Top Tier 3v3 World Cup – Official Rules

Fast. Fun. Competition.

General Overview: All games follow FIFA rules unless modified below. The goal of the Top Tier 3v3 League is to promote fast, skillful, and character-driven soccer in a safe and energetic environment.

1. Roster & Eligibility

• Each team must have a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 players.
• Players must be registered and have a signed waiver before playing.
• Players may play up in age but not down.
• All divisions are co-ed to encourage inclusive play.

2. Equipment

• NO CLEATS. Turfs or Indoor shoes are required.
• Shin guards are required at all times.
• No jewelry may be worn during play.
• All players on a team must wear the same color shirt (numbers not required).
• If two teams have similar colors, the home team must change (or receive color pinnie).
• Whichever team that is listed first in the schedule is the "home" team.

3. Game Format

• Games consist of 6, 8-minute games per age group.
• Each team will play 4 games per night (2 rest periods)
• Minimum of 3 players required to start the game.
• No goalkeepers allowed – no hands
• There is no offside rule.
• Games are played at the outdoor soccer complex with boards.
• You can use the boards/net to bounce the ball and keep in play.
• Only out-of-bounds are on the cone line by the center circle. And if kicked completely out of the play area, ball restarts at back goal of the other team.
• If ball gets stuck in net on top of the boards, pull the ball out and play.

4. Restarts

• Kick-ins or dribble-ins replace throw-ins.
• Defenders must stand at least 3 yards away from restarts.
• All kickoffs are direct; all others are indirect unless a foul occurs.
• Restart at middle of field after a goal is scored.
• Substitutions for either team may be made with the referees acknowledgement after any deadball, including direct and indirect kicks. Repeated substitutions in an attempt to waste time may not be approved by the referee and may result in cards.

 5. Fouls & Discipline

• No slide tackling is permitted.
• No slamming opponent into boards.
• Physical or dangerous play results in a direct free kick from the foul spot.
• Yellow card = 2-minute sit-out. Red card = ejection from game.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct by players, coaches, or parents may result in removal from the facility.
• Penalty Kick is awarded if referee deems that a scoring opportunity was unfairly denied by a foul or rules violation (such as a slide tackle or hand ball). Kick is taken from the middle kick-off spot with all other players behind the midfield line. If penalty is missed and bounces in play, play resumes. Penalty kicks ARE live plays.

6. Scoring & Standings

• 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss.
• Tiebreakers: 1) Head-to-head 2) Goal difference 3) Fewest goals allowed 4) Most goals scored 5) Coin
• toss.
• No team should win by more than 7 goals (sportsmanship rule).
• A forfeited match is recorded as a 0-5 loss for the forfeiting team.
• Standings will be tracked weekly and posted online or on-site.

7. League Structure & Champion

• Round Robin format.
• Each team plays every other team in their division over the 5-week season.
• Schedule will rotate each week.
• Champions are crowned based on the total accumulated points at the end of the 5-week season.

8. Conduct & Culture

• All players and parents must model respect for referees and opponents.
• Top Tier Soccer Training emphasizes faith, fun, and sportsmanship.
• A short devotional or character thought may be shared each week to build a positive atmosphere