• Acceptance into the Arkansas Premier Clubs (APC) State Championships shall be limited to those clubs & teams

that are members in good standing with Arkansas Premier Clubs.

• All competition and matters will be governed by the rules and standards of Arkansas Premier Clubs.

• Any matters not accounted for within these rules shall be decided by the APC Technical Leadership Board (TLB)

• All such decisions are final.

• Fall State Cup will encompass players in the following ages:15U, 16U, 17U, & 18U boys and girls teams.

• This event will be scheduled in or around November of the fall season.

• Spring State Cup will players in the following ages: 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U boys and girls teams.

• Spring State Cup will be scheduled in or around May of the spring season.

• Location will be determined yearly by the APC TLB.

All players shall be registered according to APC and US Club Soccer rules.

APC STATE CUP OFFICIAL TEAM ROSTER

Each team must create their official APC State Cup Roster in both Got-Soccer and US CLUB (KYCK)

• Rosters will be capped at 26 players, and once frozen, teams may only use players off this 26-player roster.

• Players will be cup tied to 1 roster per seasonal year for State Cup play (whether they play a game or not)

• Example if a player is on the roster for the Fall APC State Championships , they will be ineligible to to participate

on any roster, of any age in the Spring APC State Championships

ROSTER FREEZE

• A date will be established for each APC State Championship where the roster will be frozen and no further

changes, additions, or alterations can be made to the roster.

Roster freeze dates will be posted on the APC State Cup Calendar. (2019 Fall State Cup Roster Freeze Thursday Nov 14th 5pm)

TLB reserves the right for dates to be adjusted check the State Cup website for exact dates.

GAME ROSTER

Teams will be limited to the following # of players on their game roster

(All players must be from the teams APC STATE CUP ROSTER)

• 13U and older – 18 Players eligible for any single match.

• 11U-12U – 16 players eligible for any single match.

• 9U-10U – 14 players eligible for any single match.

• Please note that while the APC State Cup Roster will be able to hold up to 26 eligible players only the above #s will

be eligible for any single game and on the State Cup Game Day Roster.

• Only players who are listed on the official APC GAME CARD and on official US CLUB ROSTERS will be eligible to play

in APC State Cup matches.

• Non Active players for any game will be crossed off the APC GAME CARD and US CLUB ROSTERS

• Player’s names may not be handwritten on the APC GAME CARD. Or on the US CLUB ROSTER

• If any player is not listed on the APC GAME CARD or US CLUB ROSTER, he/she must be added electronically to the

both prior to the freeze date before the player is eligible to play.

• Any players not on the game day roster must not be on the sideline.

US CLUB SOCCER PLAYER PASS

All players and coaches must present their US Club Player Identification Card to the referee prior to the match.

CUP TIED PLAYERS

• Players who are listed on an APC STATE CUP ROSTER, whether they appear in a game or not will be considered

CUP TIED to that team. Players may only appear on one APC STATE CUP ROSTER for one team for the entire

seasonal year in the APC State Cups. (Fall or Spring versions) .

GUEST PLAYERS: No Guest Players will be allowed.

ILLEGAL PLAYERS: Any player who does not appear on the official APC Game Card and have a valid US Club Soccer

player pass issued by the same club shall be considered an illegal player. Any team using an illegal player shall

forfeit the game, the coach of the team using the illegal player will be suspended from the APC League and all of

it’s events for one year, and the club of the illegal player will incur a $500 fine.

TIER 1 - APC STATE CUP

• Teams are seeded based on their APL standings.

• Teams from the Gold/NPL division of the APL.

• Play will be limited to 1 game per day. (The TLB reserves the right to amend this rule if for the good of the game)

4 Team Brackets

• Top 4 teams will be seeded in a 4 team group as follows:

• 1st plays 4th & 2nd plays 3rd in semifinal matches.

• Winners advance to the Final.

• Semifinal losers play 3rd place match.

• All games must finish with a winner

3 Team Brackets

• Top 3 teams will be seeded in a 3 team group as follows:

• 1st has bye to the Final Match, while 2nd plays 3rd in a semifinal match.

• Winner advances to the Final, losing team comes in 3rd

• All Games must finish with a winner

2 Team Brackets

• Team will play a 2 game series.

• 3 points awarded for a win, 1 point awarded for a tie.

• Team with the most points after the 2 game series is completed is declared the winner.

• If teams are tied on points after 2 games then winner will be declared by tiebreakers (see tiebreakers)

• 2 Team Bracket Tie Breakers:

• Goal difference (+/-)

• Most Goals Scored For

• Fewest Goals Scored Against

• Most Shutouts

• Kicks from the Mark

TIER 2 - DIAMOND CUP
• Teams are seeded based on their APL standings.
• Teams will qualify through the Silver and Bronze levels of the APL (Non-NPL Divisions)
• This will be tournament style play based on the # of entries by age group.
TIES IN GROUP ROUND (ONLY IF THERE IS GROUP PLAY)
• If an APC State Cup Group Stage match is tied after regulation, the tie stands and will be posted as a tie.
TIEBREAKERS IN GROUP PLAY
1. Most Points
2. If Two Teams are tied, head to head. If more than Two Teams are tied, this tie- breaker shall not apply.
3. Goal Difference
4. Goals For
5. Goals Against

• Champions of the APC State Cup(Tier 1) receive automatic bid to US Club National Cup.

(Please note teams will be responsible for travel costs associated with this event)

(Fall Championship Teams will have to commit to attending the National Cup by Jan 15th after the state cup to ensure they receive

the APC Automatic Bid)

• Teams placing 2nd and 3rd in the APC State Cup (Tier 1) will qualify for US Club Regional event.

(Please note teams will be responsible for all costs associated with this event)

• Teams winning the Diamond Cup (Tier 2) will qualify for US Club Regional event.

(Please note teams will be responsible for all costs associated with this event)

Note: These teams can also qualify for NPL post season through the Red River NPL league.

If state champions qualifies as Red River NPL Champion to post season play, State Cup tied bid goes to the runner up.

• Age Group 11U-19U on the boys and girls side will be able to earn points towards the Founders Cup

• Points will be earned based on the below point scale:

• 10 points for a State Cup Championship / Winner

• 7 points for 2nd Place State Cup Finish

• 5 points for 3rd Place State Cup Finish

• 3 points for 4th Place State Cup Finish

• 3 points for 1st Place Diamond Cup Finish

• 1 point for 2nd Place Diamond Cup Finish

• Winning club based on grand totals from teams placement in the above events.(Includes Fall and Spring State

Cup)

• Founders Cup will be awarded after the final APC State Cup Match of the seasonal year to the winning Club.

• Winning Club is responsible for the care of upkeep of any trophy or award presented.

• Winning club will host the trophy or award until the following years spring APC State Cup , at which time it will

be returned to the APC for presentation to the next seasons winner.

SECTION #8: COMPETITION RULES

GAME LENGTHS AND BALL SIZE

• U11 and U12: 2 x 30 minutes halves (Size 4 game ball)

• U13 and U14: 2 x 35 minutes halves (Size 5 game ball)

• U15 and U16: 2 x 40 minutes halves (Size 5 game ball)

• U17 and U19: 2 x 45 minutes halves (Size 5 game ball)

• Referees should provide appropriate stoppage time in every game.

MINIMUM #S OF PLAYERS TO START A MATCH

• 11U & 12U: 6 Players needed to start match / 5 needed to continue

• U13 to 19U: 7 players needed to start match / 7 needed to continue

MATCHES NEEDING A WINNER (ALL ELIMINATION PLAY)

• For matches that need a winner, the team with the most goals after regulation time will be the winner.

• If an 11U-12U match is tied after regulation:

• Two (2) full-time 5-minute overtime periods will be played to determine the winner.

• If an 13U-19U match is tied after regulation,

• Two (2) full-time 10- minute overtime periods will be played to determine the winner.

• If the game is still tied after the two overtime periods:

• Kicks from the mark per FIFA Rules will determine the winner.

Make sure you arrive for your game knowing if the game can end in a draw or if a winning team is required.

SUBSTITUTIONS LIMITS

19U & younger teams will have the following re-entry rules in effect for all games.

• These age teams will have no limits on re-entry during their games at the APC State Championships

EMERGENCY INJURY SUBSTITUTION RULE

If a player gets injured and the team has used all subs for that period, causing the team to play shorthanded:

• Teams may re-enter a player for the injured player.

• The injured player may not return to any portion of the match they were replaced in.

• This action is limited to 1 injury per half or 1 injury in any overtime situation (limited to 1 for total OT)

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Substitutions are at the referee’s discretion. A substitution can take place for either team at the following times:

U11-12: Substitutions are allowed during any stoppage of play

13U-19U:

1. Prior to a kick-off

2. A goal kick

3. A throw-in by attacking team or by the defending team if the attacking team chooses to substitute

4. After the referee stops play for an injury or yellow card or red card

SECTION #8: COMPETITION RULES (continued)

WEATHER ISSUES:

• Rainouts

Rainouts in the state cup will be rescheduled ASAP. The TLB reserves the right call a rainout, shorten a game, or end

a game for severe weather. Every attempt will be made to complete games.

2019 Fall State Cup Makeup date will be Dec 14th/15th location TBD

• Lightning Policy

All games will be on a 30 minute delay from the last lightning strike that happens within a 10 mile radius of the

playing fields. Fields will evacuated and all players, parents and coaches must seek shelter immediately. Play will

resume when the all clear has been given. If there are delays to a game the TLB reserves the right to end matches if

it for the good of the game.

• Incomplete games

In the event that a game cannot be completed, the game counts if half or more of the game was played; provided,

however that any team directly responsible for the termination of the game due to poor sportsmanship towards a

referee, opposing fans, or opposing players will result in that team forfeiting the match. This could also lead to

other possible penalties set by the APC. If there is no result, and the match is suspended prior to the expiration of

one half, the game shall be repeated at a time set forth by the TLB.

UNIFORMS:

• Home Team wears their light or white uniforms.

• Away Team wears their dark uniforms.

• Socks should match jersey color.

• Teams who show up in the wrong uniform will need to change.

CAUTIONS: YELLOW AND RED CARDS:

Yellow and Red Cards (Players).

Any player receiving a red card in a APC State Cup Competition will be suspended for a minimum of the remainder of

that game and also for the next APC State Championship game played by the team at all age groups.

• Player will not be allowed on the sideline or on the bench during suspension period.

• Suspended player must take a spot on the 18 player game roster in order to serve the suspension.

TLB reserves the right to impose additional penalty based on the offending action up to and including disqualification from this and future

events.

Yellow and Red Cards (Coaches).

Any coach ejected from an Arkansas Premier Clubs match receiving a red card will be suspended for the remainder of

the APC State Cup Competition as well as the following match.

• Coach will not be allowed on the sideline or on the bench during suspension period.

TLB reserves the right to impose additional penalty based on the offending action up to and including disqualification from this and future

events.

SECTION #9: PROTESTS

All protests:

1. Shall be filed in writing.

2. Must contain the particulars on the grounds upon which the protest is filed;

3. Must be accompanied by the Appeal/Protest fee of $200 in the form of money order or certified check

payable to the APC

4. All protests will be heard by the APC TLB

5. All Decisions of game officials are not grounds for protests: The decisions of the referee regarding facts

connected with play, including whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final. The

referee may only change a decision on realizing that it is incorrect, or at his/her discretion, on the advice of

an assistant referee or the fourth official, provided that he/she has not restarted play or terminated the

match.

6. All decisions made by the APC TLB will be final.

Players will have a full understanding that the standards set below are designed to help them interact with the game

with the highest level of gamesmanship. This will promote an environment where the player is constantly at his or her

best and not disturbed by questionable calls or adverse situations the game may present.

• Players will not yell at referees. They will trust their coach to handle all referee decisions. Players will not yell at

spectators or fans.

• Players will display sportsmanship at all times.

• Players will shake hands with opponents immediately following the game regardless of outcome.

• The attendee will demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.

• The attendee will demonstrate positive support for all players, coaches, game officials and administrators at all times.

• The attendee will not coach my child from the sideline ever.

• The attendees are encouraged to encourage their child and their team at all times.

• The attendees will never yell at referees and are expected to allow coaches to handle referees at the appropriate

time; understanding that yelling at referees distracts them from doing the best job possible and creates a poor

environment for players to do their best.

• Attendee will be expected to never yell at an opposing player or parent.