3v3 AirPitch Tournament Rules

(FIFA Rules Apply If Not Modified Below)

New for 2024:

Heading: When a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick (IFK) is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense.

Substitutions: Substitutions may occur at any dead ball situation. Players must be called onto the field by the referee and enter/exit at the half-field mark only. Players must be at the half-field mark when the dead ball situation first occurs to be called on.

Player/Bench Personnel Ejection (Yellow/Red Card): Referees have the right to dismiss a player or bench personnel for continual disobedience or for incidents warranting sending off. RED CARD suspension = Rest of game PLUS next game. The Tournament Director may dismiss a player or bench personnel for the rest of the tournament. Teams still play with 3 on the field.

IFAB/FIFA Law Change for 2024: A team official guilty of misconduct will be shown a YC (caution) or RC (sending off). If the offender cannot be identified, the senior coach in the technical area will receive the YC/RC.

Player Registration: All players must be registered on their team's registration form before the tournament begins. Any falsification of age or skill level will result in dismissal. Players must carry proof of age. Rosters are finalized before the first game.

Number of Players: Maximum of six players per team. No goalkeepers in 3v3 AirPitch soccer. Players can only play on one team per division.

Gender: No males in female divisions except co-ed. Females can play in male divisions. Co-ed teams must have at least one female on the field at all times.

Equipment: Shin guards are mandatory. Tournament  provides  game balls. Ball sizes: Futsal ball 

Goal Box: The goal box is ten feet wide by eight feet deep. No player can touch the ball within the goal box. Any part of the ball or player's body on the line is considered in the goal box. Infractions result in a penalty kick for the offensive team if a defender touches the ball or a goal kick for the defensive team if an offensive player touches the ball. Habitual touches may result in a Yellow Card. If the ball stops in the goal box, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team.

Game Duration: Two 12-minute halves with a two-minute halftime. The game ends if a team reaches a 10-goal lead. Pool games can end in a tie. Playoff games cannot end in a tie.

Playoff Overtime: A 3-minute "Golden Goal" period. If still tied, a shootout with the 3 players on the field at the end of the period determines the winner.

Goal Scoring: Goals can be scored from a touch on the offensive half of the field. Goals cannot be scored from your own half. If this happens, the game continues as a goal kick.

Scoring (In Pool Play): Win = 3 points, Tie = 1 point, Loss = 0 points. Forfeits are scored as 5-0.

Tiebreakers:

No Offsides or Slide Tackling in 3v3 AirPitch Soccer

Five Yard Rule: Defenders must stand five yards away from the ball on all dead ball situations. If the defensive goal area is closer than five yards, the ball is placed five yards from the goal area in line with the penalty spot.

Kick-ins: The ball is kicked in from the sideline instead of thrown in. The opposing player must stand 2 yards away.

Indirect Kicks: All dead ball kicks are indirect except corner and penalty kicks.

Goal Kicks: May be taken from any point on the end line but not within the goal box area. The retreat rule applies.

Kick Off: The game starts with the ball on the halfway line and all players with a hand on their own goal. May be taken in any direction. All games will start and stop on the central klaxon.

Retreat Rule:

- If a goal is scored, all players on the scoring team must retreat and touch their own goal before being active in play. If they don't, a penalty is given.

- If the ball goes out of play for a goal kick, the opposing team must touch their own goal before being active in play. If they don't, a penalty is given.

- The opposing team does not have to wait for you to retreat to bring the ball into active play. If a player does not retreat and attempts to go near the ball, a penalty is given.

- No player can stand in front of the goal for the duration of the game nor act as a goalkeeper. If a player is acting as a goalkeeper, in the opinion of the referee, a penalty will be given.

Out of Play:

- If the ball goes out of play at the sides, it is a kick-in, and the opposing player must stand 2 yards away.

- If the ball goes out for a corner, the opposing player must stand 2 meters away.

- Any foul/handball anywhere on the pitch is a penalty.

- If the game is stopped for any reason (e.g., injury), the game shall be restarted with the ball on the halfway line and all players with a hand on their own goal.

Penalties:

- Any foul will be a penalty from the halfway line.

- Penalties are taken from the halfway line with all players behind the ball (no goalkeeper).

- Players must stand 2 meters away from the ball.

- Players are active as soon as the ball is kicked.

Penalty Kicks: Awarded if a scoring opportunity is nullified by an infraction. Taken from the top of the center circle (15 ft. line) on the offensive side of the midfield line. Other players must be behind the midfield line. If a goal is not scored, the defense gets a goal kick. Penalty kicks are not live balls.

Player Ejection (Yellow/Red Card): Referees can eject players for continual disobedience or incidents warranting sending off. RED CARD suspension = Rest of game PLUS next game. The Tournament Director may eject a player for the rest of the tournament. Teams still play with 3 on the field.

Sportsmanship: Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to act in good sportsmanship. Abuse of referees is not tolerated and will disqualify the responsible team from the event.

Unaddressed Situations: The Tournament Director will make decisions on situations not covered by these rules.