Tournament Dates

Tournament Format

Top Gun is a pool-play tournament. Each team will play up to three pool games within its flight. Divisions may be divided into multiple flights depending on the number of teams entered.

Teams advance from pool play based on standings within their flight. The number of advancing teams depends on the size and structure of each division. Advancing teams may play semifinal and/or championship final matches.

Divisions and Game Format

Game Lengths

• Halftime is five minutes.
• Pool play games may end in a tie.
• Championship final matches ending in a tie will use two equal overtime periods.
• If still tied after overtime, the match will be decided by kicks from the penalty mark.

Team Check-In

Teams are required to complete registration on Friday night or before the start of their first game.

Bring the Following

• Laminated player ID cards
• Laminated coach ID cards
• Approved AYSO roster
• Six AYSO-approved roster game cards
• Player Registration / Emergency Medical Release forms
• Concussion Awareness forms with original ink signatures
• Approved guest player forms, if applicable
• Required tournament paperwork

First Game and Game-Day Check-In

First Game Check-In

Full teams must check in approximately 60 minutes before their first game. Players will provide their player ID cards to the Field Coordinator. Players listed on the game cards must match the approved roster.

Late-Arriving Players

Late-arriving players must be escorted to the Field Coordinator Station by a team representative and cleared by tournament staff before participating.

Before Later Games

Before each match, the Field Coordinator will conduct an equipment and player safety check approximately 30 minutes before game time.

Coaches must have Player Registration / Emergency Medical Release forms with them at all times and must be able to present them if requested.

Player Eligibility

• Players must be registered AYSO players and must have played in the 2025–2026 season.
• All players must have been registered in their respective region by March 23, 2026. No exceptions.
• A player may play on only one team during the tournament.
• Guest players are allowed only in the U16 division, with a maximum of three guest players per team.
• U10, U12, and U14 teams may not use guest players.
• Guest players must be approved by both the guest player’s Regional Commissioner and the host team’s Regional Commissioner.
• Teams using ineligible, non-approved, or excessive guest players may be disqualified.

Uniforms and Safety Inspection

Uniform Requirements

• All players must wear approved AYSO uniforms.
• All players on the same team must wear matching uniforms.
• Each player must have a permanently affixed unique number.
• Jersey numbers must match the game card.
• Players may not exchange numbered jerseys during the game, including with the goalkeeper.
• Goalkeeper jerseys must distinguish the goalkeeper from both teams and the referee crew.

Not Allowed

• Jewelry, including wrist bracelets of any material
• Hard casts
• Hard metal or plastic clips on clothing or hair

Home Team Responsibilities

The home team is the first or top team listed on the game schedule or playoff bracket.

• The home team provides three game balls.
• The home team changes jerseys or wears scrimmage vests in a color conflict.
• The home team occupies the north or east side of the field.
• For pool play games, the home team selects the goal they will attack.
• The visiting team kicks off during pool play.

Field Rules

• No warming up on the game field.
• Teams must warm up before taking the field.
• After each game, players and spectators must clear the sideline quickly.
• Pick up all trash from your sideline.
• Use trash receptacles provided.
• Spectators must stay on their team’s designated side.
• No one may stand behind the assistant referee.
• No spectators should be behind the goals.

Zero Tolerance Policy

All teams and supporters must follow the AYSO policy regarding volunteer harassment. Top Gun follows a simple standard:

Do not confront tournament volunteers. If a game-related issue needs to be addressed, it should be handled by the Regional Commissioner, coach, assistant coach, or team representative.

Public safety officials may be called if any volunteer feels threatened.

Conduct and Ejections

• Coaches must set a positive example and are responsible for the actions of their team, including spectators.
• Teams may have a maximum of two coaches.
• Coaches must remain in the marked coaching area within ten yards of midfield.
• If a coach or spectator is ejected, they must immediately leave the vicinity of the field, out of sight and sound.
• An ejected coach or spectator is prohibited from attending the next scheduled game.
• A player who receives a red card may not return to the field during the current game and is suspended from the next game.
• A send-off for violent conduct will result in that player, coach, or spectator being barred from the remainder of the tournament.
• Red cards, coach ejections, and spectator expulsions result in standings point deductions.

Substitutions

U10, U12, and U14

Substitutions are allowed approximately midway through each half and at halftime. Assistant Referees will record substitutions on game lineup cards.

U16 

Substitutions are monitored under the AYSO Special Program for U16 play. Substitutions may occur at any stoppage of play with the referee’s permission.

Teams are responsible for preparing and maintaining substitution time monitoring forms. The referee team is not responsible for tracking U16 playing time.

Injured Players

Substitutions may be made for injured players. An injured player who is replaced may not return until the beginning of the next quarter and will be considered as having played the current quarter. An injured player who is not replaced may return at any time with the referee’s permission.

Forfeits

Teams must check in at the designated Field Coordinator Station 20 minutes before game time. There is a five-minute grace period at the start of the game before a forfeit may be declared.

A forfeited match is scored as a 1–0 loss for the forfeiting team. The winning team receives 8 points.

Teams May Forfeit For:

• Failure to check in on time
• Failure to produce laminated player or coach ID cards
• Failure to report with the minimum number of players
• Coach ejection with no Safe Haven-certified adult available
• Misconduct by players, coaches, administrators, parents, or spectators
• Violation of the spirit and philosophies of AYSO

Standings

Pool play standings use the nine-point system:

A 0–0 tie does not earn a shutout point. Official standings will be updated at the Tournament Scoreboards at the Field Coordinator Station.

Tie-Breakers

If teams are tied in pool points, tie-breakers are applied in this order:

1. Head-to-head competition
2. Fewest red cards, including coach or spectator expulsions
3. Fewest goals against
4. Fewest yellow cards
5. Most shutouts
6. Goal differential
7. Coin flip

Medal Rounds and Awards

Teams advancing to the medal round may play semifinal and/or championship final matches depending on the format of their division or flight.

• All players and coaches of teams in the medal round receive medals.
• Souvenir tournament lapel pins will be presented to registered players and coaches.
• A team trophy will be awarded to the coach of the winning team in each age division and competitive bracket.

Referees

Each team must provide a qualified referee crew of three referees. Referees may be assigned up to four games in a combination of primary and standby assignments.

• At least one referee must be qualified to center.
• Referees must be capable of refereeing at the level of the team they represent.
• Players in the tournament may not serve on a referee crew.
• All referees must be AYSO-registered volunteers.
• All referees must be Safe Haven certified and Concussion Awareness certified.
• All referees must be in complete referee uniform.
• Referees must check in at the Referee Station at least 30 minutes before their assigned game.

Protests

Protests are considered only for the following reasons:

• An ineligible player participated.
• A registered player who was present and in uniform did not play the required half of the game, except for illness or injury recorded by the referee.

All protests must be submitted in writing to the Tournament Director within 30 minutes of the completion of the game.

Suspended or Abandoned Games

The Tournament Committee may end matches early due to delays, unsafe weather, injury, outside interference, or other conditions.

The Tournament Committee will determine the outcome of any game terminated early.

If pool play games cannot be played due to circumstances beyond the tournament’s control, standings may be determined using winning percentage:

Only the Tournament Director or designee may declare a game abandoned or not played.

Medical and First Aid

• First aid supplies will be available at the Field Coordinator Station.
• Supplies may include ice and basic first aid items for minor injuries.
• Athletic trainers and/or EMT-qualified responders may be available for serious injuries.
• Field Coordinators will help contact responders as needed.
• If requested by a parent or coach, the Field Coordinator can help call 911 and coordinate emergency medical transportation.
• Directions to nearby hospitals and urgent care facilities will be available at the Field Coordinator Station.

What Players Should Bring

Communication During Tournament Weekend

Tournament communication will primarily be through email and the tournament website. Coaches and team contacts should check updates regularly.

Families should rely on their coach, team manager, or team contact for team-specific updates.

Schedules may change due to field conditions, weather, referee coverage, game results, or tournament needs.