2024 Tournament
Welcome | Rules | Fixtures
General Rules
This tournament will be a standard 5 v 5 format.
Each age group will consist of 8 teams, divided into 2 groups of 4. Each team will play the other teams in their group once.
Points and Tables Format
Each team shall play each other once in the group stages.
2 points are awarded for a win, 1 point awarded for a draw.
The winner and runner up of each group shall contest a semi-final. The winner of group 1 will play the runner up in group 2, and vice versa.
The winners of each semi-final will then contest the final.
There will not be any third-place play-off.
If the semi-final or final remains a tie after the allocated game time, the match will proceed into an immediate penalty shootout. Each team will take 3 penalties, and if the game remains tied after those 3 penalties the game will move to sudden death.
Only those on the field of play at full time will be permitted to take a penalty, including the goalkeeper.
In the event of a points tie during the group stages, the group winner and runner up shall be decided in the following order:
Most Wins
Goals Scored
Goals Conceded
Head to Head
In the event 2 teams remain tied, they will be invited back onto the field of play for an immediate penalty shootout. The format of the penalty shootout shall be as above.
Offside
There is no offside. Players may place themselves in any part of the playing area without any restriction.
Free Kicks
When a player is taking a free kick, the opposition shall be a minimum distance of 2m from the ball until it is in play.
Penalties
A penalty kick shall be taken from the penalty mark. The player is to take a one step run up.
No player can enter the area until the penalty kick has been taken.
Goals
A goal is scored when the whole ball crosses the whole of the goal line between the goal posts and under the cross bar.
A player cannot score directly from kick off without passing the ball to another player first.
Playing Area
If the ball crosses the side lines, play will be restarted from the point it left with an underarm roll-in by the opposition. Roll-ins shall not exceed head height. The roll-in will be awarded to the opposition if the ball exceeds head height. Players should be at least 2m from the ball when it an underarm throw is taken.
A player cannot score directly from a roll in.
Normal football rules apply if the ball leaves the pitch behind the goal line - play will be restarted with either a goal kick or a corner.
Opposition players must be at least 2m from the ball at a corner.
Goal kicks shall be taken from the goal line.
Keepers Area
There are no restrictions on players entering the goal areas.
Goalkeeper
The goalkeeper must be in a shirt of a different colour to that of the outfield players.
The goalkeeper is allowed out of their goal area. Once they have crossed onto the outfield, they shall be treated as an outfield player.
The goalkeeper cannot take the ball back into their area from the outfield to pick it up. Infringement of this rule shall result in an indirect free kick.
There is no restriction on the goalkeeper using their feet in the area.
The goalkeeper cannot pick up a back pass. Infringement of this rule shall result in an indirect free kick.
Player’s Kit
All players must wear full size shin pads (Nano/micro pads are NOT permitted) and any player not wearing full size shin pads will not be allowed to participate.
Footwear is astro turf boots/trainers, moulded studs or blades. Metal football studs are not permitted. Incorrect footwear will result in a player not being permitted to play.
Where possible we would ask that each team brings along 2 kits, or in the alternative a set of alternative colour bibs, in the event of a kit clash.
Each team should bring along at least 1 match ball for the event.
Substitutions
The rules of the competition allow unlimited rolling substitutions.
Substitutions can only be made when the ball is dead and only with the Referees consent. Play shall not be stopped for substitutions to take place, except for changes to the goalkeeper.
Outgoing substitutes must leave the field of play before the replacement enters the playing area. The oncoming players are active immediately and can receive the ball.
Substitutes must stand outside the pitch perimeter and their playing shirt must be covered with a vest/bib of an alternative colour. Any player may change with the goalkeeper, provided the referee is informed of the change and it is done so in a stoppage of play.
Running Late
Teams MUST be at the pitch and ready to start play at the allotted time.
If there is no sign of a team five minutes after the allotted kick off time the result will be awarded to the opposition as a 5–0 win
Games will be shortened if teams arrive late.
Discipline
If, in the opinion of the Tournament Committee, the conduct of any club or player brings the competition into disrepute, FC Sutton Dynamo reserves the right to remove them from the competition.
During a game the referee may award a yellow or red card depending on the severity of misconduct.
Referees must be treated with respect from all teams. Teams found guilty of abusing referees will be removed from the tournament with immediate notice, as will teams in persistent breach of these rules.
The Referees decision on all on-field matters is final and no discussions will be entered into either on or off the field with him about any decision.
The Referees jurisdiction on disciplinary matters will apply until players have left the venue. Players repeatedly disputing decisions may have further disciplinary action taken against them, which may include reporting them to County FA or similar.
Managers & Coaches may only enter the field of play with the referee’s permission and to attend to an injured/upset player. Spectators must NOT enter the field of play under any circumstances.
Foul and/or abusive language towards ANYBODY will not be tolerated and will be punished by an immediate red card for a player. Should foul/abusive language be used by a Manager/Coach or Spectator, that person will be required to leave the Tournament site with immediate effect. Should they fail to do this then the team to which they are connected will be disqualified from the event and required to leave the site with immediate effect.
Yellow Card
If a yellow card is awarded the player shall be suspended from the following match.
If a player receives 2 yellow cards in the same game, they shall not take any further part in the tournament.
Red Card
If a straight red card is awarded the offending player shall not be allowed to take further part in the tournament. If a player is given a red card whilst off the field of play (for unacceptable conduct on the sideline), the team must correspondingly reduce the number of players on the field.
FC Sutton Dynamo reserves the right to remove any player or team from the competition.
Fouls and Slide Tackles
Foul tackles will be punished by a free kick and yellow or red card.
Sliding tackles are forbidden and shall be punished by the awarding of a free kick. Repeat offences will result in a yellow card and the offending player being disciplined as per the yellow card description above. However, the referee may at any time issue a yellow or red card for any tackle deemed reckless or dangerous.
Sliding tackles in the penalty area by the defending team shall be punished with the award of a penalty.
Sliding to intercept a pass between 2 players, where no contact with a player is made, is acceptable.
Any tactical foul where a player intentionally prevents an obvious goal-scoring opportunity will result in the offending player being shown a yellow card and suspended from play for 5 minutes.