Apex Legends Women’s 8v8 Outdoor Soccer Tournament Policies, Guidelines and Laws of the Game

Apex Park and Recreation District plays all games in accordance with the Laws of the Game, as published by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) on a yearly basis, with the following exceptions:

Eligible Players:

• Individual players must sign the team roster, electronically or in person, prior to playing in any Apex game.
• Age groups/divisions offered: All age groups can use a designated goalkeeper who is eligible in the next lowest age bracket (for over 30, that player can be 25-30 years old). However, any goalkeepers who also play on the field must fall within the designated age groups.

Players:

• A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than 8 players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than 5 players.

Game Check-in:

• All team managers must check in with the tournament director at least 30 minutes prior to their first game.
• Team managers will approve the rosters and/or add additional players on the roster, prior to game start.
• All players must sign the roster, either electronically through the online roster waiver or in person (if added to the roster late), and Apex will keep that roster on file for the duration of the tournament.
• All players must bring a valid driver’s license or personal ID card.

Protesting Player:

• Any team wanting to protest an illegal player (i.e., conduct a roster check) must do so prior to the second half of the game.
• If the player in question is not on the roster and the game has begun, the team with the illegal player will forfeit the game.

Rosters:

• Rostered players may play on any given game day.
• There is no limit to the number of players teams may check in; however, players may only play on one team within each age group in the Apex Women’s Legends Tournament.
• Rosters are open for all 3 pool play games, but players may not be added for the championship game.
• Any player playing in the championship must be on the team’s roster and have played in at least one other game during the tournament.

Field Dimensions:

• Current 9v9 size fields and goals

Uniforms and Equipment:

• All teams must have like-colored jerseys.
  • Color Clarification: A team may not wear powder blue and navy jerseys during the same game.
• Any player who does not match the rest of the team will not be allowed to play until his/her uniform matches.
• If there is a color conflict between teams, the visiting team is responsible for changing to jerseys of the same/like-color.
• Long socks over shin guards must be always worn by all players during the game. Each team player must wear cleats designed for soccer, including the goalie.

Game ball:

• Each team is responsible for bringing a game ball to each game.

Substitutions:

• Players must enter from half field and directly from the team bench.
• Substitutions are unlimited and will be allowed by referee permission on any stoppage.

Length of Games and Half-Time:

• Games shall consist of two 30-minute periods (5-minute half-time).
• The referee must start the game at the scheduled start time.
• Halves will be a running clock unless an injury lasts more than 5 minutes and/or due to heat conditions, a time out is called for a water break.
• Halftime Interval teams shall only switch halves of the field. The half-time interval shall not exceed 5 minutes.
• 15 minutes are scheduled between games on each field.

Referees:

• The referees are responsible for control of the game, and their decisions regarding facts connected with play are final.

Offside:

• Offside will be called and will not wait until the player touches the ball.

Penalties:

• A penalty kick will be taken from the center of the field 10 yards from the goal.
• A penalty kick will be awarded for fouls inside of the goal area.

Penalty Cards:

• Yellow Cards: Any player receiving three yellow cards in tournament play will be excused from the remainder of the tournament. This rule is not subject to discussion. After a yellow card is issued, the player receiving the card must immediately substitute out of the game. This player may enter back into the game at the next legal substitution opportunity (see Substitutions).
• Red Cards: Any person receiving a red card is automatically suspended from the current game and for at least the next two complete games. The player receiving the red card must immediately leave the field and complex.

Fighting/Altercations:

• Any player involved in a physical altercation, whether initiator or retaliator will be issued a red card, a $50 fine, and will be suspended for the remainder of the tournament.
• The definition of an “altercation” is left to the referee’s discretion.
• Players entering the field from the sidelines during a physical altercation, without permission of the referee, will be red carded.
• If at any time a game gets out of hand, the officials have the authority to declare the game a forfeit. Any team having 3 or more team members (players and/or coaches) ejected from the game shall be penalized with a forfeit.
• All suspensions carry an automatic probation period in which that player, coach and/or spectator will be evaluated throughout the remainder of the season.
• Further conduct violations will result in a minimum suspension extending through the remainder of the season as well as forfeiting all fees paid to date.

Taunting and Unsportsmanlike conduct:

• To stop the escalation of violence, the referee may issue a yellow card for taunting or unsportsmanlike conduct.
• If the offending player is booked twice in the same game (two yellows), the player will be sent off the field for the remainder of the game and will be subject to the red card suspension policy.
• If a physical altercation results from the taunting, both players will be subject to penalties stated in the penalty cards section.
• No loitering is allowed behind the goals of the field.
• Players who sub off the field can walk around the field to get to their bench but must not talk or interfere with the goalie.
• Spectators can retrieve balls but must not talk or interfere with the goalie.

Slide Tackles:

• No slide tackles are allowed, and players are not allowed to play the ball while they are on the ground, even if there are no other players present.

Injuries:

• If there is an injury in a game, it is the team manager’s responsibility to make sure the referee notes the injury in the game report.
• Any participant who is bleeding, has an open wound or has an excessive amount of blood on their uniform must immediately leave the game.
• The player may not return to the game until either the bleeding has stopped, the wound has been covered/bandaged, and/or the uniform has been changed to match team colors

Cancellations and Make-Up Games:

• A schedule of all games is provided at the beginning of the tournament.
• If a game must be cancelled by management due to weather, you will be notified of the next steps on the Apex TeamSideline Website.
• It is the responsibility of the team manager to check this website and/or their e-mail, and to notify their team of the cancelled/changed/or delayed game.
• If a game has begun and is called before the full game is played (due to weather, injury, field conditions, altercations, etc., at the referee’s discretion), it will be considered a full game if at least one full half is completed.
• During a rain/lightening delay, a waiting period of twenty-five (25) minutes must pass before the official may cancel or postpone the game.
• If less than one full half has been completed, an attempt to reschedule the game will be made.
• If the game cannot be rescheduled (no field or referees available), the score at the time the game was called will stand.

Forfeits and No-Shows:

• If a forfeit occurs, the opposing team will be awarded a 3-0 win (see standings below).
• It is strongly encouraged that all teams ensure that they have enough players to always field a team.
• If a team is unable to comply with this suggestion and must forfeit a game, the following rule applies:
• The forfeiting team must contact Apex to notify them of the forfeit as soon as possible

Standings:

• Division standings are determined by using a 10-point system.
• Points will be awarded using the following criteria:
  • Winning Team: 6 points
  • Losing Team: 0 points
  • Tie game: 3 points
  • Shut out: 1 point
  • Goals (max 3): 1-point each
• Possible 10 points available for the winning team
• In the event of a tie, the standings are determined in the following order until one team is the winner:
  • The head-to-head record of the teams involved.
  • Goal differential (goals scored minus goals allowed) in pool play
  • Goals against (least amount)
  • Goals scored (highest amount)
  • Coin toss

Overtime Periods:

• During pool play, if the score is tied at the end of regulation, that game is scored as a tie and the game is over.
• During a semifinal game/championship game, if the score is tied at the end of regulation, the match will proceed directly to penalty kicks.

Penalty Kicks:

• During the semifinal/championship game, if the game is still tied after regulation is complete, the FIFA penalty kick procedure will be used to determine a winner using the following guidelines:
  • Only the players on the field at the end of regulation play are eligible to participate in the penalty kick procedure.
  • The eligible players from each team will meet at the center circle at the end of the period.
  • Captains will meet for the coin toss.
  • The coin will be called by the visitor.
  • The winner will kick first.
  • The referee will decide which goal is to be used for the penalty kicks.
  • Five players will be selected by each team for the first round of penalty kicks. With teams alternating, five penalty kicks will be taken.
  • The team scoring the most goals wins the match.
  • No player shall take a second kick until all eligible players on his/her team, including the goalie, take one penalty kick.
  • If one team builds an insurmountable lead before the completion of five (5) kicks they shall be declared the winner.
  • If the match is still tied after the first round of five penalty kicks, the remaining eligible players from each team will take penalty kicks in the same manner, alternating each attempt to score until one team scores and the other fails to score in each round.
  • The first team to score while the other team fails to score shall be declared the winner.
• All FIFA rules apply during penalty kicks.

Alcoholic Beverages:

• Alcohol and smoking are not allowed in any Apex facility or field by Arvada city ordinance.
• No consumption of alcohol during the game.
• Any player caught will result in immediate ejection.
• Any player who is intoxicated will automatically be prohibited from playing.

Insurance:

• Apex Park and Recreation District does not provide insurance coverage for players, coaches or spectators.
• You are strongly advised to check with your personal carrier to ensure you are covered for accidents/injuries, including ambulance transportation.

Code of Conduct:

• Teams are responsible for their players, coaches, and spectators’ conduct before, during and after the game.
• Children must always be supervised.
• All must conform to school district regulations and Apex Park and Recreation District regulations.
• Penalties for failure to abide by this code: Forfeit of the game, possible arrest and prosecution, forfeiture of remaining games and will not receive any refund of fees paid.