The Jamboree is a great tradition within our community. It gives the players an opportunity to participate in a tournament format, with multiple games and exciting competition. It's important l that all of us - coaches, players and parents - remember that the joy is in the playing. Let the kids end the season by playing for themselves and their teammates, and taking what they can from their experience on the field. 

Coaches, win or lose, play for the fun of playing soccer, and set a standard of sportsmanlike excellence that our kids can model and learn from going forward.

Jamboree Format

• 2nd, 3rd & 4th Grade: Teams play 2-3 games in mini-Jamboree format, with Championship for the top 2 teams, all on Saturday 10/25.
• 5/6th Grade: Teams participate in a “pool play” format. Each team will play at least 3 games on 10/25 & 10/26. Some divisions with an odd number of teams will have one team that plays 4 games, with one of the 4 games not counting in the standings. Teams with the most success will advance to the Championship round on 11/2.
• 7/8th Grade: Teams will play in a single elimination tournament on 10/25-10/26, with Championships on 11/1.

Jamboree Rules

Officials: A single Center Referee will be assigned to most games. If your referee does not show, please recruit a parent, coach or other volunteer to ref the game. If a coach volunteers to referee, no coaching on the field is allowed. There will be no forfeits because a referee does not show, so find a way to play the game.

Team Rosters: Rosters must be the same players as during the regular season. Any use of players not on the approved Roster may result in automatic expulsion from the tournament and suspension of coaching privileges from the Club next season.

Round Robin Play: Each team will play 2-3 games against teams in their flight. Composite scoring will determine the ranking of each team at the end of pool play.  Top teams advance. 

Scoring: 

• win = 6 points 
• tie = 3 points
• goal = 1 point per goal, maximum 3 points
• shutout = 1 point
• blowout (win by more than 6 goals) = -3 points

Examples:  

• a game that ends 3-0 earns 10 points for the winning team.  
• a game that ends 2-1 earns 8 points for the winner and 1 for the loser.  
• a 1-1 tie earns both teams 4 points.  
• a team that wins 7-0 would earn 10 points as noted above, but then lose 3 points for the blow-out, netting 7 points.

Winners: Teams advance to the Championship round based on total points (not goals).  In the event of a tie, the following tie-breakers apply, in order:

• Winner of head-to-head competition, if played
• Fewest goals allowed
• Most goals scored, maximum of 6 per game
• Goal Differential, maximum of 3 per game

Starting Times:  Games are scheduled back-to-back so we need to do our best to stay on time. All teams must arrive 30 minutes before game time and get checked in by the ref. If a team is not ready to play 5 minutes after a game’s scheduled start, the Referee will automatically declare a forfeit. If we are running late, the Referee can shorten the game by taking an equal amount of time off each half. Even if games don’t start on time, they will need to end on time. Your game cannot push into the next game’s scheduled time slot. 

Game Lengths:

• 2nd, 3rd & 4th Grades - 2 X 15 minutes halves (5 minute halftime)
• 5/6th Grade - 2 X 30 minute halves (5 minute halftime)
• 7th/8th - 2 X 35 minute halves (5 minute halftime)

Rules of Play:  All games are played under the Laws of Soccer as used during the regular season.

Forfeits: A team with fewer than 4 players in 2nd-3rd, 5 players in 4th-6th, or 7 players in 7/8th, shall forfeit the game. The opposing coach can elect, if both coaches agree, to loan players to the opponent team so a “friendly” game can be played. The team still forfeits and the default winner will be awarded a score of 1-0 and 8 points.

Overtime: Only allowed for the Championship games, as there must be a winner. If tied after regulation time, 2 X 5 minute overtime periods will be played, with no halftime break, and with the “golden goal,” or sudden death rule in effect.  First team to score wins.

If a game is still tied after OT, the game will be decided by penalty kicks. Penalty kick shootout is 5 kicks per team from five different players, taken in alternating sequence. Any player may be selected to kick, including the goalie and players on the bench at the end of OT.  The team with the most goals wins. If tied after 5 shots each, each team continues with 1 new player per shot until one team wins.

Good Sportsmanship: Good sporting behavior is expected of all participants – players, coaches, parents and families. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players and parents. Foul or abusive language will not be allowed. A player or coach receiving a red card is automatically suspended from the remainder of the Jamboree.