TOURNAMENT RULES
Player Registration – All coaches or team captains must check in their team at the registration table 20 minutes prior to their first game. A team captain must attend team briefing 20 minutes prior to first kick off.
Rosters – No changes or substitutions to rosters after the start of a team’s first game. All rosters are final at the start of the first game for each team.
Numbers of Players – 5 IS THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS ALLOWED ON ANY GIVEN TEAM. There are THREE (3) field players allowed on the field at a time. There are no Goalkeepers in 3 vs 3 soccer. Substitutions can be made at anytime, during play or at a stoppage.
Team Uniforms and Equipment – All players must wear jerseys/ shirts during play. Team shirts should be of like color. All players must wear shin guards. Pinnies can be provided.
Field Dimensions – Dimensions will be 30 x 40 yards. Field dimensions will be clearly marked off with lines.
Goals and Goal Box – There is a goal box approximately 10x12. No player may touch the ball within that box, however; any player may move through the box. Any part of the player’s body on the line is considered in the goal box. If a defender touches the ball within the box, a goal is awarded to the offensive team. If an offensive player touches the ball within the goal box a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team. If the ball comes to a complete stop within the goal box regardless of who touches it last, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team.
Game Duration – The game are 20 minutes. Games tied after regulation shall end in a tie except in the finals. In the finals, a 5 minute full overtime period will be played to determine a winner. If needed, a second sudden death overtime will be played where the first goal will determine the winner.
Goal Scoring – Goals can be scored from anywhere on the offensive half of the field of play. The ball must be last touched (either by offense or defense) within the team’s offensive half of the field.
Scoring in Qualifying Play – Games will be scored according to the following: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss.
Tiebreakers – Ties in standings between two teams will be broken by: 1) head to head results between tied teams, 2) greatest goal difference (scored-allowed) in qualifying play, with the maximum of +5 per game 3) least goals allowed in qualifying play, 4) goals scored in qualifying play 5) shootout. Ties between three or more teams will be broken by 1) goal difference in qualifying play with the maximum of +5 per game, 2) least goals allowed in qualifying play, 3) goals scored in qualifying play 4) shootout with 1 team receiving a first round draw by random draw. A forfeit will count as a score of 5-0. Shoot out is shot from half line.
No offsides and no slide tackling in 3 vs 3 Soccer
Five-Yard Rule – In all dead ball situations, defending players must stand at least five yards away from the ball. If the defensive player’s goal area is closer than five yards, the ball shall be placed five yards from the goal area in line with the foul.
Kick-ins – The ball shall be kicked into play from the sideline instead of a throw in.
Indirect Kicks – All dead ball kicks (kick-ins, free kicks, kickoffs) are indirect except for corner and penalty kicks which are direct.
Goal Kicks – May be taken from any point on the end line, but not in the goal box area.
Kickoff – May be taken in any direction.
Penalty Kicks – Shall be awarded if, in the Field Manager’s opinion, a scoring opportunity was nullified by the infraction. It is a direct kick taken from the middle of the half line with all players behind the half field line. If a goal is not scored, the defense obtains possession with a goal kick. Penalty kicks are not live balls.
Red Cards – Field Managers have the right to eject a player from the game for continual disobedience or as a result of an incident that warrants sending the player off. Teams can substitute for the ejected player if there are eligible rostered players on the sideline. A red card will be issued upon a second yellow card offense. All disciplinary measures imposed by the tournament shall be limited to placing restrictions upon an individual’s participation in the tournament. Issuance of all red and yellow cards and other matters regarding conduct will be reported immediately to the home state association and the home club/league of the team. The home state association or home club/league shall, except in the case of field manager assault or abuse, have the responsibility for imposing, should circumstance warrant, additional penalties within their respective jurisdictions regarding any matters arising from the tournament or games.
Forfeits – Forfeit is awarded if a team has not fielded a team within 4 minutes of the start time. Any team forfeiting two consecutive games will be removed from the tournament.
Protests – There will be no protests.
Sportsmanship – Players, coaches and fans are expected to act in the nature of good sportsmanship at all times. Abuse of the Field Managers will not be tolerated. Any instance of such conduct will disqualify the responsible team from the tournament.
Finals – There will be finals for all age groups. Awards are awarded to the top team.
Field Manager - each field will have a field manager. Players will call own out of bounds. Determination of goals, penalties or decisions on disputes will be up to the field marshal. Official scoring will be kept by the field manager. The tournament director will have final authority to resolve any issues that arise.
Refunds: If the tournament is cancelled for any reason a full refund will be granted.