MYSA Spring 2011 Recreation Tournament Rules

  • Match play is governed by the current MYSA Recreation Rules of the Game for each age division.
  • Awards are given out for Champions and Finalists for U10 and above.
  • Bracket seeds are determined by the final regular season standings in each division according to criteria laid out in the MYSA League Rules. In the event regular season matches cannot all be played, the standings will serve as a guideline for seedings based on a variety of factors (games played, record, goals allowed/scored per game, etc)
  • The league prefers a ‘group’ style or double elimination bracket format to ensure each team gets a minimum of 2-3 matches in the tournament. However, some circumstances may dictate a single elimination format be used.

Group Play Rules

  • If necessary, a playin match is held to determine the last even seed – a tie in this match will result in a shootout.
  • Teams are broken up into groups based on their final standings.
  • Teams play each team in their group once. Ties are allowed. There are no shootouts in the group stage.
  • Points are awarded as follows: 3 points for win, 1 point for draw, 0 points for a loss, 1 point for a shutout.
  • The team in each group with the most points after the group stage will advance to the semi-finals or championship match. In some brackets – wildcard teams can also advance. After the winners of each group, the remaining team with the most standings points will advance as a wildcard in accordance with the tiebreak rules below.
  • If teams are tied after the group stage, the following tiebreak rules will be used to determine who advances:
    • Head to head record
    • Least goals allowed
    • Bonus points based on positive Goal Differential (Max 3 per match)
    • Coin Toss
  • Semi-final (if applicable) and Championship matches will go to kicks from the mark if the score is tied at the end of regulation. There are no overtime periods.

Round Robin Rules

  • Teams play each other once. Ties are allowed. There are no shootouts in the round robin stage.
  • Points are awarded as follows: 3 points for win, 1 point for draw, 0 points for a loss, 1 point for a shutout.
  • After all matches are played, the team with the most points is crowned champion and the next team in points ‘finalists’.
  • If the top two teams are tied after the round robin stage, the following tiebreak rules will be used to determine the Champion. The same holds true if the 2nd and 3rd teams are tied – these rules determine the finalist:
    • Head to head record
    • Least goals allowed
    • Bonus points based on positive Goal Differential (Max 3 per match)
    • Kicks From The Mark (Shootout)

Double Elimination Rules

  • Teams must lose twice to be eliminated (except in the final round). A team that loses once can win their next match to ‘stay alive’.
  • All matches must have a winner – there are no ties. Any match ending regulation in a tie will proceed to kicks from the mark to declare a winner.
  • Teams advancing to the final match will be the finalists with the winner declared champion.