SOCAL SUMMER SHOWCASE – RULES 2026
EVENT FORMAT: The SSS will feature 2 different formats, a Championship for all teams playing to a final in the U8-U14 age groups and a showcase format consisting of 3 games only for U15-U19.
CHECK-IN: All teams will report directly to the field, there is no formal HQ check in procedure prior to the game and the tournament will be paperless. Referees will perform an equipment check prior to each game. Team Managers MUST ALWAYS have on their person an accurate printed roster, medical waivers, and a player card for each player. ALL TEAMS MUST HAVE A PLAYER CARDS ON HAND FOR EACH GAME. Virtual Cards available on your cell phone are acceptable.
Tournament officials may ask at any time to check the documentation of a team, player or staff member.
If at any time a team cannot provide documentation upon request, they will immediately forfeit all games and be removed from the event without refund.
GAME DAY PROCEDURE: The tournament will take care of all score reporting and match reports. Kick back, relax and enjoy watching the kids play!
BENCHES AND CANOPIES: Will be provided for all fields.
REFUNDS: No refunds will be permitted after a team has been accepted into the event. In the event there is a catastrophic event where the SSS deems the tournament unplayable, which then leads to a full cancellation of the tournament prior to the start of the tournament, or during the tournament, SSS may issue a refund at its sole discretion. The refund that may be issued would be in the form of full or partial reimbursement of the tournament registration fee, or as a credit towards another SSS or LA Surf tournament. The tournament director will notify the team’s administrator on how a refund, if any, will be processed.
GUEST PLAYERS: Teams may use an unlimited amount of guest players but any team utilizing guest players is still limited to the stated maximum roster size.
SMALL SIDED RULES:
- 7v7 Divisions – Build-out line enforced; NO Heading or Punting allowed.
- 9v9 Divisions – Build-out line NOT enforced.
- U11 No Heading. Punting allowed. / U12 Heading and Punting allowed.
MATCH RULES: Games shall be played by FIFA Rules, as modified by US Club Soccer, CalSouth, and the tournament. All decisions, judgments and rulings of the tournament referees and officials are final. NO PROTESTS WILL BE ENTERTAINED OR ALLOWED. Only a registered team official/coach may represent a team during any official proceeding.
GAME LENGTH:
- U8 – U12 25-minute halves
- U13 – U16 35-minute halves
- U17 – U19 40-minute halves
All games will be called not less than five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game regardless of the amount of time played in each half up to that point. A game is “complete” upon completion of one half of play regardless of the circumstances of termination during the second half with final results based on the score at the time the game is called. Games can end in a tie.
Championship games will be the same game length as preliminary matches for that age group. Matches that are tied at the end of regulation will not have overtime periods added. Winners will be determined by FIFA kicks from the mark.
A five (5) minute grace period is allowed for the scheduled starting time of the game.
In the event both teams are more than five (5) minutes late for the game, both teams will be deemed to have forfeited the game.
Seven (7) players constitute a team ready to play. Five (5) players for U8 – U9.
HALF TIME: Half time will be exactly Five (5) minutes.
HOME TEAM: The HOME team is listed first on the schedule – Wears LIGHT color, provides game ball, and shall have initial kick off. Teams will sit on the same side of the fields, with spectators opposite. The home team shall select which bench they will sit on. The home team will change uniforms in case of a color conflict, as determined by the center referee.
COLORS: HOME – Light Jersey, AWAY – Dark Jersey
PLAYERS EQUIPMENT: It will be within the game Referee’s discretion to determine the safety and suitability of player equipment including the wearing of a hard brace.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS:
- U8-U10 will play 7v7 – Maximum roster is 14 Players.
- U11-U12 will play 9v9 – Maximum roster is 18 Players.
- U13-U15 will play 11v11 – Maximum roster is 18 Players.
- U16-U19 will play 11v11 – Maximum roster is 22 Players.
3 POINT SYSTEM:
- Three (3) points for a win; one (1) point for a tie; zero (0) points for a loss.
- Should any team 1) forfeit or 2) fail to field the minimum number of players for a match during preliminary game play, then ALL preliminary games played by that team will be considered 1-0 forfeits and all opposing teams will thus be awarded three (3) points.
- In a 6 team, cross-play bracket the top 2 highest point earning teams will play in the final.
TIE BREAKERS: In the event there is a tie in points after the completion of preliminary games or round robin play, the following methods will be used to break the tie in the order listed:
- Head-to-head
- Goals Against (Capped at 3 per game)
- Most Wins
- Most Shutouts
- Goal Differential (Capped at 3 per game)
- Fewest Red Cards
- FIFA penalty kicks (1 hour before the next game)
3-Way Ties: Tiebreakers Restart at 1.
NOTE: GOALS ARE CAPPED AT MAX 3 PER GAME
DISPUTES: Any disputes will be settled by the Competitions Committee and are final.
For those Age Groups that play through to a Championship Game, the online schedule will show those teams that make it to the Final Game. If you are in the hunt on Sunday, please check using the website to see if your team made the Final.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Free substitutions will be allowed in all age groups. On any dead ball for either team. However, teams may only substitute when the referee grants them permission.
COACHING: All Coaches have total responsibility for the conduct of their players, guests, friends, and spectators always. Coaching from the sidelines (giving direction to one’s own team on points of strategy and position) is permitted, provided:
- The tone of the voice is instructive and not derogatory.
- Each coach or substitute remains within 10 yards on either side of the halfway line.
- No coach, substitute, or spectator makes derogatory remarks or gestures to the referees, other coaches, players, substitutes, or spectators.
- No coach, substitute, or spectator uses profanity or incites, in any manner, disruptive behavior.
AWARDS for U8-U14: Champions and Finalists will be awarded with a trophy and medals for the team. There will be an MVP award for the most impactful player in the final-awarded by the referee.
HOME TEAM: The HOME team is listed first on the schedule, provides game ball, and shall have initial kick off. Teams will sit on the same side of the fields, with spectators opposite. The home team shall select which bench they will sit on. The home team will wear their white/light color uniforms; the away team will wear their dark color uniforms. The home team will change uniforms in case of a color conflict, as determined by the center referee.
DISCIPLINE: Any player or coach who is sent off (red card or ejection) will not be allowed to participate in the next scheduled match and may be suspended for the remainder of the tournament by the tournament officials. Red cards issued for violent conduct, ex. Fighting, will be grounds for expulsion from the remainder of the tournament and will be reported to the appropriate Soccer Association. The player ID cards will be pulled for all red cards issued for violent conduct or referee abuse and submitted to US Club Soccer & CalSouth. During game suspension(s) for coaches, there can be NO contact between the team and the coach during the game and the coach must be out of sight and sound of the field.
Additionally, the coach must not be involved in unacceptable conduct (defined as coaching his/her players by any means or method, or harassment of opponents/players/referees/staff). Failure to adhere to this rule will result an immediate ejection from the tournament for the coach.
SPECTATORS: All spectators are to be on the opposite side of the field from the Team Benches. In the spirit of sportsmanship, we ask spectators to be on the same half as their team and MIRROR their team. Do not change ends at half-time. Do not mix in with the spectators of the opposing team. Each team is to remain on their half of midfield.
***Absolutely No Dogs, No BBQ’s, No Alcohol on the Fields or in the Parking Lots.
For Silverlakes, No pedestrian traffic allowed through upper exit – No pedestrian traffic allowed to cross Hamner Avenue***
SUSPENDED AND TERMINATED GAMES: If in the opinion of the referee a game must be suspended (for reason), the game may be resumed, but is subject to being ended not less than five (5) prior to the scheduled start of the next game. If in the opinion of the referee, a game must be terminated for misconduct of players, bench coaches, or spectators, the offending team could be suspended from further play and will forfeit that game and all remaining games. All previous points earned remain as played.
Additionally, the home league and State Association will be contacted as appropriate.
INJURY: Delays of the game due to injury will result in appropriate time being added to the full game time, based on the judgment of the referee. However, all preliminary games will be terminated not less than five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game.
TOURNAMENT COMPETITION REFEREE DECISIONS: The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final. The referee may only change a decision on realizing that it is incorrect or, at his/her discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee, provided that he/she has not restarted play.
FORFEITS AND BYES: Should any team 1) forfeit or 2) fail to field the minimum number of players for a match during preliminary game play, then ALL preliminary games played by that team will be considered 1-0 forfeits and all opposing teams will thus be awarded three (3) points.
Teams taking actions which cause a game to be terminated will forfeit. Byes will be scored and tournament points awarded the same as a forfeit.
INCLEMENT WEATHER: In the event of inclement weather, matches may be shortened or cancelled at the Tournament Committee’s discretion. If all assigned games are unable to be played, the winner may be decided by FIFA penalty kicks, or by the Tournament Committee if FIFA penalty kicks cannot be taken. A reduced/modified schedule due to inclement weather is not considered a tournament cancellation. Any refunds will be at the discretion of the Tournament Committee.
Any questions, please contact the Tournament Director Kevin McCloskey at: kevin@socalsummershowcase.com.