Kick It 3v3 Rules

Roster

Number of Players: Each team can have a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10 players on the roster.

Age & Name Confirmation: Each player should be prepared to present a hard or digital copy confirming age and name that matches signed waiver.

Equipment

Play Fair ATL will be providing game balls, goals, field lines, pennies (if needed), and referees.

Shoes: Players can wear any soccer shoes. The field is grass.

Uniforms: You should bring 2 different color matching shirts for your team. Pennies are available if there is a color conflict.

Jewelry: Please make all attempts to minimize the wearing of any jewelry during play to prevent injury to yourself or other players. Our goal is to protect all participants from being injured.

Field Dimensions

  • Width: 20 yards

  • Length: 30 yards

Goal Box

The goal box, measuring 8 feet wide by 4 feet deep, extends directly in front of the goal. Players may pass through the goal box but are prohibited from making contact with the ball while inside it. Any ball or part of a player’s body on the goal box line is considered inside the box. If a defender touches the ball in the goal box, a goal is awarded to the attacking team. If an offensive player makes contact with the ball inside the goal box, the opposing team is awarded a goal kick. If the ball stops completely inside the goal box, a goal kick is also awarded to the defending team.

Substitutions

Substitutions can be made on any stoppage.

Game Duration and Number of Games

Each match consists of two 12-minute halves, separated by a 3-minute halftime, or until a team scores 12 goals. Once the first team reaches 12 points the game is over. The half concludes when the time expires—goals scored after the buzzer will not count. Pool play matches that end in a tie remain tied, while playoff matches must have a winner.

Playoff Overtime

In the event of a tie during playoffs, a 3-minute sudden-death “Golden Goal” overtime period will be played. If the score remains tied, the game is decided by a penalty shootout using the three players who were on the field at the end of overtime. Each player will take a shot from the center kick-off mark.

Goal Scoring

A goal is valid only if the ball is played from the attacking half of the field. If the ball breaks the plane of the midfield line, it is considered in the offensive half.

Scoring System (Pool Play)

  • Win = 3 points

  • Tie = 1 point

  • Loss = 0 points

  • Forfeit = 5-0 loss

Tiebreakers (Pool Play)

If teams are tied in the standings, the following criteria are used to determine the ranking:

  1. Head-to-head result (applies only when two teams are tied)

  2. Goal difference in pool play

  3. Fewest goals conceded

  4. Total goals scored

  5. If still tied, coin flip.

Special Gameplay Rules

  • No Offsides: Offside rules do not apply in 3v3 soccer.

  • No Slide Tackling or Playing on The Ground: Players cannot slide tackle, slide to get the ball or play the ball while on the ground at any time. A play from the ground will result in an indirect kick.

3 Yard Rule

During all dead-ball situations, defenders must remain at least 3 yards away from the ball. If the defensive goal area is closer than 3 yards to the spot of the foul, the ball is placed 3 yards from the goal box in line with the original spot of the restart.

Restarts & Kicks

  • 5 Second Rule: Players have 5 seconds to restart the game or your opponent will be awarded the kick. This is at the referee's discretion.

  • Kick-Ins: Instead of throw-ins, the ball is restarted with a kick from the sideline.

  • Indirect Kicks: All dead-ball kicks—including kick-ins, free kicks, and kick-offs—are indirect, except for penalty kicks.

  • Goal Kicks: Can be taken from any point on the end line.

  • Kick-Offs: Can be played in any direction.

  • Penalty Kicks: The kick is taken from the kick-off spot with all other players behind the midfield line. If the penalty is missed, possession changes via a goal kick. Penalty kicks are not live plays.

Disciplinary Actions (Yellow & Red Cards)

Referees have the authority to eject players or bench personnel for misconduct or serious infractions.

  • Red Card: Results in ejection for the remainder of the match plus the next game.

  • Yellow Card: Must substitute out and not return for 2 minutes. The team does not have to play down a player.

  • Tournament Director Discretion: A player or coach may be removed for the remainder of the tournament at the discretion of the tournament director.

Sportsmanship

All players, coaches, and spectators are expected to uphold the principles of fair play and sportsmanship. Any abuse toward referees will result in the team’s immediate disqualification from the event.

Rule Interpretations

Any situation not explicitly covered in these rules will be resolved at the discretion of the tournament director.

Download Rules