FOOTBALL

Rule Book:  www.fifa.com

TOURNAMENT EXCEPTIONS

• The tournament draw will have one fewer round of games.

• Number of Players 

  1. 1. A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than seven (7) players, including the goalkeeper.

     2. The roster size is a minimum of 10 players, and maximum of 12 players, per team.

RULE EXCEPTIONS

• Game

  1. • The match shall be 2 x 20-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime break and a 2-minute water break at about the midway point of each half, as determined by climate necessity determined by the host school Tournament Coordinator. Referee to call at a play stoppage, with a reminder from Game Director at 9 minutes.

     • The goal size for all hosting schools will be between 2m-2.13m in height and 4.26m-5m in width (inside dimensions). Host schools will communicate their dimensions prior to the tournament.

     • During free kicks, all opponents must be at least 8m from the ball until it is in play.

     • An indirect free kick will be given to the opposing team for a goalkeeper picking up a back pass from their own player. It shall be taken from the top of the 8m circle. 

     • Goals can not be scored directly from kickoff.

• Substitutions 

  1. • Unlimited substitutions are allowed.

     • Either team may substitute at any time without notifying the referee. However, the substitution must take place in the substitution zone, extending 10 meters from the halfway line into both halves of the field, near the Game Director. Both players must cross next to each other at the sideline.

• Offside - There will be no offside rule.

• Injured Players - Any player needing assistance that requires the game clock and play to stop must be substituted.

• Weather Complications - Every effort will be made to complete all games in the event of weather delays. In the event the weather delays are so severe that games cannot be played safely it is the event director's discretion on how to proceed towards a result for all teams being ranked.

• Tie Break Procedure – A draw/tied result is permitted in the round-robin stage of the competition. During the modified double elimination stage, games will go straight to penalties, except semi-final and medal games. The following procedure will apply for medal games:

  1. 1. Following a 5-minute break after regulation play, teams shall play 2 x 5-minute extra time  periods with a 1-minute half-time. 

     2. If the score is still equal after the extra time periods, the teams will then go to a penalty shootout. 

     3. During the penalty shootout, each team will be represented by 5 shooters from their 11 eligible players.

     4. Each team’s goalkeeper for the penalty shootout can come from any of the 11 players.

     5. All shooters will report to the referee.

     6. The winner of the shootout is based on the best of 5 goals scored.

     7. If a tie still exists at this point, a sudden death shootout will take place, beginning with the 6th player and continuing through to the 11th eligible player. If one team has fewer than 11 eligible players, both teams may return to shooter #1.

• Round Robin Tie-Break Procedure -  In the event of teams being tied on points at the end of the round-robin stage, the tournament will use the following tie-break system.The ranking of each team in each group will be determined as follows:

  1. Head to Head between tied teams

  2. Goal differential between tied teams (no credit for more than 5 goal margin).

  3. The least number of goals conceded between tied teams.

  4. Goal differential in all games (no credit for more than 5 goal margin).

  5. The least number of goals conceded in all games.

  6. Least number of red cards.

  7. Least number of yellow cards.

  8. Penalty shootout.

Note: In a 3-way tie, once one team has been eliminated you continue to work through the tie-break system, you do NOT return to the top of the tie-break system.

• Field of Play - The recommended field size should measure somewhere between 60-70m in length and between 30-40m in width. The penalty area should be a semicircle 8 meters in radius with the spot 8m from the center of the goal line. 

• Ball Size - Both age groups and genders shall use a size 5 ball.

• Yellow Cards 

  • • • • Referees will issue yellow card warnings to players for infringements of FIFA rules, including misbehavior and commenting on referees decisions on the field. In particular, players should be warned to immediately take the customary 8-meter distance for a free kick and keep that distance until after the free kick is taken. Also, players should refrain from kicking the ball away when the opposing team is awarded a free kick or a throw-in and should avoid unnecessary delays of the game. Such infractions can result in a yellow card.

        • Any player who is shown two yellow cards during a game will be evicted from the game (no replacement permitted) and suspended from participating in the next game.

        • If a player receives two yellow cards in two separate games in the Round Robin stage, the Tournament Director or their proxy, in discussion with the Game Director, referee, and possibly the affected coaches, will determine if that player will be suspended for the next game.

        • Yellow cards are cleared after the round-robin stage.

• Red Cards

  • • • • Any player penalized with a red card will be evicted for that game (no replacement permitted) and also suspended from participating in the next game. 

        • If a player is shown a red card they will be ineligible for All Tournament selection.

NOTE: The Game Director must keep a tally of red and yellow cards received and will inform coaches when a player becomes ineligible.

• Sport Undergarments - Players are permitted to wear neutral undergarments that may not match the dominant color of the school’s uniform.