RULES

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Basically Graduate Students, their friends and family are welcome.  Each team must have at least one male and one female player on the field at all times.

Basically, we will try to follow FIFA rules as much as possible.  The format is 6-on-6 with one of those players serving as a goalie.  The field and goals will be smaller than regulation, of course.  The homemade goals (thanks Eugenio!) are roughly 8ft wide by 7ft tall.  The penalty box and field dimensions are TBA, but will be appropriate for a 6-on-6 format.  There will be "rolling" substitutions, so substitutions do not require a stoppage of play.  There will be throw-ins, free kicks, and corners, but the distance between the kick and the defense will be shortened to about 6 paces.  The halfs will be 25 minutes long, with a 5 minute half-time.

Offsides: With only one ref and a small field, we will have to play without the offsides rule.

Lining the Fields: It remains to be seen whether or not we will be allowed to use a chalk machine to line the fields, as would be ideal. If we can't use this machine, then we will have to use cones for the lines, and marks in the dirt for the goal box...

Jerseys: The home team doesn't have to wear white, they are just responsible for making a jersey change if there is a conflict. Every player should bring two shirts to every game - a white one and a dark one. If this happens, there shouldn't be conflicts. But if there are, it will be up to the home team to make the change. (Also, just a reminder, the home team must bring the soccerball as well)

Cards and Fouls: I would suggest that every ref bring two different color cards. We don't have any from the GRO, but I would suggest that two index cards of different colors could work just fine. Ideally,
though, we won't need cards, because this is supposed to be a friendly tournament...

Rainouts: Captain-Referees need to avoid rainouts at all costs. The Referee will ultimately make the decision at the field, but I suggest that only heavy rain or thunder or lightning should cancel a game. We need to play in light rain in order to keep on schedule. Again, though, this decision will be up to the referee.

Penalty Kicks: For egregious handballs or fouls in the penalty box, a penalty kick will be awarded. The kick will be taken from the top of the box (not from a penalty spot since there will be none).

Playoffs: 

I. All rules from the Round Robin phase will carry over to the playoffs except that there can be no tie games.
II. In the even of a tie at the end of regulation, there will be a five minute rest, followed by a 10 minute golden goal phase. The first team to score during this phase will win.
III. In the event of a tie at the end of the golden goal phase, there will be a penalty kick shootout. The penalty mark will be made by the referee at 12 yards (11 meters) from one goal (as specified by FIFA rules). Five kickers will be selected from each team (regardless of who ended up on the field). Each team will alternate taking the PKs until all five kickers from each team have taken their respective shots.
IV. In the event of a tie at the end of the shootout phase, there will be a sudden death shootout phase. Because of the limited number of players, the kickers from the first round will be used again, IN THE SAME ORDER. However, this is a sudden death shootout, so only one pair of shooters will go at a time. If there is still a tie, then the next pair, and so on until the tie is broken.

Please email Dirk Bonker - bonke_d@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu - if you have questions.