2025 LAGUNA BEACH FC SUMMER CLASSIC RULES
Welcome to the Laguna Beach FC Summer Classic. This tournament is open to ages U9 – U17 (2018-2008). The competition will be based on the Fall 2025 season age divisions. It is the responsibility of each team/club to apply in the proper age divisions. Qualifying applications will be accepted on a first-come first-serve basis. The LBFC Tournament Committee reserves the right to accept or reject any application.
Registration
Mandatory registration is at the LBFC tent on the field of your first game on the first day of play. Please check in a minimum of 30 minutes before the team’s first game. You must bring player cards and have your medical release/waiver forms available for inspection. Failure to appear on time at mandatory registration will result in automatic disqualification from the tournament without a refund.
Players may be written in before the first game. No additional players may be added to the roster after the first game. All players, including write-in players, must have proper paperwork presented to the LBFC tournament representative at the time of check-in.
By registering your team, you are committing to play all games scheduled for your team. If a team does not show up for a game, the team will have a $250 fine placed on their account. Games not played will be classified as a forfeit.
Credentials
This is a US Club-sanctioned event. Players and staff must present USYSA or US CLUB valid player cards.
Rosters
2018 - 2016: 14 player maximum
2015 - 2014: 18 player maximum
2011 - 2008: 20 player maximum
Guest Players
Unlimited loan players are permitted. Rosters will be frozen at the start of the first tournament game so guest players must be approved prior to the first game.
Rules of Play
All 7 v 7 and 9 v 9 games will be played using the US Soccer-mandated rules for the 2025/26 season.
2018 thru 2015 Divisions: No heading
2014 thru 2009 Divisions: Goalkeepers can punt the ball
Game Time and Equipment
7 v 7 games will be played with 25-minute halves and a size 4 ball
9 v 9 games will be played with 25-minute halves and a size 4 ball
11 v 11 games will be played with 30-minute halves and a size 5 ball
Game Check-in
Referees will perform safety checks before the start of each game. Team managers must bring all player cards to every game, but do not need to provide player cards to the field marshal or referee unless asked to do so.
Any coach or player receiving a red card or being sent off from a game will have his player card surrendered to the referee until the required suspension has been served.
Substitutions
Teams may substitute only with the referee's permission at any stoppage of play. Substitutions shall be unlimited.
Players Equipment
Players must not wear anything dangerous to themselves or another player (including jewelry, casts, splints, etc.). Shin guards are mandatory for all players.
Referee decisions are final regarding the safety of player equipment.
Award Ceremonies
The Champion and Finalist will receive awards and are expected to participate in the Award Ceremonies. Players on the Championship Team will be presented with Championship Medals and a Team Trophy. Finalists will be presented with Medals.
Injury Time
There will be no time allowance for injuries.
Tournament 10 Point Scoring System
6 points for a win
3 points for a tie
0 points for a loss
1 point per goal scored
A maximum limit of 3 goals will count towards goals scored, goals against, and goal differential
1 point for a shutout
Qualifying matches ending in a tie will stand. Semi-final and Final matches ending in a tie will proceed immediately to FIFA penalty kicks to determine a winner.
Standing Tie Breaker
In the event there is a tie in the standings the following method will be utilized to resolve the tie:
1. Head-to-Head Competition
2. Goal Differential (goals scored minus goals allowed) 3. Fewest Goals Allowed
4. Most Goals Scored
5. Most shut-out victories (forfeits not counting)
6. FIFA Kicks from the Penalty Mark
Pool Play and Playoff Structure
4 Team Flight:
Every team plays 3 matches. Additionally, the tournament may schedule a final to decide the champion and finalist. In this case the team with the most points will play the team with the second most points in the final match. If a final is not scheduled, the champion is the team with the highest point total and the team with the second highest point total is the finalist.
8 Team Flight:
1st Place from Group A vs 1st Place from Group B will advance to the Championship.
Flights may play 4 games each with the champion and finalist decided by points if they have a number other than 4 or 8 teams.
Forfeits/Team Disqualifications
The tournament will follow a “Forfeit one forfeit all” policy. No refunds will be given for games that are not played due to no-shows or teams forfeiting.
If a team does not have their player cards present by the end of a match but has checked in the team for the tournament, only that match will be forfeited with the game recorded as a 1-0 victory for the opposing team.
Team Registration
Team credentials: player cards, medical release form, and the team roster are required to be verified by a Tournament Committee official before your first scheduled game. Check-in tents with Tournament Officials will be located at each venue.
Match Report
A completed Match Report is required from each team after each match, including Semifinals and Finals.
Check-In Procedure
Turn in Player ID Cards and Match Report to the Tournament Official for check-in 30 minutes prior to game time.
Match Report and Check Out
A completed Match Report is required from each team after each match, including Semifinals and Finals.
Game Preparation
All matches will have a 5-minute grace period for the team to appear with at least 8 players for 2011 through 2008 teams or 6 players for 2018 through 2014.
Home team responsibilities (first team listed in schedule):
Choice of field side
Provision of 3 game balls
Changing jerseys in the event of a referee-determined color conflict with the opposing team
3 copies of the Match Report
Teams and spectators must be on opposite sides of the field or as instructed by tournament officials with teams being on one side and spectators on the other. Spectators on the opposite side must mirror their team.*
*At the Laguna Beach High School stadium, team tents are on opposing sides of the field with their spectators on the bleachers directly behind them.
All spectators must be 2 yards from the sideline.
Substitutions
Substitution by both teams will be allowed during a natural stoppage of the match at the referee’s discretion.
Player/Coach Conduct
Any player receiving a double yellow, a red card, or a coach receiving an ejection will be ineligible to participate in the remainder of that match, and the next scheduled match. The Tournament Director and Referee Coordinator will evaluate all red cards.
Tournament Withdrawal
No refund will be allowed due to the forfeit of any game by any team accepted to the tournament.
Refunds will be provided if requested to any accepted team minus a $100 administrative fee if the request is made in writing before July 27, 2024.
Inclement Weather or Unexpected Termination of Play
Matches that are at the half-time break or in the second half of play will record the score as final.
Matches less than 20 minutes into the first half will not be counted.
Matches for a given day may be postponed and played the following day if fields are available.
Matches may be shortened to play all assigned matches. If all assigned matches are unable to be played, awards will be made based on a point system to be determined by the Tournament Committee.
If the Tournament is canceled due to inclement weather before the start of the competition, teams will be issued a full credit to be used for future LBFC tournament participation or a partial refund with a $100 deduction for administrative fees.
Venue Rules
Smoking is not permitted in the immediate vicinity of any playing site. No pets will be permitted at any tournament field or venue.
No alcoholic beverages will be permitted in the immediate vicinity of the playing site. No person shall be permitted to appear on, or in the playing site’s vicinity in an intoxicated state.
Breaking the law is under the jurisdiction of the Laguna Beach Police Department, not the tournament management team. Proper authorities will be contacted as
deemed necessary.
Special Rules
Lost game time after a major event (defined as 20 minutes or more) may be rescheduled at the discretion of the Tournament Director subject to field availability. An accumulation of minor time delays will not be considered lost game time.
The Tournament Director may shorten games as necessary to be sure all matches scheduled on a given field are played.
The Tournament Director or referee may suspend any match or tournament in consideration of the safety of players or damage to fields in the event of inclement weather.
LBFC Tournament Committee