5v5 Soccer Tournament – Official Event Rules & Procedures
Welcome to the Tournament! To ensure a fun, fair, and safe experience for all, please carefully review and share these rules with your team.

Event Overview:
Event Duration: ~6.5 hours
Field: 1
Teams: 12
Format: Round Robin + Single Elimination
Guaranteed Games: Each team plays 2 minimum

Team Check-In Procedure:
- All teams must check in at the registration table no later than 20 minutes before their first scheduled game time.
- Team roster will no longer be able to modify after check-in.
- All players must sign a waiver acknowledging participation risk and agreeing to abide by tournament rules before playing.
- Teams failing to check in on time may forfeit their first match.

Game Format & Timing:
- Game Duration: 15 minutes per match
- Team Composition: 4 field players + 1 goalkeeper
- Ball: Size 5
- Footwear: Turf shoes or flats only – no metal studs permitted
- Shin Guards: Strongly recommended for all players
- Substitutions: Unlimited rolling substitutions allowed at any time during live play or any stoppage, but the exiting player must fully leave the field before the substitute enters
- Game Clock: A visible countdown clock will be displayed for all matches. The game clock will run continuously throughout the duration of each match.

Gameplay Rules:
- No Slide Tackling: Slide tackles are prohibited to maintain fast, safe play.
- Kick-Ins Instead of Throw-Ins: Restarts from the sideline must be kicked in.
- No Goalkeeper Drop-Kicks: Goalkeepers must distribute by hand or a ground pass only.
- Fast Restarts: All restarts (free kicks, corners, kick-ins) must be taken within 5 seconds.
- No Offsides: Players can score from any location, including direct free kicks.
- Mercy Rule: If a team leads by 5 goals, the referee will announce activation of the mercy rule. The trailing team may add an additional field player until the goal difference is reduced.
- Golden Goal Tiebreakers: If any knockout round match is tied after regulation time, a 5-minute sudden-death Golden Goal period will be played.
[If still tied, the game will be decided by a penalty shootout: each team picks 3 shooters, taking alternating shots from 20 feet until there is a winner.]

Discipline & Fair Play:
- Yellow Card: 2-minute suspension (team plays short-handed)
- Red Card: Player ejected and suspended for the next match
- Referee Authority: All referee decisions are final and not subject to protest
- Code of Conduct: Verbal abuse, threats, or aggressive behavior toward officials, opponents, or staff will result in immediate ejection and possible disqualification of the team

Points System (Group Stage)
Win: 3 points
Draw: 1 point
Loss: 0 points

Tiebreakers (in order):
1. Goal Difference
2. Goals Scored
3. Head-to-Head Result
4. Additional Golden Goal period or coin toss (if necessary)

Spectator Guidelines:
- Spectators must remain outside all field boundary lines.
- Please do not interfere with gameplay or approach referees during matches.
- Positive support and sportsmanship are encouraged at all times.
- Spectators who engage in disruptive or abusive behavior may be asked to leave.

Injury & Safety:
- A basic first aid kit will be available on-site.
- If a player is injured, play will be stopped at the referee’s discretion.
- In case of serious injury, tournament staff will coordinate with emergency services.
- Participation is at players’ own risk.

Summary Checklist:
✅ Sign waivers before play
✅ Check in 20 minutes prior to your first match
✅ Wear appropriate footwear (no metal studs)
✅ Strongly consider shin guards for safety
✅ Review and follow all gameplay rules
✅ Encourage good sportsmanship

Thank you for your cooperation.