Welcome to Spring Trips – 3v3 Tournament for ages 7-15

Games will be held between 4/2-4/4 with a minimum 3 games. 

Group play followed by elimination is expected to last between 2-3 hours.

I. General Tournament Information

1. Registration and Roster

• • Team Size: Rosters must consist of a minimum of 3 players and a maximum of 6 players.
  • On the Field: Only 3 players per team are allowed on the field at any one time (no goalkeeper).
  • Ages Groups: Teams will play at the age of the oldest player on their team. Players may be younger than each age group and play up.
    • Age 10-12 ; Earliest birth date January 1, 2013
    • Age 13-15 ; Earliest birth date January 1, 2010
    • Age 16-18 ; Earliest birth date January 1, 2007
    • Age 18+ ; No earliest birth date
  • Substitutions: Substitutions are “on the fly” and unlimited. The outgoing player must be completely off the field before the incoming player enters. All subs must occur near the center line to minimize disruption.

2. Equipment

• • Footwear: Players must wear appropriate footwear (cleats, turf shoes, or athletic shoes). Metal cleats are not allowed.
  • Shin Guards: Mandatory for ages up to 18 and below and recommended for ages 19+.
  • Jerseys: Teams must have matching or similar-colored shirts/jerseys. If colors conflict, the designated “home” team (listed first on the schedule) must change or wear pinnies/bibs (provided by the organizer, if available).
  • Ball: The tournament will provide game balls. U12 and below will play with size 4 ball. U13 and above will pay with size 5 ball

II. Game Rules

1. Game Duration

• • Length: Each game will consist of two 7-minute halves with a 1-minute halftime break.
  • Running Clock: The clock will run continuously, stopping only at the referee’s discretion (e.g., for serious injuries). There is no stoppage time.
  • Forfeit: A team that is not ready to play within 2 minutes of the scheduled start time will forfeit the match.

2. The Field and Goals

• • Field Size: Spring Trips will play on a 90ftx 48ft lined turf field.
  • Goals: 4ft x 2.5ft goals will be used.
  • Goal Box (Crease): A designated semicircle area is marked in front of the goal.
    • NO player is allowed to touch the ball inside their own team’s goal box.
    • Penalty: If a defensive player touches the ball within their own goal box, a penalty kick is awarded to the opposing team.
    • Goal: A goal scored from inside the opponent’s goal box will not count.
  • No Goalkeepers: There is no designated goalkeeper.

3. Kick-Ins, Goal Kicks, and Corner Kicks

• • Out of Bounds: There are no throw-ins. When the ball goes out of bounds on the sideline, the ball is put back into play with a kick-in.
  • Goal Kicks: Awarded when the offensive team kicks the ball out over the defending team’s end line. The kick is taken from anywhere within the goal box area.
  • Corner Kicks: Awarded when the defending team kicks the ball out over their own end line. The kick is taken from the corner of the field.
  • Restart Rule: On all kick-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks, the opposing team must be at least 3 yards away from the ball. The ball must be stationary before the kick.

4. Special Rules

• • No Offsides: The offside rule is not in effect.
  • All Free Kicks are Indirect: All fouls, with the exception of a penalty kick, result in an indirect free kick. The ball must be touched by another player before a goal can be scored.
  • Penalty Kicks:
    • Awarded for a foul committed by the defense inside their own goal box.
    • The penalty kick is a direct shot taken from the center line. Only the kicker is involved. The shot must be taken within 5 seconds of ball placement. The penalty is a dead-ball kick. If the shot is missed the play restarts as a goal kick for the opposing team. If the shot is made, the opposing team kick’s off.

III. Tournament Format and Scoring

1. Points System (Group/Pool Play)

• • Win: 3 points
  • Draw/Tie: 1 point
  • Loss: 0 points
  • Forfeit: The non-forfeiting team is awarded a 3-0 victory and 3 points.

2. Tiebreakers (for Pool Play Standings)

If teams are tied on points, the following order is used to determine final standings:

1. 1. Head-to-Head Result (The winner of the match between the tied teams)
   2. Goal Difference (Goals Scored minus Goals Against)
   3. Goals Scored (Total number of goals scored)
   4. Least Goals Against (Total number of goals conceded)
   5. Coin Toss (If still tied)

3. Playoffs/Knockout Stage

• • Ties in Elimination Games: If a knockout stage game ends in a tie:
    • A 2-minute “Golden Goal” overtime period will be played. The first team to score wins.
    • If still tied, a sudden-death penalty shootout (3 initial shooters, then sudden death) will determine the winner.
    • If all players have shot through sudden-death with no winner. The ball will be moved to opposing penalty spot for another sudden-death round. As needed will continue to set back the shot position.

IV. Conduct and Disciplinary Actions

1. Sportsmanship

• • The tournament emphasizes fair play and good sportsmanship. Abuse of the referee, opposing players, or tournament staff will not be tolerated.

2. Cards

• • Yellow Card (Caution): The player is temporarily removed from the field for 2 minutes. The team plays shorthanded for this period.
  • Red Card (Ejection): The player is ejected from the current game and will miss the next scheduled game. The team plays shorthanded for the remainder of the current game.
  • Two Yellow Cards in one game equals one Red Card.

3. Zero Tolerance

• • Any fighting, excessive verbal abuse, or blatant disregard for the rules will result in the immediate and permanent ejection of the player or the entire team from the tournament, with no refund.