Tournament Rules

2026 Wild West Shootout Tournament Rules (Rev 4-2026)

This tournament shall be played in accordance with applicable sections of the FIFA rules except otherwise noted in this document.

CREDENTIALS & CHECK-IN

All teams must complete check-in once for the tournament 30–60 minutes prior to their first scheduled game at the designated check-in tent nearest their field.

At check-in, teams must provide:

All players present and in full uniform
Valid player cards (either printed or digital)

A properly validated GotSport tournament roster will be printed by tournament staff for official use during check-in. Only players listed on the validated tournament roster who have received a wristband at check-in are eligible to participate.

Exceptions to age guidelines must be requested in advance via email to the Tournament Director at wildwest@carsonfc.org and may be approved under appropriate circumstances.

Player Participation Across Teams:

Players from the same club may participate on more than one team under the following conditions:

Players may not play on multiple teams within the same age group.
Players must be listed on the official tournament roster for each team they will participate with.
Players may not play more than two age groups above their birth year without prior approval from the Tournament Director.

Rosters are final once the tournament begins and may not be changed.

Coaches are responsible for ensuring that only eligible, rostered players participate in matches.

Any challenge regarding player eligibility must be made before the start of the second half to the referee. If a challenge is initiated, referees will conduct a player verification using the game card and validated roster. Teams found using ineligible players will be immediately disqualified, and all matches played will be recorded as forfeits.

THE COACHES ARE RESPONSIBLE TO MAKE SURE THEIR PLAYERS ARE PROPERLY EQUIPPED AT ALL TIMES.
This includes the following:

Matching uniforms with numbers located on the back of the jerseys. Goalkeepers must wear a jersey that does not match the color of either team or opposing team.
All teams should have an alternate jersey color. In case of color conflict, the home team is responsible for changing.
Soccer cleats and shin guards are mandatory. Socks are to be worn on the outside of the shin guard completely covering the shin guard.
Warm clothing must be worn under the uniform.
No jewelry of any kind is allowed, and taping of earrings is acceptable at the risk of the player.
Orthopedic casts and braces MUST be padded and allowed at the discretion of the referee/tournament director.

If a player is on the field without being properly equipped, then the referee will send them off the field and no substitution can be made nor the player return to the field until a stoppage of play, and then allowed only with a referee’s permission. So, your team would be playing a man down until the next stoppage!

GUEST PLAYERS

U10 | 7v7 | Maximum Roster Size (14) Players | (5) guest players maximum.

U11-U12 | 9v9 | Maximum Roster Size (16) Players | (5) guest players maximum.

U13-U19 | 11v11 | Maximum Roster Size (20) Players | (5) guest players maximum. All guest players must have the above credentials and be on the validated team roster.

SMALL SIDED GAME RULES

NO HEADERS FOR U10 and Under (ALL 7V7 Games). If the referee believes a 7V7 player intentionally headed the ball, then an indirect kick will be given at the spot of the foul.

BUILD OUT LINES WILL BE USED.

DURATION OF MATCHES
U9 – U10 7V7 (2) 25-minute halves, with 5-minute halftime break
U11– U12 9V9 (2) 30-minute halves, with 5-minute halftime break
U13 & Older 11V11 (2) 35-minute halves, with 5-minute halftime break

All matches will be terminated no less than (5) minutes prior to the start of the next scheduled match.

NOTE: Injury time will NOT be added to the length of the game, except under the most extenuating circumstances. This will be at the discretion of the referee. THERE WILL BE NO OVER TIME PLAY IN ANY REGULAR GROUP GAME.

Championship Games: If the score is tied at the end of regulation time in the Championship games, the teams will have a 5 min. break then start over-time play. Overtime consists of two (2) 5-minute halves with the Golden Goal Rule in effect. If it is still tied at the end of the overtime period, kicks from the penalty spot will be taken per FIFA rules to determine the winner. Only players on the field at the end of Overtime are eligible to take a Penalty Kick.

TOURNAMENT SCORING

Teams shall be awarded points for match results as follows:

(6) Points for each win.
(0) Points for each loss.
(3) Points for each tie.
(1) Point for shutout.
(1) Points for each goal up to 3 goals.
(-1) POINT DEDUCTED FOR EACH RED CARD AND/OR EJECTION RECEIVED INCLUDING COACHES AND SPECTATORS
(-1) POINT WILL BE DEDUCTED IF A TEAM EXCEEDS A GOAL DIFFERENTIAL OF 8 IN A SINGLE GAME

For a forfeit match, the winner will be credited with a 2-0 win, and awarded (9) Points (six for the win, two for the goals and one for a shutout).
Any team leaving the field prior to determination of a winner shall forfeit the match.
No points will be awarded if neither team shows up.
The total number of points accumulated during group play will determine playoff games for each division. Except in the case of a 5-team bracket, where points will determine final standings for that division.

GAME FORMAT AND AWARDS

At the conclusion of the final or championship matches, first (1st) place in each age group will receive individual medals, and the team will receive a “Champion” trophy; second (2nd) place will receive individual medals.

Award presentations will be held on the north fields (next to vendors) immediately after the respective playoff game, or at the conclusion of the final game in each division. There will be no awards mailed.

TIE BREAKING WITHIN A FLIGHT

Ties in FLIGHT standings will be broken by employing a tiebreaker. If more than two teams are involved in the tie, the first team to move ahead of the remaining teams will be awarded the highest place, and the tiebreakers continue until all ties are broken.

Head-to-head (if all teams played each other.)
Goal differential
Least goals allowed
Most goals scored
FIFA penalty kicks (site and time at the discretion of the Tournament Director).

a. (5) Players for U10, (7) Players for U11-U12, and (9`) Players for U13-U19 from each team must be ready to participate within (5) minutes of the appointed time or else that team will forfeit its opportunity to prevail in the tiebreaker.

SUBSTITUTION RULE

MANDATORY substitution for a potential head injury, AND for any player injured that requires the coach’s attention on the field. Substitutions are allowed with the referee’s approval at any stoppage of play as per FIFA rules. It will be at the discretion of the referees to allow substitutions and keep the game flowing. Ejected (Red carded) players may NOT be substituted; they are to leave the field and area immediately.

SPORTSMANSHIP AND CONDUCT

Good sportsmanship shall prevail. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players, parents, and spectators. ALL SPECTATORS MUST SIT ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE PLAYERS AND COACHES BUT ON THE SAME HALF OF THE FIELD AS THEIR TEAM. ALL PERSONS MUST REMAIN AT LEAST THREE (3) FEET BEHIND THE TOUCH LINES.

Coaching shall be done from within the coaches box.

Any player receiving a red card will have a one game suspension. A 2-game suspension will be given for (a) violent conduct (b) foul and abusive language.

HOME TEAM

The team listed FIRST on the schedule for each game is considered the “Home Team”.
The Home team will get ball and direction – there will be NO coin toss until the Championship Games.
The Game Balls are provided by the Wild West Shootout!
Home team jersey should be a dark-colored jersey.
Away team jerseys should be a light-colored jersey.
The HOME team will be responsible for change of jerseys when conflict of color occurs.
The Goalkeeper must not wear colors similar to either team.

GAME CARDS

Tournament officials will provide referees with a game card for each game. Coaches are to sign the game card on the field after the game to confirm scores. The referee will complete the game card and turn it into the field marshal tent after each game.

ADVERSE WEATHER/UNEXPECTED TERMINATION OF PLAY

Matches will be played in all weather conditions, unless the Center Referee or Tournament Director determines the conditions are dangerous and/or life threatening as per FIFA/USCLUB regulations. The tournament standings at that time will be final. No refunds will be given unless the tournament as a whole is canceled!

Contingency Plan:

Plan A: All matches will be played as scheduled.
Plan B: Tournament Director has the discretion to shorten the game lengths as needed to attempt to complete all scheduled games.
Plan C: In the event the fields become totally unplayable, or the weather becomes hazardous, it may be necessary to decide some matches with FIFA penalty kicks.

ALTERNATE MATCH SCHEDULING

The Tournament Committee has the authority to alter the schedule, move matches to the next day or move match sites for the good of the tournament.

DISPUTES

The Tournament Committee shall settle all disputes and their decision is final.

NO protests will be allowed.

Any verbal abuse directed at tournament committee members, referees or other volunteers will result in suspension and ejection from the tournament and may include the forfeit of all remaining matches.

Referees have complete authority during all matches and will not allow abusive or profane language, threats of any kind or style of play that detracts from the Game of Soccer.

The Tournament Committee is the final authority in ALL matters!