OE SUMMERFEST SERIES

U5-U12 will play 3v3 on 35yd x 22yd fields. The goal box will be 11X5 ft in front of each goal. Games will consist of two 12-minute halves separated by a two-minute halftime. There are no goalkeepers. U5-U8 teams use a size 3 ball while U9-U12 teams use a size 4 ball. Both teams should provide the game ball.

U13-U18 will play 6v6 on 60yd x 40yd fields. Games will consist of two 20-minute halves separated by a two-minute halftime. U13-Adult teams use a size 5 ball. Both teams should provide the game ball.

GAME LENGTH & AWARDS

U5-U12 2 X 12 MINUTE HALVES 1st & 2nd Place

U13-U18 2 X 20 MINUTE HALVES 1st & 2nd Place

HALF-TIME PERIODS WILL BE 2 MINUTES IN LENGTH.

THERE WILL BE NO OVERTIME PLAYED IN PRELIMINARY MATCHES.

OVERTIME RULES: Games ending in tie will be considered a tie, except during playoffs, where there will be one (1) five-minute “sudden death” overtime period. A coin toss will decide the kickoff and direction. The first team to score during that period will be declared the winner. If the game is still tied after five minutes, penalty kicks will be taken to determine a winner. The players from each team that were on the field at the end of the overtime period will alternate taking the penalty kicks. The team that has scored the most penalty kicks at the end of the first round wins. If it is still tied at the end of the first round, the same players will rotate in a “sudden death” penalty kick format until a winner is decided.

SKILL LEVEL: We will do our best to place teams by requested flight. In certain circumstances where there are less than four teams in any given age group or skill level, your team could be flighted to the next highest age group.

GAME TIMES / SCHEDULE: Teams must report to their scheduled field 15 minutes prior to game time. A team will forfeit the game if not ready to play at the scheduled time, at the discretion of the referee or Tournament Director. It is the responsibility of the coach or team captain to check the schedule for any changes the Friday before and the day of the tournament; you will not be notified of any changes.

TEAM UNIFORMS: All players must wear jerseys during play. The home team must change in case of color conflict (Targets are fine to use). The home team is the first team listed on the schedule. Shin Guards are mandatory. Jersey numbers are not necessary.

PLAYING RULES:

No Offsides in 3v3 and 6v6 soccer.

No Slide Tackling except to stop or intercept the ball. For example, a player may slide to save a ball from going out of bounds. No contact can be made with the opposing players while sliding for the ball. If contact is made during a slide tackle it could warrant one yellow card based on the referee’s discretion.

Kick-Ins will be used in place of throw-ins.

A goal Kick or Corner Kick will be awarded if the ball travels over the end line. In 3v3 Goal kicks may be taken from any point along the end line and in 6v6 Goal kicks will be taken from your defensive penalty box.

Kick-Offs may be taken in any direction. You cannot score directly from a kick-off (the ball must be 100% over the mid-line to be considered on the offensive half of the field).

Dead Ball Restarts including corner kicks and fouls are indirect. In all dead ball situations, defending players must stand at least five yards away from the ball. If the defensive player’s goal area is closer than five yards away, the ball shall be placed five yards from the goal crease in line with the place of the foul.

Penalty Kicks shall be awarded if, in the referee’s opinion, a scoring opportunity was nullified by the infraction. It is a direct kick taken from the mid-line with all players standing behind the mid-line. In the 6v6 format, the penalty kick is taken with the goalkeeper in place, from the top of the 10-yard box with all players standing behind the mid-line. If a goal is not scored, the opposing team is awarded a goal kick.

Substitutions may be made on any stoppage of play, except penalty kicks. Teams must gain the referee’s attention before making a substitution.

Box Rule 3V3 Players cannot stand inside the box. Players may pass through the box; however, there cannot be any contact with the ball inside the box. If the defending team touches the ball in the box, the offensive team will be awarded a goal. If an offensive player touches the ball within the box, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team. If the ball comes to a stop inside the box and the play is dead a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team.

NYSA recommends, that coaches do NOT place a player on the edge of the box throughout the duration of the game as a defensive strategy.

NO Box Rule for 6v6 The box rule is not used in the 6v6 game.

Scoring a goal may be scored only from a touch within a team’s offensive half of the field. The ball must be completely on the offensive half of the field, and cannot be touching the mid-line. If a goal is scored from the defending half of the field, a goal kick is awarded to the opposing team.

Mercy Rule - Adding Players

During the match, if a team gains a 5-goal lead, the opposing team may add (play up) one player (5v4) at the next stoppage of play with the referee's permission. If a team gains an 8-goal lead, the opposing team may add (play up) an additional player (6v4) at the next stoppage of play with the referee's permission. If the team’s lead falls to below 8 or 5 goals, the opposing team must reduce their numbers back to the regulation amount.

POINT SYSTEM AND TIE BREAKERS

Teams will be awarded points using the following system:

Win 3 points

Tie 1 point

Loss 0 points

Red Card 1 point deduction for each Red Card

Bracket Winners and Wildcards will be determined in the following priority:

1. Point Total

2. Head to Head

3. Goal Difference (maximum 5 per game)

4. Goals Scored (maximum 5 per game)

5. Goals Allowed (maximum 5 per game)

6. FIFA Penalty Kicks (U8 will not use a goalkeeper and take kicks from the halfway line)

A forfeit must be approved by the Tournament Director before the game is considered an official forfeit.

PLAYER EJECTIONS (Red Card): Referees have the right to eject a player, coach, or parent from the game. If a player on the field is ejected, the team must complete the game minus one player on the field (e.g. 3V3 – would have to play with 2 players if a player was ejected).

Substitutions may still take place, but the offending team will still be minus one player on the field. The player receiving the red card will automatically be suspended for their next game (NO EXCEPTIONS). Players, coaches, or parents who are ejected by the referee must leave the complex and CANNOT return for the remainder of the tournament to watch or play.

The game will not restart until the opposing player, coach, or parent has been removed, yet the game clock will continue. If a player, coach, or parent refuses to leave, the game may be forfeited in favor of the opposing team. All referee decisions are FINAL.

PROTESTS/DISPUTES: No protests will be allowed when referring to a Referee’s ‘judgment call’ and all games will be considered final in this circumstance. The Tournament Director will resolve any situation not explicitly covered by the rules. The Tournament Director will also resolve any “Rule Interpretation Violation” made by the Referee. Disputes relating to the interpretation of the rules will be resolved with the Administrator/Coaches that are registered with the involved team(s) only. Individual parents or fans of the game may not represent a team if not registered as an Administrator/Coach with the involved team(s). If a Rule Interpretation Violation does occur a formal protest must be made by the Administrator/Coach of the team protesting before the games end.

WEATHER-RELATED ISSUES: The Tournament Committee reserves the right to modify, reschedule, or cancel the tournament due to inclement weather. The Tournament Director has the right to move or reschedule games, as well as the right to shorten the game time. If the weather cancels the tournament prior to the start of the first game of the tournament, 50% of the team entry fee will be retained by the tournament to cover the start-up cost. The other 50% will be returned to the coach within 30 days.

The Tournament Director will have the final say on all disputes and interpretations of the Tournament Rules