Rules and Regulations

1. Uniforms: All players must wear completely covered, legal shin guards and have cleats that meet FIFA standards. Jewelry is not permitted to be worn on the field of play during match play.All team jerseys must be clearly numbered and matching. The goalkeeper’s jersey must be of a different color than either team’s jerseys.The HOME team, as listed on the tournament schedule, MUST change to alternative jerseys if there is a color conflict in the opinion of the officials.                                                                                           
2. Captains Meeting & Team Check-In: Team contact/captain must be present at the captain’s meeting for team check-in at the tournament headquarters.Upon arrival you will provide a mobile phone number where they can be reached throughout the dates of the event. If your team is not going to be at team check-in, you must notify Carolinas Cup Competition Committee to arrange a pre-tournament check-in or your team will be dropped from the schedule. At team check-in you MUST have a copy of your final roster as approved by your Association AND all the validated player passes of each of the players listed on your Carolinas Cup roster, INCLUDING guest players with photos.
    
3. Field Check-In
   Teams must be on time, at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start. 10 minutes past the scheduled start time will constitute a forfeit. The clock will START on time. Seven players will constitute a team and the clock will start accordingly. Captains need to be ready when the referee calls for captains to present the team’s certified jersey roster with the correct corresponding jersey numbers to the center referee and meet the opposing captain.
   In an orderly fashion, have the individual players turn in their player pass to the center referee for ID, jersey number, and equipment check. Coaches, players, and spectators must remain between the penalty areas and 3 to 5 yards from the touchline. No one shall be behind the goal lines and goals. Team’s benches will occupy one side of the field. ALL spectators must be on the opposite side of the benches.Coaching is restricted to their bench’s half of the field.
    
4. Divisions Groupings
   Shall be determined by the tournament committee based on the number of entries received, previous Cup results, the geographical distribution of teams, and the timeliness of applications received, and league results, as the priorities.                                                                                                                                                     
5. Match Play Format                                                                                                                                      Each team will play the other teams in their designated group as scheduled. The points for bracket standings are as follows: 3 points for the win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for the loss.                         Tiebreakers will be applied in the following sequence 1, 2, 3.and 4 for ranking.
   1. Head to Head. If two or more teams are tied for the same ranking, the tiebreaker will be the result of the game previously played between these two or more teams; the winner will be ranked prior to the other(s). If it is a 3 Team scenario, the points the teams earned in the matches against the tied teams will be used.
   2. If two or more teams are still tied, the tiebreaker will be the team with greatest goal differential, (with a maximum goal differential per match of 4).
   3. If two or more teams are still tied, the tiebreaker will be least goals allowed.
   4. Finally if two or more teams are still tied, the tiebreaker will be kicks from the mark (FIFA).A coin flip or draw of lots may be used in certain circumstances (Inclement Weather, etc.)
       
6. Elimination Matches
   In Quarter-final or Semi-Final matches the Kicks from the Mark (FIFA) procedure will be used to determine the winner. In Championship Matches two 10 minute overtime periods will be played.If the game is still tied after the overtime periods, the kicks from the mark (FIFA) procedure will be used to determine the winner.                 
7. Forfeits                                                                                                                                                            At the discretion of the Tournament Committee, any team proven to be in violation of the Carolinas Cup Policies may be subjected to sanctions including but not limited to fortfeiture of all games in the Carolinas Cup with the result being a 3-0 loss. Player eligibility, breach of tournament rules, failure to appear as scheduled, team, player or coach misconduct are all subject to the jurisdiction and authority of the Tournament Committee. Forfeits may be applied retroactive or for singular  matches. Forfeits are recorded as a 3-0 loss for the violating team.                                                                                                                                                                                
8. Referees All matches will be officiated by USSF certified referees. The referee must report the score to the tournamnet headquarters within 15 minutes of the conclusion of each match.                                                           
9. Match Abandonment                                                                                                                                         If a match is abandoned after 35 minutes of play “through no fault of either team” the score will stand and the match will be counted. At the Tournament Committee’s discretion, if the match is abandoned “through no fault of either team” under 35 minutes, the match may need to be replayed in its entirety or resumed at the point of stoppage, subject to schedule availability. Teams that abandon a match at any point will be considered having forfeited the match and may be subject to further penalties, under the Forfeit Policy in addition forfeiture of the team’s performance bond.                                                                                                   
10. Player-Send Offs                                                                                                                                          Any player sent off from a match will not be replaced. The player cannot be within sight and sound of the field. A player issued a straight Send Off (Red Card) will automatically serve a minimum one game suspension. A player issued a straight Send Off (Red Card) for Violent Conduct will automatically serve a minimum TWO game suspension.A player who is unable to fulfill the suspension penalties for Violent Conduct during the Cup may be suspended in the next Carolinas Cup or suspended during their league play.A player issued two Cautions (Yellow Cards) thus earning a Send Off (Red Card) will be suspended for the next match.All player passes of sent off players will be turned into the tournament committee. The passes will be returned to the team’s captain after the suspensions have been served. The tournament committee reserves the right to administer additional penalties as warranted.                                                                
11. Team Officials                                                                                                                                       Coaches and other team officials shall be subject to all rules pertaining to misconduct contained in the Tournament Policies, including verbally cautioned, expulsions and suspensions.                                                         
12. Protests and Appeals                                                                                                                                     The Carolinas Cup will be overseen by a tournament committee consisting of a 1 North Carolina Representative,1 South Carolina Representative, and a member of the hosting organization. All tournament committee decisions are final.                                                                                                          
13. Inclement Weather                                                                                                                               Regardless of the weather conditions, teams must appear on the field ready to play as scheduled. Failure to appear will result in forfeiture of the match. Only the Tournament Committee in conjunction with the Match Officials may cancel or postpone a match. In case of severe weather before play, the Tournament Committee may reduce the length of the match by up to 50%. Should a match be terminated after 35 minutes due to weather, the match will be considered official and the score will stand. Referees should not begin or continue a match when lightning is seen in the area.In case the entire tournament is postponed, a rain date has been set. Teams are expected to participate. For more weather information call the provided Weather Hotline.                                                                                                                                                   
14. Bond & National Fees                                                                                                                                    All performance bonds will be refunded in full by mail within 30 days after the tournament, barring any violation of Carolinas Cup rules and requirements.Teams under tournament committee or discipline and appeal consideration will have their performance bonds held indefinitely, until all associated matters are resolved by the appropriate Carolinas Cup governing committee.Withdrawal from the tournament after the application cutoff date, will result in forfeiture of the team’s entry fee AND performance bond.           
15. Disclaimer                                                                                                                                             The tournament committee reserves the right to adjust the competition format depending on the number of team entries in a given division. The tournament may even close a division due to lack of team registration. In which case, the teams entered will receive the full refund of their registration and performance bond.  Neither state association, NCASA nor SCSA will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any person, team, league, or any other association as a result of participating in the Carolina’s Cup. By participating in the Carolinas Cup the team is acknowledging that team officials have read and understood the rules and that the team will abide by all the rules of the Carolinas Cup.  THE CAROLINA’S CUP’S INTENTION IS TO DETERMINE A CHAMPION FOR EACH DIVISION FROM THE VARIOUS LEAGUE SYSTEMS ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTH CAROLINA. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT CAROLINAS CUP IS DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION OF THE GOOD OF THE GAME AND GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP. THE TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE MAY SUSPEND WITHOUT RECOURSE TO APPEAL, PLAYERS TEAMS, AND/OR COACHES WHO DEMONSTRATE POOR SPORTSMANSHIP.