WIN 2026 Tournament Rules as of 02/22/26
1. Rosters, Passes, Medical Release Forms: All players must be registered with CJSA or US Club Soccer and appear on an approved 2025-2026 season tournament roster (name, ID#, DOB, photo) submitted to WIN before the first game. Guest and double‑rostered players must be included on the approved roster before the tournament begins; no additions are allowed during the event. Only listed players are eligible, and teams must have a copy at every match for reference as needed. Registration questions: contact, [email protected]
2. Teams may bring all players officially rostered with their state governing soccer association to the tournament. All teams are allowed only six (6) players, including goalkeepers, on the field at any given time.
3. Roster size is limited to twenty (20) players. Teams may include up to twenty (20) players as long as the minimum number of players is fielded for each match. All teams must field a minimum of six (6) players for each match.
4. All Premier teams must register in the next highest age bracket and must “play-up” an age bracket. Exceptions to this rule must be made in writing via e-mail to tournament officials and will only be granted for good cause shown. The decision of the Tournament officials with regard to Premier team placement is final and may not be appealed.
5. Match Roster Limit: Teams may "suit up" only a limited number of players for any single match. Coaches of all teams must indicate before the commencement of a match a maximum of twelve (12) specific players that will participate in that particular match. Coaches may use any combination of players in any of their team's matches as long as no more than the maximum number of players "suit up" for each match. Players not indicated as playing in a particular match may join their teammates on the team bench, but must either remove their game jerseys or wear pinnies.
6. Substitutions are on the fly and may be made at any time. The replaced player must be off the field before the replacement player enters from the bench area.
7. Team Jerseys: Each team must bring home and away numbered jerseys. If a color conflict exists, the listed AWAY team will change. The home team is listed first on the schedule.
8. Game Length: The duration of a game is 24 minutes in a single period with no halftime. There will be no overtime.
10. Minimum # of games is 4 per team, plus a championship game for qualifying teams.
11. FIFA Penalty Kicks only for semi-final and final games to determine a winner (3 kicks from the mark, then sudden death kicks from the mark if tied after 3).
12. Game Locations: u9-u10 teams will play indoors in the Staples Field House and the Staples and/or Bedford Middle School gyms. No cleats will be allowed to be worn for any indoor games. u11-u19 teams will play outdoors on synthetic turf fields. Tournament reserves right to change these locations based as needed.
13. All u9 and u10 games are non-result-oriented, and no standings will be kept for these age groups. Participation medals only (no trophies).
14. Group standings for u11-u19 age groups will be determined as follows (in order):
· Most points (win = 3 points; tie =1 point; loss = 0 points)
· Head-to-head (does not apply if more than 2 teams tied in points)
· Most wins
· Highest goal differential (max 3 per game)
· Fewest goals against
· Most goals for
· FIFA penalties – Best of three frames
15. Goal Differential Cap: Maximum score difference for any game is 6; goals beyond this do not count toward results. Coaches are encouraged to maintain a competitive, fun dynamic.
16. Penalty for late arrival: Referees may delay the start of a game by 2 minutes, after which teams will be penalized 1 goal for every minute late, up to 3 minutes. After 5 minutes, the late team will forfeit the game. All games will end 24 minutes after the official start time, regardless of when the games actually start (i.e., due to a team's late arrival). Tournament officials reserve the right to modify this rule as they deem necessary and appropriate in maintaining flow of play.
17. Offside Rule: Offside is not enforced for indoor or outdoor games.
18. The goalkeeper “pass back rule” does apply.
19. On goal kicks and keeper possessions, the ball must touch either the floor, the turf or a player from either team before crossing the mid-field line. Violation results in an indirect free kick from the midfield.
20. Free kicks will be either direct or indirect, depending on the foul (FIFA rules apply). Defending players must be at least five yards from the ball.
21. Overhead obstruction: Anytime a ball hits an overhead obstruction, play is restarted by an indirect free kick from the midfield line.
22. KICK-INS will be used to restart play instead of throw-ins. They are indirect.
23. Sliding tackles will NOT be permitted in either indoor or outdoor games. A restart after a slide tackle is an indirect free kick
24. A Zero Tolerance Policy Regarding Unsportsmanlike Conduct for players, coaches, and spectators is in effect for the entirety of the tournament.
25. Decisions of the referees and tournament officials will be final and NOT subject to appeal. RESPECT AND SUPPORT THE REFEREES.
26. Refunds will be given if the tournament facilities are not open due to weather, power outage, or similar incident,t and will consist of the full registration fee less an administrative charge of $50 per team.
27. No Dogs allowed on playing fields or indoor school facilities.
This tournament is approved by the USYSA and will be played under the jurisdiction of the CT Junior Soccer Association, CJSA. All players must be registered with the CJSA, with any other US Youth Soccer-affiliated club within Connecticut, or with the equivalent organizations if the team is from outside of Connecticut. This tournament requires a Certificate of Insurance to be presented at the time of registration from any non-US Youth Soccer Association affiliate teams, evidencing liability and player medical coverage.
WSA reserves the right to modify tournament rules prior to game day as needed.
1. Rosters, Passes, Medical Release Forms: All players must be registered with CJSA or US Club Soccer and appear on an approved 2025-2026 season tournament roster (name, ID#, DOB, photo) submitted to WIN before the first game. Guest and double‑rostered players must be included on the approved roster before the tournament begins; no additions are allowed during the event. Only listed players are eligible, and teams must have a copy at every match for reference as needed. Registration questions: contact, [email protected]
2. Teams may bring all players officially rostered with their state governing soccer association to the tournament. All teams are allowed only six (6) players, including goalkeepers, on the field at any given time.
3. Roster size is limited to twenty (20) players. Teams may include up to twenty (20) players as long as the minimum number of players is fielded for each match. All teams must field a minimum of six (6) players for each match.
4. All Premier teams must register in the next highest age bracket and must “play-up” an age bracket. Exceptions to this rule must be made in writing via e-mail to tournament officials and will only be granted for good cause shown. The decision of the Tournament officials with regard to Premier team placement is final and may not be appealed.
5. Match Roster Limit: Teams may "suit up" only a limited number of players for any single match. Coaches of all teams must indicate before the commencement of a match a maximum of twelve (12) specific players that will participate in that particular match. Coaches may use any combination of players in any of their team's matches as long as no more than the maximum number of players "suit up" for each match. Players not indicated as playing in a particular match may join their teammates on the team bench, but must either remove their game jerseys or wear pinnies.
6. Substitutions are on the fly and may be made at any time. The replaced player must be off the field before the replacement player enters from the bench area.
7. Team Jerseys: Each team must bring home and away numbered jerseys. If a color conflict exists, the listed AWAY team will change. The home team is listed first on the schedule.
8. Game Length: The duration of a game is 24 minutes in a single period with no halftime. There will be no overtime.
10. Minimum # of games is 4 per team, plus a championship game for qualifying teams.
11. FIFA Penalty Kicks only for semi-final and final games to determine a winner (3 kicks from the mark, then sudden death kicks from the mark if tied after 3).
12. Game Locations: u9-u10 teams will play indoors in the Staples Field House and the Staples and/or Bedford Middle School gyms. No cleats will be allowed to be worn for any indoor games. u11-u19 teams will play outdoors on synthetic turf fields. Tournament reserves right to change these locations based as needed.
13. All u9 and u10 games are non-result-oriented, and no standings will be kept for these age groups. Participation medals only (no trophies).
14. Group standings for u11-u19 age groups will be determined as follows (in order):
· Most points (win = 3 points; tie =1 point; loss = 0 points)
· Head-to-head (does not apply if more than 2 teams tied in points)
· Most wins
· Highest goal differential (max 3 per game)
· Fewest goals against
· Most goals for
· FIFA penalties – Best of three frames
15. Goal Differential Cap: Maximum score difference for any game is 6; goals beyond this do not count toward results. Coaches are encouraged to maintain a competitive, fun dynamic.
16. Penalty for late arrival: Referees may delay the start of a game by 2 minutes, after which teams will be penalized 1 goal for every minute late, up to 3 minutes. After 5 minutes, the late team will forfeit the game. All games will end 24 minutes after the official start time, regardless of when the games actually start (i.e., due to a team's late arrival). Tournament officials reserve the right to modify this rule as they deem necessary and appropriate in maintaining flow of play.
17. Offside Rule: Offside is not enforced for indoor or outdoor games.
18. The goalkeeper “pass back rule” does apply.
19. On goal kicks and keeper possessions, the ball must touch either the floor, the turf or a player from either team before crossing the mid-field line. Violation results in an indirect free kick from the midfield.
20. Free kicks will be either direct or indirect, depending on the foul (FIFA rules apply). Defending players must be at least five yards from the ball.
21. Overhead obstruction: Anytime a ball hits an overhead obstruction, play is restarted by an indirect free kick from the midfield line.
22. KICK-INS will be used to restart play instead of throw-ins. They are indirect.
23. Sliding tackles will NOT be permitted in either indoor or outdoor games. A restart after a slide tackle is an indirect free kick
24. A Zero Tolerance Policy Regarding Unsportsmanlike Conduct for players, coaches, and spectators is in effect for the entirety of the tournament.
- Any player receiving a red card for violent conduct (VC) will be ejected from the game and suspended from playing for the remainder of the tournament. Any player receiving a red card for an offense other than violent conduct (VC) will be ejected from the game and suspended for the next scheduled match. The tournament directors reserve the right to permanently suspend particularly unruly players or coaches.
- An adult coach who is ejected must leave the immediate area of the subject game and is subject to additional sanctions as determined by the Tournament Director/Committee.
- It is the coach’s responsibility to manage and control the behavior of his/her team’s spectators. In the event that an unruly spectator’s behavior cannot be calmed by the respective team’s coach, the match will be halted, and tournament officials will eject the unruly spectator and require him/her to vacate the tournament facility for the remainder of the tournament. If the unruly spectator has left the tournament facility within three (3) minutes, play will resume for the full remainder of the match. If the unruly spectator has not left within three (3) minutes of his/her ejection, the game will be forfeited by the respective team.
- Instances of unsportsmanlike conduct occurring at times other than during match play will be addressed as deemed appropriate by tournament officials. Outcomes may include (but may not be limited to): game or title forfeiture, game or tournament ejection of involved individual(s) or team(s), or barred future tournament participation by individual(s) or team(s).
25. Decisions of the referees and tournament officials will be final and NOT subject to appeal. RESPECT AND SUPPORT THE REFEREES.
26. Refunds will be given if the tournament facilities are not open due to weather, power outage, or similar incident,t and will consist of the full registration fee less an administrative charge of $50 per team.
27. No Dogs allowed on playing fields or indoor school facilities.
This tournament is approved by the USYSA and will be played under the jurisdiction of the CT Junior Soccer Association, CJSA. All players must be registered with the CJSA, with any other US Youth Soccer-affiliated club within Connecticut, or with the equivalent organizations if the team is from outside of Connecticut. This tournament requires a Certificate of Insurance to be presented at the time of registration from any non-US Youth Soccer Association affiliate teams, evidencing liability and player medical coverage.
WSA reserves the right to modify tournament rules prior to game day as needed.