3v3 Tournament Rules

Rosters must be turned in by the cut-off date or the team will be removed from the tournament. Maximum of 5 players and minimum of 3 players on each roster.

All players are required to wear shin guards; any player without shin guards will be ineligible to participate.

Teams are NOT responsible for providing their own game balls. 2 balls per field will be provided.

The field size can vary based on available space, as 3v3 fields are flexible like full-size

soccer fields.

Matches consist of two 12-minute halves, separated by a 2-minute halftime.
The game ends when the time expires, and goals scored after the buzzer will not count.
In tournament play If there’s no winner after the official game time the game will go to shoot-outs. A coin toss will decide team-kicking order. The three players from each team remaining 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. Shots will be taken from the kickoff spot to an empty goal. 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.

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.

Substitutions can be made on the fly without any game stoppage. Coaches must ensure that the field player is completely off the field and across the line before the sub can enter the field or this will result in a free kick.

Reserved

There are no goalkeepers in 3v3. The goal box is approximately six feet wide by six foot long located directly in front of the goal. The goals are four feet high by six feet wide. There is no ball contact allowed within the goal box, however, all players may pass through the goal box as long as they do not touch the ball while in the box. If the ball comes to a rest in the goal box, or on the goal box 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 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, the plane of the goal box, or an extension of the goal box (such as any part of the ball or player’s body on the line or inside the plane of the box), a goal will be awarded to the offensive team. If an offensive player touches the ball after it has entered the goal box, the plane of the goal box, or an extension of the goal box (such as any part of the ball or player’s body on the line or inside the plane of the box), 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

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).

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 (Example: 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.

No Offsides: The offside rule does not apply in 3v3 soccer.
No Slide Tackling: Slide tackling is prohibited, as is tackling from behind.
Heading: Heading is allowed for players aged U11 and above, in line with FIFA recommendations.
10 Foot Rule: During all dead-ball situations, defenders must stay at least 10 feet away from the ball. If the defensive goal area is closer than 10 feet, the ball will be placed 10 feet from the goal box in line with the original restart spot.

Kick-Ins: Instead of throw-ins, the ball is restarted by a kick from the sideline.
Indirect Kicks: All dead-ball kicks (kick-ins, free kicks, kick-offs) are indirect, except for penalty kicks and corner kicks.
Goal Kicks: Can be taken from any point on the end line, outside the goal box.
Kick-Offs: Can be played in any direction to start the game or after a goal.
Penalty Kicks: Awarded if a scoring opportunity is unfairly denied or for violent fouls resulting in yellow or red cards.
Penalty kicks are taken from the kick-off spot, with all other players behind the midfield line. If the penalty kick is missed, possession changes with a goal kick.
Penalty kicks are not live plays.

Red Card: Results in ejection for the remainder of the match and the next game.
Tournament Director Discretion: A player or coach may be removed from the tournament at the discretion of the tournament director.
Team Officials: If a coach or team official is guilty of misconduct and cannot be identified, the senior coach present will receive the disciplinary card.

Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to always uphold fair play and sportsmanship.
Any abuse directed at referees will result in immediate disqualification from the event.

A forfeited match is recorded as a 3-0 loss for the forfeiting team, and 3 points awarded to the non-forfeiting team.

Any situation not explicitly covered in the rules will be resolved at the discretion of the tournament directors.