Rules

EPYSA 3v3 Soccer Tournament Rules

1. Player Registration & Eligibility

• Roster Limit: Up to 6 players per team (3 field players + 3 substitutes).

• Registration Deadline: All players must be registered before the tournament starts; no additions afterward.

• Player Participation: Players may only participate on one team throughout the event.

• Team Requirement: A match may start or continue with as few as 2 players per team on the field.

 

2. Equipment

• Mandatory Gear: Shin guards are required; no shin guards, no play.

• Footwear: Soccer cleats or turf/athletic shoes only. No metal studs, toe cleats, jewelry, or exposed hard casts/braces.

• Uniforms: Teams may wear matching uniforms or t-shirts; pinnies will be provided if needed.

 

3. Field & Goal Specifications

• Field Dimensions: Approximately 25–30 yards wide by 35–40 yards long.

• Goal Size: Approximately 8 feet wide by 4 feet high.

• Ball Size:

  • Blue Division: Size 4

  • Black Division: Size 5

 

4. Game Format & Timing

• Match Duration: Two 12-minute halves with a 2-minute halftime.

• End of game: Games end at the first stoppage (a kick-in or goal kick) that occurs after 12 minutes have elapsed. They do not end instantly when the clock hits zero.

• Early Termination: If a team leads by 8 goals, the game ends early.

• Draws: Pool games may end in a draw.

 

5. Substitutions

• Unlimited Substitutions: Substitutions are only allowed during your team’s kick-ins, goal kicks, or after a goal is scored. If the other team is also subbing at that stoppage, you may sub as well. Mid-play substitutions are not permitted.

• Substitution Location: Players must enter and exit at the half-field mark.

 

6. Gameplay Rules

• No Offsides: The Offside rule is not enforced.

• Slide Tackles: Prohibited; players must stay upright and avoid contact.

• Heading rule: Not allowed in Blue Division; allowed in Black Division

 

7. Goal Box Rules

• Box size: 8 ft wide × 4 ft deep directly in front of the goal

• Ball contact: No player may touch the ball while inside the goal box, though they may pass through it

• Boundary rule: Any part of the ball or player on the line counts as inside

• Infractions:

  • Defender touches ball → goal awarded to offense

  • Offensive touch → goal kick for defense

  • Ball stops in box → goal kick for defense

 

8. Goal Scoring

• A goal is valid only if the ball was last touched in the attacking half (completely across the midfield line)

• Goals cannot be scored directly from a kick-off or any indirect restart.
  Indirect restarts include kick-offs, kicks-ins, goal kicks, and free kicks (except corner kicks and penalty kicks, which are considered direct restarts).

 

9. Restarts & Dead Balls

• 5-Yard Distance: Opponents must be at least 5 yards away during restarts (free kicks, kick-ins, kick-offs).

• Kick-ins: Used instead of throw-ins.

• Goal Kicks: May be taken from anywhere along the end line outside the goal box.

• Kick-offs: May go in any direction.

 

10. Penalty Kicks

• Awarded For: Denial of a clear scoring opportunity by a foul.

• Location: Taken from the midfield circle line on the attacking side.

• Player Positioning: All other players must be behind the midfield line.

• Outcome: If the penalty kick does not result in a goal, play resumes with a goal kick.

 

9. Cards & Ejections

• Yellow Card: Player/coach may be asked to sit out temporarily.

• Red Card: Ejected for the remainder of that game and the next game.

• Tournament Director Authority: May extend suspensions for serious violations.

• Team Continuity: Teams continue with 3 players on-field, even if cards reduce their numbers.

 

10. Sportsmanship

• Expectations: Coaches, players, and spectators are expected to respect officials and opponents.

• Consequences: Any abuse toward officials or staff will result in team disqualification.

 

11. Minimum Playing Time

• Participation: Each player must participate for at least 50% of the total available game time. This ensures equitable playing time across all matches.

• Responsibility: Coaches are responsible for tracking rosters and playing time.

 

12. Forfeit Policy

• Team Arrival: Teams must be on-field within 5 minutes of their scheduled start time.

• Forfeit: If not ready by then, the match is forfeited (5–0 loss).

 

13. Tournament Authority

• Final Decisions: The Tournament Director’s decisions are final on any situation not covered by the rules, including rule interpretations, player eligibility, scheduling changes, and field adjustments.