competitive divisions-$400 per team; High School division-$350 per team; Adult division-$375 per team

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE FOR SOCCER - ADULT

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE FOR SOCCER - YOUTH & HIGH SCHOOL

Divisions & Codes:
Sports Code       SO
 

What's New in Competitive & High School?

-All youth teams will be classified as Festival teams.  (Max. of 18 players on a roster.  Must play in age group of oldest player.  No player may have played his/her last season on a team in a top division of his/her State league.)

-No travel papers required.

-No player passes required.  (Proof of age will be required if challenged.)

-Four games guaranteed (weather permitting).  Top teams will advance to medal rounds.

Note: Competitive division age determination is as of fall league season for 2008. High School division age determination is High School teams from Spring of 2008 or teams which will commence playing in the Fall of 2008. All Competitive and High School teams must play in the division of the age of the oldest player. If you sign up for the wrong age division, your team will be disqualified without a refund.

General Guidelines: This is not a sanctioned tournament. Out-of-state teams must use the same exact team name from qualifying State Games competition for verification purposes. Each individual player will be registered by his/her coach and must sign the roster/waiver; if under 18 a guardian must sign the roster/waiver. Team coaches must complete a team entry form with roster/waiver signed by each player. Only one entry form is necessary per team. Females may play on male teams in their respective age groups. Players may only play on one team, with the exception of Adult Co-Ed teams, violations will result in forfeits for both teams. Coaches must provide proof of age for all players, with either a driver’s license or birth certificate, upon request from Commissioners. All team entry forms and signed roster/waivers should be mailed together with entry fee (one check or credit card per team).

General Rules: Coaches with more than one team are encouraged to have alternates available to coach the team(s) when schedule conflicts arise; schedule variations will not be made to accommodate these coaches. A forfeit will be declared if a team fails to report to the field 10 minutes after the scheduled time. Deliberate forfeiture of a match may be cause for disqualification from the SGW. A team may be disqualified after two forfeits. Players ejected from a match are ineligible to compete in the next scheduled game; this includes semi-final and final matches. Players will be ejected for the remainder of the tournament for extremely violent or vulgar behavior. All decisions of the referees, with regard to facts and the rules of the game, are final and appeals with regard to such matters will not be heard. All disputes will be settled by the Soccer Commissioners. State Games of the West reserves the right to combine age groups or cancel divisions.

Dress Code: All teams must wear matching shirts with numbers on the back. Please indicate shirt colors on team entry form. Matching shorts and socks are desirable, but not mandatory. Every player must wear shinguards. Goal keepers must be distinguished by wearing jerseys or pinnies of a different color than that of field players.

Competitive & High School Competition Rules and Format: FIFA rules (www.FIFA.com) will govern competition with the modifications listed herein and on this web page. Unlimited substitutions will be allowed on either team’s goal kick and on throw-ins by the team in possession. The format will be a round-robin tournament with each competitive team guaranteed a minimum of 4 games weather permitting. Commissioners reserve the right to average scores or cancel games in the event of prolonged weather delays. Competitive teams are allowed a maximum of 18 players on the roster (with 11 vs 11 matches). All preliminary games will incorporate the 10 point system which is 6 pts for a win, 3pts for a tie, 1 pt for a shutout, 0 pts for a loss, 1 pt for each goal scored (up to a maximum of 3), each team in a 0-0 tie would be awarded 4 pts, a team winning by forfeit shall receive 9 pts, a perfect score for a match would be 10 pts. Tie-breakers will not be used for preliminary matches. If at the conclusion of preliminary matches, two or more teams are tied in points, the team(s) that advance will be determined by: 1) head to head competition, 2) cumulative goal differential between goals scored and goals allowed (max. 4 goals per match), 3) fewest goals allowed, 4) most goals scored (up to 3 per game),5) penalty kicks per FIFA. If a championship game is tied after regulation play, two 5-minute overtime periods will be played.  If the game is still tied at the conclusion of the overtime periods, the match will be decided by penalty kicks per FIFA rules.  Game lengths will be as follows: U11 - U14 competitive, 30-minute halves, High School, 35-minute halves. See below for more detailed competition rules and formats.

Adult Competition Rules and Format: SGW rules will govern this competition and FIFA rules (www.FIFA.com) will apply. Teams are allowed a maximum of 18 players on the roster (with 11 vs 11 matches).  Each team will play all the teams in their group. If the groups are uneven then cross over play will be required (men only).  The format will be a round-robin tournament with each adult team guaranteed a minimum of 3 games weather permitting.  All games will incorporate the 3 point system which is 3 pts for a win, 1 pt for a tie. 25 minute halves, with two minutes for halftime. All matches must start on time, there will be no warm up period. The top two teams from each group will advance.  Men’s teams will be seeded 1 - 12 for playoffs, seeds 1 - 4 will get one bye. Women’s and Co-Ed groups will play a complete round robin and the top two teams from their respective groups will play for the Championship. Max goals counted for goal differential is 4, forfeit score 4 - 0. Cards: one red or three yellows, minimum one game suspension or 1/2 game suspension with fine. Single elimination rounds/playoff ties go to penalty kicks, no overtime play (men’s only). Unlimited substitutions. Tie breakers/seeding rules: 1) best record (total points), 2) head to head if applicable, 3) goal differential, 4) goals for, 5) coin flip. Player pass cards are mandatory. Teams must present player pass cards to referee at check-in prior to match start. There are no protests, with one exception, illegal player(s).

General Information:
1) Type of Tournament - The State Games of the West soccer competition is a Festival. It is not sanctioned by CYS or USSF. All athletes participate at their own risk although secondary insurance will be provided for all participants.

2) Medical Attention - Medical staff will be on-site throughout the duration of the Festival.

3) Standards of Conduct - All participants are expected to maintain high standards of conduct during the Festival. Any team that does not observe these guidelines may be subject to remedial action. This action, depending on the circumstances, may range from a warning, a reduction in points of current standings, ejection or banning those participants from future Festivals.

4) Site of Festivals and Facilities - The United States Air Force Academy provides access to its facilities for this event.  It must be expressly understood, however, that everyone must abide by the rules of the Academy. Be particularly aware of speed limits on Academy roads, restricted area signage, and parking only in designated areas. Any violations could jeopardize Festival participation by the offender.

5) Safety/Severe Weather - In the event of a severe thunderstorm or other dangerous weather, the Tournament
Director may suspend play. Suspension of play is signaled by one air horn blast. If the games are suspended, all players, coaches, and spectators must leave the fields immediately and take cover in the nearest available shelter (most likely automobiles and vans) as there is a possibility of lightning strikes on our playing fields during severe storms. Play will be resumed when "all clear" is signaled by the Air Force Academy and communicated to the Soccer Commissioner in the form of two short air horn blasts.

NO ONE IS TO RETURN TO THE FIELDS UNTIL THE ALL CLEAR HAS BEEN SIGNALED WITH TWO SHORT
BLASTS OF THE AIR HORNS!

All teams will remain in the Festival area until a decision has been made regarding the resumption of play. See Section
8 under Competitive Information, "Reschedules" for shortened or cancelled games procedures.

6) Playing Conditions
1.1     Games may be cancelled or temporarily suspended when the fields are in an unplayable condition.
1.2     The Soccer Commissioner is responsible for deciding game cancellation, temporary suspension or
          reschedules. All decisions are final.
1.3     A game may be considered "complete" upon completion of one half of the play regardless of the circum-
         stances of termination during the second half, with results based on the score at the end of the first half.
1.4     State Games of the West will not be held responsible for any reason that affects the game format. In
          the event of tournament or division or game cancellation due to acts of God, inclement weather, or other
          reasons beyond the control to the State Games of the West, no entry fees or portion thereof will be
          refunded.

Team Information:
1) Types of Teams
1.1      All Festival Youth Teams are open to players who did NOT play on a team in their State League which
          was in the top division, or who will be playing on a team in the top division for the Fall 2007/2008 season.
1.2     All Festival High School Teams may be from the Spring 2008 season, or those teams which will begin
          competition for the school year commencing in the Fall of 2008. U15-U18 Youth teams may play in the
          appropriate High School division.

2) Credentials - Each team will submit two (2) copies of its roster to the Tournament Director prior to the start of com-petition.  The team must also submit a signed Assumption of Risk/Waiver properly executed for each player on the roster.  Festival Youth Teams must also have proof of age available in the event a player's eligibility is challenged. Proof of age may be a State Association player pass, a driver's license, a passport, or a birth certificate with a current photo
attached.

3) Discipline
1.1     Any player or coach who is ejected from a match due to a red card offense or two yellow cards in a single
         game, is ineligible to participate in the next game, including semi-finals and finals. A player or coach
         who is ejected from a game must remove themselves at least 100 yards from the playing area within
         two minutes of the ejection and may not communicate with anyone on or near the fields by any means,
         including cell phones, or the game may be forfeited to the opposing team.
2.2     Any player or coach who accumulates three yellow cards during the course of tournament play is ineligible
          to participate in the next game, including semi-finals and finals.
3.3     The referee is responsible for clearly recording all Red/Yellow cards on the tournament game card. The
          referee will ensure that any game cards containing Red/Yellow cards are expedited to the Tournament
          Director for recording and notification to referees for the next match to ensure that any ejected player
          does not participate.

4.4     The coach is responsible for the actions of his/her spectators, specifically verbal abuse of referees,
          opposing players or opposing fans. Such abuse will not be tolerated, and may result in forfeiture of the
          game and/or expulsion from further play. The referee may suspend play when necessary due to spectator
          or participant interference until the individual creating the disturbance leaves the playing area and
          stays at least a minimum of 100 yards from the field.
5.5      The Tournament Director will make note of cards issued and the offenses. Abuse of a referee, team,
           league official or spectator prior to, during, or after the playing of any game is prohibited. Any individual
           who violates this prohibition shall be subject to disciplinary action by the Soccer Commissioner. Soccer
           Commissioner reserves the right to impose sanctions he/she deems appropriate for infractions of the
           above rules, or any action detrimental to the State Games of the West or the local soccer community,
           including deduction of points, suspension or expulsion of a player, coach, spectator, or team.

4) Team and Player Requirements
1.1     A player may play for ONLY one team during the tournament
1.2     A coach may coach more than one team during the tournament; however, there is no guarantee of
         schedule modifications for this situation. In the event a conflict occurs, it is strongly recommended that
         each team have an assistant coach on the roster to avoid a forfeit. Any disciplinary action taken against
         a coach will be enforced with the team being coached at the time the offense occurred. For example, if
         a coach is coaching more than one team and is ejected from a game, the coach is ineligible to participate
         in the next game of that particular team, but will be able to coach another team.
1.3    All teams must have an approved Tournament Roster containing the names and numbers of all players.
        This roster will be submitted to the referee prior to each match. Any team who fields a player whose
        name does not appear on the approved roster will forfeit that game and will be subject to further disciplinary
        action as determined by the Soccer Commissioner.
1.4    It is the responsibility of the coach or team manager to retrieve his/her roster from the referee at the
        conclusion of the match. The referee will submit the game card to the field marshal after every game.
        The field marshal will ensure delivery of game cards to the Festival scoring area immediately following
         the match.
1.5    Each team must have at least seven (7) players on the field for the duration of the match.

5) Uniforms - All teams must wear matching shirts and have numbers on the back. Each player must wear the shirt
with the number submitted with his/her name on the tournament roster. If a player is wearing a number other than the
one submitted on the roster, the coach must advise the referee of the change prior to the match. If the referee deter-mines that there is a conflict in uniform color, the home team will switch to alternate shirts, or wear pinnies over their
shirts. (The home team is the team listed first on the schedule.) Each player must wear appropriate shin guards, with
socks pulled up over shin guards, and shirts must be tucked inside shorts.

Competition Information:
1) Divisions (Gold, Silver, Bronze) - Teams will be seeded according to information provided on application. If there
are sufficient entries in an age group, or combined age group, the Festival may create Gold, Silver or Bronze divisions.
Note: There is a possibility of cross-play between divisions.

2) Game Schedule Structure - Divisions with greater than five (5) teams shall be split into groups. Games shall be
round-robin play within each group; however, cross-play between groups may be necessary. Each team is guaranteed
to play at least four (4) games. After pool play is complete, final matches are played. The teams that advance to the
semi-final matches are determined as follows:

Divisions With One Group - For divisions with five (5) teams only, top two point winners play for 1st and 2nd. Third and
fourth point winners play for 3rd.

Divisions With Two Or More Groups - For divisions with 2 groups, the top point winners in each group will play for 1st
and 2nd, the 2nd highest point winner in each group will play for 3rd.

For divisions with 3 groups, the top two point winners (one from each group) will play for 1st and 2nd. The remaining
group winner will play the 2nd highest point winner (from any group) for 3rd place.

For divisions with 4 groups, the top point winners will play for 1st and 2nd. The group winners with the 3rd highest and
4th highest points will play for 3rd.

3) Awards - 1st, 2nd and 3rd medals will be awarded for each division.

4) Substitutions
1.1     Teams may substitute on their own throw-in, any goal kick, kickoff, and on a 1-for-1 basis for injured
          players (both teams).
1.2      Players should enter/leave their side of the field at the half line.
1.3      Unlimited substitutions made be made with the consent of the referee.

5) Game Ball - The home team is responsible for supplying the game ball. U11 and U12 will be #4 balls. All other participants will use #5 balls.

6) Festival Game Officials
1.1   It is the intent of the State Games of the West Soccer Festival to provide a three-person referee system
       for all tournament matches; however the Commissioner of Referees has been given the authority to con-duct
       matches with two licensed referees, if necessary.

7) Sideline Organization - Teams and coaches are to occupy one side of the field. Spectators are to occupy the opposite side of the field.

8) Reschedules - If there is a stoppage of play for any reason and that stoppage lasts longer than 30 minutes, and the
Soccer Commissioner has determined that the orderly progress of the tournament is threatened, the Soccer
Commissioner may take any or some, but is not limited to, the following actions:
  - Resume game in progress from the point of stoppage
  - Resume game in progress for a shortened period of play
  - Shorten and/or reschedule subsequent games
  - Cancel games in progress. Any game that has completed one full half of play will be treated as a completed
     game.
While the Festival will make every effort to continue and complete the games, the decisions of the Soccer Commissioner
are final. However, in the event that rescheduling is not possible, and the game cancellation creates a situation where
teams within a flight and/or division are unable to play an equal number of qualifying games, the team which has not
played its game(s) will receive "averaged tournament points" for the unplayed game(s). For example:
     Team A scores 24 pts for 3 games Avg. pts. = 8.00
     Team B scores 28 pts for 3 games Avg. pts = 9.33*
     Team C scores 31 pts for 3 games Avg. pts = 10.33*
     *Avg. pts will be rounded to nearest hundredth (.00)
The team with the highest number of points (actual + averaged) will be #1 point winner, the team with the second highest number of points (actual + averaged) will be #2. In the event there is a tie that occurs after the average points are computed, the advancing teams will be determined by Tie Breakers (Section E).

9) Rules of Play - The Rules of Play for the State Games of the West Soccer Festival shall be the "Laws of the Game" as published by FIFA with those modifications stated herein. The Soccer Commissioner shall govern any situation or question on the rules of competition that are not covered herein. The Soccer Commissioner's decisions are final.

10) Forfeits
1.1    If a scheduled team does not report for play within ten (10) minutes of the scheduled start time, the
        Tournament Director may declare the game a forfeit.
1.2    Any team that does not play its scheduled game(s) may be eliminated from the tournament.
1.3    A forfeiture will be scored as a 2-0 game for a total of 9 points awarded to the opposing team.

11) Refunds - No refunds will be given due to cancellation because of inclement weather or medical withdrawals.
Exceptions will be made only for the following: entries received after entry deadline; sports or competitions reaching
maximum registration capacity; entries received after the maximum number of teams are bracketed or if there are not
enough teams or individuals to form a division.

*The SGW has a NO REFUND policy. Click here for details on eligibility, inclement weather, refunds, etc.

Competition Schedule: (Tentative)
Friday, July 24 - Opening Ceremony Activities
4:00 p.m. - Pre-Opening Ceremony Festivities begin at the World Arena
6:00 p.m. - Opening Ceremony Gates open
7:00 p.m. - Opening Ceremony begins

Friday, July 25
10:00 a.m. - Competitive & High School Competition
5:00 p.m. - Adult Competition

Saturday, July 26
8:00 a.m. - Competitive, High School & Adult Competition

Sunday, July 27
8:00 a.m. - Competitive, High School & Adult Competition

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