TEAM CHECK-IN

All teams check in online by the designated day. You are not required to come to tournament headquarters before your first game.

REPORTING SCORES

Western WA Surf staff will report scores when possible. In some situations, score reporting responsibility falls to the winning team, or the home team in the event of a draw.

JERSEY CHANGE & GAME BALL

The away team changes jerseys in the event of a color clash. The home team provides the game ball.

SCORING FORMAT — GROUP PLAY

A maximum of 3 points may be awarded per game: 3 points for a win, 1 for a tie, 0 for a loss. A forfeit is scored as a 1-0 win with 3 points awarded.

POINTS PER GAME (PPG)

Due to varying group sizes, teams may play a different number of matches during group play. Standings are determined using Points Per Game (Total Points Earned ÷ Matches Played) to ensure fair comparison across all teams. Matches not played cannot be assumed as wins, losses, or ties.

ADVANCEMENT TO CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

The two teams ranked highest in group standings by PPG advance directly to the Championship Final. There are no semifinal matches, and advancement is determined strictly by standings regardless of original group or bracket assignment — it is possible for both advancing teams to come from the same group.

TIEBREAKERS — GROUP STANDINGS

• Head-to-head competition
• Highest goal differential (limit of 6 per game)
• Most wins
• Most goals for (limit of 6 per game)
• Fewest goals against (limit of 6 per game)
• Most shutouts
• Penalty kick shoot-out (5 players per team; sudden victory if still tied)

In the event of a 3-way tie, tiebreakers are applied starting at #2 until one team advances, then restarted at #1 for the remaining two teams.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES & PENALTY KICKS

If tied at the end of regulation, a Golden Goal period of one 5-minute half follows. If either team scores, the game ends immediately. If still tied, the game moves to kicks from the spot — each team selects 5 players who were on the field at the end of the game, alternating kicks (first kicker determined by coin flip). If still tied after 5 kicks, teams alternate one at a time until a winner is determined. All eligible players must kick before any player repeats. Goalies may be changed after any shot.

TOURNAMENT AWARDS

Champions and Finalists both receive tournament medals at the conclusion of the Championship Game. All teams proceed to the awards area in the Pavilion.

ROSTERS

• 11v11 age groups (U13 and up): no more than 22 players on roster, 18 dressed per game
• Teams allowed 5 guest players (must be on roster)
• No roster changes permitted after a team roster has been approved at tournament registration
• Players may only be listed on one roster per event

OFFICIATING

Qualified officials will officiate each game. 11v11 games are officiated by a central referee and 2 assistant referees, though availability of qualified referees may necessitate fewer linesmen on occasion.

HEADING RULES

U12 players and older may head the ball intentionally. If a player plays "up" an age division, they follow the rules of that age group.

7V7 GUIDELINES (U8–U10)

The opposing team must be behind the build-out line for goal kicks. A build-out line / offside line is used, positioned equidistant between the penalty area and the halfway line. At 7v7, the focus is on development and multiple touches with minimal stoppages, rather than coaches and teams focusing on the offside trap. The keeper cannot drop-kick or punt the ball. There is no stoppage time for injuries.

9V9 GUIDELINES (U11–U12)

No build-out line is used. The offside rule applies with the center line used as the offside line. The keeper can punt the ball. There is no stoppage time for injuries.

11V11 GUIDELINES (U13–U19)

There is no stoppage time for injuries.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Substitutions can be made at any stoppage with the consent of the official, including free kicks, corners, and opposition stoppages such as the other team's throw-in. Unlimited re-entries are allowed. There is no stoppage time for injuries.

WEATHER & LIGHTNING POLICY

Every attempt will be made to play all scheduled games. At the sole discretion of the event director/committee, some games may be declared a 0-0 tie and not made up.

At the first visible sign of lightning, all play stops and players/spectators move to a safe location. Game clocks continue running for in-progress games. If time runs out at or past halftime when play was stopped, the result at that point stands. If 5 minutes or less remain in the first half with a 2+ goal differential, the game is declared final. Play resumes 30 minutes after the last visible lightning strike, with the nearest-scheduled game resuming first. Personal safety is the number one priority and supersedes any game situation — no appeals will be allowed.

TEAM WITHDRAWALS & FORFEITS

A team that does not show with the minimum number of players results in a 0-3 forfeit loss. If a team shows up to the wrong field, a 15-minute grace period applies to reach the minimum of 7 players before the game becomes a forfeit. A team fully responsible for terminating a game due to poor sportsmanship will forfeit, incurring a 0-3 loss. Playing with more players than the maximum roster size without written confirmation from the event committee results in a forfeit.

PLAYER SAFETY

• Soft splints or casts allowed if the referee determines they pose no danger
• Braces, joints, or prosthetics allowed if deemed safe by the referee
• Sport spectacles/plastic prescription frames allowed; glass, metal, or sharp-edged eyewear is barred
• Soft foam headgear allowed if deemed safe by the referee

If a referee determines a player is wearing a prohibited item, the player must remove it or will not be allowed to return to the match.

PLAYER DEPORTMENT & DISCIPLINE

Shirts must be tucked in and shin guards covered by socks. Cards and conduct issues are recorded and reported to event directors. Two yellow cards in a game equal an ejection (red card); an ejected player may not be replaced and is suspended for the next scheduled game. An ejected coach may not participate in the next scheduled game. Assault or abuse by players, coaches, or supporters results in immediate suspension for the balance of the event.

COACH PRESENCE

Each team must have a coach or administrator with a valid coaching pass present at all scheduled matches. If no coach is present, the match is forfeited 3-0. A maximum of 3 coaches are allowed on the sideline. If a coach is sent off, the team must replace them with another valid-pass coach/administrator from the same club within a 5-minute grace period.

FIELD MARSHALS & CONDUCT

Field Marshals are present at all fields and have the authority to remove unruly or uncivil spectators or coaches from the field perimeter or complex. Alcohol consumption is not permitted on premises.

PROTESTS & REFUNDS

No protests will be considered. No refunds will be issued after a team has been accepted into the event.