RULES OF PLAY
Age Groups
The 2020 East County Surf 5v5 Classic will use the following birth year age groups:
2014 (5U)
2013 (6U)
2012 (7U)
2011 (8U)
2010 (9U)
2011 (10U)
2010 (11U)
2009 (12U)
2008 (13U)
2007 (14U)
2006 (15U)
Laws of the Game
FIFA Laws of the game apply, except where specifically changed.
Roster Size
10 is the maximum number of players on each team’s roster.
For each team, the maximum number of players on the field is 5 (4 + goalie).
The minimum number of players required to play a game is 3.
An adult coach must be on the team side for all games.
Game Length
The length of tournament games is 30 min.
Two 15 min halves, with a 2 min halftime.
There is a running 32 minute clock.
Substitutions
Substitutions are unlimited and may be made when ball is out of play (any stoppage) or on the fly, provided the player has left the field at player’s bench area before the substitute enters at same location. Violation of substitution rule will result in an indirect free kick (IFK) for opposing team at the spot of the infraction (where substitute coming on early affects play)
Start of Game
A kickoff need not be played forward.
Goals cannot be scored directly from a kick off.
Home team kicks off.
Visiting team chooses which goal to defend.
There is no coin toss.
Restarts
All restarts are indirect (must touch another player on either team for a goal to be scored on restart), except penalty kicks and free kicks for handling.
Kick-Ins
When the ball goes over the touch line (sideline), play restarts with a kick-in. There are no throw-ins. A kick-in is taken properly only if the ball is placed on or within 1 yard of the touch line where it left the field, the ball is stationary when kicked, the player taking the kick takes no more than 1 step up to the ball and the player does not double touch the ball. Since the ball is already on the field of play, it is in play when it is kicked and moves; if it goes over the touch line after being kicked, there is no re-kick and the restart is a kick-in for the other team.
Goalie Throw-In
There are no goal-kicks. When the ball goes across the goal line, the goalie must retrieve the ball in hands and throw it into play from the penalty area to outside the penalty area within 4 seconds and not play it again until touched by another player. For violation of the 4 second rule, the other team will have an indirect kick from midfield.
Goalie Release Limitations
Goalie cannot punt the ball.
On a goalie throw (whether result of a save or goalie throw), the ball must touch the turf or a player before crossing midfield.
If the ball goes over midfield line without touching the turf or a player from either team, the other team shall be awarded an indirect free kick from midfield.
Only on a save, a keeper may become a field player entitled to kick the ball in the air over the half-line if (a) goalie rolls the ball on the ground and it is outside the penalty area, or (b) goalie lets ball bounce twice outside the penalty area. Opposing team may challenge for the ball once it is on the ground.
Passes to the Goalie
On a deliberate pass from a teammate, the goalie cannot use his hands, identical to outdoor rules.
Minimum Distance
On free kicks, goalie throws, corner kicks, penalty kicks, kick-ins and kick-offs, opposing team must be 4 yards away from ball.
Penalty Kicks
All free kicks are indirect, with the exception of handballs. Penalty fouls inside the penalty area still result in a penalty kick. Penalty kicks are taken from the penalty mark.
No Offside
There is no offside rule.
Bracket Winners
Flights with 4-7 teams: top two teams in points move on to finals.
Flights with 8 and 10 teams: top team from each bracket move on to finals.
Field Dimensions
Fields are approximately 25 x 40 yards.
Field Markings
The goal area and penalty area are the same area
Ball Size
Age groups will play with the appropriate ball size.
2014 – 2009 - Size 4
2008 – 2006 - Size 5
Goals
Goals can be scored from anywhere on the field.
Note that goals cannot be scored directly from Kick-off or Goalie throws.
Scoring
3-Points for a Win
1-Point for a Tie
0-points for a Loss
Tie-Breakers:
Head to Head.
Most Wins.
Goals Allowed Differential (Max 5 per game) ex. 3-2 is 1 goal – 5-0 is 5 goals – 6-1 is 5 goals – 10-0 is 5 goals
Goals Scored Differential (Max 5 per game) ex. 3-2 is 1 goal – 5-0 is 5 goals – 6-1 is 5 goals – 10-0 is 5 goals
Kicks from the mark.
Delay of Game
The referee has the official time on the field and holds the right to take necessary action if he/she feels that a team is delaying the game. Any player may be cautioned with a yellow card if the referee deems that the player is intentionally wasting time, such as if a player intentionally kicks the ball long distances away from the playing field in order to waste time.
Forfeits
Teams are given five minutes from the scheduled game time, or from delayed start time due to unforeseen circumstances, before the referee issues a forfeit.
The Tournament Director must approve all forfeits before the game is considered an official forfeit.
The Tournament Director has the option to replay a forfeited game if deemed necessary.
Any team forfeiting three games during pool play may be removed from the tournament.
Any team forfeiting one game during the playoffs may be removed from the tournament.
Playoff Penalty Kicks
If there is no winner after the official game time the game will go to a shootout.
A coin toss will decide team-kicking order.
The three players from each team on the field at the end of the game will be the only players to kick for their team.
The remaining three field players after overtime regulation will rotate, alternating teams with each kick.
The first round of shootouts will consist of each player kicking once (round of 3 players shooting per team).
The team with the most goals after the first round will be considered the winner.
If the score remains tied after the first round of penalty kicks, the same 3 players will alternate in the same order in a sudden death penalty kick format until one-team scores unanswered.
If one team has received a red card during the game and finishes with 2 players on the field, a remaining roster player (other than the red carded player) must be chosen to kick in the rotation of penalty kicks.
If the red-carded player is the last remaining roster player, one of the two field players must kick twice.
Refund Policy
A refund minus $75 administration fee will be given if the tournament is cancelled. Teams playing less than 3 games will be issued a prorated refund minus the administration fee. If there are not a sufficient amount of teams to form a bracket, your team will be refunded in full.
