Team and Player Registration

• Teams will be accepted into the event at the organizers’ discretion.
• All teams must consist of a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 18 players.
• Any team that plays an ineligible player will automatically default the match 5-0.
• Chinooks Cup groupings will be split into Developmental Plus or Developmental for U9-U11 teams, or Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 for U12/U13 competitions where possible. Age groups and/or tiers may be joined if needed.
• All teams are required to submit a team roster prior to their first game.
• Teams may not add any new players to their team roster after the start of their first game.
• Injury exception: If a player is injured, a new player may be substituted for the injured player on the team roster.
• No players may be added after the completion of the team’s second game.
• Teams must have a minimum of two and a maximum of three team officials on the team bench during games, in accordance with the Rule of Two.
• Rule of Two – All teams must have at least one adult, age 18 or older, of the same gender as the team present on the bench. A bench parent is permitted in place of a team official and will count toward the total number of officials on the bench.
• Teams are required to check in at the on-site Chinooks FC tent a minimum of 30 minutes prior to their first game. There will be a tent at each game location.
• All team rosters will be verified prior to check-in. Players will not have to present their Player ID cards to the referees at the time of the game.
• If a concern is raised by a coach or official regarding a player’s eligibility, the concern will be investigated by tournament organizers and Player ID cards may be required.

Game Format and Tournament Structure

The Chinooks Cup Tournament will use the Alberta Soccer Association rules, with the modifications outlined in this document.

Game Format

• U9, U10, and U11 age groups will play 7v7.
• U12 & U13 age groups will play 9v9.
• Each team will be scheduled for a minimum of three games.
• All divisional games will follow a round-robin format with placement games.

Match Duration

• U9, U10, and U11 games are scheduled for two equal 25-minute halves with a 2-minute half-time period.
• U12 and U13 games are scheduled for two equal 35-minute halves with a 2-minute half-time period.
• There are no timeouts during games. In the event of limited time, halves may be shortened at the discretion of the match official.

Uniforms and Equipment

• Teams must wear numbered jerseys.
• If colours clash, the designated home team must change to an alternative colour. The referee will decide if colours clash.
• Shin guards must be worn. Players will not be permitted to play without shin guards.
• The wearing of rigid casts or splints will not be permitted.

Game Sheet & Roster

• At the start of each game, teams must provide their team Game Sheet & Roster to match officials.
• Match officials will record scores, any applicable discipline and sign both teams Game Sheet & Roster at the conclusion of the game and return them to the respective teams
• Each team will send a picture of the game result to agibbs@chinooksoccer.com and take their Game Sheet & Roster with  them to subsequent games.
• If a team is not present and ready to play 5 minutes after the scheduled kick-off time, the game will be considered a 5-0 forfeit loss for that team.

Retreat Line

There is a retreat line in effect for the U9, U10, and U11 age groups. The retreat line will be the halfway line. If a member of the opposing team crosses the retreat line or fails to drop back to their half before the ball is released and interferes with play, the referee will stop play and the restart will be retaken. Should a goalkeeper or player choose to play the ball before opposing players have retreated, the game continues as normal.

The retreat line will come into effect during goal kicks and free kicks to the defending team within its own penalty area. At these restarts, the opposing team is required to move beyond the retreat line. The player taking the kick can then pass the ball to a teammate without immediate pressure from an opposing player. When the ball is released, play resumes as normal and the opposing team may move inside the retreat line.

There will be no retreat line for the U12 or U13 age groups.

Goal Kicks, Kicks Over Half, Offsides, and Throw-ins

• In U12/U13, at the taking of a goal kick, all opponents must be outside the penalty area until the ball has been released.
• Players are allowed to play the ball long over the retreat line from a goal kick or free kick from within their own goal area.
• There is no offside rule in the U9, U10, and U11 age groups.
• Regular offside rules are in effect for the U12 age group. Offsides will take place after the halfway line.
• Throw-ins will be used for all age groups U9-U13.
• A throw-in will be awarded to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball when the whole of the ball crosses the touchline, whether in the air or on the ground.
• For a foul throw-in, a retaken throw-in may be allowed at the referee’s discretion for the U9, U10, and U11 age groups.

Fouls and Misconduct

• All age groups will follow Alberta Soccer rules for fouls and misconduct.
• At the U9, U10, and U11 age groups, referees should not issue cautions or red cards to players. If a player is playing roughly, the referee will request that the coach substitute the player, and the coach should advise the player to play in a fair manner.
• At the U12/U13 age group, cautions and red cards may be issued for rough play.
• The yellow card is used to communicate that a player or substitute has been cautioned.
• The red card is used to communicate that a player, coach, or substitute has been sent off. Any player receiving a red card may not play for the remainder of the game. The offending player may be substituted by another eligible player, and both teams continue to play 9v9.

Results and Standings

Points will be awarded as follows: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. The winner of each group will be the team with the most points.

• Two-way tie breaker: Head-to-head, goal difference, fewest goals conceded, then penalty kicks.
• Three-way tie breaker: Goal difference, fewest goals conceded, overall record excluding the division’s bottom team record, then penalty kicks.
• In the event of a tie in a non-round-robin game, a result will be determined by kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with the Alberta Soccer Association game rules. If no winner is declared after five kicks, kicks will continue in order until one team has scored more than the other from the same number of kicks.

Discipline

All referees are ASA certified or equivalent and are assigned by the tournament. Their decisions on interpretations of the Laws of the Game are final. Tournament organizers will rule over all discipline matters for the games. No protests will be allowed concerning the facts of play, and the final decision rests with the referee.

Any other type of protest must be received by Chinooks Cup HQ within two hours of the completion of the game in question, in writing by emailing agibbs@chinooksoccer.com.

The purpose of these games is to provide players with a positive and enjoyable experience. Players, coaches, and parents are asked to remember that soccer helps make players better people as well as better soccer players. This is done by respecting game officials and applauding skillful play by players from both teams. Parents, coaches, and athletes not adhering to the fair play code of ethics will be asked to leave the field of play immediately.

Severe Weather and Air Quality Policy

The safety of players, coaches, management, and spectators is the primary concern in any weather event that occurs during matches. Ultimately, the referee has the final say over delaying or restarting a match due to weather. Referees are expected to act responsibly when dealing with such events during matches they are controlling. Newly implemented ASA rules will be followed.

Thunderstorms

After thunder is heard, games will be paused for 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder. If one referee stops a game based on lightning or thunder safety, all games at that location must stop at the same time.

Poor Air Quality

If the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is 7 or higher, referees may pause the game for 30 minutes to see if conditions improve. Any game cancellations due to weather or air quality will be communicated by email by Chinooks administration.

Cancellations and Refunds

• If the tournament is cancelled and no games have been played, a full refund will be given.
• There will be no refunds following the commencement of the first game in the tournament.
• If a game is abandoned while in progress, the game score will stand when play is stopped.
• Any round-robin game that is postponed prior to kick-off and cannot be rescheduled will be scored 0-0.
• If knockout games or medal games cannot be played, games may be determined by kicks from the penalty mark or may be scheduled at another time by the team officials from both teams.
• The Chinooks Cup Tournament Committee has the right to alter the game schedule and adjust the length of games in order to complete the weekend event.