Area Guidelines
(as revised December 2, 2019) 

No player plays the full game until all players play three-fourths.            

12.4.  Standings shall be based on the following scoring system:

a.        Three (3) points for each Win.

b.        One (1) point for each Tie.

c.         Zero (0) points for a each Loss.

D.        For score adjustments related to send off, refer to Section 14 Misconducts (possible minus one (-1) point for each send off). 

12.5.1.  In the event the game was not played: 1-0 favor of the team that did not forfeit.
12.5.2.  In the case of a game that has been started and one team forfeited, the score will be reported with zero (0) goals for the forfeiting team and the greater of one (1) or the number of goals the non-forfeiting team has scored.
12.5.3.  In the case where both teams forfeited simultaneously (either before kickoff or during the same stoppage in a match), the game will not be rescheduled. Both teams shall receive zero (0) points in the standings and the game will count as a game played.

12.7   Standings shall be decided through a summation of the points received. 

12.8   Tie break procedures

12.8.1.  In the event more than two (2) teams are tied: When one (1) or more teams are eliminated at a level and two (2) or more teams are still tied, the remaining teams restart the tie-break procedure.

12.8.2.  Tie break criteria:

12.8.3.  The Area Director or Program Director has the authority to make the final decision with regard to tie breakers.

a. Head to Head competition.

b. Highest Goal Differential (max of  5 goals/game averaged over games played)

c. Least Goals Scored Against (max of 5 goals/game averaged over games played)

d. Highest Goals Scored For (maximum of 5 goals/game averaged over games played)

e. Coin flip or random process to be determined by the Program or Area Director. The head coach, assistant, manager, team parent or Regional Commissioner of each team must be present unless the head coach gives consent otherwise. Except for the Regional Commissioner, the team representative must be listed on the team roster.

13.     Playoff Games

13.1.  Game duration shall be listed below unless specified otherwise in the program rules.

13.1.1. U9/U10: Two 25 minute halves.

13.1.2. U11 and older: Two 30 minute halves.

13.3.  Playoff pool games may end in a tie, unless noted otherwise.

13.4.  In elimination or medal round games, ties will be decided with two (2) full five (5) minute extra time periods to determine a winner. Sudden victory or “golden goal” will not be played.

13.4.1. Teams playing short in regulation time as a result of a send-off(s) shall continue to do so in overtime.

13.4.2. The teams shall change ends of the field after the completion of the first overtime period. The second overtime period begins immediately after the end of the first extra time period.

13.6.  As deemed by the referee, Area Director or Program Director, if there is not sufficient time for the overtime periods (due to darkness or delaying the start of the next game) the game will be decided by the taking of the kicks from the penalty mark. 

15. Forfeits

15.1.              A team will be declared to forfeit a match if they did not show up for a scheduled game or is in violation of an administrative rule.
15.1.1 If a team does not showing up for a tournament pool play game, the game shall be recorded as forfeit by the team not showing up for the game and all other pool play games involving the team shall also be recorded as forfeits.

15.2.            A team shall be in forfeit of a game if found in violation of any of the following:
15.2.1.              Failure to show up for a scheduled game, referred to as a “no-show”.
15.2.2.              Failure to provide official player ID cards (all programs except the Fall Area League Playoffs).
15.2.3.              Failure to provide at least one coach ID card (all programs except the Fall Area League Playoffs).

15.2.4.              Inability to field the minimum number of players before or during a game.
15.2.5.              Failure to be on the field of play and ready to play at game time and after the grace period.

15.2.6.              Failure or refusal to continue the game.
15.2.7.              Misconduct that causes the termination of the game.
15.2.8.              Use of an ineligible or suspended player.
15.2.9.              A coach or spectator attends a game in which they have received a suspension.

15.4.              See the section “Scoring and Reporting Games” to determine how a forfeit is scored.