Rules

TKO Premier SC, Portage SC, and the KISS Tournament are committed to offering our teams and families the best event experience possible. COVID-19 has provided challenges for clubs and families, as well as tournaments, all across the country. To ensure our teams have the best experience, we will follow a new COVID-19 Refund Policy for the 2022-2023 year. 

• Any event cancelled by state or local government guidelines due to COVID-19 prior to 21 days out from the event start date will be fully refunded ($50 processing fee will be deducted). 
• Any event cancelled by state or local government guidelines due to COVID-19 21 days or less out from the event start date will be refunded at 50% of the entry fee. 
•  Any event cancelled by state or local government guidelines due to COVID-19 once the event has kicked off, there will be no refunds issued. 
•  In all other cases outside of COVID-19, the event refund policy found in the event rules will be in place.
   

All tournament registration will be online. THERE WILL NOT BE REGISTRATION OUT AT THE FIELDS. Online registration will be through GotSport. Full details of this will be sent out to teams after the application deadline passes. Teams must provide the following information at registration

(note: All rosters must be for the 2023/24 soccer year):

For teams registered with the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA):

• Player cards: official and valid laminated cards with a photograph for each player
• Official Team Roster: 2 copies of your current official roster, signed by the league registrar. (Please list players tournament jersey numbers on the roster.)
• Travel papers: travel paperwork is NOT required.
• Risk management cards: for all team officials (proof you have been cleared to work with children)
• Guest player paperwork and approval (if applicable) *Instructions for Guest Players is below
• Tournament liability release form: available on the tournament website and must be signed by each player’s parent/guardian
• Heads Up Concussion Certificates for Coaches & ALL other bench personnel
• Team contact sheet available on website.

The two items below do not need to be brought to registration but you MUST provide a confirmation that you will have them with you at the tournament:

• Medical release forms: medical release forms must be signed by the parent or guardian of each player.
• Heads Up parent/athlete concussion information sheet for each player attending tournament.

SafeSport Compliance
All Adult members must obtain RM clearance and also complete the ‘Core SafeSport Training’ by the earlier of 1) prior to regular contact with a Minor Participant; or 2) within the first 45 days of the Covered Adult taking on the role giving them access to Minor Participants. The SafeSport Trained requirement is considered valid for one year and a SafeSport Refresher course is available on the Safesport.org website in order for Covered Adults to maintain their SafeSport Certification. All coaches, team officials, adult members, etc. participating in the tournament must have a valid “SafeSport Trained” certification and be able to produce their certification upon request. SafeSport certificates must be no older than 1 year.

Risk Management
All MSYSA Team Officials must be risk management certified by MSYSA and must be able to present their risk management card at any time during the tournament. Team Officials from other State Associations and/or other organizational members of US Soccer Federation must be able to show proof of their organization’s equivalent risk management certification.

Concussion Policy
All MSYSA coaches must be able to provide their CDC Heads-Up Concussion Certification. All non-MSYSA coaches must be able to provide the CDC Heads-Up Concussion certificate or the NFHS Concussion in Sports Certificate. Teams must be able to provide the Michigan Department of Community Health/CDC Parents and Athlete Concussion Information Sheet for each player attending the tournament. Valid concussion certificates must be no older than 3 years from time of tournament.

For USYSA teams registered outside of Michigan (other state associations):

• Player cards: official and valid laminated cards with a photograph for each player
• Official Team Roster: 2 copies of your current official roster, signed by the league registrar. (Please List Players Tournament Jersey Numbers on Roster)
• Travel papers: all USYSA teams traveling from outside Michigan must provide appropriate travel documents approved by their State Soccer Association.
• Guest player paperwork and approval (if applicable) *Instructions for Guest Players is below
• Tournament liability release form: available on the tournament website and must be signed by each player’s parent/guardian
• Heads Up Concussion Certificates for Coaches & ALL other bench personnel
• Team contact sheet available on website.

The two items below do not need to be brought to registration but you MUST provide a confirmation that you will have them with you at the tournament:

• Medical release forms: medical release forms must be signed by the parent or guardian of each player.
• Heads Up parent/athlete concussion information sheet for each player attending tournament

For US Club Soccer teams:

• Player cards: official and valid laminated cards with a photograph for each player
• Official Team Roster: 2 copies needed (Please list players tournament jersey numbers on the roster.)
• Risk management certification for all team officials (proof you are cleared to work with children)
• Travel papers: the approved roster printed from the US Club Soccer player registration system is proof of travel approval from US Club Soccer. No additional documentation is needed from out of state teams
• Tournament liability release form: available on the tournament website and must be signed by each player’s parent/guardian
• Heads Up Concussion Certificates for Coaches & ALL other bench personnel
• Team contact sheet available on website.

The two items below do not need to be brought to registration but you MUST provide a confirmation that you will have them with you at the tournament:

• Medical release forms: medical release forms must be signed by the parent or guardian of each player. Your state soccer association’s medical release form should be used.
• Heads Up parent/athlete concussion information sheet for each player attending tournament

NOTE: TEAMS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO MIX USYSA (MSYSA) AND US CLUB SOCCER PAPERWORK TO REGISTER.

For Foreign Teams – For a team coming from a CONCACAF nation:

• Players must present passports at registration or, if from a nation that the United States does not require a passport, proof of entry into the United States that is required by the United States.
• Teams are required to have and present player picture identification cards. (player numbers MUST be listed)
• Tournament rules must require that the team have a completed form from its Provincial or National Association approving the team’s participation in the tournament.
• Medical release forms
• Tournament liability release form: available on the tournament website and must be signed by each player’s parent/guardian
• Concussion certificates for coaches and parent and athlete concussion information sheet for each player attending tournament. Must be CDC Heads Up.
   

Under 7 - Born in 2017
Under 8 - Born in 2016*
Under 9 - Born in 2015
Under 10 - Born in 2014
Under 11 - Born in 2013
Under 12 - Born in 2012
Under 13 - Born in 2011
Under 14 - Born in 2010
Under 15 - Born in 2009
Under 16 - Born in 2008
Under 17 - Born in 2007
Under 18 - Born in 2006
Under 19 - Born in 2005

* U8 may choose to play 4v4 or 7v7. If they chose 7v7 they will be bracketed in the U9 Division. There will not be a U8 7v7 Division. 

A roster must be on file with tournament headquarters prior to competition and it must be an official team roster for the Fall 2023/Spring 2024 season.

A player can only be rostered on ONE team. If there is a challenge from another team that you are fielding an illegal player, managers and/or coaches must be able to provide evidence on the field of the said player's passcard & roster. Failure to do this will result in an 0-4 loss & forfeit for that particular game.

The maximum roster size per age group is as follows:

4v4 - 8 players maximum (U7-U8)
7v7 - 12 players maximum (U9-U10) (U8 teams can play up at U9)
9v9 - 16 players maximum (U11-U12)
11v11 - 22 players (U13-U19)

11v11 teams may only dress up to 18 players for each game. They may rotate these players for each game. The referee should be notified about which players are not dressed if they are on the bench.

Guest Players: A maximum of 5 guest players (from outside a team’s club) are allowed per team at MSYSA sanctioned tournaments.

Club Passcard Players: An unlimited number of club passcard players are allowed per team provided that at least 50% of the players appearing on a tournament roster also appear on a team’s league roster.

“Club” means an organization providing soccer to youth players that is either a direct member of MSYSA or that registers players with MSYSA through an affiliated member. At no time shall an affiliated member who functions as a “scheduling league” also be considered a “club”.

In the case where a club sets up one or more satellite clubs in the state, those satellite clubs may only be considered part of the main club for the purposes of TKO Premier SC Soccer tournaments if all the following criteria are met:

1. The main club and satellite club have the same Board of Directors
2. The main club and satellite club have the same Tax ID number
3. The main club and satellite club are in the same MSYSA District as determined by the MSYSA Board of Directors.

(7v7) 2 x 25 minute halves (prelim, semi & finals)
(9v9) 2 x 30 minutes halves (prelim, semi & finals)
(11v11) 2 x 35 minute halves (prelim, semi & finals) up to U15
(11v11) 2 x 40 minute halves (Showcase Structure/Round Robin prelim play-No Finals) U16 and above

Note: Games may be shortened to maintain the integrity of the schedule during the preliminary and semi-final games. There is no overtime during preliminary rounds. Games are on a running clock, there is no stoppage time or injury time.

FIFA Rules Apply, unless listed differently in Tournament Rules.

Elimination of Heading Policy

• All players age 10 and younger, regardless of what age group they play in, may not head the ball.
• All players in the U11 age group or younger may not head the ball.
• A purposeful header by these players shall result in an indirect free kick awarded to the opponent at the spot of the infraction. If header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick shall be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.
   

Substitutions may be made with referee’s approval only. Substitution requests may be given at these times:

• Before a goal kick
• Before a throw-in for your team or on the opponent's throw-in if the opponent is substituting.
• After a goal
• At halftime
• After an injury (one for one)
• After a yellow card has been issued (one for one)

Both teams will have their bench on the same side. Spectators will be on the opposite side. The halfway line will divide the teams and the spectators. Coaches are responsible for the spectators’ behavior. Dissent will not be tolerated.
 

Individual and team awards will be given for 1st and 2nd place for u14 and below. Participation awards will NOT be given.

U8-U12 will use a size 4 ball. U13 and above will use a size 5 ball.

1. Shin guards are mandatory and must be covered by socks.
2. Shirt/jerseys will be tucked into players shorts at all times.
3. Hard cast and Soft cast will be allowed upon approval of referee and/or tournament Committee.
4. The home team will be responsible for using alternate color uniform if necessary.
5. All uniforms must have numbers; there should be no DUPLICATE numbers on the field. If there are duplicate numbers, those players should have proper credentials to play on the team, such as being on roster or being properly registered as a guest player with the tournament. Any disputes over a team that has players with duplicate numbers will be resolved by the tournament committee.
    

Win = 3 points
Tie = 1 point
Loss = 0 points

1. Head to Head (skip if more than two teams are tied)
2. Net score - Goals scored less goals allowed (max. 4 per game)
3. Least goals against
4. Most goals scored (max. 4 per game)
5. Penalty kicks. 5 per team, alternating. If tied after 5 each, 1 per team will be selected until the tie is broken. (The penalty shooters can be anyone who is dressed to play and rostered).
6. All Division winners are set, and then the wildcard process takes place.

The Selection of a Wild Card Team, if required, shall be determined by:

1. Non-group winner with the most total points.
2. Non-group winner with the most wins.
3. Winner of the game, if applicable, played between the tied teams.
4. Net score - Goals scored less goals allowed (max. 4 per game)
5. Least goals against.
6. Penalty kicks. If both teams advance, the tournament committee will decide the opponents at the next level of play.

(Placement of the Wildcard Teams is at the discretion of the Tournament Committee)

Ties During Championship or Playoff Games are settled by 2 x 5 minute overtime periods. Both periods will be played in duration. If a tie still exists, penalty kicks will take place. 

Penalty kicks: 5 per team, alternating. If tied after 5 each, 1 per team will be selected until the tie is broken. (The penalty shooters can be anyone who is dressed to play and rostered). 
Players do not have to be on the field at the end of play.

Penalty kick elimination: When semi-final and final matches are still tied after overtime the FIFA laws of the game for Penalty Kicks apply. Players do not have to be on the field at the end of the second overtime period. Coin flip will determine who will go first (visiting team calls). Five penalty kicks per team. The most goals scored after five kicks for each team wins the game. If the score remains tied, teams will alternate shooters until there is an unmatched goal between the teams. After all eligible players on the field of play have taken kicks; teams will start with their first kickers again and in the same order.

**The tournament committee reserves the right to shorten or eliminate overtime periods in order to keep games on time.**

A team that fails to field 7 players (5 for Under 10 and below) 5 minutes after the scheduled kick off, will forfeit. The score will be 4-0. Any team who forfeits a game will not advance from their bracket. Any use of illegal players will result in a forfeiture of all games.
 

Referee's Decisions are Final - No Protests - No Appeals

The Tournament uses a 2023/24 USSF certified assignor and that all referee assigning is done through Game Officials. Furthermore, out-of-area referees will need to show photo proof to verify identity.

Disputes: Any disagreement which cannot be resolved by the listed rules will be settled by the Tournament Committee. Score disputes: In situations where there is a disagreement about the score between teams/coaches/managers etc., the tournament committee will determine outcome by referring to the original signed game card from the game. Please make sure that the score is correct prior to signing the game sheet.

Final Rulings: The final interpreter of the foregoing rules and regulations and any matters not provided for in these rules will be the Tournament Committee, whose decisions shall be final.

• Any player or coach ejected from a game will be ineligible to participate in the next scheduled game. The player/coach passcard is to be turned in to the site headquarters immediately following the initial suspension game. A red and yellow card report is provided to the club, league, and/or affiliated organization that teams participating in the tournament come from.
• There shall be no dissent between players and/or coaches and the referee. Questioning a referee is considered dissent. All coaches are responsible for the actions of their spectators, specifically verbal abuse of referees. Such abuse will not be tolerated by the tournament and any decisions will be made by the tournament committee.

The tournament committee and/or director have the right to stop games due to weather.

Games interrupted in the first half:

• Will continue if time permits.
• If time does not permit, a 0-0 tie will be awarded.

Games interrupted after the completion of the first half:

• Will continue if time permits.
• If time does not permit, the score of the game will stand.

Refund Policy: Due to circumstances or conditions beyond our control, the tournament committee will not be responsible for any refunds under any circumstances. Any teams that withdraw before the deadline (May 5, 2023) will receive a full refund less a $100 administration fee. Any team withdrawing after the deadline will receive no refund.  

All school, park, and facility rules must be adhered by while on premises. Violators will be asked to leave. 

Dogs:  There are NO DOGS allowed at the tournament. While River Oaks County Park does allow dogs, for the safety of all involved, the tournament does not allow dogs.

Questions should be directed towards the Tournament Director via the message center on the tournament website. The Contact link can be found at the top of each webpage.
 

TKO Premier SC adheres to the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) Risk Management policies. MSYSA registered teams will be required to present risk management cards for coaches, assistant coaches and team managers. Any non-MSYSA team must provide alternative docs to prove their Risk Management. Risk management shows us some documentation that you have been cleared to work with children.
 

Each team must have a medical release form for each player rostered, including guest players, at registration.

All state associations & foreign teams are eligible to participate in the TKO Premier SC tournaments.

In the case of similar color uniforms, the home team will change to their alternate jersey. The home team is the FIRST team listed and will also provide a game ball.

Offside is called from the build out line to the end line.

We WILL utilize the build out line – Per US Soccer, the Build-Out Line promotes playing the ball out from the defensive third in a less pressured setting. When the goalkeeper has control (with their hands) of the ball during play, the opposing team MUST move behind the Build-Out Line until the ball is released (put in play) by the goalkeeper.

Once the opposing team is behind the Build-Out Line, the goalkeeper's six-second count will begin and can then pass, throw, or roll the ball into play to a teammate (punts or drop kicks are NOT allowed). After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the Build-Out Line and play resumes as normal. The build out line will be marked mid way between the top of the penalty box and the half way line.

Also, the opposing team MUST move behind the Build-Out Line for a goal kick restart and may only cross the Build-Out Line once the ball is in play (meaning that the ball has left the penalty area).

Restarts/Free-kicks - All free-kicks outside of the penalty area will be indirect. All restarts from inside the penalty area will conform to FIFA rules for penalty kicks, which will be marked 8 yards from the goal line. On pass back to keeper, keeper may play ball at feet but NOT handle, as per FIFA rules.

We will utilize a one ref system for 7v7 games.

Should the tournament not have enough teams to conduct a tournament and the tournament is cancelled, team fees will be refunded due to tournament cancellation.

*This is only if the tournament is canceled due to lack of team numbers. Please see the weather refund policy above for inclement weather clarifications.*