INFORMATION

Teams must be registered by 9.30am with the managers meeting taking place at 9.40am. Kick off for the first games will be 10am prompt.  

The age group is based on the 2025/2026 season with all age groups being competitive. All age groups will be 6 a side, with a maximum squad of 8.  

Players can only play for ONE team on the day of the competition. 

All age groups are competitive. For each age group, the winners and runners-up will receive individual medal with the winners receiving a trophy to keep. In addition, in the U8 age group, all players will receive a medal for taking part.  

There will be two groups of 6 for each age group with each team playing the other 5 teams in their group once. 

All age groups shall receive 3 points for a win and 1 point for a draw.  

Games will be 10 minutes in length with no half-time. 

All group games will have a 3-minute interval between matches. It is the responsibility of each team manager to have their team on the pitch ready for the start of their game.  

Any team who isn’t ready on time or fails to play any game will forfeit their points and the opposing team will be awarded a 1-0 win and 3 points.  

The top two teams from each group will go forward to semi-finals with the first placed team in Group A playing the second-place team in Group B in one semi-final and the second placed team in Group A playing the first placed team in Group B in the other semi-final. In the event of two or more teams achieving the same number of points, then goal difference will apply. If it is still a tie, it will continue to goals scored, conceded and finally head-to-head. If still tied a penalty shootout will take place until an outcome is reached. 5 penalties per team then sudden death from players in the squad.  

Both managers to sign the referee’s game card to confirm results at the end of each match. Whatever is signed on the slip will be final and recorded on the scoring app. 

Semi-finals and finals will be two halves of 7 ½ minutes with a 2-minute half-time break. (NB. The committee reserves the right to shorten game times in the event that matches fall behind the set schedule).  

The winner of each semi-final will progress to the final. There is no 3rd place match.  

If a semi-final or final is drawn at the end of normal time, extra time of 5 minutes one way will be played. Teams will play the extra time in the same direction as they started the match and the team that had kick-off at the start of the match will start the extra time period.  

If the game is drawn at the end of extra time in a semi-final or final, then a penalty shoot-out will determine the winner. Each team will take a total of five penalties alternately. The five players on the field of play at the end of extra time will each take one penalty. If the scores are equal after five penalties then the game will be decided by sudden death penalties. The goalkeeper will take the first sudden death penalty followed by the original five takers.  

Start of games – The team named first shall take kick-off with the named away team to choose which end to defend. Games will start on the referee’s whistle.  

Named home team to provide the match ball for the game. Both teams to have match balls on the sideline to help keep the game moving. 

Away team to wear bibs/change shirt if colours clash.  

Any team who isn’t ready to kick off on time or fails to play any game will forfeit their points and the opposing team will be awarded a 1-0 win and 3 points. 

Normal Mini Soccer Rules shall apply. The retreat rule is only applicable for U8s/U9s/U10s.  

In line with the new grassroots guidelines and FA, heading the ball for under 9’s and below is not permitted. Dribble-in/ Pass-in if the ball goes out of the play. Any player deemed to intentionally head the ball will result in a direct free kick to the opposition from where the ball was headed. Accidental heading of the ball is at the discretion of the referee where no action will be taken. 

No offside. 

Kick–off - opposition players to be 5 yards back from the ball.  

You cannot score directly from kick-off; the ball must be touched by another player first.  

Corner kicks and thrown ins are all taken in the normal way.  

All free-kicks are direct - opposition players must be at least 5 yards away.  

Penalty kicks will only be awarded for a foul in the area. The player taking the penalty can take a maximum run-up of two paces. The penalty is to be taken from the marked penalty spot. All other players must be at least two yards away from the ball.  

Goalkeepers may NOT kick the ball directly from their hands. This will result in a free kick from the edge of the area. Goalkeepers may throw the ball under or over arm. They may also drop/bounce the ball on the ground and then kick it. The ball can go overhead height.  After dropping the ball, goalkeepers can then not handle it again. 

Goalkeepers may leave their area but not handle the ball.  

Outfield players are allowed in the penalty areas.  

The back pass rule applies and will result in a free kick from where the ball entered the area.  

U8s U9s and under 10’s will use a size 3 match ball.  

U12s, and U14s will use a size 4 match ball. 

U16’s will use a size 5 match ball. 

A maximum of 2 coaches per team on the sideline.  

Our Referees are here as volunteers. Please ensure that they enjoy the day as much as everyone else. Their decision is final.  

Any player (U8/9/10) sent off in a match will not be allowed to play in the next game. Any player (U11/13/15/16) sent off in a match will not be allowed to take part for the rest of the tournament.  

In the event of any other problems during the tournament, the decision of the tournament committee will be final.  

We support the Cambs FA Respect campaign. Team managers are responsible for the behaviour of their team, the parents, and supporters.  

All attending coaches are expected to be DBS cleared and hold relevant safeguarding qualifications.  

All coaches are expected to maintain a record of their players relevant medical conditions, including allergies, and to ensure their players have required medication. 

Any Team, or their supporters misbehaving or being abusive towards match officials will be reported to their home County FA.  

Any team misbehaving off field could result in automatic disqualification.  

Any spectator’s behaviour deemed unacceptable will result in that team being asked to leave the tournament.  

We are working on the basis that all players parents/carers have provided consent for children to participate in the tournament.  

We are working on the basis that consent for photography at the tournament has been provided. If this is not the case it is the responsibility of the coach to inform the tournament organisers.  

Teams are invited to join us entirely at their own risk. Outwell Swifts Youth FC will in no way be held responsible for any for any occurrence causing injury, or loss to property or personal belongings.  

NO dogs are allowed on the playing field by order of the Parish Council. 

No Alcohol

NO Smoking or vaping around the pitch’s pleas go to the side of the field [ behind the tree line}