RULES

Players are permitted to wear any footwear (trainers, moulded boots or studs), all players must wear shin pads covered by socks. Managers are also asked to bring a set of bibs to account for potential colour clashes during the tournament. Away team to wear bibs in case of a clash.

Players may only be registered and play for one team on either day of the tournament.

All games will be 10 minutes one way

Kick off will be taken by the ‘home’ team as marked on the referee’s scorecard

The ball must be played backwards from any kick off

The retreat rule will apply for all age groups when a goal kick is given (players to retreat to their own half)

If the ball crosses a side line, the ball must be placed on the sideline and still, where the ball left the pitch. A player can pass or dribble onto the pitch, but the ball must touch another player from your team before a goal is scored.

Corners will be taken as normal

No deliberate heading – any deliberate heading will be penalized as a free kick from where the ball was headed. If this is inside the area, the free kick will be awarded 2 yards outside the box..

All free kicks will be direct

When a free kick is awarded – players from the opposition must retreat 5 yards

Outfield players are allowed to enter the area – and GK’s are allowed to leave it

Substitutes will be roll on, roll off – but can only be made when the ball is not in play, and at the discretion of the referee

GK’s are not allowed to pick up a back pass – if this happens, a direct free kick will be awarded 2 yards outside the penalty area in line with where the infringement occurred

When the GK has collected the ball, they can distribute in any way apart from drop-kicking. If they choose to place the ball on the floor, the ball becomes live. Any infringement due to drop-kicking the ball, will result in a free kick being awarded 2 yards outside the penalty area

In the group stages – 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw. At the end of each game, the scorecard will be collected by the pitch managers, who will return the card to the score tent

In the U8 mixed category – the top two teams in each group will progress to the knockouts, along with the two best 3rd placed finishers (3 groups)

In the U9, U10 mixed and U10’s girls’ category, the top four from each group will progress to the knockouts (2 groups)

In the U7S mixed and U9 girls categories, the top four will advance to the knockouts (1 group)

In the u6 category, matches are 15 minutes no scores or results will be shared 

If teams are level on points at the end of the group stage, they will be placed using the following process:

• Goal difference

• Goals scored

• Head to Head

• Penalty Shootout

In the event of a draw in the knockout stages, a further 5 minutes one way will be played. If the game is still level, a penalty shootout will take place. Only the 5 players left on the field of play at the end of the game will be permitted to participate in the shootout, and you will not be allowed to change your GK after the final whistle.

Fair play is to be encouraged by all coaches, players and parents, anyone behaving in an inappropriate manner will be asked to leave the premises.

Any player who is shown a red card during the tournament, will not be allowed to play any further part throughout the day.

The decision of the referee is final.

U6 15 mins matches
U7 12 mins matches
U8 10 mins matches
U9 mixed 12 mins matches
U9 girls 10 mins matches
U10 mixed 10 mins matches
U10 girls 15 mins matches