Tournament Rules
2024-2025 The State Cup Rules are currently being updated!
• They must be the appropriate age.
- 19U January 1, 2006 or later
- 18U January 1, 2007 or later
- 17U January 1, 2008 or later
- 16U January 1, 2009 or later
- 15U January 1, 2010 or later
- 14U January 1, 2011 or later
- 13U January 1, 2012 or later
- 12U 9v9 January 1, 2013 or later
- 11U 9v9 January 1, 2014 or later
D. Withdrawal – Notice of intent to withdraw must be made via email to the VYSA Director of Cups. A team may withdraw its application and have its fee returned at any time prior to the seeding and draw meeting. Withdrawals after the draw will be considered a forfeit. Withdrawals after the draw are strongly discouraged. A team that withdraws after the draw will be subject to the following penalties:
1. After the draw and any time during the competition: The team shall forfeit its entry fee and shall be fined an additional $1000.00, and it may be declared ineligible to participate in future competitions. Note that after rosters are frozen, a team and its players are considered to have competed in State Cup, whether or not they actually play in a State Cup game. A team or players that withdraw after rosters are frozen, or at any time thereafter, are ineligible to compete in any other State Cup competition during that seasonal year.
2. If a team wins the VYSA State Cup Championship and does not go on to the Region I Cup Competition, it will be considered a forfeit. The fine will be $3,000.00. This amount is above any fine amount that the Region I may impose. A team that forfeits the Region I Cup Championship by their refusal to participate in the Region I Cup Competition may be ineligible for State Cup Competition the following seasonal year. The final decision will rest with the VYSA Director of Cups on eligibility for future Cup completion.
The exception to this refusal is as follows: If a VYSA State Cup Champion team is also a National League team that qualifies and intends to compete in the National Championships Competition as a National League representative, the team can decide to give up their place at the Region I Cup Competition, and the next eligible team in their VYSA State Cup gender age group will replace that team giving up its place. There is no penalty associated with this decision.
E. Regional and National Obligations – Teams representing VYSA at the East Region and National Championships must observe all US Youth Soccer rules and guidelines for those events. If it is determined that a team or its players have violated these rules and guidelines, a fine of up to $1000.00 may be imposed by VYSA. This amount is above any fine amount that the Region may impose.
F. Payment Obligations – Any uncollected amount owed by a team in connection with a State Cup competition is an obligation of the team’s club. If any amount remains unpaid after notice, VYSA may place the club and all of its teams in bad standing, rendering them ineligible to compete in any VYSA-sanctioned event.
Games shall be played in accordance with the following Age Group Specifications:
Age Group | Game Length | Overtime Play | Ball |
19,18, 17 Under | 2- 45 minute halves | 2- 15 minute periods | #5 Ball |
16, 15 Under | 2- 40 minute halves | 2-15 minute periods | #5 Ball |
14, 13 Under | 2-35 minute halves | 2-15 minute halves | #5 Ball |
12, 11 Under | 2-30 minute halves | 2-10 minute periods | #4 Ball |