- The rules shall be the those of the Federation
Internationale de Football Association, 2004 edition,
except as mentioned below. You can find these on
FIFA's web site.
- Throw Ins. All throw-ins from the side line must be
rolled so that the ball touches and remains on the ground
within two yards from where it was released. The thrower
must have both feet behind the side line when
the ball is rolled. A foul throw will result in a throw in
to the opponents.
Opponents must stand two yards away from the thrower or
behind the nearest opponent. Failure to do this
will result in an indirect free kick.
- Goal Kicks. Goal kicks must be rolled in the same
manner as throw-ins from the side line. A foul throw will
result in an indirect free kick from the penalty spot.
If the goal keeper has the ball in the area other than for
a goal kick (for example, after a save or backpass), he may
either roll the ball out of the area or he may place the ball
on the ground and kick it. In this case, the ball has not
gone out of play so the goalkeeper may take the ball out of
the area himself without passing to another player.
- Goal Areas. No player, except the defending goal
keeper, my enter the goal area or touch the ball while it is
over the goal area. For an attacker offense, an indirect
free kick shall be taken by the goal keeper from anywhere
within the area. For a defensive offense, a penalty kick
will be given. If a defender enters the area to clear the
ball and prevents an obvious goal, he will be sent off.
If a defender enters the area unintentionally, no action will
be taken. Note, however, that if a defender intentionally
runs towards the area in a manner such that he cannot help but
"overrun" into the area, then he has intentionally entered
the area and a penalty kick will be given. "I couldn't
stop" is no excuse.
- Free Kicks. When a free kick or corner is taken,
opponents must stand three yards away from the ball,
unless it is within three yards of the defending side's goal
area, in which case they may stand on the edge of the area.
The attacking team may then, if they wish, move the ball away
from the area in a direct line up to a distance of three yards
away from the area.
- Penalty Kicks. Any number of steps may be taken
previous to a penalty kick, however this must be within
reason and is at the referee's discretion. All players must
stand at least three yards away from the penalty spot.
All players (except the defending goal keeper) must also
stand behind the penalty spot (this is an 11-a-side rule).
- Offside. No offside laws will be applied in this
tournament.
- Backpasses. No backpass restrictions shall apply in
this tournament. However, if in the referee's opinion,
backpasses are used to waste time, the offending player will
be cautioned and an indirect free kick from the penalty spot
will be awarded.
- Kick-off. The ball need not move forward from a
kickoff. Opponents must stand three yards away from the
ball until it is in play. All other eleven-a-side rules
apply: Remember, you can score directly from a kick-off.
- Sliding tackles. No sliding tackles are permitted.
This is dangerous play and will be sanctioned by an indirect
free kick.
This rule does not ban all slides. You may, for example,
slide to keep a ball from rolling into touch so long as there
are no opponents near the ball. Also, goal keepers are
permitted to go down in order to make saves.
- No Studs. No studded footwear at all may be worn on
the synthetic pitches. Only astroboots, trainers, or
plimsoles are permitted. Also, please do not wear muddy
boots on the pitches.
- Substitutes. To give everyone an opportunity to play,
the will be no restriction on the number of substitutes or
the time when substitutions may be made. However, no one may
play for more than one team except in case of injuries. If a
team has more than five substitutes however, they really
should form a separate team.
- Time. Matches shall be composed of two eight-minute
halves. However the organizers may vary this rule if
required by circumstances.
- Interpretation. All matches must be played according
to the referee's interpretation of the rules. It is the team
captain's responsibility to make sure that his players know
the rules.