Rules - Keeper Wars Ink

RULES OF THE GAME

GOALKEEPER RULES OF WARFARE

FIELD OF PLAY

Minimum Length 18 yards, Maximum Length 24 yards
Minimum Width 12 yards, Maximum Width 24 yards

AGES / GOAL SIZES

Age Groups: Players register by birth year and the age group that they will be in at the time of the event. *(Birth year bracketing is based on the soccer calendar turning over on August 1st each year.)

9U-11U Boys / 9U-11U Girls - 6.5 x 18.5 Goals
12U-13U Boys / 12U-13U Girls - 7' x 21' Goals
14U-15U Boys / 14U-15U Girls - 8' x 24' Goals
16U-17U Boys / 16U-17U Girls - 8' x 24' Goals
18U-19U Boys / 18U-19U Girls - 8' x 24' Goals
20U and Over Men - 8' x 24' Goals
20U and Over Women - 8' x 24' Goals

*Younger age groups may use either 6.5' x 18.5' or 7' x 21' goals depending on location/facility

SOCCER BALLS (WEAPONS)

Only one ball is permitted on the field of play during match play.
If two or more balls are on the field during match play, the referee, at his/her discretion may stop the game until the excess balls are removed. (There will be 8 balls at each field.)
Size 4 balls = 12 and under
Size 5 balls = 13 and older

GAME PROCEDURES

Each goalkeeper must report to the referee/field marshal 5 minutes prior to their scheduled match and provide their name. The referee/field marshal will oversee "rock, paper, scissors, shoot" in lieu of a coin toss. The winner will choose if they want to start with ball or decide which side they want to start on.
All other bracket participants will be required to act as ball retrievers and feeders. (We request that each keeper bring 1-2 ball boys/girls to shag.)

REFEREE / FIELD MARSHAL / DIRECTOR

Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the rules of the tournament director including but not limited to the following:

Ensures that the ball meets size and inflation requirements
Ensures player equipment requirements
Shin guards are not required for our event
Acts as timekeeper and scorekeeper for each match
Stops, suspends, or terminates the match, at his/her discretion for any rule infringements, safety precautions, player injuries, unsportsmanlike conduct from participants, parents and/or fans
All match related decisions are determined by referee and are considered final once a match has ended.
The Tournament Director reserves the right to modify the tournament rules should he/she deem it necessary.
All decisions are final, no protests will be accepted.

TIME LIMIT

A match duration is 2 halves of 3 minutes with keepers changing goals during 1 minute half-time.

EVENT FORMAT

Each goalie is guaranteed a minimum 3-7 games, dependent on the event.

3 points awarded for a win / 1 point for a tie / 0 points for a loss

Tiebreaker for playoffs:

Points
Head to Head
Forfeits
Least Goals Conceded (Goals Against)
Goal Differential
Sudden death PK Shootout

Games during match play (round robin) can end in a tie.

All Playoff games (Wildcard, Champ & Finals) will not be allowed to end in a tie. In the event of a draw during playoff competition an overtime period will be played with 3 minutes of extra time, no sudden death.

Overtime: Overtime wins are scored with 1 more goal being given to the winner. (Actual goals scored during overtime will be documented in the public notes of that game.)

ShootOut: If after 3 minutes of Overtime, the game is still tied then the players go to PK sudden death.

DISTRIBUTION

Distribution is the method by which a goalkeeper starts or restarts play and scores goals.

A goalkeeper may distribute the ball in the following ways from their hands or the ground:

Throw
Volley
Drop kick
Stationary kick
Roll and kick

SIX SECOND SHOOTING RULES

Goalkeepers must distribute the ball within 6 seconds of taking possession of the ball. Possession means that said goalkeeper firmly maintains control of ball by catching it, stopping it or receiving it from the sideline.
In the event that the ball is not distributed within 6 seconds the designated goalkeeper will be called for a delay of game. A delay of game violation results in a change of ball possession.
*Younger groups can go all the way to first line on their fields and shoot within 6 seconds.
All small KW Fields will have a center section (dead zone) that neither keeper can go into during game play to shoot or save the ball.
*Older groups have 6 seconds and 4 yards from their own goal line to try and score.

STARTS / RESTARTS

The referee will oversee "rock, paper, scissors, shoot" in lieu of a coin toss. Whoever wins will decide if they want ball first or pick which side of the field they start the game on.
Keepers switch sides at half.
The keeper that did not start with the ball at the beginning of the match starts with the ball in the second half.

OUT OF PLAY

The ball is out of play when:

It has entirely crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air.
If a goalkeeper saves or deflects the ball out of bounds it remains your ball. If you are scored on the ball will restart in your hands to continue play.
Ball shaggers are allowed to toss or roll the keeper the ball when needed.

BALL IN PLAY

After keeper makes save he/she can attempt to score within the designated shooting area, using any type of distribution within 6 seconds.
After the ball is deflected off the keeper or crossbar/post and enters the other players half they will have the chance to shoot a one time finish on any rebounds given up but ONLY if it enters their half of the field.
One time finish on any rebound that enters the shooters half. One time shot is allowed only by the initial shooter on initial rebound.
Any rebound that goes into the initial shooters goal is not counted as a goal. This is played as an out of bounds and given to the opposing keeper as a restart.

GOAL SCORE

A goal is scored when the entire ball passes over the goal line, between the goal posts and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the laws of the game have been committed prior to the goalkeeper distribution.
A goal cannot be scored from the opponent’s shooting area.

MATCH WINNER

The goalkeeper earning the greater number of goals by the end of the match is the winner.

OFFSIDE

A keeper is offside when he/she enters the opponents half. After infringement he/she loses possession of the ball. Play resumes with both keepers starting on their own goal lines.

MODIFICATIONS

Any or all rule modifications may be made at the tournament director discretion including but not limited to:

Field size
Ball size
Goal size
Game duration
Adjust the total number of matches

CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY

If the Keeper Wars event or the tournament Keeper Wars Ink is partnered with, gets cancelled, the participant registration fees may be transferred to another Keeper Wars Ink event. Or a partial refund may be given.
If the participant is unable to attend or complete the event for any reason, no refund will be given.

2020 KEEPER WARS INK l “ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS, SHOOT!”