First Annual ACDC Five-a-side Tournament

The intra-team tournament is currently scheduled for Sunday March 1 at the Gunston Bubble in Arlington. It is field turf and we'll have no walls. Small goals and no keeper.

I thought we should post the "rules" here, and addendum as we approach the tournament date. We'll get referees for the games, but since we can't afford "real" refs, I'm planning to tap the spouses and significant others of our players for the jobs. That, I'm sure, will generate its own hilarity.

So, here are the "rules" so far:

1) Games will have 20" halves. In first round games, a draw will be accepted as a final result. For the championship game, teams will play for a "golden goal" until a winner is declared.

2) In the first round, 3 points will be awarded to winning squad. One point each squad if a draw results. Zero points for losing squad.

3) First round is "round robbin." The 2 squads with the highest point total will play in champinoship game. If there's a tie in points, then first tie-breaker is "head-to-head" results and second tie-breaker is goal differential.

4) No offsides, no slide tackle, no goalkeepers.

5) Each squad must have at least one woman on the roster. There is no specific requirement for gender ratio on the pitch, but each woman on the roster must play at least half of each game.

6) The "Zaidi rule" is in effect at all times. We will play corners. Out of bound re-starts are all kick-ins, no throw ins.

7) Substitutions are done "on the fly," but must enter the field of play from the defensive side.

8) The pitch will be approx 25 yds X 40 yds. The goals are semicircular, 6 ft at the base, curving up to 3.5 fit at the tallest part of the semicircle. Goal-tending, i.e. placing a player in front of goal, is legal but discouraged (unsportman-like).

9) Goal kick cannot cross the center line unless it touches a player first. Violation will lead to a free kick for the opposing team at the center line where the ball crosses. Goals can only be produces from shots on the same side of the field as the goal itself, unless it touches a player before going in. Balls that go into the goal from beyond the center line results in a goal kick.

10) The manager will be protected at all times. Anyone who fouls the manager penguin will have their heads chopped off with a blunt knife.

These rules will be amended and will be final 24 hours before games start. Vae Vicits, baby!