Turkey Shoot 2026

Please read all the rules carefully. US Club Soccer and Washington State Youth Soccer Association sanction this tournament. The US Club Soccer Rules of Competition apply, except as noted below.

Check-In & Players

Check-In

All teams must check in electronically using our Online Check-In by Wednesday, November 18, 2026. Check in on time to ensure your players are eligible. Teams with ineligible players will not receive any points for games.

To check in you will need:

• A team roster with player name, birthdate, and jersey number. A roster signed by your Club Registrar is only required when not using a registration system-generated roster.
• All rosters must clearly identify guest players. Guest players must be age-appropriate and duly registered with US Club Soccer or another appropriate affiliated organization.
• Signed medical release forms for each participating player, including guest players. Each team must have signed medical releases with the coach on the field for each game. Forms are available on the MYSC Turkey Shoot website or from your club or association registrar.

Players must have signed medical release forms on record to play (all ages). U11 and up teams need a valid roster and medical release forms to earn points. Mod teams (U10 and under) without a valid roster and medical release forms may be replaced by another team, or the child without a signed form will be prohibited from participating.

Players

All players must be eligible for the age bracket in which they play and registered through US Club Soccer or an affiliated organization. No select or premier players are allowed. Any player not listed on the roster in the tournament director's possession at check-in is ineligible. Ineligible players may cause the team to forfeit points in any game in which the player participated, at the discretion of the Director of Judicial. Other sanctions may apply.

Guest Players

No more than three guest players per team without prior written authorization from the tournament director. All guest players must be marked on the roster. Requirements:

1. The player is a recreational league player.
2. The player is duly registered with US Club Soccer or an appropriate affiliate.
3. The player is the same age or one year younger than the team they guest for.
4. The player plays on only one team in the tournament.

Uniforms

Teams must have matching uniforms, and each player must have an identifiable (unique) number on their jersey. Goalkeepers are exempt from matching uniforms and numbers.

Game Day

Schedules

Schedules are posted on the tournament website. Coaches are responsible for reviewing them carefully, as many locations are used. Check as close to game time as possible in case of a last-minute field change.

Teams not ready to play within 5 minutes of the scheduled start time may be required to forfeit. You need a minimum of seven players (U11-U19) or four players (U09-U10) to begin a game.

Communication

Refer to the tournament website for the most current information. Volunteers will be at most venues and will try to answer questions or find someone who can. Questions: tournament@mysc.org.

Divisions

The tournament director and game scheduler determine the size and composition of divisions. If there are too few teams in an age group to form a division, age groups may be combined. Applying before the published deadline does not guarantee acceptance.

Coaches

Coaches are responsible for knowing the tournament rules. Referees and volunteers can answer questions but may not know every rule. Coaches must communicate the rules to their players, parents, and other team members, and know their game times and locations. Field addresses are on the tournament website under "Field Locations."

Home Team & Game Balls

The home team is listed first on the schedule and is responsible for changing jerseys in the event of a color conflict. Game balls are provided by the tournament and brought to the field by referees or staff.

Referees

Referees are supplied by the North Chapter Referees Association and assigned by the MYSC referee assignor. Referees cover many games and may be delayed moving between fields. If a referee is unavailable within 5 minutes of start time, the coaches select a mutually agreed person to referee and begin the game.

This is a recreational tournament. Please treat all referees with respect. Teams that continually challenge referee decisions or abuse a referee may lose their points and be ineligible for awards. Teams that cannot control their sidelines may be asked to leave the tournament. Coaches are responsible for communicating to and controlling their sidelines.

Cards

Teams that accumulate two red cards must report to tournament headquarters immediately after the game in which they received the second card. After this misconduct review, the judicial committee may disqualify the team for the remainder of the tournament. After each match the referee gives the names and jersey numbers of players sent off to the disciplinary director and referee assignor.

Players or coaches sent off for misconduct are suspended for at least the next scheduled game. The judiciary committee reviews each red card to determine if additional action is warranted. Being sent off means leaving the field, park, and complex, and not returning until the suspension is served.

Protests

Protests can only be filed for a violation of the Tournament Rules. Protests involving referee judgment calls will not be considered.

Field Issues

If a field is ruled unplayable by a referee, referee assignor, or tournament director, the game will be moved to another location or scheduled for a different time and/or location. Officials will do their best to notify coaches immediately. Affected games may be shortened or otherwise modified.

Weather

In extraordinary circumstances, including inclement weather, the Tournament Committee may amend, shorten, and/or cancel scheduled games. If a lengthy delay occurs, any games that have completed the first half are considered final. The committee is not responsible for games cancelled due to weather or field conditions, and MYSC is not responsible for any expenses incurred by participants.

Air Quality: If poor air quality is expected, the AQI will be monitored on airnow.gov and pscleanair.org. MYSC may shorten, amend, or cancel games if the AQI for Everett (98204) reads above 150, or in the red zone.

Heat: If the temperature is above 75 degrees, a two-minute rolling clock hydration break is given at the 15th and 45th minute, or the next stoppage closest to it, or at the referee's discretion.

Formats & Play

Game Formats

• U09 & U10: 7v7. Two 25-minute halves, 5 minutes between halves. Max match roster: 14.
• U11 & U12: 9v9. Two 30-minute halves, 5 minutes between halves. Max match roster: 16.
• U13-U16: 11v11. Two 30-minute halves, 5 minutes between halves. Max match roster: 18.
• U17-U19: 11v11. Two 30-minute halves, 5 minutes between halves. Max match roster: 18. Max tournament roster: 22.

Teams that suit up more than the permitted roster size may forfeit their match and lose points. All games must start on time. Referees may adjust game times after a late start and will try to slightly shorten successive games rather than severely shortening one later in the day.

U11-U16 teams are guaranteed three games, with a possible fourth if they advance to the championship. U09-U10 teams are guaranteed four games, jamboree style.

Rules of Competition

U11 and above play a tournament format, and scores are reported to Tournament Headquarters after each match. U09-U10 play a jamboree format, with a fourth game on Sunday afternoon based on the best attempt at "like vs like" opponents. Every U09 and U10 player gets a participation medal, and coaches must pick these up at the venue headquarters on Saturday. The format maximizes games for younger players and promotes competition without over-emphasizing scores.

U09/U10 (7v7)

• Two 25-minute halves.
• Build-out line: halfway between the top of the penalty area line and the half-line.
• Offside enforced at the halfway line.
• No goalkeeper punts or dropkicks (indirect free kick to the opponent for an infraction).
• Direct free kicks for contact fouls. Opponent must be 8 yards away.
• Penalty kicks awarded, from 10 yards.
• Throw-in conforms to FIFA. No retakes.
• No goal scored directly from kickoff.
• No intentional heading (indirect free kick to the opponent for an infraction).
• Slide tackling is permitted for all ages.
• Attackers may cross the build-out line only after the ball is "in play." From a goal kick, the ball is in play when kicked and clearly moves, and opponents must stay outside the build-out line until then. From goalkeeper possession, the ball is in play when the keeper releases it from their hands.

U11/U12 (9v9)

• Two 30-minute halves. No build-out line.
• Offside enforced at the halfway line (FIFA).
• Goalkeeper punts and drop kicks allowed.
• Direct free kicks for contact fouls. Opponents 8 yards away.
• Penalty kicks awarded, from 10 yards.
• Throw-in conforms to FIFA. No retakes.
• Goals may be scored directly from kickoff.
• U11 players may not intentionally head the ball. U12 players may.
• Slide tackling is permitted.

U13-U16 (11v11)

US Club Soccer Rules of Competition apply, except two 30-minute halves.

Substitutions (all ages)

Substitutions may be made, with the referee's consent, during any stoppage of play. Substitutions are unlimited. Players enter at the halfway line, and substituted players may leave at the nearest boundary line.

Scoring & Championships

Preliminary Round Scoring

• 6 points for a win
• 3 points for a tie
• 0 points for a loss
• 1 point for each goal scored, up to 3 goals per game
• 1 point for a shut out
• 8 points for a forfeit, recorded as a 1-0 result

Tiebreakers (in order)

1. Winner of head-to-head competition
2. Goal differential (capped at 5 per game)
3. Fewest goals against
4. Most goals scored (max 3 per game plus 1 point per shut out)
5. Coin toss

Reporting Scores

Both teams must email scores to scores@mysc.org immediately after the match, in this format:

Game Time - Field - Gender/Age - "Home Team Name" score "Visitor Team Name" score
Example: 6:00pm Mariner Turf BU14 Green Gators 4 Blue Dragons 6

Failure to report the score may result in loss of match points.

Championship Games

Each age group U11 and above ends with a Championship game. The winner is the Turkey Shoot Champion for that age group. Eligibility depends on the number of teams:

• Single division: The two teams with the most points from divisional play meet in the championship. Five-team groups play four games. The team with the most points is champion, and the next is finalist.
• Two divisions: The top point earners from each division meet in the championship.
• Three divisions: Four teams (the three division winners plus the second-place team with the most points across all divisions) play a semi-final. The winners play in the championship.

Points earned earlier do not carry into the semi-final or championship. Tied semi-finals and finals are decided by kicks from the mark.

Awards

Trophies go to the Championship and Finalist teams in each age/gender group, presented at Headquarters right after the Championship game. U11-U12 awards are at Kasch Park Headquarters. U13-U19 awards are at Lynnwood High School Headquarters. Go directly to Headquarters after your championship game for your team trophy and individual player awards. Teams that don't show are responsible for obtaining their own awards.

Conduct & Field Rules

Sportsmanship

Sportsmanship and positive attitudes from staff, coaches, players, referees, and families make the Turkey Shoot memorable. Poor sportsmanship by anyone on or near the field, before, during, or after a game will not be tolerated and may lead to disciplinary action at the Tournament Director's discretion. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players and sideline.

Pets

Pets are not allowed at any tournament facility during tournament time. Tournament rules supersede park rules that may allow pets. They may not be walked between games, outside the field, or kept in a car or parking area. Teams that bring pets can lose points for the game in which the pet is present. Service pets are exempt.

Field Rules

1. In an emergency, call 911, notify a field official, or call tournament headquarters.
2. The field observer may ask anyone disrupting a match through irresponsible behavior or violating a tournament rule to leave the field.
3. No alcohol or smoking at any facility used for this tournament.
4. No pets on the field except service pets. People with pets must leave the game field and may return only without the pet.
5. Park in designated areas only. Do not block the driveway or drive onto the field.
6. After each game, check your sideline for left items and garbage. Garbage and recycling containers are easy to find at each venue.
7. No propane or electric heaters at any venue. People with heaters must leave the game field and may return only without the heater.
8. Both teams' sideline (technical area) must be on the same sideline between the halfway line and the 18-yard line (extended). Spectators must be on the opposite sideline, 2 yards back. Spectators, players, and team staff are prohibited from the 18-yard line (extended) to the end line or corner flag. No one is allowed on or near the end line or goal line from corner to corner.
   • If facility rules (usually a stadium) require teams on the opposite side, spectators must be in the bleachers and/or behind the fence around the field.
   • For 7v7 fields, teams are on the same sideline and spectators on the opposite sideline. If space between the halfway line and the penalty box is too tight for all spectators, the "goalie box" (usually the 5-yard line extended) is the limit for spectators. Spectators, club staff, and players may not be on or near the goal line or end line.
9. Drones are strictly prohibited for any reason. Teams using a drone at any time are subject to disqualification.

HAVE FUN! BE SAFE! BE RESPECTFUL!