** CONGRATULATIONS **

 

WELCOME TO THE

2010 MASSACHUSETTS TOURNAMENT OF

CHAMPIONS

 

The Massachusetts Tournament of Champions weekend will be filled with many a trying moment for players, coaches, parents and officials. Let us all try to remember the true SPIRIT of the GAME.

 

Sportsmanship, Fair Play and Respect will always be valued cornerstones of the GAME.

 

Take pride in yourself, your team, your town and your league.

 

Represent them with dignity & sportsmanship.

 

Team Sportsmanship Awards will be given to those teams which best exemplify the true meaning of Sportsmanship & Fair Play

 

GOOD LUCK TO ALL. !!!!!!!!

 

MTOC COMMITTEE

John Linnehan                                                                 Chairman, Middlesex

Bob Trudeau                                                                    Vice-Chairman, Essex

Trish Desmarais                                                               Secretary, MAYS

Brian Treanor                                                                  Referee Coordinator

Mike Hazeltine                                                                BAYS

Ted Ritchie                                                                       BAYS
Brian Farley                                                                    Berkshire
Dave Coutts                                                                     Coastal

Cliff Cloutier                                                                   MAYS

Andy Page                                                                        MAYS

Ben Myers                                                                        Nashoba

Lou Teixeira                                                                     Pioneer Valley

John Ostrom                                                                     South Coast

Sheldon Epstein                                                               South Shore

           


 

MTOC Procedures and Rules

 

Qualifying for the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions (MTOC) is a tremendous achievement.  This tournament brings together nearly 200 teams from throughout Massachusetts, each of which has worked hard all spring to earn the honor of representing their league.  Your MTOC Committee is delighted to host some of the finest teams from throughout the state.  We are expecting nearly 4,000 players and coaches and we hope that your individual and collective soccer experiences will be both pleasurable and memorable.  We pride ourselves on a tradition of high quality of competition and a high degree of sportsmanship in this tournament.  We look forward to your participating in, and extending, that rich tradition.

 

This will be the third Massachusetts Tournament of Champions held at the new soccer complex in Lancaster, MA and we’ve made some adjustments from last year’s usage of this spectacular venue.  Parking will certainly be one of these issues.  Please read the parking information contained in this package and as provided on the MA Youth Soccer  MTOC website carefully, and allow some extra time if you are a participating team or an enthusiastic supporter.

 

There will be limited parking on site for teams, and parking in the lower gravel lot at the complex site located at 512 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster will be on a first-come, first-served basis.  Parking on site is limited to passenger cars or vans (absolutely no RV’s or buses). 

 

The balance of the parking (for players, parents, and all others) will be at an offsite lot located at 1340 Lunenberg Rd, Lancaster, about ¼ mile from the soccer. There will be regular and frequent shuttle buses provided with drop off spots on site at the complex.  Please allow an extra 10 minutes for the shuttle bus ride from the offsite parking site.

 

Each qualifying team will be issued two non-transferable coach’s passes.  These coach’s passes will be used to gain access to the sideline coaching areas, so do not leave these passes in your cars.

 

We recognize that in the heat of competition emotions can run high.  We sincerely hope that all participants, including players, coaches and fans, will strive to maintain a balanced perspective of the purpose of the tournament.  We are here for the growth and development of the state’s top players, both as soccer players and young adults.

 

Sportsmanship is an important part of the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions.  Respect for fellow players, coaches, spectators and referees is a value we hold in high regard.  In each division of play in the tournament, one team will earn the recognition of the Sportsmanship Award.

 

Each of the MTOC leagues provides two volunteers to assist in the process of determining the Sportsmanship Award winners.  Each of these volunteers have been involved with youth sports for a number of years and are known throughout their town leagues to set the highest standards of sportsmanship.

 

Additionally, each referee crew (center referee and assistant referees) will be providing input to the Sportsmanship Committee.  The volunteers and referees will be looking for consistent displays of both uncommonly good and kind behavior on the part of players, coaches and parents.  Likewise, they will be noting the occurrence of the opposite type of behavior – players who

resort to fouls in an attempt to gain advantage, coaches who berate or

badger their players, or fans who shout at opposing players, referees or even their own players (often their own children!).

 

In the final analysis, recognizing good sportsmanship just isn’t rocket science – we all know it when we see it, and we are often painfully aware when it doesn’t exist.  Through the continuous gathering of information by the referee crews and the sportsmanship volunteers from each league, we hope to select

a winner from each division of play.  The Sportsmanship Committee will not, however, select a winner if there isn’t one that is truly deserving in a particular age bracket.  Unfortunately, this has been the case in a few instances in previous years.

 

The following information should answer most of your questions regarding the logistical details for teams and coaches, and the actual playing of the tournament.  Full details on the ‘rules of play’ will also be posted on the MTOC page on the MA Youth Soccer website: http://www.mayouthsoccer.org.  The website should be your first point of inquiry for any questions related to the MTOC weekend, especially in the event of game rescheduling due to weather.

 

TEAM REGISTRATION and CHECK-IN:

 

  1. Teams should report to the registration pavilion at least 40 minutes prior to their game time.  The pavilion will be the first drop-off spot for those arriving at the Lancaster site by shuttle bus.  For all preliminary round games, teams check in only before their first game of the day.  For all semi-final and championship games, teams must check in prior to each game. Many teams will be checking in at the same time, and the tournament staff will do their best to make the process proceed smoothly and quickly.  Cooperation on the part of players and coaches is also important to assuring that the registration process works well.  Here’s what needs to happen:
    1. Rosters eligible for MTOC play are frozen as of June 1 each year.  Rosters are limited to 18 players (15 for U12) .No changes may be made to rosters after June 1.  The roster you present at your first registration check-in is your roster for the full tournament.
    2. Each team must bring 4 game official game roster forms to the tournament.  These forms must be the same forms approved for use in your home league, and must be stamped by your league registrar. 
    3. Rosters must be typed, with players in alphabetical order, and must be completed to show the jersey number of each player.  Jersey numbers will be verified during the check-in process.
    4. Each player and coach must have a current Player Pass Card (with picture) laminated in clear plastic.  Many leagues are allowing players to reuse passcards from year to year, and some age getting a little out of date.  Players and coaches must be recognizable from their passcard pictures – if there is any question, please have the passcard redone prior to the tournament weekend.
    5. Players must be in full uniform and ready to play at check-in.  Teams must play in the same uniforms in which they have checked in (see uniform information below.)  Teams will line up in roster order (alphabetical) and will then be check-in.

 

    1. No more than 3 out-of-state players are allowed on a team’s roster. These players must be rostered as per the Mass Youth Soccer rules on out-of-state players.

 

Failure to supply rosters and/or rosters and players cards will result in the head coach being suspended for each game that the forms are not available. If the information is not available prior to the completion of the game, the game will be recorded as a forfeit.

 

UNIFORMS

  1. Players' uniforms consist of:
    1. a soccer jersey with visible, legible, non-duplicating numbers matching the roster listing
    2. soccer shorts of matching color
    3. pair of matching socks
    4. pair of soccer shoes (NO SPIKES ALLOWED)
    5. shinguards are mandatory.  Players will not be allowed to check-in or play without them.

 

There are sound reasons behind the uniform requirements.  Matching uniform details are of tremendous importance in assisting the officials of the games.  For example, having each team in matching socks helps the referees visually untangle a mass of players’ legs and determine who touched a ball last.

 

The HOME team will provide alternate jerseys (or mesh pinnies which allow the player number to be discernable).  The home team is the team listed first on the schedule. The referee shall have final say on color conflicts.

 

  1. Please note that players’ uniforms do not include:
    1. cut off shorts
    2. JAMS
    3. spandex that does not match the short color
    4. boxer shorts
    5. jewelry (string bracelets, barrettes, hairpins, earrings, etc.)
    6. casts, splints, hats, hard protective headgear or unprotected braces
    7. unnecessary zinc oxide painting or other offensive displays

 

Tournament officials will inspect each team during the check-in process, giving special attention to potentially dangerous items (casts, splints, jewelry, faulty cleats) as well as assuring that protective items like shinguards are in place.

 

In all instances, the tournament officials cannot allow anything to be worn that might injure the player or an opponent on the field.  Any items involving interpretation will be referred to the Referee Tent, and the judgment of the tournament’s Director of Referees will be final.

 

It is expected that coaches will keep players who have sustained injuries off the field.

 

GAME LOGISTICS

 

  1. Both teams will be located on the same side of the field. All spectators will be located on the opposite side of the field.  Only the players and two coaches per team are allowed on the team side of the field.  Coaches must wear their MTOC coach’s passes on the sidelines.

 

  1. Substitutions are unlimited. Both teams may substitute on a goal kick, after a goal, and at half time.  As to throw-ins, however, only the team in possession has the initial option of substituting but, if it does, the opposing team may substitute as well.  All substitute players MUST be ready at midfield, and substitutions are made only with the referee’s consent.
  2. In U12 matches, the goalkeeper’s distribution may carry the full length of the field, but it cannot go directly into the opponent’s penalty area in the air.
  3. All preliminary round-robin games will consist of 25 minute halves with a 5 minute halftime interval.  Game time is kept by the referee and is running time, with no allowance for injury time.  There will be no overtime periods in the preliminary round of play.  Teams must be ready to play at their appointed time.
  4. If a game is stopped to allow for substitution for an injured player, the other team may also substitute, on a one-for-one basis.
  5. In the event that a portion of the game schedule is suspended due to weather (or for any other reason), the following rules will apply:
    1. In the event of a stoppage, games that have completed a half, or are in the second half, will be deemed completed and the score at the time of the stoppage will stand; In the event of a stoppage, games that are in the first half will be replayed in their entirety, subject to time and field constraints of the tournament.
    2. In the event of a stoppage, games that are in the first half will be re-played in their entirety ((both halves), subject to time and field constraints of the tournament.
    3. In the event of a stoppage, the Leagues Committee and the Director of Referees will determine when it is safe to restart games.  Games will resume on the original schedule with the next schedule time slot due to play. (e.g.: if it is safe to play at 3:45pm, games will recommence with those teams scheduled for 4:00pm.)
    4. Games with the first half not completed, or games not played due to stoppage, will be rescheduled in available time and field slots.  Games not completed or played Friday and early Saturday will most likely be played late Saturday.  Games not completed or played late Saturday may be played Sunday morning, with semi final games delayed. Specific details will be available at scoreboards and registration area.

 

  1.  Assignment of playing surfaces (either grass or synthetic) is at the sole discretion of the tournament committee and is not subject to discussion, protest or appeal.
  2. Should conditions warrant, the length of games is subject to change by the Tournament Director and the Referee Committee.  Coaches will be notified before the start of the half in which such a change is made.  In the event of unsafe conditions, a game may be terminated at any point by the referee.
  3. There will be a spectator line (dashed line about 1 yard outside the touch line) on the spectator side of the field. Spectators are expected to stay behind this line. This line is for the Assistant Referee so that he/she can run his/her side of the field and see the touchline on the other half of the field.
  4. There shall be NO PETS of any kind allowed in the game complex. 
  5. NO TENTS shall be inside the perimeter of the fields.  The perimeter of the fields is taken to mean the areas on the end lines of each field and the areas between the playing fields. These constitute a serious hazard to players.  Tents shall be allowed only in DESIGNATED AREAS that are well away from the perimeter of the playing fields.  Lancaster tends to be windy.  Tents MUST be properly anchored and, when not in use by a team (game time), must be collapsed and left in place.

 

 

GAME CONDUCT

 

  1. Players, coaches and spectators are expected to conduct themselves within the letter and the SPIRIT of the law.  MTOC committee expects all players, coaches and spectators to uphold the spirit of ZERO TOLERANCE policies.  Displays of TEMPER, DISSENT by word or action against opponents or referees are cause for ejection from the match and/or premises and/or SUSPENSION from the tournament.

 

  1. No player ejected (red carded) may reenter that game, nor may the player have a substitute.  The ejected player must also remove him/herself well away from the general area of the game field.  It is the responsibility of the team’s coach to enforce this.  Any player ejected from a game will be ineligible to appear until after the completion of the team’s next game.  Penalty kick procedures are not considered games.
  2. If two red cards are assessed to a team, that team will forfeit the game.  The Tournament Committee and the Referee Director will determine whether further action is warranted.
  3. Coaches receiving a Red Card (EJECTION) for any reason will be SUSPENDED for the REMAINDER of the Tournament.
  4. Each coach is responsible for his/her spectators’ behavior. Coaches should inform their spectators of the rules (i.e.: behavior, spectator line, etc.). Each coach is expected to monitor his or her spectators and take corrective action if necessary.  Each coach is expected to support the referee or tournament official if action against a spectator is required.
  5. PROTESTS: any protest must be in writing and submitted to the tournament committee (located at the registration pavilion) along with a $100.00 cash protest fee. The protest must be filed within one hour of the completion of the match in question. The protest fee of $100.00 will be returned if the protest is upheld.

 

ADVANCEMENT TO THE FINAL FOUR (Semi-Finals)

 

  1. The official scores will be posted only at the main registration pavilion.  Each team’s coach has the responsibility of having a team representative check scoreboards at the registration pavilion to determine if their team is advancing to the semi-finals, and to obtain their scheduled time and field location.
  2. In divisions of competition with three sections, the winners of each preliminary round-robin section of play will advance to the “final four” along with a wild card team.  The wild card team will be that team with the best record of those teams not qualifying as sectional winners.
  3. In divisions of two sections, the winners and runners-up in each round-robin section of play will advance to the final four.
  4. The determination of order of finish will be made according to the following procedures:
    1. Aggregate points earned in preliminary round games (3 pts for a win, 1 pt for a draw);
    2. Head-to head results;
    3. Goal differential, to a maximum of four earned per game;
    4. Fewest goals allowed overall, to a maximum of four per game;
    5. Most shutouts
    6. MTOC~FIFA penalty kicks (to be taken immediately after the preliminary round robin phase of the tournament is completed – see special details applicable to this provided below.)
    7. In the event of a three way tie within a section, the head-to-head results tiebreaker will not be considered
    8. In the event of a forfeited game, the non-forfeiting team will be awarded

1.      3 points for a win;

2.      a goal differential equal to the average goal differential of the other games the forfeiting team played vs. other teams in the same section;

3.      a goals allowed of zero.

    1. Team Placement Into Semifinals:

1.      Winner of Section A plays Winner of Section B; and,

2.      Winner of Section C plays the Wild Card team, except when the wild card team comes out of Section C, in which case A plays C and B plays WC.

 

SEMIFINALS AND FINALS

 

  1. All semi-final and championship games shall be as follows (schedule permitting):
    1. U12 = 30 minute halves
    2. U14 = 35 minute halves
    3. U16 = 40 minute halves
    4. U18 = 45 minute halves
    5. U19 = 45 minute halves

 

  1. Overtime periods will only be played in the semi-final and championship rounds of play. All overtime periods will conform to current FIFA rules (no golden goal any more).  Overtime periods will be as follows:

    1. U12 through U19 = two five minute overtime periods, both played to completion –there is no sudden death ‘golden goal’;

  2. If teams remain tied after regulation and overtime play, regular FIFA penalty kick procedures will be followed to determine a winner.  These will take place immediately following the completion of overtime play.

 

Special Rules for MTOC Tie Breaker Penalty kicks (following preliminary round only):

 

  1. The time and location for each tie breaker shootout will be set at the registration tent, generally one to two hours after the ties are determined.  Each team’s coach has the responsibility of having a team representative at the main registration pavilion to obtain the scheduled time and field location;
  2. Each team selects 7 players from the MTOC Tournament roster.  The goal keeper (or keepers) will come from the seven listed players.  Each coach will provide a written list of the seven players, in shooting order, along with their player passcards, to the referee in charge of the penalty kicks;
  3. if more than two teams are tied, they will all kick penalty kicks at the same time, the order of teams participating to be determined by coin toss;
  4. Each team will take five kicks from the penalty mark, each team alternating kicks and adhering to the written shooting order provided by the coach.  The referee will determine the team shooting first by a coin toss;
  5. If the teams are tied after five kicks, each team will have their sixth shooter take one additional kick.  If the tie remains unbroken, the seventh shooters repeat the process.  If additional kicks are needed, the referee will continue the process, going through the list of players again until the tie is broken.