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Rules
 

Mint City Showdown

Official Tournament Rules

Mint City Soccer Slam is a recreational soccer tournament designed to promote fun, sportsmanship, community involvement, and healthy competition. Tournament officials reserve the right to interpret and enforce all rules.
 

1. Team Rosters

  • Teams may have a maximum roster of 5 players.

  • Teams may play with as few as 3 players.

  • No players may be added after a team's first game.

  • Players may only participate on one team per division.

2. Players on the Field

  • Games are played 4 vs. 4.

  • No goalkeepers are allowed.

  • Unlimited substitutions are permitted during stoppages of play with referee approval.

3. Age Divisions

  • Players will compete in the division corresponding to the grade they will enter in Fall 2026.

  • Tournament officials reserve the right to combine divisions if necessary.

4. Equipment

  • Shin guards are mandatory.

  • Teams should wear matching shirts or jerseys.

  • Metal cleats are prohibited.

  • Jewelry must be removed before play.

5. Field Dimensions

  • Approximately 40 yards long by 25 yards wide.

  • Goals approximately 4 feet high by 6 feet wide.

Match Rules

6. Game Length

  • Two (2) 12-minute halves.

  • Two (2) minute halftime.

  • Running clock.

  • Tournament officials may shorten games if necessary due to weather or scheduling.

7. Kickoffs

  • Opponents must remain at least 5 yards away.

  • Goals may not be scored directly from a kickoff.

8. Offsides

  • There are no offsides.

9. Scoring

  • All goals must be scored from the offensive half of the field.

  • Goals may not be scored directly from a kickoff.

  • Goals may be scored directly from a corner kick.

10. Out of Bounds

  • When the ball crosses the sideline, play restarts with an indirect kick from the point where the ball left the field.

  • Opponents must remain at least 5 yards away.

  • Goal kicks may be taken from anywhere along the defensive end line.

11. Goal Area / No Goalie Zone

  • Players may not intentionally stand in front of the goal to act as a goalkeeper.

  • Repeated violations may result in a warning and/or penalty kick.

  • Running through the area while actively participating in play is permitted.

Fouls & Penalties

12. Fouls

The following are prohibited:

  • Slide tackling

  • Tripping

  • Pushing

  • Holding

  • Dangerous play

  • Charging

  • Intentional handballs

Referees may award a penalty kick for fouls that create a significant advantage or scoring opportunity.

13. Headers

  • Headers are prohibited for divisions U11 and younger.

  • Play will restart with an indirect kick for the opposing team.

14. Penalty Kicks

  • Penalty kicks will be taken from midfield.

  • All players must remain behind midfield until the kick is taken.

  • The ball becomes dead when its forward motion ends.

  • If no goal is scored, play restarts with an indirect kick by the shooting team from midfield.

Sportsmanship

15. Conduct

Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to display good sportsmanship at all times.

Unsportsmanlike conduct includes:

  • Fighting

  • Threatening behavior

  • Abusive language

  • Harassment

  • Arguing with referees

  • Excessive taunting

Tournament officials may issue warnings, remove individuals, or disqualify teams when necessary.

16. Ejections

Any player, coach, or spectator ejected from a game may face additional suspensions at the discretion of tournament officials.

Tournament Format

17. Pool Play Scoring

  • Win = 3 Points

  • Tie = 1 Point

  • Loss = 0 Points

  • Forfeit = 0 Points

18. Pool Play Tiebreakers

If two or more teams finish with the same number of points, standings will be determined in the following order:

  1. Goal Differential (maximum +5 per game)

  2. Goals Scored

  3. Fewest Goals Allowed

  4. Head-to-Head Result

  5. Coin Flip

Goal Differential Example

  • 8-0 win = +5

  • 6-1 win = +5

  • 5-2 win = +3

This cap helps promote sportsmanship and prevents teams from running up scores.

19. Mercy Rule

  • If a team leads by 6 goals, that team must remove one player from the field.

  • The player may return once the lead is reduced below 6 goals.

Championship Round

20. Tie Games

Pool play games may end in a tie.

21. Playoff Overtime

If a Championship Round game ends in a tie:

  • Each team selects four (4) players.

  • Teams alternate penalty kicks.

  • The team with the most goals after four kicks wins.

  • If still tied, sudden-death penalty kicks will continue until a winner is determined.

Forfeits

22. Arrival Time

Teams should be present at their assigned field at least five (5) minutes prior to game time.

Game time is forfeit time unless otherwise determined by tournament officials.

Weather Policy

23. Inclement Weather

Tournament officials reserve the right to:

  • Delay games

  • Shorten games

  • Reschedule games

  • Move games to alternate fields

  • Cancel portions of the tournament if conditions become unsafe

Player safety will always take priority over tournament completion.

Referee Authority

24. Final Decisions

Referee decisions are final.

Tournament officials reserve the right to interpret, modify, or enforce rules as necessary to ensure fair play and the successful operation of the tournament.

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