Peter Creek Cup - Official Tournament Rules

Revised Sep. 17, 2025

1. Jurisdiction & Dispute Resolution

  • The Tournament Committee, overseen by Oaklyn United FC’s President and the President’s designees, hold ultimate authority over all rules and rulings; their decisions on disputes is final.

  • These rules may be amended by the Tournament Committee at any time.

2. Format of Play

  • Team size: 5-v-5 (no designated goalkeepers); maximum 8 players allowed on roster.

  • Rosters and eligibility: Rosters must be provided by teams prior to the launch of the tournament via the method designated at time of registration; no players other than those named on the roster and who have signed an official release and waiver are allowed to participate.

  • Match length: 1x 15-minute play period; 3 points are awarded for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a loss

  • Ball: Standard futsal ball (size 4 recommended).

  • Surface: Hockey rink floor, with boards in play.

  • Blue cards: In addition to standard yellow and red cards, referees may issue a blue card which incurs a 2-minute power play for the opposing team. The blue-carded player must leave the court and their team must play with one less player for two full minutes. Blue-carded players may only re-enter the field of play when the referee signals they may do so.

  • No goals within own half: For a goal to count, the scoring player must take the shot from within their opponent’s half. A shot taken on the halfway line is considered “in” the opponent’s half; a goal scored in such a fashion would count. A shot taken from within a team’s own half that deflects off an opponent or the boards before crossing the goal line does not count.

  • Restarts: In the event a ball becomes unplayable - for instance, if the ball stalls in the crease or becomes lodged on top of a net, the referee may stop pay at his or her discretion. Play will be restarted with either a contested or un-contested drop ball, at the referee’s discretion.

2. Goal & Crease Rules

  • No Goalkeepers: There are no designated goalkeepers.

  • Crease Rule:

    • Each team has a marked crease in front of their goal.

    • No defending player may occupy their crease while playing the ball. In other words, a player running into or standing in the crease to stop a goal-bound shot is in violation of the rule. A foot “on the line” is considered “inside” the crease.

    • A defensive player stepping inside the crease area while playing the ball results in an immediate penalty kick to the other team. Defenders may walk, run, or stand inside of their own crease but may not play the ball within the crease.

3. Out-of-Bounds & Restarts

  • Boards in play: The ball remains in play if it rebounds off the boards.

  • Leaving the field: If the ball leaves the rink (over the boards or into netting), the team who was not the team that last touched the ball is awarded a kick-in from a spot nearest where the ball went out. Opponents must stand at least three feet away from the player conducting the kick-in.

4. Substitutions

  • On the fly: Unlimited substitutions allowed at any time. Players leaving the field of play for a substitution may not play the ball on their way out; the penalty for violation of this rule is an immediate blue card.

5. Kick-offs, Free Kicks & Penalties

  • Kick-off: Taken from center spot; ball may be played in any direction.

  • Free kicks: Opponents must stand at least 3 feet away.

  • Penalty kicks:

    • Awarded for crease violations OR fouls that result in denial of goal scoring opportunities even outside of the crease (i.e. “last man” scnearios”, and deliberate handballs that stop goal-bound shots.

    • A referee may, at his or her discretion, award a PK for DOGSO fouls if the fouled player was very likely to score.

    • Penalites will be taken from a designated penalty spot.

    • Players are allowed a maximum of one step in their run-up when taking a penalty kick.

    • During penalties, the defending team may designate a player to act as a goalkeeper for the kick. As soon as the kick is taken, and if the kick is missed or saved, the temporary goalkeeper reverts back to a regular player and is subject to the crease rules. If they play the ball from within the crease to save a follow-up shot, they are in violation of the crease rule and another penalty kick will be awarded against them.

6. Ball in Play & Restarts

  • Kick-ins: Replace throw-ins. Ball placed on ground, must be stationary, and kicked in.

7. Fouls & Infractions

  • Standard futsal/indoor rules apply (tripping, holding, dangerous play, etc.).

  • Accumulated fouls: At referee discretion, persistent infringement may result in penalty kick or temporary suspension (blue card 2-minute sit-out).

  • Slide tackles: Prohibited (except to block or intercept if no opponent is endangered).

8. Refereeing & Conduct

  • Referee decisions are final except in the case of review by the Tournament Committee.

  • Unsporting behavior (abuse, dissent, violent conduct) may result in immediate ejection.

  • The PCC maintains a zero tolerance policy for any abusive, hateful, or antisocial conduct. Any player or spectator found to be in violation of this policy will be reported to the Tournament Committee and may be ejected from the grounds. All players and spectators are encouraged to report any violations of this policy to a marshal or a member of the Tournament Committee.

9. Tournament Format

  • Group stage: Round-robin within groups.

  • Points system: Win = 3 pts, Draw = 1 pt, Loss = 0 pts.

  • Tie-breakers: Head-to-head → Goal difference → Goals scored → Coin toss.

  • Knockout stage: If tied at full time, match proceeds directly to penalty shootout (3 kicks per team, then sudden death).

10. Safety & Fair Play

  • Shin guards are optional, but encouraged.

  • Jewelry must be removed or taped.

  • All players must sign the designated waiver before participation.

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