Weekend Warrior Rules

Weekend Warrior Soccer Tournament Rules

Roster Regulations

• Maximum Roster Size: 16 players.
• Minimum Registered Players: Teams must have a minimum of 10 players registered 10 days prior to the tournament start date. 
• Player Eligibility: Players must be registered with ASA to play in the tournament. If you play in any ASA sanctioned league within the state of Alabama, your player registration through Gotsports will be used but must be for the current season (i.e. – HASL). For players registered with an out-of-state USASA sanctioned organization, ASA registration will be required prior to the tournament, but a refund will be issued after proof of registration through USASA is provided. Player Registration Fees are currently $18 as of 2026.
• Player Age Restrictions: All players must be 18 years or older at the date of the tournament. For Age-restricted divisions – the player must turn the appropriate age in the calendar year.

• Roster Changes: Roster changes are permitted up to 48 hours before the tournament kick-off. No changes will be allowed after this time.
• Rosters: Rosters will be provided to the team captains at the beginning of the tournament. 
• Multiple Teams: Players may only be on one roster within a division. Players may register on teams in different divisions. Women can play in any division.
• Cheating: Breaking any roster rules will result in at least a forfeit (3-0 loss) of the match in question and may incur more penalties at the discretion of the tournament directors. Multiple roster infractions may incur additional penalties.

Matchday Procedures

• Game Duration: Each match will consist of two 22-minute halves with a 5-minute half-time interval. There is no overtime in group play.
• Field Players: maximum 7 players on the field, minimum of 4 to play/continue a match
• Co-ed Division Field players: Requires at least 2 females on the field. If a team cannot field 2 females, they will play down a player. A team must field at least 1 female for the match to continue.
• Uniforms: Teams should wear uniform shirts of the same color with a number on the back. 
• Field of Play: Field is approximately 65 yards by 45 yards or smaller and goals shall either be 8’x24’ or 7’x21’
• Benches: Team benches shall be on the same side of the field.
• Weather: All teams should report to the fields regardless of the weather unless informed otherwise by the tournament directors (or weather is life threatening.) Only referees and/or tournament directors may cancel or postpone a match. If at least eleven minutes of the second-half of a match has been completed and then terminated due to weather, the game is official and the score recorded.
• All Divisions: Captains should provide an official roster to the referee prior to the start of the match. Referees and Tournament officials reserve the right to request player card or photo identification at any time during the tournament to check the roster. 
• Cash Divisions (Open): Referees will check photo identification for all players prior to kickoff. Please hand your rosters to the referee 10-mins prior to kickoff. 
• Knock-out Games: In knock-out stages, if a game is tied at the end of regulation time, a 10-minute “golden goal” period will be played. The first team to score wins. If no goal is scored, the game will proceed to a penalty shootout.
• Forfeit: A team will forfeit the game if they are not ready to play with a minimum of 4 players (including the goalkeeper) within 5 minutes of the scheduled kick-off time. A forfeit is recorded as a 0-3 loss against the team forfeiting.

• Equipment: All players must wear shin guards. 
• Referee Decisions: All referee decisions are final. No protests. Abusive language or dissent towards officials will not be tolerated and may result in a red card and/or suspension from the tournament.

Point System

• Win: 3 points
• Tie: 1 point
• Loss: 0 points
• Forfeit: A forfeited game will be recorded as a 3-0 victory for the non-forfeiting team.
• Group Play Tie-Breakers:
  • Points
  • Head-to-head
  • Goal Differential
  • Goals For
  • Shut-outs
  • Coin Toss

General Rules

FIFA Laws of the game apply except noted within:

• Refs: Only 1 referee per patch (Semi-finals and finals matches may include 3 refs at the discretion of the tournament director)
• Players: Each team shall field only seven players (inclusive of goalie). A team needs a minimum of 4 players to start/continue a match.
• Offside: There are no offside infractions
• Substitutions: Substitutions are “on the fly” and unlimited. Players must enter and exit the field from within 5 yards of the halfway line. Players must be off the field before the substitute can enter the field. Goalie change must occur during a stoppage and requires the referee’s assistance to stop the game during the change.

• Slide Tackles: No slide tackles for Over-40 and Over-50 divisions; slide tackles are allowed for all other divisions. Slide tackle will result in an Indirect Free Kick.
• Goal Kicks: Goal kicks can be taken from anywhere within the 6-yard area.
• Free Kicks: On a free kick, the opposing player must be at least 8 yards from the ball
• Penalty Kicks: Penalty kicks are awarded for fouls committed inside the penalty area.
  • For Fields with Full Size Goal (8’x24’): Penalty spot is 12 yards
  • For Fields with Smaller Goal (7’x21’): Penalty spot is 10 yards
• Red Cards: A player receiving a red card will be sent off and cannot be replaced. The player will also be suspended for the next game. Serious offenses may result in further disciplinary action.
• Sportsmanship: Weekend Warrior Soccer promotes a friendly and competitive environment. Good sportsmanship is expected from all participants.

FIGHTING will not be tolerated. A player red carded for fighting or violent conduct shall be banned from play for the remainder of the tournament for all teams they play for.

Normal red cards, follow normal rules, you sit out the next game for the team you were red carded for.

Each team is responsible for the actions of its players, managers, and fans. Any team or associated members causing termination of a match by the referee shall receive no points for the terminated game and may have points deducted from the overall standings. Three points toward the standings may be awarded to the opposing team for the termination. Any further misconduct may result in expulsion from the tournament