Rules for Competition – July 1, 2023
General Tournament Play:
- During the preliminary stage of the tournament, teams are bracketed in groups of three or four and matches will not have overtime periods. A 3-point tournament scoring system will be used (see below). In the event a tiebreaker is necessary to determine which teams will advance beyond the round robin, the following order of tiebreakers will apply (see below).
- The first team listed on the tournament bracket is considered the home team. Any color conflicts will be resolved by the visiting/away team. Both teams will be on the same side of the field and spectators will be on the opposite side.
- The official match report for each completed match must be verified (i.e., score, cautions, send offs, etc.) immediately after the game by the team coach or manager. Match reports that are not verified stand as submitted and may not be contested or appealed.
- Wearing shin guards by all players is mandatory; no player will be allowed to compete without shin guards.
- Games will be played with the official FIFA soccer rules. However, any exceptions to the FIFA rules will be listed below.
3 Point Scoring system
- 3 points for win
- 1 points for Tie
- 0 points for win
Tiebreakers:
- No overtime for pool play; consolation games that are tied at the end of regulation time will remain tied.
- Quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals that are tied will go to (1) two, three-minute “golden goal” overtimes, then to (2) penalty kicks to determine a winner.
Pool Play Tiebreakers (in sequential order):
1. Head-to-head competition
2. Highest goal differential
3. Fewest goals against
4. Most goals for
5. Least amount of penalty points
6. Tournament Director’s Decision (i.e., Penalty kicks)
Certified Athletic Trainer On Site:
- There will be a Certified Athletic Trainer on site; all teams are encouraged to utilize services for all injuries at no cost!
- It is highly encouraged that ALL INJURIES be assessed by trainer, especially head-related injuries and heat fatigue!
Sportsmanship:
- Players, coaches and spectators are expected to act in the nature of good sportsmanship at all times. Abuse of the referees will not be tolerated. Any instance of such conduct will disqualify the responsible team from the event.
- Judgement calls made by referee may not be appealed.
- Tournament Director decisions may not be appealed.
Cautions and Resulting Action:
- Players or coaches sent off during a match (i.e., red card) are required to exit the facility and forfeit the remainder of the tournament. A player receiving two cautions (i.e., two yellow cards) during the preliminary round robin of the tournament is not allowed to play in the next match, including the first game of the elimination/playoff stage. A player receiving two cautions during the elimination/playoff stage is not allowed to play in the next match. Cautions received during the preliminary rounds of the tournament do not carry over to the elimination rounds.
- In the case of continued bad conduct of players, teams, officials, or supporters, the team may be withdrawn from the competition with their registration fee forfeited. Coaches and captains are responsible for the conduct of their team and supporters.
- A player or a coach sent off during the tournament or any player receiving multiple cautions during the tournament may be required to report to the Tournament Director. The respective player must be accompanied by the team’s captain or coach. Any hearing with the Tournament Director could result in the player or coach/captain being required to sit out additional matches or being withdrawn from the competition entirely. Team officials will be notified as soon as possible if a hearing has been scheduled.
Inclement Weather:
- In the event of inclement weather, bracket games that have completed the first half will be considered complete games and will not be rescheduled. For quarter-final, semi-final, and final games, play will be resumed from the point of suspension if weather and field conditions permit. The final decision will be made by the Tournament Director.
- If inclement weather cancels the tournament prior to the competition of a team’s first scheduled game of the tournament, a maximum of fifty percent (50 percent) of the team’s entry fee maybe retained by the tournament director to cover start-up cost of the tournament.
- The decision of the Tournament Director is final and may not be appealed.
Wild West Cup 3v3 Rules:
Number of Players Per Team:
- Maximum of 6 players – three field players and three substitutes.
- Teams are allowed to roster less than six players if they choose.
- A team must have a minimum of two field players at all times; players may only play on one team per age group.
Game Duration:
- The games are 20 minutes in length (i.e., two, 10-minute halves). Games during pool play that are tied after regulation play shall end in a tie.
- Games during the playoffs and/or championship rounds that are tied after regulation play shall proceed to (1) two, three-minute “golden goal” overtimes, then to (2) two penalty kicks per team.
- The referee is responsible for the official time on the field.
Substitution:
- Substitutions must be made on dead ball situations only (i.e., kick-ins or goal kicks).
Kick-offs, Kick-ins, Direct Kicks, Indirect Kicks, Goal Kicks, Penalty Kicks:
- Kick-offs: May be kicked in any direction. One cannot score directly from a kick-off (ball must be 100% over the mid-line to be considered on the offensive half of the field). The kick-off is an indirect kick.
- Kick-ins: The ball shall be kicked into play from the sideline(s), rather than thrown in. The ball is considered in play when the ball is touched and changes position. This is an indirect kick, and a goal cannot be scored from this kick.
- Direct and In-direct Kicks: All dead-ball kicks (kick-ins and kick-offs) are indirect with the exception of corner kicks, hand balls, and penalty kicks, which are considered direct kicks. Indirect kicks must only change position before the ball will be considered in play. If a free kick is awarded within five yards of the opposing goal box, the ball will be moved back to five yards from the box. It is the referee’s discretion where the ball will be placed.
- Goal kicks: May be taken from any point along the goal box/circle. All goal kicks are indirect kicks.
- Penalty kicks: Shall be awarded if, in the referee’s opinion, a scoring opportunity was nullified by an infraction (the infraction does not automatically result in a red card). Penalty kicks are DIRECT kicks taken from the center of the mid-line with all players (on both teams) behind the mid-line. Penalty kicks are dead ball infractions. If a goal is not scored, the defense obtains possession with a goal kick.
Five-yard Rule:
- In all dead-ball situations, defending players must stand at least five yards away from the ball. If the defensive player’s goal is closer than five yards, the ball shall be played five yards from the goal box in line with the direction of play prior to the infraction/penalty.
Goal Scoring:
- A goal may only be scored from a touch (offensive or defensive) within the team’s offensive half on the field.
- The ball must be completely on the offensive half of the field and cannot be touching the mid-line (e.g., a kick-off).
- If a player in their defensive half kicks the ball across the midline and the ball hits another player (offensive or defensive) in their offensive half, and the ball goes in the goal, a goal will be awarded.
- If a ball is kicked from the defensive half and is not touched before the ball rests in the goal, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team.
- A goal cannot be scored from an indirect kick, such as a kick-in from out-of-bounds or a kick-off.
- See below for “Plane of the Goal / Net Interference.”
Goal Keepers, Offsides, Slide Tackling, and Hand Ball Clarification(s):
- No goalkeepers are allowed
- No offsides applicable
- No slide-tackling is permitted
o If a player is sliding for the ball, contact with any player from the other team is NOT ALLOWED; if a player slides and contact is initiated, a free kick shall be awarded.
o IMPORTANT NOTE: This does not prevent players from sliding to stop/intercept a ball where contact is not initiated during the slide. Example: a player may slide to save a ball from going out-of-bounds.
Hand Ball Clarification:
- Deliberate handling of the ball that denies a team of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity will result in the following: (1) A penalty kick (at the discretion of the referee) and/or (2) A yellow or red card given to the player committing the hand ball (at the discretion of the referee).
Field & Goal Dimensions:
- The playing field is about 20 yards by 30 yards
- The goals are approximately three feet high and five feet wide
The Goal Box/Semi-Circle:
- The goal box/semi-circle has a radius of approximately five yards and is located directly in front of the goal.
- The goals are approximately three feet high and five feet wide.
- There is no ball contact allowed within the goal box/semi-circle, however, all players may pass through the goal box/semi-circle as long as they do not touch the ball while in the box/semi-circle.
- If the ball comes to a rest in the goal box/semi-circle, or on the goal box/semi-circle line, a goal kick is awarded regardless of who touched the ball last.
- Any part of the ball or player’s body on the line or inside the plane of the box/semi-circle is considered in the goal box and an extension of such.
- If a defensive player touches the ball after it has entered the goal box/semi-circle, the plane of the goal box/semi-circle, or an extension of the goal box/semi-circle (such as any part of the ball or player’s body on the line or inside the plane of the box/semi/circle), a goal will be awarded to the offensive team.
- If an offensive player touches the ball after it has entered the goal box/semi-circle, the plane of the goal box/semi-circle, or an extension of the goal box/semi-circle (such as any part of the ball or player’s body on the line or inside the plane of the box/semi-circle), a goal kick will be awarded to the defensive team, and a goal will not be counted if scored.
- The plane of the goal box extends upward infinitely. The referee’s judgment call and ruling on the field will not be overturned.
Plane of the Goal & Net Interference:
- A goal will be awarded if the ball strikes the inside netting portion of the goal, even if the ball is then returned back into the field of play without completely crossing the goal line.
- If the ball strikes the cross bar or goal posts, and simultaneously strikes the netting portion of the goal, the referee’s judgment will determine whether the netting prohibited the ball from crossing the goal line (which should be awarded a goal); or whether the bar or post prohibited the ball from crossing the goal line (which should NOT be awarded a goal).
- The referee’s judgment call and ruling on the field will not be overturned. In simple terms, the net should not be the source that will prohibit a shot from scoring as a goal.
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 it is deemed by the referee 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.
- The referee has the official time on the field.
Forfeits:
- Teams are given five minutes from scheduled game time, or from delayed start time due to unforeseen circumstances, before the referee issues a forfeit. The Together Tournament Director must approve all forfeits before the game is considered an official forfeit. The 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.
Play-off Penalty Kicks:
- If there is no winner after the official game time and two, three-minute “golden goal” overtime periods, the game will go to a shout-out. A coin toss will decide team-kicking order. Three players from each team will kick. The respective three players from each team will rotate, alternating teams, with each kick. The first round of shootouts will consist of each player kicking once (i.e., one round of three 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 three 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 two 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.
IMPORTANT NOTE: SITUATIONS THAT THESE RULES DO NOT ADDRESS ARE THE DECISION OF THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR.
Wild West Cup 8v8 Rules:
Number of Players Per Team:
- Maximum of 12 players (i.e., eight field players and four substitutes), unless otherwise specified by the Tournament Director.
- Teams are allowed to roster less than 12 players if they choose.
- A team must have a minimum of six field players at all times; players may only play on one team per age group, unless otherwise specified by the Tourament Director.
Game Duration:
- The games are 40 minutes in length (i.e., two, 20-minute halves). Games during pool play that are tied after regulation play shall end in a tie.
- In the case of excessive heat, the referee has the authority to issue a water break midway through the half (i.e., 10 minutes into each half).
- Games during the playoffs and/or championship rounds that are tied after regulation play shall proceed to (1) two, five-minute “golden goal” overtimes, then to (2) five penalty kicks per team.
- The Referee has the official time on the field.
Substitution:
- Substitutions must be made on dead ball situations (e.g., kick-in or goal kick).
Kick-offs, Kick-ins, Direct Kicks, Indirect Kicks, Goal Kicks, Penalty Kicks:
- Kick-offs: May be kicked in any direction. One cannot score directly from a kick-off (ball must be 100% over the mid-line to be considered on the offensive half of the field). The kick-off is an indirect kick.
- Kick-ins: The ball shall be kicked into play from the sideline(s), rather than thrown in. The ball is considered in play when the ball is touched and changes position. This is an indirect kick, and a goal cannot be scored from this kick.
- Direct and In-direct Kicks: All dead-ball kicks (kick-ins and kick-offs) are indirect with the exception of corner kicks, hand balls, and penalty kicks, which are considered direct kicks. Indirect kicks must only change position before the ball will be considered in play. It is the referee’s discretion where the ball will be placed.
- Goal kicks: May be taken from any point along the goal box. All goal kicks are indirect kicks.
- Penalty kicks: Shall be awarded if, in the referee’s opinion, a scoring opportunity was nullified by an infraction (the infraction does not automatically result in a red card). Penalty kicks are DIRECT kicks taken from the penalty spot. Penalty kicks are dead ball infractions.
- Goalie Distribution: No goalie punting allowed; only hand and/or ground/foot distribution in the team’s defensive half is allowed. Goalie kicks and/or throws over center line will result in an indirect kick for the opposing team at the point where the ball crossed the center line.
10-yard Rule:
- In all dead-ball situations, defending players must stand at least ten yards away from the ball.
Goal Scoring:
- A goal may only be scored from a touch (offensive or defensive) within the team’s offensive half on the field.
- The ball must be completely on the offensive half of the field and cannot be touching the mid-line (e.g., a kick-off).
- If a player in their defensive half kicks the ball across the midline and the ball hits another player (offensive or defensive) in their offensive half, and the ball goes in the goal, a goal will be awarded.
- If a ball is kicked from the defensive half and is not touched before the ball rests in the goal, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team.
- A goal cannot be scored from an indirect kick, such as a kick-in from out-of-bounds, kick-off, or a goalie distribution infraction.
Goal Keepers / Off-sides / Slide Tackling / Hand Ball Clarification:
- No offsides applicable
- No slide-tackling
o If a player is sliding for the ball, contact with any player from the other team is NOT ALLOWED; if a player slides and contact is initiated, a free kick shall be awarded.
o IMPORTANT NOTE: This does not prevent players from sliding to stop/intercept a ball where contact is not initiated during the slide. Example: a player may slide to save a ball from going out-of-bounds.
Hand Ball Clarification:
- Deliberate handling of the ball that denies a team of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity will result in the following: (1) A penalty kick (at the discretion of the referee) (2) A yellow or red card given to the player committing the hand ball (at the discretion of the referee).
Field & Goal Dimensions:
- The playing field is about 45 yards by 65 yards
- The goals are approximately 8 feet high and 24 feet wide.
The Goal Box:
- The penalty area has a width of 32 yards and height of 12 yards and is located directly in front of the goal.
- The goalie area has a width of 12 yards and a height of 4 yards and is located directly in front of the goal.
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 it is deemed by the referee 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.
- The referee has the official time on the field.
Forfeits:
- Teams are given five minutes from scheduled game time, or from delayed start time due to unforeseen circumstances, before the referee issues a forfeit. The Wild West Cup Tournament Director must approve all forfeits before the game is considered an official forfeit. The 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.
Play-off Penalty Kicks:
- If there is no winner after the official game time and two, five-minute “golden goal” overtime periods, the game will go to a shout-out. A coin toss will decide team-kicking order. Five players from each team will be the only players to kick for their respective teams. The respective five players from each team will rotate, alternating teams, with each kick. The first round of shootouts will consist of each player kicking once (round of five 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 five 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 seven 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 seven field players must kick twice.
IMPORTANT NOTE: SITUATIONS THAT THESE RULES DO NOT ADDRESS ARE THE DECISION OF THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR.
UPDATED FIELD DIAGRAM WILL BE AVAILABLE AT BICKLE-SCHMIDT SPORTS COMPLEX THE DAY OF THE EVENT!