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Officiating
Qualified officials will officiate each game. All 11v11 games will be officiated by a referee and 2 assistant referees although the availability of qualified referees might necessitate the use of fewer linesmen on occasions. For 7v7 and 9v9 games you should expect only one official for the match. This Scorpion Bowl Tournament has a Zero Tolerance Policy, which is in effect for the duration of the event.

Substitutions
This event will follow FIFA rules where substitutions can be made at ANY stoppage with the consent of the official. This includes, free-kicks, corners and opposition stoppages such as the other team’s throw- in.

Goal Kicks
When a restarting the game after the ball has gone out of play for a goal kick, players must retreat to the half way line for the U9 + U10 age groups.

Heading Rules
U11 players and younger may NOT head the ball intentionally. If in the opinion of the referee a player heads the ball intentionally, the restart is an indirect free kick for the opposition. U12 players and older may head the ball intentionally. If a player plays “up” an age division, that player will play by the age group rule.

Weather
In the case of inclement weather every attempt will be made to play all scheduled games in the tournament. At the sole discretion of the tournament director/committee, some games may be declared a 0 – 0 tie and not made up. The following priority will be given to making up games: Teams that have not yet played a game in the tournament. Teams that have only played one game in the tournament. Games that will have a material impact on the final standings. All other games.

​The lightning policy for the tournament is as follows: At the first visible sign of lightning (regardless of the estimated distance from the field) all play will be stopped and players and spectators will be asked to move to a safe location. For all games that were in progress the game clock will continue to run. If time runs out and the game was at or past half time when play was stopped, the result at the time of play being stopped will stand. If 5 minutes or less remain in the first half and the score has 2 or more differential the game will be declared final.
If the game had not reached 5 minutes or less before half time every attempt will be made to make up the game at a later date and time.

Play will not resume until 30 minutes after the last visible lightning strike seen (regardless of the estimated distance from the field). When play is resumed, the game, which was scheduled closest to the re-start of play, will begin. For example if play is stopped at 2:50 pm and restarted at 5:20 pm, the teams scheduled to play closest to 5:20 pm will play, NOT the teams scheduled to play at 2:50 pm.

Every attempt will be made to make up the 2:50 pm game at a later date and time. When play is stopped, or resumed, due to lightning, it is at the sole discretion of the referees and the tournament director/committee. Both referees and tournament officials will enforce strict adherence to the above policy. No appeals will be allowed. Personal safety is the number one concern of the tournament and it will supersede any game situation.

Maximum Goal Differential
All games will have a maximum goal differential of 4 - even if the margin of victory was greater than 4 goals. Tournament director and staff will have all official scores – but a 4 goal differential will be recorded in the results

Crossover Brackets
Crossover brackets for 6 teams will mean a team will play the teams in the opposite bracket (each getting three games). 3 teams in bracket A play their 3 games against the 3 teams in bracket B .The finals will be OVERALL seed #1 vs. OVERALL seed #2.
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Advancement to Championship Play (if applicable)
Section winners are determined by the total points earned within their bracket (Win = 3 points, Tie = 1 point, Loss = 0 points). In the event of teams being equal in points within their group after the qualifying games, advancement to championship play will be determined according to the following:

1. Head to Head
2. Goal Differential (subject to maximum goal differential rule stated above)
3. Goals For (number of goals your team has scored – NOT subject to maximum goal differential rule)
4. Goals Against (number of goals allowed – NOT subject to maximum goal differential rule)
5. Most Shutouts
6. Penalty Kicks

In the case of more than a two-way tie (where 3 or more teams have the same amount of points) the above rules will be applied until one team is eliminated. The process repeats (starting at Criteria 1 each time) until one team is left. However, in a Three-way tie, the Head to Head criteria normally becomes moot).

If a winner cannot be determined the following procedure will be used:
Knock out competition under the supervision of an official Referees through a FIFA “Penalty Shootout”. Upon agreement of both coaches, the Referees’ Committee and the Tournament Committee, a coin toss may be substituted for the “Penalty Shootout” competition if so desired

​Player Safety
It is expected that coaches will keep players who have sustained injuries off the field. Referees and coaches must not allow anything dangerous to be worn that could be harmful to a player or an opponent on the field. The referee’s judgment shall determine what is safe and what is dangerous. Some examples of items that are considered unsafe (but not limited to those stated) are braces, splints, prior injuries, jewelry, hats, barrettes, and faulty cleats. The referee must err on the side of safety and his/her judgment will be considered final. Prior play, other referees, other days, other games in this tournament do not set precedent. Each game and situation is judged on its own at the time the referee makes a decision. Safety is first.

Field Marshals
Field Marshals will be present at all fields. All participants should be aware that the Marshals have the authority and right to remove any unruly or uncivil spectators from the game field perimeter and/or the field complex area.

Tournament Committee
In the event of conditions beyond the Tournament Committee’s control, final decisions with respect to game cancellations, shortenings or terminations shall lie solely with the Tournament Committee and director. The Tournament Committee/Director, in conjunction with the Referees’ Committee/Coordinator, reserves the right to change field assignments. In addition, the Tournament Committee/Director reserves the right to change sectional and divisional assignments in the interest of fair and balanced competition.

Refunds
In the event that the entire tournament is cancelled due to weather prior to your first scheduled match, Scorpions Soccer Club  will either partially or fully refund your team once all tournament expenses have been fully covered. If weather curtails the tournament thereafter, every reasonable attempt will be made to assure teams play at least 2 games but no refunds will be given.