Mayor's Cup Rules

Tournament Format

• No check-in is required.
• Single-elimination tournament where there must be a winner at the end of each game.
• Coaches must provide referees with line-up cards that include player number, player first and last name, and boxes for verifying playing time.

Player Eligibility & Rosters

• Only players listed on the official roster may participate.
• Guest or un-rostered players are NOT permitted (regular season playoff).
• Borrowing players on game day is not permitted.
  

Tournament Eligibility

• Only teams that have met the required referee minimums are permitted to participate.
• Eligibility is at the discretion of the Regional Commissioner, and any decision is final.

Team Size, Equipment & Uniforms

• Minimum to start/continue: 10U (7v7; min 5), 12U (9v9; min 6), 14U (11v11; min 7).
• Uniform conflicts: Home team changes (or provides pinnies).
• Ball sizes: 10U/12U Size 4; 14U Size 5.
• Mandatory safety gear: shin guards under socks; no jewelry (medical/ID alerts permitted if safely secured), and all other guidance under IFAB Laws of the Game (LOTG) Law 4.
• Casts/braces: If the device is needed to restrict mobility, protect an injury or support proper alignment to expedite the healing process of a temporary injury and is hard (cast, splint, etc.) then it is not allowed. If, on the other hand, the protective device is used to provide support, flexibility or enable an otherwise healthy player to function normally such as a knee brace, prosthesis, hearing aid, insulin pump/monitor, etc. then this would be allowed provided the device was sufficiently padded to prevent injury to other players. The Laws of the Game specify that “A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous.”

Game Duration

• 10U: Two 25-minute halves (running clock).
• 12U: Two 30-minute halves (running clock).
• 14U: Two 35-minute halves (running clock).

Substitutions & Playing Time

• Minimum playing time is three (3) quarters per Region policy.
• Substitutions occur at breaks roughly half way through the first and second halves and halftime unless for injury.
• Violations in playing time may result in discipline, including coach suspension and/or team disqualification, as determined by the Tournament Director and/or Regional Commissioner.

Age-Specific Modifications

• 10U & 12U: Deliberate heading is not permitted (indirect free kick to opponent).
• 10U: No goalkeeper punting/drop-kicking (indirect free kick to opponent).
  

Match Timing Details

• Halftime is 5 minutes (may be shortened to maintain schedule).
• Running clock—no added time except for serious injury at the referee’s discretion.
• Coin toss per Laws of the Game.
• Home team must provide 3 game balls.

Extra Time & Ties

• All non-finals rounds (Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals): If tied after regular time, proceed directly to penalties (penalty shoot-out) (no extra time).
• Finals: Two full five (5) minute extra time periods.
  • Teams playing short in regulation due to a send-off remain short in extra time.
  • Change ends after the first extra time period; the second begins immediately.
  • If still tied after extra time, decide by penalty shoot-out following standard LOTG procedures. 
• Time constraints: If there isn’t sufficient time for extra periods (e.g., darkness or delaying the next game), the referee, Regional Commissioner, or Tournament Director may go directly to penalty shoot-out to decide the match.

Penalty Shoot-Out Procedures

These are provided as reference key details for tournament participants and any interested party. The tournament will follow standard LOTG procedures for penalty shoot-out.  If any of the below does not match the current LOTG, the LOTG must be followed.

• Only players on the field at the end of regulation/extra time (whichever has been most recently played) are eligible.
• If one team finished with more players, numbers are equalized (reduce) per LOTG.
• All eligible players must kick before any may take a second kick.
• Team order will be determined by a coin flip by the referee prior to the beginning of kicks.

Weather / Field Closures

• If fields are closed, an alternate schedule will be provided when possible. All efforts to schedule games will be made.
• If tournament games cannot be completed, despite all efforts, winners will be determined by the Regional Commissioner based on final regular-season league standings.
• Suspended matches may be resumed, shortened, or decided by penalty shoot-out at tournament direction.

Medical & Safety

• Concussion protocol: suspected concussion = immediate removal for player evaluation by a medical professional.
• Heat & lightning: hydration breaks at referee discretion; 30-minute delay after last lightning/thunder.
  

Discipline & Conduct

• A send-off (red card) results in at least a one-match suspension; severe misconduct may incur additional suspension. All disciplinary decisions are done by the Regional Commissioner.
• Teams have one technical area; coaches must remain within and are responsible for spectator behavior.
• Zero tolerance for abuse/dissent toward officials or players; removal and/or forfeit may result.

Sidelines & Spectators

• Teams and spectators on the same touchline with the opponent on the opposite touchline. Spectators must be outside technical areas and penalty areas/corner arcs. Spectators may not sit behind the goals.
• No artificial noisemakers, drones, tobacco, alcohol, or pets on/near fields.

Forfeit Scenarios

• A team may receive a forfeit (recorded as a 0–1 loss) if found in violation of the following:
  • Failure to show up for a scheduled game (“no-show”).
  • Inability to field the minimum number of players before or during a game.
  • Not being on the field and ready at game time and after the 5-minute grace period.
  • Failure or refusal to continue the game.
  • Misconduct that causes termination of the game.
  • Failure to meet required player playing time.
  • Use of an ineligible or suspended player.
  • A coach or spectator attends a game while under suspension.
  • Falsification of a player on a team (results in forfeit and expulsion of said player).
• Retroactive forfeits may be applied if a violation is discovered after the game; the opponent advances.
• Coaches found in violation may face additional consequences under AYSO Due Process.

Refereeing Policies

• Youth referees are not permitted to serve as referees during Mayor's Cup except with written approval from the Regional Referee Administrator (RRA).
• Youth referees and coaches may not referee/assistant referee in divisions in which they play/coach.
• All referee assignments are subject to approval or override by the RRA. Any assignment removed by the RRA is final and not subject to appeal.

Protests & Appeals

• Protests of referee judgment are not permitted.
• Administrative protests (eligibility/roster/misapplication of Law) must be filed in writing within 30 minutes of match end.
• All protests and appeals are reviewed by the Tournament Committee (made up of at least the Regional Commissioner or his/her designee); decisions are final.

Score Reporting

• The winning coach must report scores within 60 minutes of match end.

Authority & Discretion

• All rules interpretations and disciplinary actions are at the discretion of the Tournament Director and/or Regional Commissioner, and all such decisions are final.