Tournament Rules

These are the detailed gameplay rules for King Juan Cup — how games are played, scored, and officiated. For the tournament overview (dates, fees, age groups), see Tournament Details on the main page.

Game Format

  • 5v5, co-ed — boys and girls play together in every age group.
  • 15-minute halves, running clock — no stoppage time added for injuries or substitutions.
  • No goalkeeper; small scrimmage-style POD goals.
  • Unlimited substitutions, anytime the ball is out of play.
  • Home team (listed first on the schedule) wears light/white; away team wears dark — bring both if you're not sure which you are.

No Blocking the Goal

  • Field defenders may not stand or loiter within 3 feet (1 meter) of their own goal — in short, don't camp the goal mouth.
  • If a defender is caught blocking or loitering in that zone, the attacking team is awarded a free, uncontested shot on goal from midfield. Everyone else stays back until the kick is taken.

Standings & Tiebreakers

  • Win = 3 points, Tie = 1 point, Loss = 0 points.
  • If teams are tied on points, ties are broken in this order: head-to-head result, goal differential (each game capped at ±6, so no incentive to run up the score), most wins, goals for (capped at 6 per game), goals against (capped at 6 per game), and finally a coin toss if still tied.
  • Top 2 teams in each group advance.

No-Shows & Forfeits

  • Please arrive at least 10 minutes before kickoff.
  • A team not ready to play within 5 minutes of the scheduled kickoff may forfeit that game.

Sportsmanship & Conduct

  • The referee's call is final — let's keep protests off the field.
  • Repeated unsportsmanlike conduct may result in sitting out the rest of that game.
  • Coaches and spectators: please keep comments positive — no heckling players, coaches, or referees.
  • 🙏 Respect the ref: our referees are volunteers giving up their time to make this event possible. Please treat them with kindness — and remember, this is all just for fun!