INFORMATION

Parking for the event will be at the Downham Market High School, Bexwell Rd, Downham Market, PE38 9LL

THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE TO PARK ON THE DAYS OF THE TOURNAMENT, FEE £2.00 (cash only).

General Information:

All team managers are to register attendance before 09:30am (team sheets submitted in advance as above).

There will be a managers meeting at 09:30 by the portacabin ramp.

All players must be in the age group played in the season 2023/2024 – i.e. the correct age as of the 31st August 2024. Players may only register and play for one team. 

Shin pads must be worn.

Squads at all age groups will consist of a maximum of eight players, U7 may have 10.  Games will be 5-a-side. All substitutes may be used at any time during the game on a roll on – roll off basis. 

The treatment of injuries is at the discretion of the referee with highest priority being given to player safety. Other than players and the referee, only medically trained persons may enter the field of play.

Leagues:

Each team will play each other once during the league stage.

Points will be awarded on the following basis: 3 points for a win; 1 point for a draw; 0 points for a loss

If a team fails to turn up on the day, then a 1-0 win will be awarded to the other team.

In the event of teams being equal on points after the league stage then placing will be decided in the following order:  

1. Goal difference

2. The highest scoring team

3. In the event of two teams having the same goal difference and the same goals scored then the result will be decided by the result in the group game between the two teams.

4. Penalty shoot out

Knock-out:

The top four teams will progress to the knockout stages (except U7s, which will not have a knock-out stage).

Semi-finals and finals will be played for the duration shown in the table above for each age group.

If the result of a semi-final, or final is a draw at the end of normal time, a period of 3 minutes of extra time will be played. If the game is still tied the teams will take part in a penalty shoot-out.

Each team will select five player to take penalty kicks in the shoot-out (they do not need to be the five players on the pitch at the end of extra time). 

If the teams are tied after 5 penalties, then sudden death will apply with penalties being taken by players in the same order. All players (except the opposition goalkeeper) must be behind the halfway line while penalties are being taken.

Match Rules:

At Under 7’s through to Under 10’s normal FA mini-soccer rules apply.

From Under 11’s through to Women's the following rules will apply:

Goalkeepers are not permitted to kick the ball out of their hands, instead the ball shall be thrown/rolled out from within the penalty area. 

The ball can only be picked up inside the penalty area.

Back passes are not allowed to be picked up.

Re-starts after the ball has crossed the dead-ball line will be by throw/roll out from the keeper inside the penalty area.

Goalkeepers are permitted to leave their penalty area.

A direct free kick will be awarded in the event of a goalkeeper kicking the ball of out their hands, taking a kicked re-start, picking up a back-pass or carrying the ball outside of their area. The resulting free kick will be taken 3 yards from the edge of the penalty area.

There is no offside.  No head height restrictions. 

All free kicks will be direct with opposing players being 3 yards back.

Players cannot score direct from a kick-off and the ball must travel backwards on kick-off.

A player shown a Red Card for violent conduct or foul and abusive language will be suspended for the remainder of the tournament and can expect to be reported to the relevant FA Association. They will take no further part in the tournament.  No substitute will be allowed for the player sent off during the game in which the offence took place.

THE REFEREE SHALL BE THE SOLE JUDGE REGARDING THE LAWS OF THE GAME AND HIS OR HER DECISION WILL BE FINAL.

 Any other decisions not regarding the field of play will be adjudicated by the organising committee and their decision shall be final.

At all times, please respect the referee and anyone being abusive will be asked to leave the tournament. Normal FA Laws will apply.

The organisers reserve the right to vary the tournament in any way they deem necessary should the need arise on the day. Full consultation will be taken with the managers of those teams involved in any amendments.