RULES OF THE GAME

• Minimum Length 18 yards, Maximum Length 24 yards
• Minimum Width 12 yards, Maximum Width 24 yards
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Age Groups: Players register by birth year. Birth year bracketing is based on the soccer calendar turning over on August 1st each year.

• U6 - U8 
• U9 - U11 - 6.5 x 18.5 Goals
• U12 - U14 - 7' x 21' Goals
• U15 - U19 - 8' x 24' Goals

*Younger age groups may use either 6.5' x 18.5' or 7' x 21' goals depending on location/facility

• Only one ball is permitted on the field of play during match play.
• If two or more balls are on the field during match play, the referee, at his/her discretion may stop the game until the excess balls are removed. 

• U6 - U8  SIZE 3 BALL
• U9 - U11 SIZE 4 BALL 
• U12 - U19 SIZE 5 BALL

GAME PROCEDURES

• All other bracket participants will be required to act as ball retrievers and feeders. (We request that each keeper bring 1-2 ball boys/girls to shag.)

Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the rules of the tournament director including but not limited to the following:

• Ensures that the ball meets size and inflation requirements.
• Ensures player equipment requirements.
• Shin guards are not required for our event.
• Acts as timekeeper and scorekeeper for each match
• Stops, suspends, or terminates the match, at his/her discretion for any rule infringements, safety precautions, player injuries, unsportsmanlike conduct from participants, parents and/or fans.
• All match related decisions are determined by the referee and are considered final once a match has ended.
• All decisions are final, no protests will be accepted.
• Winner of coin toss will choose if the shot 1st or what side they want to start.

• The match duration is:

 2 halves of 3 minutes 

with keepers changing goals during 1-minute half-time.

Each goalie is guaranteed a minimum of 3 to 8 games, dependent on bracket registration. 

3 points are awarded for a win

1 point for a tie

 0 points for a loss

Tiebreaker for playoffs

• Points
• Head to Head
  • In the event of a 3 way tie, head to head is taken out of consideration. 
• Forfeits
• Least Goals Conceded (Goals Against)
• Goal Differential
• Sudden death PK Shootout

- Games during match play (round robin) can end in a tie.

- All Playoff games (Wildcard, Champ & Finals) will not be allowed to end in a tie. In the event of a draw during playoff competition, an overtime period will be played with 3 minutes of extra time, and sudden death.

Overtime: Overtime wins are scored with 1 more goal being given to the winner. (Actual goals scored during overtime will be documented in the public notes of that game.)

ShootOut: If after 3 minutes of Overtime, the game is still tied then the players go to PK sudden death.

Ball in play when the following ways from their hands or the ground:

• Throw
• Volley
• Dropkick
• Stationary kick
• Roll and kick

• Goalkeepers must play the ball within 6 seconds of taking possession of the ball. Possession means that said goalkeeper firmly maintains control of the ball by catching it, stopping it, or receiving it from the sideline.
• In the event that the ball is not in play within 6 seconds the designated goalkeeper will be called for a delay of game. A delay of game violation results in a change of ball possession.
• *Younger groups can go all the way to the first line on their fields and shoot within 6 seconds.
• All small KW Fields will have a center section (dead zone) that neither keeper can go into during gameplay to shoot or save the ball.
• *Older groups have 6 seconds and 4-6 yards from their own goal line to try and score.

• The referee will oversee the coin toss.  Whoever wins will decide if they want the ball first or pick which side of the field, they start the game on.
• Keepers switch sides at the half.
• The keeper that did not start with the ball at the beginning of the match starts with the ball in the second half.

The ball is out of play when:

• It has entirely crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air.
• If a goalkeeper saves or deflects the ball out of bounds it remains your ball. If you are scored on the ball will restart in your hands to continue play.
• Ball shaggers are allowed to toss or roll the keeper the ball when needed.

• After the keeper makes a save, he/she can attempt to score within the designated shooting area, using any type of distribution within 6 seconds.

• Rebound Rule: After the ball is deflected off the keeper or crossbar/post and enters the other players half they will have the chance to shoot a one-time finish on any rebounds given up but ONLY if it enters their half of the field. Once the ball enters back into the original shooter's half of the field, the keeper can either shoot it one time up to the half-line of the field or bring it back to their original shooting area and not have to use one touch to score. If they bring it back to their original shooting area, they have to shoot from the original shooting zone and not up to half. 

• Any rebound that goes into the initial shooter's goal is not counted as a goal. This is played as an out of bounds and given to the opposing keeper as a restart. The keeper must have possession and follow all other rules in order to score on their opponent.

• A goal is scored when the entire ball passes over the goal line, between the goal posts, and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the laws of the game has been committed prior to the goalkeeper distribution.
• A goal cannot be scored from the opponent’s shooting area.

• All spectators will be behind the halfway line on the opposite side of where the kicks from the mark will take place.
• All soccer balls will be at the halfway line.
• Coin toss will determine who will shoot first.
• PK will be sudden death; each keeper will get one possession minimum to shoot against the opposing keeper.
• Gk will shoot at the referee's signal, the referee’s whistle or verbal signal.
• The referee will line up closer to the defending gk goal to observe for encroachment.
• Encroaching the goalkeeper that makes a save will result in the kick being re-taken. Unless the Encroachment does not affect the goal.

The goalkeeper earning the greater number of goals by the end of the match is the winner.

A keeper is offside when he/she enters the opponent's half. After infringement, he/she loses possession of the ball. Play resumes with both keepers starting on their own goal lines.

Any or all rule modifications may be made at the tournament director's discretion including but not limited to:

• Field size
• Ball size
• Goal size
• Game duration
• Adjust the total number of matches

If the weather stops playing during a match. For the match to count, the match must make it to half time to stand as an official match played. If a weather-related issue stops the match prior to making it to half time the match will be postponed. If the match is not able to continue due to weather, the game will not officially count as played.

If weather stops the event from completing and a minimum number of 3 games have been played, the event will be considered final. Standings will determine the winners.

If fewer than 3 games have been played, then a partial refund will be given or a transfer of the full registration fee to another event will be offered.

• Keepers must complete the match in order to win the match. Once a serious injury takes place, an Athletic trainer must state they are safe to continue to play the game. Once this takes place, parents and injured players are able to decide if they would like to continue.
• If a player drops out leading up to finals matches (quarterfinals, semifinals, or finals) the next highest ranked player in their bracket will be moved up in the injured player's position. *We strongly advise not leaving our event early if you are close to moving on to finals games due to this possibility.

• If the Keeper Challenge event or the tournament Keeper Challenge is partnered with, gets canceled, the participant registration fees may be transferred to another Keeper Wars Ink event. In some cases, a partial refund may be given.
• A partial refund or transfer of registration will only be given with advanced notice before the schedule is completed.
• Refunds will not be given without prior notification or if the player is a "No Show" on game day or 48 hrs before 1st game.