The following rules have been designed to ensure fair play for all participants. Each player is expected to understand these rules prior to their participation in the tournament. Any questions regarding these rules should be directed to the Northwind Tournament Director.

Sportsmanship: Good sportsmanship is to prevail at all times. Coaches will be held

responsible for the conduct of themselves, players, team parents, and spectators.

Number of Players: 10 is the maximum number of players on a team. 5v5 - Four field players and one goalkeeper are permitted on the field at any given time. (A team must have a minimum of four players to begin a game)

Coaches: Each team is allowed up to one additional coach on the sideline during the games.

Coaches must remain on the touchline and are not allowed behind the goals during play.

Uniforms/ Protective Casts: All players must wear matching jerseys/shirts during play and

each team should bring an alternative jersey or shirt in the event of a color clash. In this

instance, the listed home team will change. In playoffs, the higher seed will have the option to

change. Hardened casts will not be allowed. No jewelry will be allowed. This includes earrings,

necklaces, rope bracelets, etc. Medical bracelets are the only exception.

Tournament Equipment: All players MUST wear shin guards. Any player without shin guards

will not be allowed to play. Chicago Northwind is responsible for providing game balls. A futsal

ball will be used for ALL games.

Goalkeeper: The goalkeeper is not restricted to his or her box. The goalkeeper is not permitted

to punt the ball (must bounce three times before striking it) or throw the ball past the half-way

mark in the air. If this occurs, the restart will be an indirect free kick for the opposing team at the

site of the infraction (either the top of the goal box or half line) Throwing is permitted as long as

the ball hits the ground before the half, bowling the ball, and placing the ball on the ground then

kick it are acceptable methods of distribution from the goalkeeper.

Game Duration: The game shall consist of a single 28-minute game. The home team will have

kick off to start the game and the away team will choose the side they want to defend. Games

tied after regulation play shall end in a tie, except in playoffs or the final. There are no timeouts

and the game clock will not stop. The referee has the official time on the field and holds the right

to take necessary action is he or she feels a team is delaying the game.

Substitutions: Substitutions may be made on the fly. The exiting player MUST have reached

the touchline nearest the bench before the entering player may go onto the field. The result of this will be a yellow card to the entering player.

Delay of Game: Any player may be cautioned with a yellow card if it deemed by the referee that the player is intentionally wasting time. E.g. if a player intentionally kicks the ball long distances away from the playing field in order waste time.

Playoff Overtime: Shall consist of a 3-minute ‘Golden Goal’ overtime period. The home team will have kick off and the away team will choose the side to defend. The first team to score in the overtime period will be deemed the winner. If no team has scored in the 3-minute overtime, the winner shall be decided in a penalty shootout. The home team will shoot first. Each team will designate 4 players from its team to shoot. Teams will alternate shots until one teams goal is

unanswered by the opposing team. Kicks will be taken from 4 yards off the top of the goal box for U13+ and from the top of the box for U12 and under. Goalkeepers must keep their heels on the goal line during the kick and may not leave their line. In the event the teams remained tied the same four will begin again until a goal is unanswered.

Offside: There is NO offside in 5v5 soccer.

Slide Tackling: This is NOT permitted from any player. If a player is sliding, whether they win

the ball or not, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team.

Hand ball Clarification: Deliberate handling of the ball that denies a team of an obvious goal-

scoring opportunity in the goal box will result in a penalty kick. Any other hand ball infraction will

result in an indirect free kick for the opposing team. All hand ball decisions are at the discretion

of the center referee. 

Cautioned Players (Yellow Card) Players receiving a yellow card MUST be substituted from the field immediately. The player may then return to the field of play once play is resumed. A player that receives two yellow cards will be issued a red card and ejected from the game.

Player Ejection (Red Card) Referees have the right to eject a player or coach from the game

for continuous disobedience or as a result of an incident that warrants sending off. The team may then continue play with the remaining players. If the ejected player was on the field of play at the time of the infraction the player’s team must play the remainder of the game one player down. The ejected player will be reported by the referee with the score of the game and the player will NOT be permitted to play the next game (NO EXCEPTIONS)

Kick Off: May be taken in any direction. You cannot score directly from the kick off.

Five Yard Rule: In all dead ball situation on the field, a defending team must allow five

yards of space from the ball. If the team’s goal is closer than five yards, the ball shall be

played from five yards away.

Free Kicks: ALL free kicks are INDIRECT with the exception of penalty kicks. An indirect free

kick will be given if the ball hits the ceiling netting or is sent out of play from the position nearest

where this occurred.

Goal Kicks: May be taken from anywhere on the kicking teams end line or goal box.

Penalty Kicks: Shall be awarded at the referee’s discretion if a goal scoring opportunity was

nullified by an infraction. Penalty kicks are direct free kicks from 4 yards off the top of the goal

box.

Scoring (In Group Play) Games will be scored according to the following: 3 points

awarded for a win, 1 point awarded for a tie, and no points awarded for a loss. No

bonus points will be awarded.

Tie-Breakers: At the end of group play, if teams are tied, the following will break a tie:

1. Head to head result 2. Least goals allowed 3. Goal differential (goals scored minus

goals allowed on a maximum of six goals scored per game) 4. Most goals scored (no

maximum) 5. Coin flip

Protests: No protests will be accepted. Referee decisions are not grounds for protest.

Any inquiry about outcome or referee decisions may be made with the Tournament

Director within 15 minutes of the conclusion of the game in question. Any inquiry must

be done through the teams designated head coach.