2024 MICHIGAN KEEPER CHALLENGE

WELCOME TO THE 2024 MICHIGAN KEEPERS CHALLENGE

WHEN: JUNE 29TH 2024

WHERE: LEGACY SPORTS CENTER IN BRIGHTON, MICHGAN

COST: $100.00/PARTICIPANT

AGES: U12 THROUGH U18 BOYS AND GIRLS 

              MEN AND WOMEN OPEN

T-SHIRTS- ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE A MICHIGAN KEEPER CHALLENGE TSHIRT

PRIZES: INCLUDE TROPHIES, FREE ENTRANCE INTO NEXT YEARS COMPETION AND MORE

RULES OF COMPETITION

FIELD OF PLAY

• Minimum Length 18 yards, Maximum Length 24 yards
• Minimum Width 12 yards, Maximum Width 24 yards

AGES / GOAL SIZES

Age Groups: Players register by birth year. Birth year bracketing is based on the soccer calendar turning over on August 1st each year.

• 9U-11U Boys / 9U-11U Girls - 6.5 x 18.5 Goals
• 12U-13U Boys / 12U-13U Girls - 7' x 21' Goals
• 14U-15U Boys / 14U-15U Girls - 8' x 24' Goals
• 16U-17U Boys / 16U-17U Girls - 8' x 24' Goals
• 18U-19U Boys / 18U-19U Girls - 8' x 24' Goals
• 20U and Over Men/women - 8' x 24' Goals

LENGTH OF GAMES

The match duration is 2 halves of 3 minutes with keepers changing goals during 1-minute half-time.

FORMAT

Each goalie is guaranteed a minimum of 3-games

3 points are awarded for a win / 1 point for a tie / 0 points for a loss

Tiebreaker for playoffs:

• Points
• Head to Head               
  • In the event of a 3 way tie, head to head is taken out of consideration.

      

• Forfeits
• Least Goals Conceded (Goals Against)
• Goal Differential
• PK Shootout

Games during match play (round robin) can end in a tie.

All Playoff games will not be allowed to end in a tie. In the event of a draw during playoff competition, an overtime period will be played with 3 minutes of extra time, and sudden death.

Overtime: Overtime wins are scored with 1 more goal being given to the winner. (Actual goals scored during overtime will be documented in the public notes of that game.)

ShootOut: If after 3 minutes of Overtime, the game is still tied then the players go to PK sudden death.

RELEASE OF BALL

The release of the ball is the method by which a goalkeeper starts or restarts play and scores goals.

A goalkeeper may release the ball in the following ways from their hands or the ground:

• Throw
• Volley
• Dropkick
• Stationary kick
• Roll and kick

SIX-SECOND SHOOTING RULES

• Goalkeepers must distribute the ball within 6 seconds of taking possession of the ball. Possession means that goalkeeper firmly maintains control of the ball by catching it, stopping it, or receiving it from the sideline.
• In the event that the ball is not distributed within 6 seconds the designated goalkeeper will be called for a delay of game. A delay of game violation results in a change of ball possession.
• *Younger players can go all the way to the first line on their fields and shoot within 6 seconds.
• All small KW Fields will have a center section (dead zone) that neither keeper can go into during gameplay to shoot or save the ball.
• *Older groups have 6 seconds and 4 yards from their own goal line to try and score.

GOAL SCORE

• A goal is scored when the entire ball passes over the goal line, between the goal posts, and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the laws of the game has been committed prior to the goalkeeper distribution.
• A goal cannot be scored from the opponent’s shooting area.

STARTS / RESTARTS

• The referee will oversee a coin toss.  Whoever wins will decide if they want the ball first or pick which side of the field they start the game on.
• Keepers switch sides at the half.
• The keeper that did not start with the ball at the beginning of the match starts with the ball in the second half.

OUT OF PLAY

The ball is out of play when:

• It has entirely crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air.
• If a goalkeeper saves or deflects the ball out of bounds it remains your ball. If you are scored on the ball will restart in your hands to continue play.
• Ball shaggers are allowed to toss or roll the keeper the ball when needed.

BALL IN PLAY

• After the keeper makes a save he/she can attempt to score within the designated shooting area, using any type of distribution within 6 seconds.
• Rebound Rule: After the ball is deflected off the keeper or crossbar/post and enters the other players half they will have the chance to shoot a one time finish on any rebounds given up but ONLY if it enters their half of the field. Once the ball enters back into the original shooter's half of the field, the keeper can either shoot it one time up to the half line of the field OR bring it back to their original shooting area and not have to use one touch to score. If they bring it back to their original shooting area they have to shoot from the original shooting zone and not up to half.               
  • Any rebound that goes into the initial shooter's goal is not counted as a goal. This is played as an out of bounds and given to the opposing keeper as a restart. The keeper must have possession and follow all other rules in order to score on their opponent.

      

MATCH WINNER

The goalkeeper earning the greater number of goals by the end of the match is the winner.

PRIZES

CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS

Any or all rule modifications may be made at the tournament director's discretion including but not limited to:

• Field size
• Ball size
• Goal size
• Game duration
• Adjust the total number of matches

WEATHER RELATED STOPPAGE OF PLAY

If the weather stops playing during a match. For the match to count, the match must make it to half time to stand as an official match played. If a weather-related issue stops the match prior to making it to half time the match will be postponed. If the match is not able to continue due to weather, the game will not officially count as played.

If weather stops the event from completing and a minimum number of 3 games have been played, the event will be considered final. Standings will determine the winners.

If fewer than 3 games have been played, then a partial refund will be given or a transfer of the full registration fee to another event will be offered.

INJURIES

• Keepers must complete the match in order to win the match. Once a serious injury takes place, an Athletic trainer must state they are safe to continue to play the game. Once this takes place, parents and injured players are able to decide if they would like to continue.
• If a player drops out leading up to finals matches (quarterfinals, semifinals, or finals) the next highest ranked player in their bracket will be moved up in the injured player's position. *We strongly advise not leaving our event early if you are close to moving on to finals games due to this possibility.

CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY

• If the MICHIGAN KEEPER CHALLENG event , gets canceled, the participant registration fees may be transferred to another MICHIGAN KEEPER CHALLENGE EVENT. In some cases, a partial refund may be given.
• A partial refund or transfer of registration will only be given with advanced notice before the schedule is completed.
• Refunds will not be given without prior notification or if the player is a "No Show" on game day.