Central Florida Invitational

We are proud to partner with SMC Tournaments to provide the highest quality tournament in Central Florida. We are proud to announce that for the 2024 event Visit Central Florida Sports will be the tournament sponsor.

All Entry Fees must be postmarked by the registration deadline to guarantee consideration. All late applications will be put on a wait list for review. Upon acceptance, the fee is non-refundable. If your team is accepted and later withdraws, the entry fee is non-refundable. Registration fees not received by or postmarked by the registration deadline will incur a $50 late fee.

Check or Money Order Payments:
All Check or Money Order entries must be postmarked by the registration deadline and should be made payable to Swan City SC. All entry fees received through check or money order are deposited immediately and refunded within 2 weeks of non-acceptance. Teams must include with your entry fee a copy of e-mail entry confirmation. Registration fees not received by or postmarked by the registration deadline will incur a $50 late fee.

Entry Fees should be mailed to:
Swan City SC
ATTN: Central Florida Invitational
2211 S. Florida Avenue
Lakeland, FL 33803

Tournament Dates: March 1 - 3, 2024

Tournament Locations: 

• Lake Parker Park, Lakeland, FL
• McGee Park, Lakeland, FL 
• Tiger Town, Lakeland, FL 

TOURNAMENT FEATURES: 
• Athletic Trainers On Site
• U9-U19 1st and 2nd Place awards
• Assigned by quality referee assignor
• Vendors at site with soccer products
• Veteran tournament management
• DOC’s call for special rate and package
• Priority scheduling for coaches with 2 teams
• ***REFEREE FEES ARE INCLUDED***
• No parking fees

Tournament Rules
2022 Central Florida Invitational
March 5-6, 2022
Lakeland, FL

Registration and Team Eligibility
The tournament shall be open to all teams comprised of properly registered youth players (as defined by the rules of the
affiliated organization) in all age groups listed in the “Tournament Rules”, provided such team is in good standing with
its youth association

Player Age and Eligibility
The player’s playing age is determined by the following USYSA guidelines for 2021/2022.
U9 Born on or after 1/1/2013 U15 Born on or after 1/1/2007
U10 Born on or after 1/1/2012 U16 Born on or after 1/1/2006
U11 Born on or after 1/1/2011 U17 Born on or after 1/1/2005
U12 Born on or after 1/1/2010 U18 Born on or after 1/1/2004
U13 Born on or after 1/1/2009 U19 Born on or after 1/1/2003
U14 Born on or after 1/1/2008
*Each team will be allowed to have guest players, who are properly registered through their National and State
Association, federation or any other USSF affiliated organization. Guest players must have permission to
participate/travel from their National and State Association, Federation or any other USSF affiliated organization.
*Players may NOT play for more than one team in the tournament

Team Check-In
Tournament officials shall conduct all credential checks:
- At initial registration
All teams must check in online. Please visit www.centralfloridainvitational.com for more information.

Guest Players
All teams will be allowed up to 5 guest players. Guest players should be written in on your roster and player card needs
to be provided. If the guest player is from another club, a guest player form must be filled out and submitted.
Max Roster Size
U9-U10 (12)
U11-U12 (16)
U13-U19 (22) *only 18 players can dress per match

Heading Rules
➢ Deliberate heading is not allowed in age groups U12 and younger
➢ If a U12 or younger player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the
opposing team from the spot of the offense.
➢ If the deliberate header of a U12 or younger player occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be
taken on the goal line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infraction occurred.

Concussions
Pursuant to Florida Statutes (FS 943.0438) Florida in 2012 enacted a very stringent Head injury and Concussion Law. If
the referee (or assistant referee) believes that, in his/her opinion, a player has suffered a head injury or possible
concussion, the match must be stopped IMMEDIATELY. The injured player if able to leave the field on their own must be
escorted to their coach and the coach must be told that the player cannot return for the duration of the match. If a
trainer is brought onto the field because the player is incapacitated, the referee must still notify the coach that the
player cannot return to the game. It is the responsibility of the coach and the player’s parent(s) or legal guardians to
seek medical attention. The player may not resume participation until he/she has been cleared by a medical doctor.
The Referee HAS NO FURTHER responsibility beyond removing the player from the match in which the player was
injured. The referee crew must ensure, that UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES or due to the appeal from any coaching staff
that the player is allowed to return to the game.

7v7 rules
➢ No heading
➢ No punting
➢ We will use build out lines (midfield line will be used if no build out line is painted)
➢ Offside will be called using build out lines (midfield line will be sued if not build out line is painted)
➢ 1 referee per game (Assistant Referees will be used when available)

Build Out Line
➢ When the keeper has the ball, the opposing team must retreat behind the build out line
➢ The opposing team may cross the build out line once the ball is in play*
*When the keeper releases the ball from his/her hand the ball is in play
*On goal kicks, the ball is in play once the ball is kicked
*Please note that if the keeper releases the ball prior to the opposing team retreating completely behind the
build out line, the opposing team may attack the ball.

9v9 rules
No heading

Laws of the Game
All matches must be played in accordance with the FIFA laws of the Game, except as specifically modified in the
Tournament Rules.

➢ LAW 1: Field of Play
U9-U10 (7v7) and U11-U12 (9v9) must play in accordance with the US Youth Soccer Official under 12 & 10
Playing Recommendations.

U13-U19: No change per FIFA “Laws of the Game”
➢ LAW 2: The Ball
U9-U12 Size 4
U13-U19 Size 5

➢ LAW 3: Number of Players
U9-U10 (7) per side
U11-U12 (9) per side
U13-U19 (11) per side

➢ LAW 4: Players Equipment
402.2 Player equipment shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Affiliate, FYSA and FIFA rules.
Additionally: a) Screw in cleats are permitted; however, judgement as to their safety is at the discretion of the
referee. B) Orthopedic casts can be worn at any sanctioned FYSA tournament with written approval from a
doctor and written permission from a tournament official, final judgement as to its safety is at the discretion of
the referee.

It is the policy of FYSA that no player be allowed to wear ANY jewelry while participating in any FYSA sanctioned
match. The only exception that may be allowed is a medical alert bracelet or necklace when taped to the body.

The referee shall make the decision as to the safety of the player and the referee’s decision is final.

Teams will wear uniforms of matching design and color with a minimum of six (6) inch numbers affixed to the
back of the uniform shirt

The designated home team per the tournament schedule will be required to change jerseys if there is a conflict.
In cases where the schedule does not designate a home team the first team listed on the game report will be the
considered home team.
The uniform of the goalkeeper must be distinctly different in color from the basic colors of the competing teams
and the referee.

➢ LAW 5: The Referee
The center referee for all matches must be certified by the Federation.
Referees are required to submit a completed USSF or a tournament specific game report to the Site Director
containing any information relating to any game incidents involving players/coach, spectator misconduct, or
injuries.

In the event the assigned referees fail to appear, and the assignor and/or Site Director fails to provide a
replacement, the senior assigned assistant referee shall assume the duties and shall find a alternate assistant.

The game will be played as scheduled and will be deemed official.

Substitutions
Substitutions shall be unlimited, except as noted below. Substitutions may be made only upon proper
notification of the referee through the linesman, with the referee’s permission, at the following times:
- Throw ins (non-possession team is permitted to substitute if possession team substitutes
- On goal kicks
- After a goal by either team
- After an injury, by either team, (one for one) when referee stops play
- At the beginning of the second half or overtime periods
The substitute shall not enter the field of play until the player he/she is replacing has left, and then, only after
receiving a signal from the referee.

➢ LAW 6: Assistant Referee
Two (2) assistant referees will be used in matches U11 and above. In the event, the assigned assistants(s) fail to
appear, the referee must find suitable replacements. The game will be played as scheduled and be deemed
official.

➢ LAW 7: Duration of the Match
Age Game Length Overtime
U9-U10 2x25=50 No overtime, directly to “Kicks from the Penalty Mark”
U11-U12 2x30=60 No overtime, directly to “Kicks from the Penalty Mark”
U13-U19 2x35=70 No overtime, directly to “Kicks from the Penalty Mark”
*Note: Kicks from the penalty mark will only be taken in semi-final and final matches

➢ LAW 8-10:
No change per FIFA “Laws of the Game”

➢ LAW 11: Offside
No change per FIFA “Laws of the Game”
U9-U10 offside will be called using the build out line (midfield line will be used if no build out line is painted)

Tournament and Match Schedules
This tournament is designed as follows for all age groups and gender:
- All teams are guaranteed a minimum of 3 scheduled games
- Maximum number of games is 4
- Teams can play up to 2 games per day

Post-Game Procedures
As a mutual courtesy, both teams will meet at the center circle and congratulate each other for a game well played.
Manager/coach of both teams will insure their respective sideline areas are clean and that all trash is in containers.

Control of Sideline Conduct
Players, reserve players, mangers, coaches, and fans are expected to conduct themselves within the letter and spirit of
“Laws of the Game”. The site director has the authority and the responsibility to remove any person(s) from the
tournament for abuses of conduct, in addition to any specific disciplinary action brought by any other authority. In
addition to good manners, the following rules will apply to Florida Soccer Club Youth Soccer Tournaments.
The site director will designate one sideline to be for the sole use of the players listed on the game roster and a
maximum of three (3) managers/coaches/trainers from each team, with one team occupying one side of the midfield
and one team, the other. While the game is in progress the manager/coach/trainer and the reserve players must remain
on their respective benches and may not roam the sidelines. The tournament director will designate the opposite
sideline for the spectators. No one will be allowed behind either end line.
The manager/coach will be responsible for the behavior of their fans and the referee will have the authority to warn and
ultimately send off, any manager/coach whose fans behave in an abusive or disruptive manner.
ARTIFICIAL NOISE-MAKING DEVICES ARE PROHIBITED

Conduct and Discipline
It shall be solely the team’s responsibility to determine the status of its players. Any suspension from a tournament,
local league, etc. is the responsibility of the team to notify the tournament director of this suspension at the time of the
player’s check-in.

Per Florida Youth Soccer Association rule 504.1 – Red Card suspension or send off suspensions can only be served with
the team with which the suspension was earned in games played by their team. Players MAY NOT serve suspensions as
“guest players”.

Tournaments will have a discipline committee of no less than three (3) members. The discipline committee will review
and rule on all reports of unacceptable conduct by players, manager, coaches, referees, spectators, etc. using the Florida
Youth Soccer Association standards as set by Section 502.

All players and managers/coaches shall be subject to Florida Youth Soccer Association Section 502 – Discipline and
Sanctions.

A player, manager, or coach ejected will have an automatic minimum one (1) game suspension regardless of the cause
of ejection.

A coach who is ejected must leave the park area immediately (out of sight and sound). Failure to comply will result in
suspension from the entire event and jeopardize inclusion into future events. Suspended Coaches may be located on
the spectator side of the field but may not coach or communicate with the team in any manner; players may sit with the
team but may not be in uniform.

Depending on the severity of the unacceptable conduct, the discipline committee may recommend the suspension of up
to the duration of the tournament with further disciplinary action by the appropriate national and State Association,
Federation or any other USSF affiliated organization. The discipline committee recommendations will be available to the
affected parties no later than before their next scheduled game.

At the conclusion of the tournament, it is the responsibility of the team’s coach or manager to pick up the passes from
the tournament office (even if suspension has not been completed). A complete report will be sent to the Florida Youth
Soccer Association Review & Discipline Committee for forwarding to the appropriate State and National Association. A
complete report will be send to Florida Youth Soccer Association Review & Discipline Committee for forwarding to
appropriate State and National Association within 72 hours of the conclusion of the tournament