27th Annual
Bubble Chamber
Football Tournament
Rules

  1. The rules shall be the those of the Federation Internationale de Football Association, 1999 edition, except as mentioned below. You can find the FIFA Rules on the Web.

  2. Throw Ins. All throw-ins from the side line must be rolled so that the ball touches and remains on the ground within two yards from where it was released. The thrower must have both feet behind the side line when the ball is rolled. A foul throw will result in an indirect free kick to the opponents.

    Opponents must stand two yards away from the thrower or behind the nearest opponent. Failure to do this will result in an indirect free kick.

  3. Goal Kicks. Goal kicks must be rolled in the same manner as throw-ins from the side line. A foul throw will result in an indirect free kick from the penalty spot.

    If the goal keeper has the ball in the area other than for a goal kick (for example, after a save or backpass), he may either roll the ball out of the area or he may place the ball on the ground and kick it. In this case, he may roll or kick the ball to himself.

  4. Goal Areas. No player, except the defending goal keeper, my enter the goal area or touch the ball while it is over the goal area. For an attacker offense, an indirect free kick shall be taken by the goal keeper from anywhere within the area. For a defensive offense, a penalty kick will be given. If a defender enters the area to clear the ball and prevents an obvious goal, he will be sent off.

  5. Free Kicks. When a free kick or corner is taken, opponents must stand five yards away from the ball, unless it is within five yards of the defending side's goal area, in which case they may stand on the edge of the area. The attacking team may then, if they wish, move the ball away from the area in a direct line up to a distance of five yards away from the area.

  6. Penalty Kicks. Any number of steps may be taken previous to a penalty kick, however this must be within reason and is at the referee's discretion. All players must stand at least five yards away from the penalty spot. All players (except the defending goal keeper) must also stand behind the penalty spot (this is an 11-a-side rule).

  7. Offside. No offside laws will be applied in this tournament.

  8. Backpasses. No backpass restrictions shall apply in this tournament. However, if in the referee's opinion, backpasses are used to waste time, the offending player will be cautioned and an indirect free kick from the penalty spot will be awarded.

  9. Kick-off. The ball need not move forward from a kickoff. Opponents must stand five yards away from the ball until it is in play. All other eleven-a-side rules apply: Remember, you can score directly from a kick-off.

  10. Sliding tackles. No sliding tackles are permitted. This is dangerous play and will be sanctioned by an indirect free kick.

    This rule does not ban all slides. You may, for example, slide to keep a ball from rolling into touch so long as there are no opponents near the ball. Also, goal keepers are permitted to go down in order to make saves.

  11. No Studs. No studded footwear at all may be worn. Only astroboots, trainers, or plimsoles are permitted.

  12. Substitutes. To give everyone an opportunity to play, the will be no restriction on the number of substitutes or the time when substitutions may be made. However, no one may play for more than one team except in case of injuries. If a team has more than five substitutes however, they really should form a separate team.

  13. Time. Matches shall be composed of two eight-minute halves. However the organizers may vary this rule if required by circumstances.

  14. Interpretation. All matches must be played according to the referee's interpretation of the rules. It is the team captain's responsibility to make sure that his players know the rules.