TOURNAMENT PLAY 2025 Rules For Harford Sports/Performance Center

All regular season rules apply except as specifically noted below:

There is no Mercy Rule in effect during the tournament.

The losing team will not be adding additional players, nor will the winning team remove players, however we do expect coaches to exhibit good sportsmanship.

Each team will be afforded ONE (1) time out PER GAME (not per half) You must be in possession of the ball. This is a 30 second time out.

For regular play and overtime play If a called foul occurs in the goalie box by a defender and time expires before a penalty kick can be conducted, a penalty kick will be played. This is a standard Soccer rule. After the penalty kick is allowed, play will be over unless said penalty kick ties the game. Then the OT rules apply.

standard soccer rule. After the penalty kick has been conducted, play will be

There are no rebounds of the penalty kick allowed. If a goal is made as a result of the penalty it will be added to the score.

For 7-8 Age Group, all fouls continue to result in indirect kicks (unless penalty kick)

For All Age Groups, a player who receives a red card will result in the removal of the player from the game for the duration of that game. The player can be replaced on the field. A Red Carded player will NOT be able to play in his/her next game.

Overtime

For tournament play (non-consolation games), if there is a tie at the end of the regular time there will be 2 minutes of Sudden Death Play.

Three players and NO goalie on each team.  A player can act like a goalie, but they cannot use their hands at any time while in the goalie box.  EXCEPTION:  The U8 and U10 age groups can play with 4 players on the field, if both coaches agree to this.  Run this option by both coaches.  Reduced to 3 players if a 5th OT, if required.

If there has been no score in the game, the higher seed will get the ball.

If the game ends tied, the team with the last goal starts with the ball.

If no team has scored after the first sudden death period of two minutes, there will be another 2 minute period added with 3 different players and NO GOALIE. The other team will start with ball.

If there has still been no score, there will be another IMMEDIATE third two minute period of Sudden Death play with 2 different players NO GOALIE. Players that have not played yet in OT. The team that started the first OT period wil start with the ball.

This will repeat until we have a winner.

By Overtime Period:

1st Overtime period – 2 minutes, 3 players, 4 players if both coaches agree for the U8 and U10 age groups, only.

2nd Overtime period – 2 minutes, 3 different players (players cannot have played)

3rd Overtime period – 2 minutes, 3 different players (players cannot have played)

Players CAN repeat in OT once everyone has played.

4th Overtime period – 2 minutes, 3 players Same as above.

5th Overtime period – 2 minutes, 2 players. Same as above

Overtime Issues

In overtime play only, all fouls will result in indirect kicks (Except for defensive penalties in the box that result in a penalty kick. See Below.

As we are playing without a goalie (players can be back on defense in the goal box, but they cannot use their hands.

No Quick Kicks

If a player becomes injured in the overtime, there can be a substitution following the above guidelines

Both players (the injured player and the sub player will be considered as having played the entire period.

In overtime, if a called foul occurs in the goalie box by a defensive player, a penalty kick will be awarded to the offensive team. This supersedes above rule that all penalties are indirect. The defensive team will be allowed to insert their Goalie to defend the penalty kick.

The penalty kick will be played even if time has expired.

After the penalty kick has been conducted, the ball will be considered dead. NO rebounds. If the Goalie stops the shot, play is over and the Goalie leaves the field and OT resumes if time is left.

Play resumes with a goal kick by the team if the goal is prevented. If there is a goal scored as a result of the penalty it will be added to the score and game is over.

The goalie will not be counted as having played in the period unless he/she was already in game.

Issuance of a yellow card/red card in Overtime Play:

A player that is issued a yellow card in overtime will be out of the game for the remainder of the period, but can be replaced with another player.

If issued a red card, the player is removed for the remainder of the game and can not play in any additional games. A substitute is allowed.