Grand Rapids Invitational Tournament

2024
SCHEDULES
AND TEAMS

FAST FIND

Welcome to the 2025 Grand Rapids Invitational Tournament

Rules for the 2025 Grand Rapids Invitational Tournament

Tournament Rules and Information
Hosted by PASS FC in the Greater Grand Rapids area.

Competition Level
GRIT accepts teams from Select level to DA/Premier/NLC level and teams may register for an age group no greater than one year older than their roster indicates. International teams invited to register.

2025 Tournament Age groups
Boys and Girls:

U7 - 2018 or after Birth year
U8 - 2017 or after Birth Year
U9 - 2016 or after Birth year
U10 – 2015 or after Birth year
U11 – 2014 or after Birth year
U12 – 2013 or after Birth year
U13 – 2012 or after Birth year
U14 – 2011 or after Birth year
U15 – 2010 or after Birth year
Boys only:
U16, 17, 18, 19 – 2006 or after Birth year

Tournament Registration, Fees and Refund Policy
U7-U8 (4v4) $400;
U9-U10 (7v7) $650;
U11-U12 (9v9) $750;
U13-U14 (11v11) $825;
U15-U19 (11v11) $775 U16-19, Boys only (NO finals, 3 games guaranteed)

It is anticipated that if a team registers for the tournament they will be attending and will send payment via check or credit card online as soon as online registration has been completed. No refunds will be given to teams who withdraw after the registration deadline. If the tournament age group is full, the team will be notified, and their payment will be refunded. Tournament reserves the right to adjust division selection based on team record and league difficulty. If cancellations occur (the tournament reserves the right to not permit refunds, see our cancelations policies below).

TOURNAMENT POLICIES
Definition of Club - A ‘club’ is defined as an organization providing soccer to youth players. At no time shall an affiliated member of MSYSA who functions as a ‘scheduling league’ also be considered a club. In the case where a club sets up one or more satellite clubs in the state, those satellite clubs may only be considered part of the main
club for the purposes of the tournament if the teams and players from the satellite club are registered with the main club and their registration software account. The only exception to ‘C’ above is if all the following criteria are met:

■ The main club and satellite club have the same Board of Directors
■ The main club and satellite club have the same Tax ID Number.

■ The main club and satellite club are in the same MSYSA District as determined by the MSYSA Board of Directors.

Risk Management – All MSYSA team officials must be Risk Management Certified by MSYSA and must be able to present their risk management card at any time during the tournament. Team officials from other state associations and/or organizations must be able to show proof of their organization’s equivalent Risk Management Certification.

SafeSport Compliance -All Adult members must obtain RM clearance and also complete the ‘Core SafeSport Training’ by the earlier of 1) prior to regular contact with a Minor Participant; or 2) within the first 45 days of the Covered Adult taking on the role giving them access to Minor Participants. The SafeSport Trained requirement is considered valid for one year and a SafeSport Refresher course is available on the Safesport.org website in order for Covered Adults to maintain their SafeSport Certification.

Concussion Policy– All MSYSA coaches must be able to provide their CDC Heads-Up Concussion Certification. All non-MSYSA coaches must be able to provide the CDC Heads-Up Concussion certificate or the NFHS Concussion in Sports certificate. Teams must be able to provide upon request the Michigan Department of Community Health/CDC
Parent and Athlete Concussion Information Sheet for each player attending the tournament. Additionally, any player who sustains a bump to the head while playing at this tournament, must be checked for symptoms by tournament medical personnel before re-entering the game. As a reminder, all CDC Heads-Up Concussion certificates must be no older than 3 years from the final day of the tournament.

Red Card Policy -Anyone given a Red Card in a game will be ineligible to participate in the next scheduled game. The player’s pass card is to be held in the Registration Tent by the Tournament Director until the suspension has been fulfilled. Only the Coach or Manager is allowed to pick up the pass card upon completion of the suspension. All
issuance of red cards, yellow cards, and other matters involving the conduct of a team, its players, coaches, or supporters will be recorded by the tournament organization upon the completion of the event. Tournament Cancellation Policy – All efforts will be made to play all games of the tournament with in the tournament weekend. However, should inclement weather threaten completion because of dangerous situations (immediate weather or escalating poor field conditions because of weather), Tournament Director has the right to cancel games and/or tournament for the safety of the players. Additional information in rules below.

COVID-19 Refund: GRIT will have in place any continuing guidance from the Michigan Government and Michigan Department of Health & Human Services. 100% (minus admin fees) Refund of all registration fees if the event is canceled due to COVID-19!

Referee Assigning Policy – All referee assigning will be done though the Game Officials System by a Referee Assignor who is currently certified by US Soccer Federation and state the year of certification. Out-of-Area referees must show photo identification to verify identity.

Guest Player Policy - Guest players are any players not listed on the official team roster, including but not limited to players within the same club. Guest players may not be older than the Team’s age group. All age groups will be allowed 5 guest players who will provide paperwork and forms the same as the team’s rostered players. Guest players’ within the same club need only be added to and sign the team Tournament Roster/Liability Form and provide their player pass card upon check in. Players from other clubs must provide a complete MSYSA guest player form located on the state website. Guest & Player Forms - Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (michiganyouthsoccer.org)

Small Sided games Policy - U9-U10 will use a build-out line whereas all players must be behind the build out line before the goalie will pass, throw or roll the ball to a teammate. No punting of the ball is allowed. Once the ball is put into play by the goalie, the opposing team can cross the build out line and play resumes. GVSA rules will be
used for all other small-sided game policies.

CHECK IN PROCESS

Important information for Managers/Team Administrators:
This tournament has implemented a completely electronic method for submitting required documentation for this tournament. This means all documents that would typically be brought to an on-site Team Registration Tent on the first day of the tournament, will instead be submitted, reviewed and approved online, in advance of the start of the tournament. This is a requirement for this tournament, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Mandatory Team Check-in
All teams players, managers or coaches must go to the Headquarters Tent at the venue of their first game to pick up wristbands and have players and player cards reviewed. All Coaches and players will receive a wristband at team check-in, which must be worn throughout the duration of the tournament. If a player loses their wristband, or it is too
tight and needs to be replaced, they will need to present their passcard at the check-in area and be listed on the tournament roster prior to being issued another wristband.

Paperwork for MSYSA teams
● Tournament Roster/Liability Form
● Tournament Form Acknowledgement signed by Team official (Coach or Manager) indicating they will
have the following two forms in their possession at the tournament for each player or coach attending the
tournament in accordance with their affiliate league rules.
1. Signed Medical Release Forms for each player
2. Signed Concussion Forms for each player and coach
● Official League Roster for current year of registered team AND for each guest player attending the
tournament with the team (if applicable)
● Risk Management Cards for each coach/manager attending the tournament
● Concussion Certificates for each coach/manager attending the tournament
● SafeSport Trained Certificates for each coach/manager attending the tournament
● Player and Coach Passcards to match Tournament Roster (have on hand encase asked)
● Guest player State Association approved form (if applicable)

Additional Paperwork for Check-in of NON-MSYSA teams
All of above paperwork IN ADDITION TO:
● Statement from your current league of Proof of Medical Insurance
● Statement from your current league of Proof of Good Standing
● State Association issued Permission to Travel Form for out of State teams

OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT RULES

FIFA rules apply to all games unless otherwise specified.
●Games will reflect the current rules of the MSYSA-GVSA league, www.gvsoccer.org
●All age groups will be allowed up to 5 guest players (note: team must have at least 51% of team official roster)
●A new MSYSA ruling is that a player is able to play for 2 teams as long as the 2nd team is in a higher bracket and/or older age bracket. Older age bracket players can NOT play down in age or down in bracket within same age group (example: 2010 player can not play on 2011 team unless 2011 team is playing in the 2010 age bracket. A player can not play on a team in Gold division and have their 2nd team be in the division below). If there is a challenge from another team that you are fielding an illegal player, managers and/or coaches must be able to provide evidence on the field of the said player's passcard & roster. Failure to do this will result in an 0-4 loss & forfeit for that particular game.
●All age groups will play with a goalkeeper (except 4v4 brackets)
●U9-U10 will use a build-out line. See policy above.
●All age groups will play with the OFFSIDES rule
●Game ball will be provided by the team listed as HOME team on tournament website
●There will be no overtime for semi-final or final games (playoff). All final or playoff games tied after regulation time will be decided by penalty kicks (5 per team, and if still tied then 1 per team at a time).

GVSA 4v4 Rules and Format will be followed in the GRIT
● Field Size: (USSF Recommendations)
○ 35 yards (length) x 25 yards (width)
○ Goals should be 4 feet (height) x 6 feet (width) (GVSA recommends Bounce Athletics). Pugg goals that are not 4 feet x 6 feet and rectangular are not allowed.
○ Corner flags are not needed.
● Rules (USSF Recommendations)
○ Size 4 ball
○ 4v4 (no goalkeepers)
○ Shin guards are required
○ Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage
○ Kick-offs, free kicks, goal kicks, throw in’s and corner kicks are used to start or restart play. Throw in’s must come from behind the head but the two feet on the ground will not be called. Coaches will continue to educate the coaches on a proper throw-in.
○ For goal kicks the opposing team must start from half field. Once the ball is touched then play is live.
○ All free kicks are direct kicks
○ 2 20-minute halves with a 5 minute half-time
○ No standings posted and standings will NOT be shared with the clubs.
● Registration and Roster Requirements
○ Minimum 6 players, Maximum 8 players
● Referees

● All rules can be adapted if both teams agree. If both teams do not agree then these rules must be followed.
● U7 players playing up:
○ All coaches feel that all players at U7 should be able to play up and the clubs should make those decisions based on ability.
○ Suggestion made to have a U7 4v4 league and a U8 4v4 league but existing U7 teams (2014 birth year) could play up to U9. No U7 players could play up to U9. In the fall of 2021 no U7 team could choose to play U8 4v4 (GVSA may need to ask for a club to move up but the club could not make the decision).

Age group # players Max roster Game length Ball size Halftime
U7 - U8 4v4 8 players 2x20 minute halves 4 5 minutes halftime
U9 - U10 7v7 12 players 2x25 minute halves 4 5 minutes
U11-U12 9v9 16 players 2x30 minute halves 4 5 minutes
U13-U14 11v11 22 players* 2x30 minute halves 5 5 minutes
U15-19 11v11 22 players * 2x30 minute halves 5 5 minutes

*(May only dress 18 of the 22 players at one time)

DIVISIONING
The tournament holds the right to place teams in age divisions above or below if deemed necessary to round out divisions. Teams will be notified prior to movement in most circumstances.

Division of 4
One group of four teams. Each team will play a three-game round-robin schedule. The first and second-place teams will play for the Championship.

Division of 5
One group of five teams. Each team will play a four-game round robin schedule. The team with the best record upon completion of these games will be named Champion, 5 team brackets do not have finals.

Division of 6
Two groups of three teams. Each team plays two games within their group and one crossover game with the other group. The top team from each group will advance to the Championship game.

Division of 8
Two groups of four teams. Each team plays three games in their group. The team with the top record upon completion of these games will advance to the Championship game.

Tournament Scoring
3 points for a WIN
1 point for a TIE
0 points for a LOSS

Advancement to Championship rounds
In divisions with a Wild Card, the following determination will direct advancement to semi finals:
● #1 Group A vs #1 Group B #1 Group C vs Wild Card
If Wild Card comes from Group C, then B and C will change places
● #1 Group A vs #1 Group C #1 Group B vs Wild Card

Tie-breaker for Advancement
1. Head to head competition. If a tie involves more than two teams, move to the next tie breaker.
2. Highest cumulative goal spread (goal FOR minus goals AGAINST) with a maximum of four goals per game won. ie: 6-0 game would be a 4 goal spread.
3. Least goals against
4. # of shoutouts by teams
5. Penalty kicks tbd by Tournament Director

Awards will be given to Finalists and Champions in all divisions at an awards ceremony near the venue main tent following the final games. Coaches are asked to attend with their team.

Forfeits
A Ten (10)-minute grace period will be allowed after scheduled kick off time. If a team fails to show up within the grace period the win is awarded to the opponent and recorded as a 4-0 score. Any team forfeiting a game will give up their chance for advancement in the tournament. The minimum number of players allowed for the game to carry on
is 5(7v7), 6(9v9), 7(11v11). Grace period time will be taken from the first half of play.

Uniforms
● Home team is the first team on the schedule and will wear their “light” uniform kit. Away teams will wear their “dark” uniform kit. If there is a conflict with color, the home team will use their alternate uniform kit
● All players must wear shin guards that are covered by their socks
● All players must wear an official club uniform with a number on the back
● There will be no duplicate uniform numbers on one team
● Casts and splints or body braces made of hard substance must be covered by 1⁄2 inch thick padding to protect the injury and the opposing players
● All jewelry must be removed or covered with tape
● No hats are allowed to be worn

Elimination of Heading Policy
All players age 10 and younger, regardless of what age group they play in, may not head the ball. All players in the
U11 age group or younger may not head the ball. A header by these players shall result in an indirect free kick
awarded to the opponent at the spot of the infraction. If the header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick
shall be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.

Match play
The home team will choose the side of the field they wish to defend during the first half of the game. This will switch after halftime. The away team will get the kick off to start the game. Players and coaches will reside on one side of the field during the game and spectators will watch the game from the opposite side of the field as their team.

Game Clock
The game clock will be a running clock and will not stop because of an injury unless deemed necessary by the referee. If the clock is stopped, the injured player must leave the field. Due to the time allotment for completion of game schedules there will be no extra time added to the clock at the end of a period.

Substitutions
There will be unlimited substitutions made from the centerline during the following:
● After a goal by either team
● Before a goal kick for either team
● Before a throw-in in your favor (other team may sub only if throw in team is subbing)
● In case of injury for injured player
● On yellow card, to replace the cautioned player

Ejections
Players, Coaches, managers, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves within the spirit of the Laws of the Game. Parents should read the tournament Code of Conduct before placing their signature on the Tournament Roster/Liability form. They should also discuss tournament behavior with their child before attending the
tournament.

Abusive Behavior
Abusive behavior to referees and/or opponents will not be tolerated. Person(s) involved in such behavior will be given a warning by the referee and/or the field marshal present at the venue. If the behavior continues the person(s) involved will be asked to leave the premises. If they refuse to do so, authorities will be called to remove them.

Red Cards
Anyone given a Red Card in a game will be ineligible to participate in the next scheduled game*. The player’s pass card is to be held in the Registration Tent by the Tournament Director until the suspension has been fulfilled. Only the Coach or Manager is allowed to pick up the pass card upon completion of the suspension. *USYSA tournament hosting rules mandate that all issuance of red cards, yellow cards, and other matters involving the conduct of a team, it’s players, coaches, or supporters will be recorded by the tournament organization upon the completion of the event.

Inclement Weather & Cancellations
The tournament will follow US Soccer’s position statement that indicates when lightning is seen, the tournament will count the time until thunder is heard. If this time is thirty (30) seconds or less, seek shelter. Wait thirty (30) minutes or more after hearing the last thunder before resuming activities. The tournament committee reserves the right to
make the following changes in the event of inclement weather:

● Relocate and or reschedule match
● Change a Division structure
● Reduce the duration of a game
If a game is in progress and needs to be terminated during severe weather conditions it will be deemed official after the equivalent of one half has been played and the score will be recorded as it stands at the time of termination. In the event that a game cannot be completed before one half of the game’s minutes have been played, each team will
be awarded a tie.

General Site Rules
There is to be no alcohol, tobacco, pets or firearms of any type allowed on the tournament grounds. This includes all playing facilities. Where applicable, local rules and regulations apply (including local school rules). Lost or stolen items are the sole responsibility of the individual and the tournament will not be liable.

REFEREES DECISIONS ARE FINAL – NO PROTESTS – NO APPEALS.
1. DISPUTES: Any disagreement which cannot be resolved by the listed rules will be settled by the Tournament Director.
a. Score disputes: In situations where there is a disagreement about the score between teams/coaches/managers etc, the tournament committee will determine the outcome by referring to the original signed game card from the game. Please make sure that the score is correct prior to signing the game sheet.

2. REFEREES DECISIONS ARE FINAL NO PROTESTS NO APPEALS. Final Rulings-The final interpreter of the foregoing rules and regulations and any matters not provided for in these rules will be the Tournament Directors whose decisions shall be final.

#grit

Grand Rapids Invitational Tournament

Contact Us

If you are interested in having tourneycentral.com produce your tournament, check us out here.