Liberty National Elite Classic Rules of Play and Guidelines
2025 Liberty National Elite Classic Rules of Play and Guidelines
The Liberty National Elite Classic is committed to good sportsmanship, fair play, and player safety. We enforce a strict one-strike policy for misconduct. Victory Event Series and tournament staff reserve the right to remove any coach, player, or spectator at their discretion. Warnings will be documented; a second offense will result in removal from the event.
Roster & Eligibility
- All players must have a completed online waiver signed by a parent/guardian prior to participation.
- Players may only participate on one team for the duration of the event.
- A violation results in a 3-minute non-releasable penalty to be served by the in-home player. All players involved in the violation will be removed from the bench. The penalty remains 3 minutes regardless of the number of players involved.
- No player may compete below their graduation year.
Game Format & Rules of Play
Liberty National Elite Classic follows NCAA Rules, with the following modifications:
- Halves: Two (2) 22-minute running halves
- Halftime: 2-minute running clock
- Timeouts: Each team is allowed one (1) 30-second timeout per half. Timeouts may only be called when the ball is below the restraining line
- No timeouts in the final 2 minutes of the game
- Timeouts may be shortened by officials if called with under 2:30 remaining
- No central horn; field officials keep game time
- Penalty Time: Time-and-a-half served; managed by the field coordinator.
- Penalty time stops during timeouts
- Coaches from both teams are responsible for verifying and signing the score at the end of each game.
Gameplay Modifications
- No shot clock
- Once a team gains possession in its defensive area, they have 20 seconds to clear the ball across the midfield line. The Over-and-Back rule is in effect once the 20 second count expires.
- Officials may call “Get it in, keep it in” for stalling offenses
- No Dives Allowed
- Stick Checks: Teams are permitted one stick check per game. Not allowed in the final 4 minutes of the game.
- If a requested stick check is deemed legal, you will lose your timeout. If you do not have a timeout the requesting team will serve a 30-second penalty.
- Excessively big hits and physical play (even within five yards of a loose ball) constitute unnecessary roughness and will result in a 1-minute penalty.
Player Safety & Disqualification
- Leaving the bench during an altercation = ejection from tournament
- Antagonistic behavior (e.g., fighting, taunting, verbal abuse) may result in game or tournament suspension.
- Officials and Tournament Directors have final authority on rules and discipline.
Tie Games & Forfeits
Pool Play
- Ties allowed; each team receives 1 point.
- No overtime.
Playoffs & Championship Games
- 4-minute sudden-death periods continue until a winner is determined. No Braveheart
- 1 time-out in playoff overtime.
Forfeits: Scored as a 7–0 win for the opposing team.
Pool Seeding & Tiebreakers
Tiebreaker Order:
- Head-to-Head Result
- Goal Differential (Max ±7 per game)
- Fewest Goals Allowed
- Most Goals Scored
- Number of Shutouts
For 3+ team ties, start at step 2. Once one team is selected, return to step 1 for remaining teams.
Sportsmanship & Conduct
- Only head coaches may communicate with officials, and must do so respectfully.
- Ejected players are suspended for the next game. A second violation results in:
- Permanent removal from the tournament and a 3-minute non-releasable penalty assessed to the team.
- Head coaches are responsible for the conduct of their:
- Assistant coaches, Players and Parents / spectators
- Leaving the bench during an altercation = automatic tournament ejection.
- Fighting or verbal abuse may lead to removal from the current game or full tournament suspension.
- Officials and Tournament Directors have final authority on all rulings.
- If a spectator enters the field or behaves aggressively toward any participant or staff:
- The game will be immediately terminated.
- The spectator’s team will forfeit the game—no exceptions.