Rules
Tournament
- Academy, Under7, Under8, Under11, Age13+ and Girls Only consists of 8 teams – Argentina, Brazil, Italy, France, Holland, Germany, Portugal & Spain
- Under9, Under10 and Under12 consists of 6 teams – Argentina, Brazil, Italy, France, Holland, & Spain
- Each team plays group matches over 2 nights before MWC Finals day.
- Quarter finals, semi finals, 3rd place play-off and Finals will all be played on MWC Finals day.
- Quarter finals draw will be done at the end of group matches and will be based on league positions.
- Winning quarter finalists will enter a World Cup semi-final. Losing quarter finalists will enter a World Cup Plate semi-final.
- Under 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+ and Girls Only age groups are competitive. Trophies are presented to the WC & WC Plate winners and runner up teams. All losing players receive a medal.
- Academy and Under7 age group is non-competitive. All teams/players play in the WC Final, win the WC Final and receive a medal.
Players
- Must wear shin guards and boots for all matches.
Matches
- Normal UEFA/FIFA small sided rules apply except for below.
- 3 points are awarded for a win and 1 point for a draw.
- All winning results are recorded by no more than 2 goals e.g. 5-2 is recorded as 4-2 with a 2 goal difference counted.
- Academy games are 10 mins with no halftime.
- Under7 games are 12 mins with no halftime.
- Under8, Under11, Age13+ and Girls Only matches are 10 mins each half.
- Under9, Under10 and Under12 games are 13 mins each half
Throw Ins
- All throw-ins for Academy and Under7 are allowed including under arm, overhead and some kicks.
- Reasonable overhead throw-ins are allowed at Under 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+ and Girls Only.
- Sidelines kicks for Under 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+ and Girls Only are NOT allowed – throw in must be re-taken.
- Goals scored direct from throw-ins or kick-ins do not count.
- Goals scored from throw-ins with deflection do count.
GK Kick Outs
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- All GK kick outs are contested by both teams – no retreat lines and no free 1st touch
- GK kick outs must be off the ground or GK throw outs are allowed.
- GK kick outs from hand are NOT allowed – GK kick out should be re-taken.
- GK cannot score directly from kick out – GK kick out should be re-taken.
- Goals scored from GK kickout with deflection does count.
MWC Finals Day Knockout
- Matches drawn at the end of normal time will have 1 period of 5 mins extra time played (no half time).
- Matches drawn at the end of extra time will go to a penalty competition with 3 penalties to each side. The penalty spot is 10 referee paces from the goal. Matches drawn at the end of 3 penalties go to sudden death.
MWC Finals Day Knockout – World Cup Qualifying Groups (Under9 and Age13+)
- Matches drawn at the end of normal time will have 1 period of 5 mins extra time played (no half time).
- Matches drawn at the end of extra time will go to a penalty competition with 3 penalties to each side. The penalty spot is 10 referee paces from the goal. Matches drawn at the end of 3 penalties go to sudden death.
- 3 points awarded for a win
- Extra time goals are counted towards goals scored total. Penalties scored after extra time do not count.
- 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions are decided on the basis ..
- Points
- Goals scored
- Goal difference
- Head to head between teams
- Following World Cup Qualifying Groups, teams advance to World Cup, Plate and Playoff finals
U7 Only
- Corners can be awarded but at referees discretion
- Referees are encouraged to keep playing as much as possible.
- Throw-ins are used only to steer matches back to the playing pitch ! Obvious throw-ins may not be awarded if there is an opportunity to play on.
- Referees are asked to re-take GK throw-outs that go straight to the opposition and score – no goal is awarded.
- Referees will award free-kicks if needed but will keep playing if possible. Awarding of penalties will be avoided at all costs – even obvious penalties !!!
- At referees discretion, own goals are dis-allowed and no goal is awarded. Play is re-started with the referee throwing the ball into space.
- After a goal is scored, referee re-starts play by throwing the ball into space to the advantage of the team who conceded. At referee’s discretion, throw-outs, dribbling etc are also acceptable.
Academy Only
- No corners are awarded , GK kick-outs are taken.
- Referees are encouraged to keep playing as much as possible.
- Throw-ins are used only to steer matches back to the playing pitch ! Obvious throw-ins may not be awarded if there is an opportunity to play on.
- Referees are asked to re-take GK kick-outs that go straight to the opposition and score – no goal is awarded.
- Matches of 5v6, 6v7 etc will happen – it happens all the time at this age group. Referees, managers and age coordinators may use guest players (sometimes older !) to keep matches even and competitive.
- Sometimes there are no GK’s. Sometimes there is 1, 2 or more GK’s – referees will be flexible and understanding.
- Referees will award free-kicks if needed but will keep playing if possible. Awarding of penalties will be avoided at all costs – even obvious penalties !!!
- Own goals are dis-allowed and no goal is awarded. Play is re-started with the referee throwing the ball into space.
- After a goal is scored, referee re-starts play by throwing the ball into space to the advantage of the team who conceded. At referee’s discretion, throw-outs, dribbling etc are also acceptable.
3 Goal Rule
- If leading by 3/more goals
- Losing team can play extra players
- If necessary, winning team should take players off
Teams
- Academy – all players play all matches
- Under7 – all players play all matches
- Under8 – play 7v7 – managers can agree to play 8v8.
- Under9 – play 7v7 – managers can agree to play 8v8.
- Under10 – play 7v7 – managers can agree to play 8v8.
- Under11 – play 7v7 – managers can agree to play 8v8.
- Under12 – play 6v6 – managers can agree to play 7v7.
- Age13+ – play 7v7 – managers can agree to play 8v8.
- Girls Only – play 7v7 – managers can agree to play 8v8.
If 1 team has fewer players available then managers agree to play even numbers of players.