Playoff Rules

Location on Field

Coaches	Remain in your team’s technical area. Do not enter the field of play without the referee’s permission during play or at half-time. If technical areas are not marked, coaches should remain on their side of the halfway line, no more than 10 yards away from the halfway line, and remain three feet or more away from the touchline. Only players and their certified coaches may be on the players’ side of the field. Present a properly completed line-up card to the referee before the game. Manage substitutions so all players play at least two quarters during the game (goalkeepers may play four quarters). Must always respect the decisions of the referee and all other match officials.
Players and Substitutions	Wear the team’s full kit (no all-star socks). Wear shin guards and appropriate shoes. Wearing jewelry is not permitted (other than medical ID bracelets which must be covered or medical ID necklaces which must be taped down). The referee decides what is unsafe to wear.
Parents and Spectators	Remain on the spectators’ side of the field, between the two penalty areas, and at least six feet away from the touchline if space allows. Beverly Hills HS; spectators should remain in the grandstands. Beverly Vista School; no parent or spectator is permitted between the two fields. Horace Mann School; parents and spectators on the East side, players on the West side. Cheer (do not coach or complain).

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Playoff Game Schedules

• When scheduling playoff games, Region 76 will work to de-conflict from external events such as ISEE testing, local BHUSD events, etc. to the extent possible.
• Games are subject to change in subsequent rounds or playoffs after the first day once we know which teams have advanced and our scheduler has the opportunity to run a conflict checker for those coaches who may be volunteering on more than one team.
• Region 76 will not entertain requests to move games for reasons not relating to coach conflict, referee scheduling issues, or other local events with the following exceptions:
  • Only Finals may be requested to be moved.
  • Requests must be finalized at least 72 hours prior to the date of the Finals (i.e. - the process must be initiated prior to that so we can publish new game time no later than 72 hours prior to date of the Finals).
  • Requests must be endorsed by the coaches of both teams participating in the Finals along with the Division Director of that Division.
  • Even if all of the above three conditions are met, the game still might not be rescheduled since other factors may prevent it.

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Game Length / Players

Division	Players on Field	Minimum # of Players	Duration of Game
9U / 10U	7 v 7	5	25 min halves
12U	9 v 9	6	30 min halves
14U	11 v 11	7	35 min halves

• No added time (games must end at the end of regulation unless the score is tied).
• All players must play at least 2 quarters of the game (this is a change from regular season)
• Goalkeepers may play the entire game (this is a change from regular season for 9u, 10u and 12u).

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Match Officials (Referees)

• Make decisions to the best of their ability according to the Laws of the Game and the “spirit of the game” based on the opinion of the referee.
• The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.
• Conduct a coin toss before the game to decide which team takes the kick-off and the directions of attack.
• Maintain lineup cards.

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Game Format

• No extra time will be played in games prior to semi-finals. If a game played prior to semi-finals are tied at full-time, players proceed directly to a penalty shoot-out – see additional instructions below for penalty shoot-out.
• Extra time will be played for semi-final and final games if full-time ends with the score tied. If the score remains tied at the end of both extra time periods, players proceed to a penalty shoot-out.

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Extra Time

• Extra time is played only for semi-final and final games.
• A coin toss is conducted.
• Play continues to the end of both extra-time periods.
• Substitutions are permitted, but are not required, only between extra time periods.
• Teams will change directions after the first extra time period.

Division	Duration of Extra Time
9U / 10U	5-min halves
12U	6-min halves
14U	7-min halves

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Kicks from the Mark (“Penalty Shoot-out”) Law 10

• Only players who are on the field of play at the end of the match, or the end of the second extra time period, are eligible to take kicks (substitutes may not kick).
• The head coach and assistant coach from each team may enter the field of play.
• Substitutes who were not on the field of play at the end of play may enter the field of play.
• The referee will select the goal for the penalty shoot-out and select the assistant referee who will be positioned on the goal line and the assistant referee who will manage the players and substitutes.
• The referee tosses a coin and the team that wins the toss decides whether to take the first or second kick.
• Each head coach is responsible for selecting from the eligible players the order in which they will take the kicks (the referee is not informed of the order).
• All players and substitutes, except the player taking the kick and the two goalkeepers, must remain within the center circle.
• The goalkeeper of the kicker must remain on the field of play, outside the penalty area, on the goal line where it meets the penalty area boundary line.
• An assistant referee should remain on the goal line where it meets the goal area boundary line.
• An eligible player may change places with the goalkeeper.
• The referee keeps a record of the kicks.
• The referee should hand the ball to the player, and the player should place the ball on the penalty mark.
• A valid kick cannot be taken until the referee has blown his/her whistle. Any kick taken prior to the whistle must be retaken regardless of the outcome.
• The kick is completed when the ball stops moving, goes out of play or the referee stopes play for any offense. The kicker may not play the ball a second time.
• If the goalkeeper commits an offense and, as a result, the kick is retaken, the goalkeeper may be cautioned.
• If the kicker is penalized for an offense committed after the referee has signaled for the kick to be taken, that kick is recorded as missed and the kicker may be cautioned.
• If both the goalkeeper and kicker commit an offense at the same time: if the kick is missed or saved, the kick is retaken and both players may be cautioned; if the kick is scored, the goal is disallowed, the kick is recorded as missed and the kicker may be cautioned.
• Subject to the conditions explained below, both teams take five kicks.
• The kicks are taken alternately by the teams: each kick is taken by a different player, and all eligible players must take a kick before any player can take a second kick; if, before both teams have taken five kicks, one has scored more goals than the other could score, even if it were to complete its five kicks, no more kicks are taken; if, after both teams have taken five kicks, the scores are tied, kicks continue until one team has scored one goal more than the other from the same number of kicks; the above principle continues for any subsequent sequence of kicks but a team may change the order of kickers.
• Spectators should not enter the field of play or position themselves closer to the goal line than the penalty area.
• Take your time. If you have a question, confer with the other match officials.