RULES
FIFA, with modifications as published below. 

REGISTRATION
Due to Montgomery County Health Department restrictions and gathering size limits, the Cherry Blossom Tournament has been canceled for this year.  In a normal year, the application deadline is approximately February 14th.

AGE GROUPS
The age group structure as established by US Soccer will govern, as modified below. All players (including guest players) must have been born on or after the specified date for their age classification.

Premier Teams (e.g., NCSL, EDP, etc.)                                            Classic Teams

• U09:  January 1, 2011                                                                     U09: July 1, 2010
• U10:  January 1, 2010                                                                     U10: July 1, 2009
• U11:  January 1, 2009                                                                      U11: July 1, 2008
• U12:  January 1, 2008                                                                      U12: July 1, 2007
• U13:  January 1, 2007                                                                      U13: July 1, 2006
• U14:  January 1, 2006                                                                      U14: July 1, 2005
• U15:  January 1, 2005                                                                      U15: July 1, 2004
• U16:  January 1, 2004                                                                      U16: July 1, 2003
• U17:  January 1, 2003                                                                      U17: July 1, 2002
• U18:  January 1, 2002                                                                      U18: July 1, 2001
• U19:  January 1, 2001                                                                      U19: July 1, 2000

FORMAT OF PLAY

• U09 to U10:  7v7
• U11 to U12:  9v9
• U13 to U19:  11v11

SUBSTITUTION
Unlimited substitutions (with the referee's permission) will be allowed at the following times:

• after a goal 
• at the beginning of the second half or at the beginning of an overtime period 
• at a goal kick for either team 
• at a throw-in by the team in possession 
• at a stoppage of play for an injury on a one-for-one basis for the injured player 
• to replace a cautioned player (other team may also substitute a like number)

GAME LENGTH

• U09 to U12:  25-minute halves
• U13 to U19:  30-minute halves

Semi-final and final games that end in a tie will result in two 5-minute overtime periods (no sudden death).  Semi-final and final games that remain tied after the two overtime periods will be decided by FIFA's penalty kick procedure. 

GUEST PLAYERS
All teams are allowed up to four guest players. All guest players must be carded. Maximum roster size for U09 through U12 teams is 15 players. Maximum roster size for U13 through U16 teams is 18 players. Maximum roster size for U17 through U19 teams is 22 players (only 18 may dress for any game). U17 to U19 age group teams should be prepared to identify which players on their tournament roster will be deemed ineligible for a given game. Ineligible players may NOT be in uniform for that particular game. 

DIVISION WINNERS
Standings will be determined on the basis of standings points, as follows:

• 3 points for a win
• 1 point for a tie
• 0 points for a loss

Bonus points, which will be used as part of the tiebreaker process only, will be awarded as follows:

• 1 bonus point up to a maximum of +/- 3 per game for the difference between goals for and goals against
• 1 bonus point for each shutout win

 
In the event of a tie in standings points, division ranking will be decided as follows:

• Head to head competition
• Most wins 
• Bonus points 
• Fewest goals against 
• Most goals scored 
• Fewest discipline points (1 pt for yellow card, 2 pts for red card) 
• FIFA penalty kick procedure

In the event that more than two teams are tied, the above tiebreakers will be applied until such time as one or more teams "fall out" of the tie. At that point, the remaining "tied teams" will return to the first tiebreaker and have the process re-applied. This process will occur until all ties have been broken. 

FORFEITS
Any team that forfeits a game will automatically forfeit all of its games and may not advance to a semifinal or final game. This includes games actually played as well as unplayed.  Forfeits will be recorded as a 1-0 result. 

GENERAL
Montgomery Soccer and its affiliates will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any team if the tournament is cancelled in whole or in part.  Any team that disregards any decision made by the tournament committee will be removed from the tournament and forfeit all of its games. If the tournament is cancelled in whole or in part due to inclement weather, refunds will be processed after tournament expenses are paid.  When such circumstances have occurred, the refund policy has been applied generously.

ROSTER AND PLAYER PASSES
Current player passes (US Youth Soccer, or other US Soccer Organizational Member) for all players must be presented and verified against the team roster at tournament registration or at any time as requested by the referee or tournament committee. Teams should be prepared to present player passes at any time during the tournament. Teams must be in good standing with the USSF. 

• A valid roster (from US Youth Soccer or other US Soccer Organizational Member) must be presented at registration. 
• Teams outside of the state of Maryland must present a Permission to travel form signed by a duly authorized state or national association representative, IF your State Association so requires. 
• Teams must maintain medical treatment authorization forms for all players in a form adequate for use at the site of the tournament. They must be presented at registration, and kept at the field during all team activities. These forms are not required to be notarized, but are recommended to be notarized (more likely to be accepted by medical personnel at a hospital). 
• Players may play for only one team that is entered in the tournament

PROTESTS
All decisions made by the referee and tournament committee are final and binding.  No protests are allowed.

GENERAL CONDUCT
Players receiving a red card or a total of two yellow cards during the tournament will be ineligible for their team's next game. The tournament committee reserves the right to suspend or expel any player, coach, or spectator from the tournament for unruly conduct.

• No coaches or spectators are allowed between the 18-yard line and the end line, or beyond the end line.
• No warmups are allowed in the goalmouths during pre-game or at halftime
• No pets are allowed on Maryland Soccerplex grounds
• No smoking is allowed on Maryland Soccerplex grounds
• No alcoholic beverages are allowed on Maryland Soccerplex grounds

REFEREE REPORT
The referee of each game will forward to the appropriate field marshal his/her official written game report, including the final score, the name and number of each coach, player, or person cautioned or ordered from the field, and reason for any such disciplinary action. The coach of each team must sign the game report at the end of each game. 

HEADING
Heading the ball is prohibited in U11 games and younger. At age group divisions U11 and younger, whenever the ball strikes a player in the head, play is stopped.  If deliberate, then the proper restart is an indirect free kick to the opposing team.  If this occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.  If the play by the head is deemed inadvertent, then the proper restart is a dropped ball.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS
A team may not start a game with fewer than seven players (five for U09 and U10 age groups, six for U11 and U12 age groups). Teams unable to field the requisite number of players will have a ten-minute grace period after the match's scheduled start time before a forfeit is declared. 

UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
Shinguards are mandatory for all players. Players must wear numbers on the back of their jerseys that correspond with the team roster. Home team must change to an alternate jersey in the event of a color conflict. Cleats with metal studs are not allowed.

INCLEMENT WEATHER
The Maryland Soccerplex operates a weather alert system, and will sound a siren in the event dangerous weather is approaching.  All individuals must seek safe refuge if the siren is sounded.

If inclement weather forces cancellation after at least half of a regulation game has been played, the game shall be considered official and the score at the point of cancellation shall be recorded as the final score. The decision on whether a game will be "cancelled or recommenced" (if the referee agrees to resume play) will be made by the Tournament Director.  If a game must be stopped before halftime, the Tournament Director will rule on its rescheduling or other resolution.  Such a game may be temporarily halted or recommenced, picking up where play was halted.  Regardless of weather conditions, it is the responsibility of all affected teams to monitor the status of their games (via the tournament website) and to appear with their team ready to play as scheduled by the Tournament Director if games are recommenced. The referee, Tournament Director, or field marshal may postpone any game.  Once the decision is made to cancel a game, that decision is final.  Teams that continue to play may be suspended from tournament.  In all cases, the Tournament reserves the right to abbreviate or shorten all games in order to adjust to weather or other complications that may occur.