• Games are 25 minutes in duration with no halftime
• Coed 8v8 (7+Goalkeeper) Teams must have a minimum of two female players on the field at all times and cannot have more than six male players on the field
• No offsides
• Rolling substitutes that must enter/exit the side of the field where their team is located
• Kick-ins to return ball from out of play
• All free kicks are direct
• You can score from a kick-in, goal kick, corner, etc.
• Five (5) yards must be given on all free kicks and kick ins
• If an indirect foul occurs in the box, a direct free kick will be given at top of the box
• Slide tackling is not permitted (Coed and Men’s)
• Sliding when an opponent is not around is permitted
• Penalties taken from the penalty spot (run-ups are permitted)
• Goal kicks given when the ball is put out of play by the opponent across the goal line
• Goalkeepers are permitted to volley and half volley
• Goalkeepers can slide in the box leading with their feet or hands, permitted they are attempting to play the ball – this is at the discretion of the referee
• Teams must have at least 5 players on the field for 8v8 game to start
• If, after 5 minutes, the team does not have the minimum number of players on the field the game is considered a forfeit
• All forfeits are scored at 3-0

PLAYOFF TIE BREAKER

• If teams remain tied at the end of regulation play during the knockout rounds they will follow these tie breaker procedures
• Two-Minute Golden Goal Period
• The first team to score during this extra-time is the winner
• Three-Player Penalty Shootout
  • Teams will select three players to kick in alternating format
  • If still tied after the three, teams will continue alternating kickers until a team who scores goes unanswered by their opponent.
  • Teams who go past the original three kickers must use every player before the original three kickers may kick again.

EQUIPMENT

• Shin guards are mandatory – players who do not have them will not be permitted to play
• Primary team jersey/colors
• Alternate team jersey/colors (in case of a kit clash) optional
• Pinnies will be provided upon request from CFRS staff
• Goalkeepers must wear a different color from outfield players and referee
• Appropriate soccer attire and footwear are required, no metal cleats are permitted
• Players are not permitted to play with:
• Glasses (sports goggles are permitted)
• Watches and Smart Watches
• Jewelry
• Cleats with metal studs
• Hard Casts
• Ballcaps
• Any other equipment or item(s) deemed dangerous by the referee

OTHER TOURNAMENT POLICIES

Sportsmanship Rule –

This rule will be implemented in any game where one team goes up by 7 goals. If a team goes up by 7 goals, the opposing team may add one additional player to the field. This additional player may remain on the field only if the goal difference is 7 or more goals. Once the goal difference is below 7 goals, the team with an additional player MUST remove the added player from the field so that sides are level once again. No team may bring on more than one additional player.

Suspensions –

CFRS will impose sanctions for all red card offenses, per the following guidelines. All suspensions are at the discretion of CFRS and Chicago Fire Football Club. All suspensions will be communicated directly to the player(s) involved in writing via email, as well as to their team captain.

Two Yellow Cards – Possible One (1) to Two (2) game suspension*
Serious Foul Play – Three (3) game suspension*
Abusive Language – Three (3) game suspension*
Violent Conduct – Suspended the remainder of the Tournament*
Assaulting a Player/Official – Permanent Expulsion from Tournament*
Racist, Homophobic and/or Sexist Language – Permanent Expulsion from Tournament*

Any player who receives a Red Card MUST leave their field.

Zero-Tolerance Referee Abuse Policy –

All referees are certified through the United States Soccer Federation and are required to undergo recertification yearly. We understand that you may not always agree with the decision of a referee. However, the referee’s decision is final. The only player on the field that should be respectfully addressing the referee with a question surrounding a call is the Team Captain.CFRS will NOT tolerate any form of verbal or physical abuse towards referees on or off the field. Any player that harasses a referee is at the referee’s discretion for sanctioning. This includes a warning, yellow card, or red card. Players given a red card will fall under the Red Card Policy listed above.

Inclement Weather –

The health and safety of the CFRS community is our top priority and we monitor all weather to ensure we uphold those standards. In the event of inclement weather, our on-site lightning detection system will sound, along with a flashing light from the side of the Fire Pitch. If this system sounds all participants must clear the fields and move inside or to their cars. The system will sound an ‘All Clear’ when it is safe to return to play.

The CFRS staff will monitor any incoming storms and cancel or delay games, as needed. We will play through rain but not lightning. If we need to cancel or delay, we will communicate to all players at the earliest possible opportunity via email, and follow-up with a call/text to your team captains. Players must be on their team’s Dash roster to receive this communication. If the game is canceled after ten minutes the result at the time of cancelation will stand.

TEAM ROSTERS & REGISTRATION

Rosters –
All teams should have a completed player roster by prior to the start of the tournament.

Waiver & Code of Conduct –
All players MUST complete the online player Code of Conduct and Waiver before participating in any games. Players will be required to check-in upon arrival to confirm completion.

This can be completed online.