Rules

General play

• All matches follow FIFA rules, modified for the tournament format.
• Matches run straight through. There is no half time.
• No offside will be enforced.
• No slide tackling. This is an automatic yellow card.
• Shin guards must be worn. No exceptions.
• Goalkeepers may not use their hands — they play as an outfield player.
• No throw-ins. Restart with a pass from where the ball went out.
• Unlimited substitutions, on dead balls only.

Squads

• Every player must sign the waiver before taking the field. No waiver, no play.
• Co-ed: a minimum of two players of each gender on the pitch at all times.

Format

• Group stage is round-robin. Every team is guaranteed at least three matches.
• Win 3 points, draw 1, loss 0.
• Group standings are settled by points, then goal difference, then goals scored, then head-to-head.
• Knockout rounds follow. A draw goes straight to penalties — no extra time.

Discipline

• Yellow card: the player leaves the field for 5 minutes. No substitute.
• Two yellows in a match: red card and ejection.
• Red card: ejected from the current match and the next one.
• Fighting or violent conduct is an immediate tournament ban.
• Abuse of referees, players or spectators will not be tolerated. Referees have final say.

On the day

• Check in opens 30 minutes before the first match.
• Be at your field 5 minutes before kick-off. A team that is not ready within 5 minutes of kick-off forfeits.
• Bring both a light and a dark shirt where possible; the referee decides on a clash.

Remember why we are here

We are raising money to send children to school. Play hard, play fair, and remember that the person you are marking paid to be here too.