MYSA Spring 2012 Recreation Tournament Rules

  • Match play is governed by the current MYSA Recreation Rules of the Game for each age division.
  • If teams have similar colors, the higher seeded/home team must bring and wear alternate color pinnies.
  • 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.
  • The league prefers division to play a ‘group’ style bracket 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.

Double Elimination Play Rules

  • All matches must have a winner declared. Matches tied at the end of regulation will proceed to kicks from the mark.

Group Play Rules

  • Teams are broken up into groups based on their final standings.
  • Teams play two group matches. Ties are allowed. There are no shootouts in the group stage.
  • Points are awarded as follows: 3 points for win, 1 point for draw, and 0 points for a loss.
  • The top two teams in each group after the group stage will advance to the semifinals.
  • 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 Bonus Pts per match) and 1 Bonus Point per shutout.
    • 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

Kicks From The Mark

  • If a match must be decided by kicks from the mark (penalty kick shootout), the procedure will adhere to the current FIFA Laws of the Game and the following:
    • Only players on the field at the end of regulation may take kicks from the mark.
    • If a team has had players sent off during regulation, then before kicks from the mark begin, the team with additional players must sit as many players as necessary so both teams kick with the same number of players.
    • If at the end of these five rounds of kicks the teams have scored an equal number of successful kicks, sudden death rounds of one kick each are used until one side scores and the other does not.
    • Any player remaining on the pitch may act as goalkeeper, and it is not required that the same player act as goalkeeper throughout the shoot-out.
    • No player is allowed to take a second kick from the penalty mark until all other eligible players have taken a first kick, including the goalkeeper.
    • If it becomes necessary for players to take a second kick (because the score has remained equal after all eligible players have taken their first kick), teams are not required to follow the same order of kickers as was used for the first kick.