Rules for 3v3 Football Tournament:

1. Team Composition:

• Players: Each team consists of 4 players (3 outfield players and 1 goalkeeper).
• Teams: Each can have maximum of 7 players.

2. Match Duration:

• • Game time: Matches are typically played in two halves 10 minutes each, with a brief halftime (usually 2 minutes). No clean time is played.
• Overtime: There are no overtimes.

3. Playing Area:

• Field size: The playing field is smaller than a standard football pitch, typically around 20m x 10m (or adjusted based on the space available).
• Goals: The goals are smaller, usually around 2m x 1m (goalkeeper size may vary depending on the competition).

4. Kick-off and Restart of Play:

• Kick-off: Matches begin with a kick-off from the center spot. After each goal, play is restarted with a kick-off from the center of the field.
• Restarts after the ball goes out of bounds:
  • Kick-ins: When the ball goes out over the sideline, the game restarts with a kick-in from the sideline (not throw-ins).
  • Goal kicks: When the ball goes over the goal line and last touched by an attacking player, the goalkeeper takes a goal kick from within the goal area.
  • Corner kicks: When the ball goes out of bounds over the goal line and was last touched by a defending player, a corner kick is awarded.

5. Scoring:

• Goal: A goal is scored when the ball completely crosses the goal line between the goalposts and beneath the crossbar.
• No offside: There is no offside rule in 3v3 football, so players can move freely across the field.

6. Rules for the Ball:

• Ball handling: Outfield players must use their feet to control and play the ball; goalkeepers may use their hands within their penalty area.
• Goalkeeper restriction: Goalkeepers may not leave their designated goal area and should not hold the ball for more than 4-5 seconds.
• No back-passing to the goalkeeper: Teams cannot pass the ball back to their goalkeeper for them to pick up with their hands. It’s typically allowed to pass back using the feet.

7. Goalkeeper Rules:

• Goalkeeper movement: The goalkeeper must not stay only inside their designated area (a small box around the goal), but may use in the area their hands within the box.
• Goalkeeper possession: Goalkeepers may only hold the ball for 4-5 seconds. After that, they must release it into play (often by kicking or rolling it).

8. Fouls and Free Kicks:

• Fouls: Standard football fouls such as tripping, handball, pushing, and dangerous play are penalized with a free kick from the spot of the foul.
• Direct free kick: Some fouls (like reckless tackles) will result in a direct free kick, meaning the player can shoot at goal.
• Indirect free kick: Other fouls (such as a back-pass or dangerous play) may result in an indirect free kick, where the ball must touch another player before a goal can be scored.

9. Penalties:

• Penalty kicks: A penalty kick is awarded for more serious fouls (such as a foul inside the penalty area or a clear goal-scoring opportunity).
• Penalty shootout: In case of a tie at the end of regulation time, penalty shootouts will usually decide the winner. Each team takes alternating shots, and the team with more successful shots after a set number of kicks wins.

10. Substitutions:

• Substitutions: These are typically unlimited. Substitute players can come in and out, but they must enter and exit at the designated area.

11. Conduct:

• Fair play: All players are expected to behave sportsmanlike. Serious misconduct or aggressive behavior could result in a yellow or red card, a penalty, or even disqualification from the tournament.

12. Other Rules:

• No slide tackling: Slide tackles are not allowed in 3v3 football to prevent injuries in the smaller space.