Tournament rules
The LALIGA YOUTH TOURNAMENT (hereinafter referred to as "this tournament") is a boys' and girls' soccer tournament organized by WAKATAKE GROUP, an official partner of LALIGA. WAKATAKE GROUP regularly develops international soccer-related programs, and hopes that this tournament will provide an opportunity for boys and girls who are seriously dedicated to soccer to achieve further growth. The rules of this tournament will be based on those of the Japan Football Association, but some rules adopted by the Spanish Football Federation will also be applied (e.g., the offside rule).
The LALIGA YOUTH TOURNAMENT will be held for the following two categories.
1. U12 Category (Born in 2014)
*Early birth registration is possible for first-year junior high school students.
*【Overage】not applicable
2. U10 Category (Born in 2016)
*Early-born 5th graders can be registered.
*【Overage】not applicable
12 teams each for U10 and U12.
*Each team is guaranteed a minimum of 5 matches in the tournament.
[Participant Registration]
Registration for the tournament must be completed using the form on this website. After submitting the form, the tournament organizing committee will send you a confirmation of your registration, along with the tournament regulations and a player registration form. Team representatives must fill out the player registration form and return it to the tournament organizing committee to complete registration. (※Submission via email attachment or LINE is also acceptable.)
[On-site registration on the day of the tournament]
On the day of the tournament, participating players will have their age verified and receive a wristband from the organizing committee. Teams participating from outside Japan will undergo age verification using their passports. (*Before each match, the presence of a wristband will be checked. If a wristband is not permitted, the player will not be allowed to participate in the match. Wearing a wristband is mandatory.)
*If age verification cannot be properly completed, the tournament organizing committee may revoke the athlete's eligibility to participate.
[Maximum number of registered players]
There is no limit to the number of players that can be registered. The number of registered players should be sufficient to allow all players to aim for playing time. A player can be registered with multiple teams, but only one team per player is allowed within the same category. (Example: A fifth-grade elementary school student born early in the year can register and participate in both the U10 and U12 categories.) Without exception, a player cannot be registered with multiple teams within the same category. (Example: Playing in the qualifiers with FCA, and then playing in the knockout stage with FCB, which has advanced.)
All registered players can sit on the bench.
[Minimum number of registered players]
Since the match format is 8-a-side, the minimum number of registered players is 9 (※If there are fewer than 8 players, please consult with us).
There are no limits on player substitutions, and players who have been substituted off can be re-entered. Substitutions do not require the referee's permission and can be made at any time from the designated "player substitution area" near the center of the pitch. If no substitutions are made within the substitution area and the number of players on the pitch exceeds nine, the referee or the tournament organizing committee may impose penalties on the team.
*When a goalkeeper needs to be substituted, the referee must be notified, and play will be stopped to allow the substitution to take place.
【pitch】
Artificial turf (※Replaceable spikes are prohibited)
【ball】
Size 4 ball (for both U10 and U12 categories)
*For warm-ups, each team will use their own ball.
All participating teams will carry either two different colored uniforms with player numbers, or one colored uniform and a bib of a different color. As a general rule, teams will prepare in their main uniforms. If the uniform colors of both teams match during a match, or if the referee indicates a possibility of confusion, the visiting team (the team whose name is on the right side of the match schedule) will wear their alternate uniform. Players will wear the same number throughout the tournament.
All players, without exception, will wear shin guards.
During warm-ups in a match, players should wear bibs of a different color than the uniforms worn by their team during the match to avoid confusion with players on the pitch.
The tournament organizing committee will decide on any changes to match times, court locations, or regulations due to inclement weather. If any changes occur, the organizing committee will contact each team representative and make announcements within the venue.
The preliminary league matches will consist of one 25-minute period (no halftime or change of pitch). To ensure the smooth running of the tournament schedule, there will be no added time, and the start and end of matches will be announced by voice from the tournament headquarters. In the knockout phase, matches will be played in 15-minute halves (with a 2-minute halftime). If a match is not decided within the allotted time, a penalty shootout with three players will be held to determine the winner. *Only players who were on the pitch at the end of the second half are eligible to take part in the penalty shootout, and each player can only take one penalty until all other players have taken theirs.
To ensure the smooth running of the tournament, teams whose next match is scheduled after the current match must assemble at the designated "team waiting area" at least 5 minutes before the end of the previous match (10 minutes before their own match starts). (*Please leave drinking water, etc., around the bench when you assemble. Do not bring them onto the pitch.) All players, including those on the bench, are allowed to enter the field.
The qualifying phase will involve dividing the teams into 3 groups of 4 teams each, with each group playing a round-robin format. The final rankings will be determined through a single-league league system.
For example, if Group A is second place (4 points, goal difference 0) and Group B is third place (4 points, goal difference +1), the third-placed group B will be considered higher ranked.
The top six qualifiers will compete in the Gold Phase, while the top twelfth qualifiers will compete in the Silver Phase.
[Points]
Victory = 3 points
Draw = 1 point
Defeat = 0 points
[Ranking Criteria]
1. Points
2. Goal difference
3. Total score
4. Average age of the players
The tournament organizing committee will appoint a committee member to each court (two courts in total). Along with the head referee, they will be the highest-ranking officials responsible for each match and will handle any irregularities. Each court will have two committee members, including the scorekeeper.
[Loss by default]
If a team is significantly late for pre-match assembly without a valid reason, and this disrupts the progress of the tournament, that team will forfeit the match 0-3.
[Card handling]
Yellow card: Warning
Red card: Send off
Blue Card: Do not use
▶ Ejected from the match
If a player receives two yellow cards in a single match, they will be sent off from that match. A single red card will result in immediate expulsion.
▶Suspension
As a general rule, suspensions due to accumulated yellow cards will not be applied. However, if the tournament organizing committee and the referee determine that a player has repeatedly engaged in significant and unethical conduct, the organizing committee may, at its discretion, apply a suspension of one or more matches.
Furthermore, even if a player is sent off with a red card, a suspension will not be applied for minor fouls such as those listed below.
- An unintentional handball in the area that prevented an opponent's scoring opportunity.
- An unintentional foul in the defensive line that thwarted the opponent's scoring opportunity.
- Red card due to receiving two yellow cards
The following serious fouls will result in a one-match or multi-match suspension.
Dangerous foul
- Spitting at others
- Violent acts against others
- Actions that violate sportsmanship
- Insulting or discriminatory remarks towards others, etc.
- Any other conduct that the tournament organizing committee or the referee deems to warrant a suspension.
Only the tournament organizing committee and the head referee may impose penalties. If a penalty is applied, the tournament organizing committee will report the matter to the representative of the team in question, as well as to the representatives of other teams involved, or to other appropriate persons.
If it becomes necessary to interrupt or cancel a match due to various factors (weather conditions, match status, etc.), the match will be handled as follows:
1. Rematch
2. Reunion after the interruption
3. Reflect the results of the cancellation phase as the final result.
4. Victory by a score of 3-0 (e.g., cancellation due to opponent's cheating)
5. Both teams lose 0-3 (match cancelled due to cheating by both teams, etc.)
Any objections regarding a match must be submitted in writing within 30 minutes of the end of the match. This document must be prepared and signed by the team representative and submitted by that person to the tournament organizing committee for acceptance. A fee of 3,500 yen is required when filing an objection. This fee will be refunded if the objection is approved.
* Objections from anyone other than the team representative will not be accepted under any circumstances.
*It is not possible to appeal the referee's decision.
*The final decision issued in writing by the tournament organizing committee cannot be overturned.
Team representatives are responsible for supervising the actions of team members, including players and their guardians. If any damage occurs to facility equipment during the tournament, the team responsible will be responsible for reporting the incident to the facility and taking appropriate action. Furthermore, each team is responsible for managing their own valuables, including money and electronic devices. The tournament organizing committee will not be held liable for any loss or theft of such items.
We will not be liable for any damages incurred by customers due to war, strikes, natural disasters, weather conditions, riots, unforeseen circumstances, or any resulting changes to the event schedule or cancellation of the event, government orders, quarantine due to infectious diseases, accidents during free time, food poisoning, theft, etc. Please be aware that the event may be canceled if it is determined that it is impossible to hold the event safely due to unavoidable reasons such as natural disasters, man-made disasters, or inclement weather that makes it impossible to hold the event.
The organizers reserve the right to add, modify, interpret, and apply the rules as appropriate to the circumstances and needs of each tournament.
The organizing committee reserves the right to modify these rules for the benefit of the competition's operation.
Any changes made to these regulations will be notified in writing to the representative of each participating club/team.