Tournament Rules

1.       Match Ball

The team named first in the fixture is the home team and will supply the match ball.

2.       Kit

All players must wear football shirts, shorts, socks and shin pads (No Pads, No Play). The Goalkeeper is permitted to wear tracksuit bottoms. In the event of a kit clash the away team will change shirts or wear bibs.

3.       Footwear

Astro trainers and football boots may be worn. No tennis-type trainers allowed.

4.       Format

Team format will be 5-a-side for all age groups.

Teams must enter the age group of which they competed in the 2024/25 regular season matches. Teams with any KYL, JPL, or County players must play up a year. Teams found to be fielding any KYL, JPL, or County will be excluded if not playing up a year.

The exception is in girls’ groups, where teams may have players from JPL, KYL or District (but not Academy’s) as per league rules and can still play at their correct age group.

5.       Duration of the games

League matches, quarterfinals and semi-finals will be 5 minutes each way (Straight turnaround, no halftime. In the event of hot weather, a brief drinks break is permitted).

Finals will be 7 minutes each way (Straight turnaround, no halftime. In the event of hot weather, a brief drinks break is permitted).

If the scores are level at the end of a knockout stage match 5 minutes extra time (one way) will be played.

If scores are even at the end of extra time penalties will decide the result. First 3 penalties will be taken, then sudden death. Only players on the pitch at the end of extra time are allowed to take penalties.

6.       Determination of league positions

Will be decided on a league basis with 3 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. To determine final group positions the following criteria will be used; (a) Points, (b) Number of Goals Scored, (c) Lowest number of goals conceded, (d) Head-to-Head which will be based on (d(i)) Number of points (d(ii)) Number of goals scored (d(iii)) Lowest number of goals conceded. In the event teams are still tied a penalty shoot-out between the tied teams will take place, first three, then sudden death utilising all registered squad players in rotation. Progression where second place in the group or best second/ third etc comes in will be based on the same criteria. 

7.       Kick Off

The first named team will kick off in the first half; second named team will kick off in second half. A goal can NOT be scored direct from kick off.

8.       Offside

There is no offside.

9.       Free Kicks

All ‘Free Kicks’ will be direct with the defending players at least 2 metres away from the ball.

10.   Penalties

U9 and above - The penalty taker can only take one step before striking the ball. (U7 & U8 run ups are allowed)

11.   Back Pass

The normal rules of football apply to the goalkeeper when receiving back passes.

The goalkeeper is not allowed to touch any pass from a team-mate with his/her hands. However, the goalkeeper may use their feet to play a pass back from a team-mate.

The punishment is an indirect free kick for the opposing team from the spot where the goalkeeper touched the ball with their hands. If the offence occurs inside the goal area, the indirect free kick is moved to the nearest point on the goal area line (the edge of the 6-yard box) parallel to the goal line.

12.   Goal Kicks & Goalkeeper Drop Kicks

No goal kicks from the ground. Goalkeepers to distribute the ball with an underarm throw below knee height.

Drop kicks are not permitted, including rolling ball to the GK themselves and kicking

Ball must be rolled to an outfield player

Retreat - Only at U7, U8, U9, U10 Opposition players must retreat to halfway line for Goal kicks

13.   Throw Ins & Corners

No throw ins at U7, U8, U9. Pass or dribble as per current FA regulations.

The ball must be stationary on the touchline at the point where it left the pitch; only the kicker may be off the pitch

·         All opponents must stand at least 5 yards from the point on the touchline where the pass-in or /dribble-in is to be taken from

·         A goal cannot be scored directly from a pass-in

·         The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves

14.   Headers

No headers are permitted at U7, U8, U9 as per current FA regulations

Deliberately heading the ball is an offence punishable by an indirect free kick

The indirect free kick is taken at the point where the ball was deliberately headed, except:

Where a player deliberately heads the ball within their own penalty area, the referee will stop the game and restart with an indirect free kick to the opposition from the nearest side line of the penalty area where the offence took place

15.   Ball above head height

The ball is allowed to go above head height.

16.   Goal Area

All age groups - all players are allowed inside the goal area. Goalkeepers are not penalised for going outside the goal area unless they handle the ball or fouling an opposing player.

17.   Slide Tackles

Slide tackles are forbidden. Penalty is a direct free kick. A player may slide to play the ball provided there are no players within playing distance of the ball.

Referee’s decision is final.

18.   Substitutions

Rolling substitutions are permitted, with the referee’s permission, at any point during the game. The substituted player must first leave the pitch before being replaced.

19.   Eligibility

Once a player is registered with a team they cannot play in any other team.

20.   Age Group

Teams must have available proof of all players’ ages to settle any dispute. Failure to do so could result in your team being disqualified from the tournament. This can be photo ID or Club Portal Team Lists showing league registration.

21.   Squad Size

The maximum squad size for all ages is 10.

22.   Referees

A referee will be appointed to officiate each game. They will have the same powers as laid out in the Laws of Association Football. The referee’s interpretation of the tournament rules is final.

23.   Red and Yellow Cards

Any player receiving a yellow card will automatically be suspended from their team’s next fixture.

Any player receiving a red card will automatically be suspended from taking any further part in the tournament. Examples of offences that may lead to a sending off are serious foul play, violent conduct, spitting and offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures.

Players receiving 2 cautions, even if in different matches, will be suspended from the tournament.

24.   Start Times

Teams must be ready to kick-off at the allocated time. Failure to do so will result in a win of 1-0 being awarded to the present team, unless due to unforeseen circumstances. (Discretion of Referee). In some games time is built in to give teams playing back-to-back games time to rest, or move pitches, it is accepted that with tournaments start/ end times may differ. Teams may start games early if both teams agree and the referee agrees, the referee and tournament committee have the final say in movement of kick-off times.

All teams should be aware that Barming Youth F.C. fully supports the F.A. Grassroots Code of Conduct, and teams are responsible for the behaviour of their players, officials and spectators. Any abuse either verbal or physical to players, officials or spectators will not be tolerated and may result in the offending team/official/spectator being expelled from the tournament.