2008 Star of the North Summer Games

Soccer Tournament Rules and Information

Blackhawks of Saint Paul, Host Club

 

 

TEAM CHECK-IN

All teams must check in for the Star of the North Games soccer tournament at least 90 minutes before your first game. The Star of the North Games soccer check-in will be located at the Jimmy Lee Recreation Center, 1063 Iglehart Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104.

The Jimmy Lee Recreation Center is conveniently located just off the Lexington Parkway exit off Interstate 94, at the corner of Iglehart Ave and Lexington Parkway N.

SOCCER CHECK-IN HOURS:

Thursday, June 26: 5pm - 8pm.

Friday, June 27: 2 pm – 8pm.

Saturday, June 28: 7am – 5 pm.

Soccer teams should NOT check in during the first weekend of the Star of the North Games.

 

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO HEADQUARTERS:

From I-94 take the Lexington Pkwy exit (Exit #239).

Westbound, turn left on Lexington Pkwy, cross over I-94, then immediately left on Concordia Ave, then immediately right on Oxford St, then immediately right on Iglehart Ave.

Eastbound, do not turn on Lexington Pkwy, but take a slight left onto Concordia Ave, then immediately right on Oxford St, then immediately right on Iglehart Ave.

Link to Yahoo Map:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=1063%20Iglehart%20Ave&city=Saint%20Paul&state=MN&zipcode=55104%2d5431&country=US&geodiff=1

 

 

WHAT TO BRING TO CHECK-IN

 

You will need to bring the following items to check-in:

 

Each team must present their completed rosters and have paid their entry fee in full before playing their first game.

 

Each team must present Player and Coaches passes, and MYSA Game Report for each tournament game. You must be prepared to have a new MYSA Game Report for each tournament game.

 

COMBINING OF DIVISIONS

 

The following protocols have been used in combining brackets this year:

 

TOURNAMENT CONTACT INFORMATION

 

2008 Star of the North Summer Games Registration Office

(registration, financial questions, hotels, driving directions, etc.)

            Until June 26, 2008:

            1700 - 105th Ave NE

            Blaine, MN 55449

            763.785.5603

            sgames@mnsports.org

www.starofthenorthgames.org

 

During the tournament. HQ will be at the Jimmy Lee Recreation Center, 1063 Iglehart Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104.

General HQ number: TBA; Soccer number: TBA.

Star of the North Games Soccer Commissioner

(rules interpretations, tournament format and schedule)

            Kathy Petron

            651.762.1852 

            kjpetron@hotmail.com

 

2008 Host Club Director

Cameron Parkhurst, 612.385.5232 (cell), 952.888.7701 (home), cameron.parkhurst@gmail.com

 

Referee Assignor

Jim Engelking, jimengelking@gmail.com

 

 

TOURNAMENT TEAMS

 

Tournament teams are allowed to participate in the Star of the North Games. The tournament commissioner has the sole authority to place tournament teams in the most appropriate division, based on the following criteria:

1)     Competition level of the players on the roster, i.e. if the majority of the players on the roster are U12 Classic 2 they may be placed in the U12 C2 division.

2)     Results of other equivalent tournaments played in 2007, if available.

 

NO PREMIER TEAMS

 

No premier teams may enter the tournament.

 

AGE-ELIGIBLE TEAMS

 

If a team is registered with MYSA for league play at an older age group, but all players are age eligible to play in a younger age the team may choose to play at the younger age level for this tournament. All players must meet the MYSA rules and policies defining age groups at the younger age level.

 

You must indicate this intent to play at the younger age group on your registration form and provide a roster or proof of age eligibility with the application.

 

PLAYING UP

 

Teams are allowed to play up to one age level older at the same competitive division level. For example, a U-14 Classic 1 team may exercise the option to play in the U-15 Classic 1 division.

 

GUEST PLAYERS

 

A maximum of six guest players will be allowed per team.

 

Guest players must play at the same or an older age level. (i.e. a U-13 player may guest on a U-13 or older team.)

 

In addition, guest players must play at the same or a higher competitive level (i.e. Classic 1 players may guest only on Classic 1 teams; Classic 2 players may guest on either Classic 1 or Classic 2 teams.) This applies even if a guest player is playing at an older age level.

 

Since the Star of the North Games does not offer a premier division, premier players may not guest on any team in this tournament.

 

Guest players may come from any MYSA-sanctioned club.

 

Male players may only guest on boys’ team.  A female player may not be a guest player on a boys’ team.  A female player may play on a boys’ team if she is on the team’s regular-season roster.

 

Teams using guest players will need to complete a Guest Roster form for all guest players. This form may be obtained from the MYSA office, from the Star of the North Games office, or from the following link: http://www.blainesoccer.org/pdf/guestPlayerRoster.pdf  

 

AWARDS

 

For U11-U17, traditional Star of the North Games gold, silver, and bronze medals will be presented to all players and up to two coaches per team on the top three placing teams.

 

For U9 and U10, all players and up to two coaches per team will receive a participation award.

 

PLAYER & COACHES PASSES

 

All players and coaches must have a valid MYSA pass. Player and coach passes will be checked at registration and at the fields.

 

MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION

 

Medical authorization forms are required for all players.   A copy of the Medical Authorization forms must be turned in at registration.  These will not be returned.

 

 

 

RULES

 

The Star of the North Games is a MYSA-sanctioned tournament. Unless otherwise specified, the Star of the North Games soccer tournament will be played by the “FIFA Laws of the Game” as modified in the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association Official Administrative Rulebook.

 

FIELDS

 

All tournament games will be played at several locations in the City of Saint Paul and surrounding communities.

 

A directory of some of the fields in the Saint Paul area is available at:

http://www.mnyouthsoccer.org/fields/fieldBHK.cfm

 

 

NUMBER OF GAMES PER DAY

 

Teams will play a maximum of one game on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, each team will play a maximum of two games per day, except in the following circumstances:

 

RESCHEDULING LEAGUE GAMES

 

Teams are expected to reschedule any league games that have the potential to conflict with Star of the North tournament games.

 

REFEREES

 

USSF certified referees will be used. The referee assignor is Jim Engelking, jimengelking@gmail.com

Three referees will be used for ages 11-17. One referee will be used for ages 9-10. 

 

Teams should be prepared to provide a "club linesman" if necessary.  If there is a shortage of referees, club linesmen may be used in the Star of the North Games.  The tournament reserves the right to use club linesmen in all age groups, but the tournament policy will be to assign club linesmen to the younger age levels first.

 

ROSTERS

Each team must file a valid roster. Any of the following rosters will be accepted:

Rosters will be frozen at registration. No player may be rostered on more than one team.

 

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

 

Depending on the number of teams entered in a division, one of the following formats will be used:

1)     Complete round-robin, with all teams in a group playing each other once.  Final standings determined on points, using the system described in “Determining Pool-Play Standings” below.

2)     Incomplete round-robin, with teams in a group playing the same number of games, but not against all the teams in the division. Game schedule determined by random draw. Final standings determined on points, using the system described in “Determining Pool-Play Standings” below.

3)     Round-robin group play, followed by gold and bronze medal games for the top two teams in each pool.

4)     Round-robin group play, followed by semi-finals and then gold and bronze medal games for the top two teams in each pool.

5)     Depending on the number of teams in a group, some formats may use a cross-over game, with one game being played against a team from a different pool. Cross-over opponents will be determined by random draw.

6)     Teams will be placed in groups based on a random draw, with some modifications made, if feasible, to separate teams who play in the same league.

7)     Playoffs, if used, may include but are not limited to, one of the two formats:

A)    Two semifinal games with winners playing for the championship and losers playing for third place

B)    Championship game for top two teams; Third-place game for next two teams.

 

DETERMINING POOL-PLAY STANDINGS

 

The Star of the North Games will use the “Recommended Tournament Scoring and Tiebreaker Procedures” from the MYSA Invitational Tournament Handbook.

 

  1. All pool play standings are determined by using the following criteria, in order of importance:
    1. Total number of points. Each team receives 6 points for a win, 3 for a tie, and 0 for a loss.  Additional points will be awarded on the following basis: 1 point for each goal (maximum of 3 per game); 1 point for a shutout (0-0 tie equals 4 points for each team) -- 10 points maximum per game.
    2. Winner of head-to-head competition.  (If 3 or more teams are tied, head-to-head will not be used.)
    3. Winner of most games.
    4. Goal differential (goals scored minus goals against.) The maximum recorded "goal difference" in any one game shall be three (3). A forfeit win shall count as a 2-0 score.
    5. Fewest goals allowed.
    6. Kicks from the penalty mark.
  2. A forfeit in pool play shall be counted as a 2-0 score, with nine points for the team not forfeiting. Teams that forfeit may not advance to the medal round or receive awards. Sanctions, including fines, may be assessed against any MYSA team that forfeits a game in any MYSA or USYS tournament (MYSA Invitational Tournament Handbook.)
  3. Tie Games in the pool play portion of the tournament shall stand as ties.
  4. In determining the total number of points above, if tied teams have played an unequal number of games (which would happen only in case of weather-related game cancellations), a calculation will be made to compensate for the number of games played. The total number of points will be divided by the number of games played. The resultant higher number will be declared the winner.
  5. Standings and results will be posted at tournament headquarters at the Jimmy Lee Recreation Center, and on the Star of the North Games website (http://www.starofthenorthgames.org). It is the responsibility of each team to check their own standings, and to be aware if they advance to a playoff game.

 

 

 

 

 

OVERTIME PERIODS (except U9 and U10's)

 

  1. During pool play, no overtime will be played. Each team receives points according to the scoring procedure outlined above.

 

  1. In playoff competition, two 5-minute overtime periods will be played. After the first five-minute overtime period, the teams will switch goals with no interval. If the game is still tied at the end of the second overtime period, the game will be decided by kicks from the penalty mark.

 

LENGTH OF GAMES

 

Length of pool-play games, by half:

            U-9’s                25 minutes

            U-10’s              25 minutes

            U-11’s & up      30 minutes

Length of championship, third place, and semi-final games, by half:

            11's and 12's   30 minutes

            13's and 14's   35 minutes

            15's and 16's   40 minutes

            17’s                  45 minutes

 

GAME PROCEDURES

 

  1. Player and Coach passes must be given to the referee prior to each game. 

NO PASS, NO PLAY, NO EXCEPTIONS.

  1. MYSA Game Report must be given to the referee prior to each game.
  2. The team listed on the left side of the schedule is the home team.
  3. The teams will line up on same side of the field.  Spectators for both teams will be on the opposite side of the field from the players.
  4. The home team must have an alternate jersey and be prepared to change, if in the opinion of the referee, there is a color conflict.
  5. Teams should be prepared to provide a "club linesman" if necessary. If there is a shortage of referees, club linesmen may be used in the Star of the North Games. The tournament reserves the right to use club linesmen in all age groups, but the tournament policy will be to assign club linesmen to the younger age levels first.
  6. The home team is responsible for providing a game ball. U9/10, U11, and U12, will use size 4. U13 and older will use size 5.
  7. On-field warm up will be limited. Teams should warm up on an adjoining area.
  8. Each team is expected to be ready to play at the designated game time. Please allow ample time to travel between fields.

 

RED/YELLOW CARDS AND GAME SUSPENSIONS

 

A player will be suspended for ONE GAME if he/she is sent off by the referee and shown a red card for any of the following:

  1. Receiving a second caution in the same match.
  2. Denies an opponent a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball. This does not apply to a goalkeeper within his/her own penalty area.
  3. Denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving toward the player’s goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick.

 

 

 

A player will be suspended for TWO GAMES if he/she is sent off by the referee and shown a red card for any of the following:

  1. Is guilty of serious foul play.
  2. Is guilty of violent conduct.
  3. Spits at an opponent or any other person.
  4. Uses offensive, insulting, or abusive language.

 

If the suspension is served completely during the tournament, the player pass will be returned to the coach. All player passes will be kept by the Star of the North Games soccer commissioner, and coaches must report to the tournament headquarters to retrieve the player pass. 

 

If the suspension is not fully served, the player pass will be forwarded to the MYSA office.

 

PROTESTS

 

No protests will be heard on any judgment calls by the referee.  All decisions by the referee will be final.

 

Protests will be allowed on player eligibility or other technical matters. Express concerns regarding violations prior to the start of the game or at the time the incident occurs if the game has started.

 

Protests may be verbal or in writing, but they must be communicated only to the Star of the North Games Soccer Commissioner.

 

WEATHER PROVISIONS

 

In the event of that game slots are lost due to weather-related suspension of play, the Star of the North Games soccer commissioner or tournament director will make every effort to adjust the schedule so that the tournament can be completed and medals awarded. Fairness and equity will be the primary goal.

  1. The tournament headquarters will be in contact with the National Weather Service throughout the weekend. Any weather termination/suspension decisions will be made by the soccer commissioner or tournament director.
  2. If weather conditions or the state of fields make it impossible to carry out the tournament to its full extent, it is within the authority of the soccer commissioner or tournament director to make the necessary decisions concerning the rearrangement or cancellation of games for any reason. In the event of weather delays, the soccer commissioner or tournament director reserves the right to reduce the length of the rescheduled games, move games to new locations, or to otherwise modify the tournament rules and schedules so that the tournament may be played to conclusion. In the case of severe weather disruption, coaches need to understand that it may be impossible to reschedule all the games in the tournament.
  3. Fees are non-refundable if games are canceled, shortened or otherwise modified in any way, or if the tournament is canceled for any reason.
  4. If one-half or more of the game has been played before termination for weather conditions or tournament committee decision, the game stands as a completed match.

 

INAPPROPRIATE ACTIVITY

 

  1. Any player found using any alcoholic beverages, tobacco or illegal drugs will be expelled from the tournament.
  2. Any player who destroys or steals property will be expelled from the tournament.
  3. Tournament officials reserve the right to expel from the tournament any coach, player, bystander, or team for gross misconduct on or off the playing field.
  4. All players, coaches, and fans are expected to display the highest standards of sportsmanship and respect for other players, referees, fans, and tournament volunteers and staff.
  5. The Star of the North Games is a tobacco-free event. No tobacco use by players, coaches, or spectators.
  6. Dogs are not allowed on or near the playing fields.

 

ATHLETIC TRAINERS

 

Athletic trainers will be on duty at a location to be announced later.  The trainers will be available during the times games are being held. It is the responsibility of each team to provide their own non-emergency medical supplies, including bandages, ice, and water.

 

ROSTER AND TOURNAMENT FORMAT NOTES

 

U-9 and U10 (6v6):

  1. The maximum roster size is 12 players.
  2. A maximum of six players on the field at a time.
  3. Minimum of three scheduled games for each team. There is no overtime or playoffs.
  4. Each game will have one official.
  5. Teams may be co-ed, as long as they are playing in the "boys" division.
  6. Each player will receive an award for participation.
  7. No scores will be posted. No standings will be kept   No champions declared.
  8. Teams cannot participate in a U-11 or older bracket, however U10 players may guest play on an older team.
  9. Field size will be approximately 40x50 yards.
  10. Goal size will be 6 feet high x 12 feet wide.
  11. Size 4 ball will be used.
  12. A maximum of six guest players may be rostered for the tournament.

 

U-11 and U12 (8v8):

  1. The maximum roster size is 14 players.
  2. Eight players on the field at a time.
  3. Minimum of three scheduled games for each team. Competitive format, with the top three teams winning medals.
  4. Each game will have three officials.  Teams should be prepared to provide a “club linesman” if necessary
  5. A male player may not play on a female team.
  6. A female player may not play on a boy’s team unless the player is on the team’s regular-season roster.
  7. Field size will be approximately 45x80 yards.
  8. Goal size will be 7 feet high x 21 feet wide.
  9. Size 4 ball will be used.
  10. A maximum of six guest players may be rostered for the tournament.

 

U-13 to U-17 (11v11):

  1. The maximum roster size is 18 players.  U-17 teams can roster 22 players, but only dress 18 players per game.
  2. A maximum of eleven players on the field at a time.
  3. Minimum of three scheduled games for each team. Competitive format, with top three teams winning medals.
  4. Each game will have three officials.  Teams should be prepared to provide a “club linesman” if necessary.
  5. A male player may not play on a female team.
  6. A female player may not play on a boy’s team unless the player is on the team’s regular-season roster.
  7. Field size meets FIFA regulations.
  8. Goal size will be 8 feet high x 24 feet wide.
  9. Size 5 ball will be used.
  10. Maximum of six guest players rostered for the tournament.

 

 

WEBSITE LINKS

 

Star of the North Games (registration information, list of registered teams, games schedules, scores and results)

            www.starofthenorthgames.org

Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (state association, guest player forms, rules, etc.)

            www.mnyouthsoccer.org

Blackhawks of Saint Paul:

http://www.blackhawksoccer.org/

 

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

 

All teams are responsible for supplying their own: