TOURNAMENT RULES

ROSTERS
Only players assigned to their outdoor team can play on the tournament team. Rosters will be verified to ensure all players are registered during the Spring 2026 Season. Changes to the roster will be allowed prior to the team's first match. No guest players allowed.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS
Under-7 – Under-10:  4v4
Under-11 – Under-18:  3v3

GAME DURATION
Matches will be played in 10 minute/halves.  There will be a 3-minute half-time break between each half.

STANDINGS
Points will be awarded according to the following: 3 points for a win; 1 point for a tie and 0 points for a loss.  Games tied after regulation play will remain a tie.

TIE BREAKER
1.  Head-to-head competition
2.  Goal differential (maximum 3 goals for/against per game)
3.  Total goals scored (maximum 3 goals per game)
4.  Totals goals allowed (maximum 3 goals per game)
5.  Penalty kicks 

FORFEITS
A forfeit will be scored as 3-0.

PLAYING TIME
All players must play at least 50% of every match.  If a player is unable to play at least 50% in a match, the coach must notify the referee and opposing coach of the reason (illness, injury, misconduct, etc.)

GENDER
All brackets are coed. At least one female player must remain on the field at all times.

UNIFORMS
All players must wear matching uniforms.  Jerseys must have numbers (duplicate numbers not allowed).  Players without the proper uniform will not be allowed to play.  In case of color conflict, the home team will change colors. 

SUBSTITUTIONS
Substitutions allowed during kick-ins, goal kicks or kickoffs. Coaches must get referee's attention and players must enter and exit at the half-field mark. A player may only enter the playing field once the substituted player is off the field.

EQUIPMENT
All players must wear shin guards. Any player without shin guards will not be allowed to play.

CREASE RULE
The crease is the area immediately in front of the goal. The area is marked with white markers. Players can go in and out of the crease area. However, if an attacker touches the ball while inside the crease, the defending team is awarded the ball with a goal kick. If a goal is scored from inside the crease, the goal is not counted and the defending team is awarded a goal kick. If a defender touches the ball while inside the crease, it is counted as a goal for the attacking team. If the ball stops inside the crease, it is considered a "dead" ball and the defending team is awarded a goal kick.

FIVE YARD RULE
All dead ball situations are indirect kicks (except for corner kicks). 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 place of the infraction.

KICK-INS
Throw-ins are not allowed.  Only kick-ins are allowed.

GOAL KICKS
May be taken from any point on the end line and not in the crease area.

KICK-OFF
May be taken in any direction.

SLIDE TACKLE
Slide tackle is not allowed.

PLAYER EJECTION
Referees have the right to eject a player from the game for continued disobedience or as a result of an incident that warrants sending the player off. Tournament Director may also eject a player for the rest of the tournament for unacceptable behavior.

SPORTSMANSHIP
Players, coaches and spectators are expected to act in the nature of good sportsmanship at all times. Abuse of referees will not be tolerated. Any instance of such conduct may disqualify the responsible team from the tournament.

OTHER MATTERS
The Tournament Director will decide upon any matter not covered in the tournament rules.  Decision of the Tournament Director is FINAL.