Two young soccer players compete for the ball on a grassy field during a match on a sunny day.

As of May 25th, 2025

Tournament rules

NDC 2025 logo with blue stylized letters and the year 2025 underneath.

NPC Tournament Rules & Regulations

1. Application & Registration

Application Deadline:

  • All team applications must be submitted by August 12, 2025.

  • Card on file will be charge upon team acceptance

  • Teams not accepted will not be charged.

  • Late applications will be placed on a waitlist and considered only if a spot becomes available.

Withdrawals:

  • Teams withdrawing before August 18, 2025, will receive a refund minus a $150 processing fee and merchant fees.

  • Teams withdrawing after August 18, 2025, are not entitled to a refund.

Play-dates:

  • Friday, August 29 - Monday September 1 

2. Team Check-In & Match Preparation

Online Check-In:

  • All teams must complete online check-in two weeks prior to the tournament.

  • Only players listed on the verified roster will be allowed to participate.

Match Preparation & Game Cards:

  • All matches will have a 5-minute grace period. A team must have at least 7 players to avoid a forfeit.

  • The home team is listed first on the schedule, chooses field side, and must change jerseys in case of a color conflict (as determined by the referee).

  • Teams and spectators must be on opposite sides of the field.

  • Game cards will be provided by the tournament.

3. Rosters & Player Eligibility

  • Roster Limits:

    • 7v7: 12 players

    • 9v9: 15 players

    • 11v11: 22 players

      • Must be properly credentialed and listed on the online roster before check-in.

4. Flight Determination

  • Flights within each division will be selected by the Tournament Committee.

  • Flight preferences may be submitted but are not guaranteed.

Age Requirement

  • All players must compete in their correct age group based on their birth year.

  • No bio-banding is permitted under any circumstances.

  • Teams and coaches are responsible for ensuring that each player is rostered and competes only in their designated age group.

Team Restriction

  • Players are eligible to play for one team only during the event/competition.

  • This restriction applies to all positions, including goalkeepers (GKs).

  • Players may not appear on multiple rosters, even within the same club.

5. Rules of Play

Governing Rules:
All matches follow FIFA Laws of the Game, modified by USYSA and US Club Soccer.

Venue:
All matches will be played at SilverLakes Park and Eastvale Community Park.

Game Format:

Age GroupFormatHalvesBall Size

2018–20167v725 mins#42015–20149v930 mins#42013–201211v1135 mins#5U15–U1911v1140 mins#5

Halftime:

  • 5 minutes

General Match Rules:

Game Completion:

  • Games will be called at least five (5) minutes before the scheduled start of the next game, regardless of the time remaining.

  • A game is considered “complete” if one half has been played, regardless of circumstances leading to termination in the second half. The score at the time the game is called will stand as the final result.

  • Games can end in a tie.

Semi-Finals and Championship Matches:

  • Game lengths for these matches will match the preliminary match lengths for the respective age group.

  • If tied at the end of regulation, no overtime will be played. Winners will be determined by FIFA penalty kicks.

Starting and Late Arrivals:

  • A five (5) minute grace period is allowed for the scheduled start time.

  • If both teams are more than five (5) minutes late, both teams will forfeit the game.

Minimum Players to Start:

  • U7 – U9: Five (5) players constitute a team ready to play.

  • U10 and older: Seven (7) players constitute a team ready to play.

  • U13 and older: Seven (7) players constitute a team ready to play.

6. Match Conduct & Regulations

Substitutions:

  • Allowed at any stoppage, with referee approval.

Equipment:

  • Shin guards and cleats required.

  • Participation with hard casts at referee discretion.

Player/Coach Discipline:

  • Red card (or double yellow): Suspended for current and next match.

  • Violent conduct: Suspended for entire tournament.

Team/Spectator Conduct:

  • Coaches are responsible for team and spectator behavior.

  • Misconduct may result in disqualification with no refund.

  • Spectators must stay 2 yards from the sideline at all times.

7. Match Results & Scoring

Points System:

  • Win: 3 points

  • Tie: 1 point

  • Loss: 0 points

  • Forfeit: 1-0 win for opposing team

Tiebreakers (in order):

  1. Head-to-head

  2. Total points

  3. Goal differential

  4. Goals against

  5. Goals scored

  6. Total wins

  7. If a tie still exists after steps 1 through 6, a coin toss will be made with two tournament officials present the result of which will then be communicated to each team manager.

    In the event three or more teams are tied in points at the end of bracket play or in the determination of a wild card team, the tournament will look to eliminate or advance teams based on applying criteria 2 through 6 above until the team(s) are advanced or eliminated. After applying each tie-breaking criteria, the tournament will attempt to fill the spot(s) available from the remaining teams. If a tie prevents all spots from being filled, the teams who qualify will be advanced, the teams not involved in the tie for the remaining spots will not be advanced, and the teams tied for the remaining spots will be evaluated under the next criteria on the list. If there is still a tie between two teams for an advancing spot AFTER the three way is broken - head-to-head will be the first tie breaker.

    Once the first team has been advanced, should the two teams tied in points for a further advancing spot still be tied - head-to-head will be the deciding factor. In the event that all tie-breaking procedures have left three or more teams tied, team names will be randomly selected by draw by at least two tournament officials present, the result of which will then be communicated to each team manager.

    Playoff Format for Team Brackets:

  • 16 - Team bracket

    • 4 groups of four

    • 1st place in each group will advance to semifinals

  • 12- Team brackets

    • 3 groups of 4 teams.

    • Group winners + 1 wildcard advance to semifinals.

    • Matchups will adjust if the wildcard is from the same group as another advancing team.

  • 8- Team bracket

    • 2 groups of four

    • 1st place in Group A and 1st place in Group B advance to finals

  • 4 - Team bracket

    • 1 group of four

    • 1st in points and 2nd in points advance to the final

8. Team Designations

Home Team:

  • First listed on schedule.

  • Wears white/light-colored jersey.

  • Chooses sideline and direction.

  • Supplies ball if the official ball is unavailable.

Visiting Team:

  • Second listed.

  • Wears dark-colored jersey.

  • Must change if there is a color conflict.

  • Takes opening kickoff.

9. Game Administration

Score Corrections:

  • Must be agreed upon by both coaches.

  • Referee confirmation and Tournament Director approval required.

Red Card Corrections:

  • Only if referee confirms error and Tournament Director approves.

Game Check-In:

  • Check in at HQ Tent near Field House and Field 16 before the first match.

  • Team gifts and roster confirmation handled here.

10. Weather, Cancellations, & Refunds

Inclement Weather:

  • Matches at or past halftime will stand.

  • Matches with less than 20 minutes played may be canceled or rescheduled.

  • Matches may be shortened or relocated.

Tournament Cancellation:

  • Partial refunds issued based on final approved budgets.

  • SilverLakes and Legends FC are not responsible for participant expenses due to cancellation.

Final Authority:

  • The Tournament Director reserves the right to make final decisions on all matters.

  • All participants agree to the SilverLakes Registration Agreement by registering.

Thank you from SilverLakes!