General Considerations
Team Registration: Teams are required to check in at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time of their first match. Each team can consist of a maximum of six (6) players. All players must be listed on the team roster and must have a signed waiver. Each team must have an adult coach or manager who is ultimately responsible for the conduct of the players at all times when on the tournament grounds. A player cannot be on more than one team in the same division.
Player Registration: During team registration each player is required to show proof of age (e.g., player card, birth certificate, drivers license, school ID). Each player will receive a wristband that the must wear throughout the tournament. If a player removes or loses their wristband they will have to return to the registration desk to receive a replacement.
Heading: heading is not permitted in age groups U11 and under. If in those age groups a player deliberately heads the ball, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team at the spot of the offense.
Slide Tackling: Sliding tackles are not permitted. A sliding tackle is to be defined as an intentional sliding play with an opposing player within playing distance. Players are to be allowed to slide to play the ball in all other situations. In the case of a sliding tackle the referee can choose to apply advantage regardless of whether or not a foul was committed. If the referee stops play due to a sliding tackle they may restart with an indirect free kick for the opposing team, or may apply more serious action per Law 12 if a foul was committed.
Tournament Scoring: Games during pool play will be scored as 3 points for a win; 1 point for a tie; 0 points for a loss. For championship matches the top two teams in each division will qualify. Ties will be broken by: (1) head to head results between the tied teams; (2) goal differential during pool play (maximum 5 goal difference per game); (3) fewest goals against during pool play; (4) penalty kicks between the tied teams.
Forfeits: A forfeit will be scored as 5-0.
Sportsmanship: Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to act with respect and good sportsmanship at all times. Foul language and inappropriate or abusive conduct by players, coaches, or spectators may result in disciplinary action. In response to such behavior, during a match the referee may caution or send off of a player, or may remove a coach or spectator from the match. At all times, in response to such behavior the tournament director may remove a player, coach, or spectator, or may disqualify a team from the tournament. Abuse of referees will not be tolerated. Any instance of such conduct will result in the responsible team's disqualification from the tournament.
All decisions of the tournament director are final.
FIFA Laws of the Game apply except where modified below.
01 The Field of Play
Field Markings: Not all required markings will be present on the field. Center circle, Penalty area, corner area are not applicable. Not all boundaries need to be lined on the field and may be designated with cones.
Dimensions: Length - 30-35 yards, Width - 24-30 yards.
The goal area: There is a designated goal box directly in front of the goal. Approximate size is 6 x 10 ft. No player may touch the ball within the goal box, however any player may move through the goal box. Any part of the ball or player's body on the line is considered in the goal box; the player is an extension of the box. If a defending player touches the ball in the goal box, a penalty kick is awarded to the attacking team. If an attacking player touches the ball within the goal box, a goal kick is awarded to the defending team. Habitual touches in the goal box MAY result with a Yellow Card given to offending party. If the ball comes to a complete stop in the goal box, regardless of which team touched it last, a goal kick is awarded to the defending team.
Flagposts: some fields may use cones instead of corner flags.
The technical area: The areas in between fields on the turf are designated for coaches, substitutes, and substituted players for the current game. No spectators are permitted in between fields.
Goals: goals will be approximately 8 feet wide and 4 feet tall and will be Bownet or similar. Younger age groups may use smaller goals.
02 The Ball
U8 age group will play with size 3 ball. U10 and U12 age groups will play with size 4 ball. U13 and up will play with size 5 ball. Each field will be supplied with a game ball. In the case of a defective or lost ball a substitute provided by either team may be used with the permission of the referee.
03 The Players
Number of players: each roster can have a maximum of six (6) players. A match is played between two teams of a maximum of three players, with no goalkeeper.
Registration: Only players registered for the tournament may take part in the match. Registered players will be identified by a wristband and checked in by the referee or tournament official prior to the match. If a team goes down to 3 or fewer players (due to injury including concussions, sickness, etc.), an additional eligible player may be added to the roster in pool play only. Players cannot be added just for a playoff or championship game.
Number of substitutions: Teams may make unlimited substitutions with return substitutions.
Substitution procedures: Substitutions may occur at any stoppage with the permission of the referee. Substitutes are to enter at the halfway line.
Players sent off: Any player sent off (shown a red card) may be replaced. Teams do not play down a player due to a sending off. Any player sent off must leave the vicinity of the field unless doing so would leave them without any adult supervision. Players sent off will also be ineligible for the next game. Coaches are ultimately responsible for the conduct of their players.
04 The Players’ Equipment
Compulsory equipment: Per FIFA. All players must wear shin guards completely covered by the socks.
Colours: players on a team are required to wear shirts of the same color. In the case of a color conflict the home team will be required to change colors or wear scrimmage pinnies. It is recommended that teams bring a color shirt and a white shirt to help in these cases.
05 The Referee
All decisions of the referee are final. There will be no appeal of decisions to the tournament directors. Abuse of the referees will not be tolerated. Any instance of such conduct will disqualify the responsible team from the event.
06 The Other Match Officials
Each field may have a tournament representative to assist the referee in checking in teams and managing transitions between games. The tournament representative may help the referee in interpretation of tournament rules, but the referee retains his or her full authority over the match per Law 5.
07 The Duration of the Match
Periods of play: A match lasts for one continuous period of 25 minutes. Younger age groups may feature a shorter match duration. At the discretion of the referee, if temperatures exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit the referee may allow a water break.
08 The Start and Restart of Play
Kick-off: per FIFA except that opposing players must be 5 yards from the ball until it is in play. A goal may not be scored directly from a kick-off.
09 The Ball In and Out of Play
Per FIFA.
10 Determining the Outcome of a Match
Goal Scored: A goal must be scored from a touch on the offensive half on the playing field.
Extra time: in pool play a match ending in a tie is recorded as a tie. For playoff and championship matches a 5-minute extra period. If still tied at the end of extra time the winner will be decided by penalty kicks.
Kicks from the penalty mark: similar procedure to FIFA. A maximum of five kicks will be taken per team. If a team has fewer than five players eligible (on the roster and not sent off), the number of kicks will be the number of available players from that team.
11 Offside
There is no offside in 3v3 play.
12 Fouls and Misconduct
Direct free kicks: only penalty kicks and corner kicks are considered direct free kicks.
Indirect free kicks: awarded per FIFA and also for any of the direct free kick infractions in Law 12, except as described in Law 14. All free kick restarts are indirect except penalty kicks and corner kicks.
13 Free Kicks
Per FIFA, except that opponents must remain 5 yards from the ball until it is in play.
If a free kick would be placed closer than 5 yards from the opponent's goal area, the ball shall be placed 5 yards from the goal area in line with the original spot.
14 The Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is awarded if, in the opinion of the referee, a scoring opportunity was nullified by a Law 12 infraction. A penalty kick is also awarded if a defending player plays the ball while in the goal area.
The penalty kick is a direct kick taken from a designated spot 5 yards on the offensive side of the halfway line with all other players behind the midfield line. If a goal is not scored, the defense obtains possession with a goal kick. Penalty kicks are not live balls.
15 The Throw-in
A kick-in will replace the throw-in to restart play when the ball passes over the touchline. The kick-in follows the procedures for an indirect free kick.
16 The Goal Kick
Per FIFA, except:
(1) the goal kick is taken from any point on the end line not within the goal area;
(2) a goal may not be scored directly from a goal kick.
17 The Corner Kick
Per FIFA, except:
(1) there is no marked corner area; the referee ensures that the kick is taken from within 1 yard of the corner.
(2) Opponents must remain at least 5 yards from the ball until it is in play.
SITUATIONS OR OCCURRENCES THAT THESE RULES DO NOT ADDRESS SHALL BE LEFT TO THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR.