2008 Chicago Street Soccer Rules
(updated March 10, 2008)

(1) Players

- Are male or female and at least 16 years old (must be turning 16 in 2008)

(2) Teams

- Minimum Registration of 5 and Maximum Registration of 8 players per team.
- Maximum of 4 players per team on the court:
- up to 4 substitute players ('flying' or 'rolling' substitutions apply)

COED Rules
- 50 % of the Team must be Women
- During the Game, only 2 men and 2 women may play. The team has to be divided equally.

(3) Duration of Matches

Two halves of 10 minutes each plus one minute interval in between each half

(4) Start / Restart

The match starts when the referee throws the ball into the court. When a goal is scored, the team may play right away. The Referree will whistle to acknowledge the goal


(5) Rules for Penalty Area

Only one defending player per penalty area. Since there are no goalkeepers, only one defender may guard the goal within the penalty area. Any of the offensive players may enter the area, but may not cause obstruction to the defender.

(6) Time-wasting

The referee can award a penalty against a team which is persistently time-wasting after the team has been first warned about its conduct.

(7) Rules for Free Kicks and Out Balls

- Free Kicks
All free kicks are indirect. All players of the opposing team must be a minimum of 2 yards from the ball when a free kick is being taken.
The referee awards a free kick for:
All fouls on the field except for any offense, which is seen as a "penalty offense"
If a player holds the perimeter board with both hands

- Out Balls
If a ball goes out of play over the board the ball must be rolled in by hand at ground level at the position where the ball went out of the field of play. All players of the opposing team must be a minimum of 2 yards from the ball at the roll-in point.

(8) Fouls

In the event of a foul or unfair play the referee may judge as follows:
Blue card (two minutes time exclusion): For foul play a player will be excluded from the match for two minutes during which time the team has to play with one less player.
A player given a blue card will be sent off for two minutes and not allowed back on. After two minutes have elapsed the player given the blue card will be replaced by another player from the team.

Red card (match penalty): For serious foul play a player is excluded from the rest of the match. The team has to play with one less player for the remainder of the match.
A red card will only be given for serious foul play, violent conduct or abuse of the referee. The player will be sent off immediately and not be allowed back during the game. No replacement player will be allowed on. The same pplies to coaches. Each evening the disciplinary committee will meet and decide what action to take against the player or coach. Sanctions include suspension from future games.

Exclusion from the tournament for a team:
If rules are seriously breached (heavy foul play, foul play on purpose, unacceptable behaviour on the court towards the referees, the audience or other players), one player or a team can be excluded from the tournament. If a whole team is excluded from the tournament then all the matches played or scheduled to be played by that team will be awarded to the opposition with a 0:3 score line.

(9) Tournament Points

The winning team receives 3 points. The losing team zero. If a match ends in a draw, both teams receive 1 point. In the playoff bracket, there will be sudden death for a 5 minute period. If both teams are still tied, then the two teams will choose 2 of their best players to lay against their opposing 2 players. If the teams after that are still tied, then it will be 1 v 1 sudden death.

(10) Group Stage Rankings

In group stages rankings are decided by:
First, number of Points
Second, Goal Difference
Third, Goals For
Fourth, Goals Against
Fifth, Head to Head Tiebreaker
6th, Sudden Death 1 v 1 Shootout

(11) Fair Play

Fair Play will be encouraged throughout the tournament. There will be a trophy for Fair Play.

(12) Referees

Each match will have one referee. The semi final and final may have two referees.

(13) Chicago Street Soccer Cup Court Proportions

Size of court: 22 (long) x 16 (wide) yards
Goal size: 2yds wide x 1.5 yds height, depth approx. 1 m
Penalty area: half circle with 1 yd radius
Height of boards: 1.10m
Net: behind both goal-sides is a net which is 3m in height
Size of ball: normal size 5, however a Street Soccer Ball may be used.

Rules may be subject to change.