GOALIE WAR RULES

 

FIELD OF PLAY

• Minimum Length 18 yards, Maximum Length 24 yards
• Minimum Width 12 yards, Maximum Width 24 yards

AGES / GOAL SIZES

Age Groups: Players register by birth year. Brackets may need to be adjusted, within reason, based on registrations.

• 9U-11U Boys / 9U-11U Girls - 6.5 x 18.5 Goals

• 12U-13U Boys / 12U-13U Girls - 6.5 x 18.5 Goals

• 14U-15U Boys / 14U-15U Girls - 8' x 24' Goals

• 16U-17U Boys / 16U-17U Girls - 8' x 24' Goals

• 18U-19U Boys / 18U-19U Girls - 8' x 24' Goals

SOCCER BALLS

• 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.  (There will be 8 balls at each field.)
• Size 4 balls = 12U and under
• Size 5 balls = 13U and older

GAME PROCEDURES

• Each goalkeeper must report to the referee/field marshal 10 minutes prior to their scheduled match and provide their name. The referee/field marshal will oversee  "rock, paper, scissors, shoot" in lieu of a coin toss. The winner will choose if they want to start with the ball or decide which side they want to start on.
• All other bracket participants will be required to act as ball retrievers and feeders.

REFEREE / FIELD MARSHAL / DIRECTOR

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.
• The Tournament Director reserves the right to modify the tournament rules should he/she deem it necessary.
• All decisions are final, no protests will be accepted.

TIME LIMIT

• The match duration is 2 halves of 3 minutes with keepers changing goals during 1-minute half-time.

EVENT FORMAT

Each goalie is guaranteed a minimum of 5 games, dependent on the event.

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
• 1-Minute Overtime Head-to-Head

Games during group play can end in a tie.

All Elimination games (tournament) will not be allowed to end in a tie. In the event of a tie during playoff competition, an overtime period will be played with 1 minutes of extra time until a winner is determined.

DISTRIBUTION

Distribution is the method by which a goalkeeper starts or restarts play and scores goals.

A goalkeeper may distribute the ball in the following ways from their hands or the ground:

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

SIX-SECOND SHOOTING RULES

• Goalkeepers must distribute 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 distributed 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.
• All  Fields will have a center section (dead zone) that neither keeper can go into during game-play to shoot or save the ball.

STARTS / RESTARTS

• The referee will oversee  "rock, paper, scissors, shoot" in lieu of a 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. (1-Minute Half)
• The keeper that did not start with the ball at the beginning of the match starts with the ball in the second half.

OUT OF PLAY

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 retrievers are allowed to toss or roll the keeper the ball when needed.

BALL IN PLAY

• 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 section they will be given possession.  If the ball is deflected off the keeper or crossbar/post and enters the "dead zone" without going into the distributing goalkeepers zone possession is granted to the goalkeeper who was in the act of saving the ball.
• 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.

GOAL SCORE

• 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.

MATCH WINNER

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

OFFSIDE

A keeper is offside when he/she enters the center section of the field or "Dead Zone". After infringement, he/she loses possession of the ball. Play resumes with both keepers starting on their own goal lines.

MODIFICATIONS

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

Weather related stoppage of play

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.

Injuries

• 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.

CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY

• If the Goalie Wars event gets canceled, the participant registration fees may be transferred to another Top Flight 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. "Prior" is defined as 7 days notice.