6.1 General
IHSAA rules with games on a running clock unless extended stoppage happens. Time stoppage per the discretion of and communicated by referees. The new IHSAA 5/9 Mercy Rule will not be used for this tournament. For all games except championship games, the game will end with a tied score; no extra time or PK’s. All divisions will use seeding and align with the correct format for each division size. The home team provides game balls and wears dark jerseys. The away team wears white (or lighter colored) jerseys.
6.2 Pre-Invitational Seeding & Divisions
Teams will be seeded based on their regular season record, strength of schedule, and overall roster competitiveness, as determined by the Indiana Crossroads Invitational Committee. Seeding is designed to be fair and to ensure balanced competition throughout the event. While teams may indicate a preferred division or seeding, final division/seeding placement is determined solely by the Committee and is not guaranteed.
6.3 Divisions and Structure
The following division and tournament format structure will be used to accommodate the number of registered teams and their competitive level.
6.3.1 Five-Team Divisions (Boys 19U D1, Girls 19U, 14U D1)
All games (excluding championship first place games) are 30 minute halves with a 5 minute halftime. Championship games are 35 minute halves with a 5 minute halftime. In five-team divisions, Seed 1 receives one bye and plays Seeds 4 and 5, while Seeds 2–5 each play three pool games. Standings are determined by points per game (PPG), calculated as Total Points divided by Games Played. After pool play, the top two seeds advance to the Championship, the third and fourth seeds meet in a 3rd Place match, and the fifth seed does not play a fourth match.
6.3.2 Four-Team Divisions (Boys 19U D2, 14U D2)
All games (excluding championship first place games) are 30 minute halves with a 5 minute halftime. Championship games are 35 minute halves with a 5 minute halftime. In four-team divisions, all teams play a round robin schedule of three pool games. After pool play, the top two seeds advance to the Championship, while the third and fourth seeds meet in a 3rd Place match. Each team plays four matches in total.
6.3.3 11U Division
All games will consist of 30-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime. The 11U division will feature seven total teams. Each team will play three pool games (with the exception of teams receiving byes). Byes are distributed to accommodate the seven-team format. Following the completion of pool play, standings will be determined using points per game (PPG) and the tournament’s standard tie-breaking procedures. Placement games will take place on Saturday afternoon. The top two teams overall will compete in the 11U D1 Championship, the next two teams will play in the 11U D1 3rd Place match, and the fifth- and sixth-place teams will meet in the 11U D2 Championship. The seventh-place team will not play in a placement match, though an optional exhibition may be scheduled if time and agreed team participation allows.
6.4 Pool Play and Seeding for Playoffs
Results from pool play will be used to determine seeding for placement games. Teams will be ranked within their pools based on the pool play scoring system.
6.5 Pool Play Scoring System
Teams will earn points during pool play as follows:
*See PPG pool play scoring in section 6.3 for 5 division teams
6.6 Forfeits in pool play
In the event of a forfeit during pool play, the result will be applied differently depending on the division size. In three- and four-team divisions, the non-forfeiting team will be awarded three points for the win, and the match will be recorded as a 3–0 result. This scoreline will also be applied to all applicable tie-breaking procedures. In five-team divisions, however, no points will be awarded for forfeited matches; standings will instead be determined solely by the points earned in games actually played, using a points-per-game calculation. Any team that forfeits a pool or placement game may only continue in the tournament **at the discretion of the Invitational Committee**. The Committee reserves the right to remove a forfeiting team from further competition if doing so is necessary to protect the fairness and integrity of the event.
6.7 Pool Play Tie Breaker System
In divisions where teams do not face all other pool opponents (such as divisions with byes or forefeits), criteria 2 through 5 will be applied only using results against common opponents. If the tie remains after these steps, a shoot-out will be held following tournament procedures. In the event of a tie in pool standings, the following criteria will be applied in order until the tie is resolved:
6.8 Division Championship Tie Game Procedure
If the final division placement match (championship) for the #1 team vs. the #2 teams are tied at the end of regulation, one 10-minute golden-goal extra time period will be played for 19U and 14U divisions, one 5-minute golden-goal extra time for the 11U division. If the match is still tied after extra time, kicks from the mark (penalty kicks) will determine the winner. Anyone on the roster who has not been ejected (Red Card) may kick. The first five kickers shall be designated by each coach. The second five kickers (if necessary) must be different from the first five kickers and will be designated by each coach. If the score is still tied after the first 5 kickers, sudden death will begin with the second 5 kickers. Each team will get a chance to kick each time. If one team scores and the other team misses, the game is over. All players eligible to kick must attempt a kick before starting over.
6.9 Non-championship (consolation) Tie Game Procedure
If a non-championship placement game (consolation) should end in a tie, both teams share final placement results (i.e Co-3rd place).
6.10 Weather Delays and Lightning Protocol
In the event that thunder is heard or lightning is observed by officials or the Indiana Crossroads Invitational Committee, all play will be suspended immediately in accordance with NFHS lightning safety guidelines. Participants will be directed to seek shelter in a safe location such as a vehicle or building. Play may not resume until at least 30 minutes have passed since the last observation of thunder or lightning.
6.11 Safety and Scheduling Adjustments
In the event of inclement weather, unsafe field conditions, or other unforeseen disruptions, the Indiana Crossroads Invitational Committee reserves the authority to take any of the following actions:
6.12 Suspended Games
If a game is suspended before the end of the first half, every effort will be made to reschedule the match if it impacts tournament advancement. If rescheduled, the match will resume from the point of suspension, maintaining the same score and time remaining.
6.13 Cancelled Games
If a game is terminated after the completion of the first half, it will be considered official, and the score at the time of termination will stand as final.