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 2026 RULES

 The SLO Friendly is a FRIENDLY recreational tournament: no game score is kept, there are no team standings, and no awards. Fighting is strictly prohibited; if a player is involved in a fight they will be kicked out of the tournament and may cause the entire team to be removed from the tournament as well. 

• Participating, instigating, or other involvement in a fight will result in immediate ejection from the game being played. The player(s), must leave the premises immediately, and is/are prohibited from participating in any remaining games. 
• Any team that has two or more fights during the tournament will result in the entire team being kicked out of the tournament. Any remaining games will not be played and no refunds will be issued. The entire team must leave the premises immediately and individual team members are not permitted to participate with any other teams or games in the tournament. Participation in future tournaments may also be denied. 

The SLO Friendly has adopted a coed 8 on 8 format and has special rules as follows: 

• No team may have more than 5 men playing concurrently, unless agreed upon by both teams and referee. There is no maximum number of women that can be on the field concurrently. 
• Off-sides will be called to the best of the ability of the ref. Do not argue with these calls. They will be doing their best. 
• All restarts from a dead ball are indirect kicks. There are no direct kicks from any dead ball situation. 
• All throw-ins are to be taken as kick-ins from within 1 yard of the touchline (either on or off the field). 
• Game start and other restarts (second half, after goals, and goal kicks) will be started by the goalkeeper either throwing the ball or kicking the ball from their area. As soon as the ball clears the penalty area, it is in play. 
• The ball is not allowed to cross the midfield line without first bouncing (on the field or another player) on goal kicks (by anyone) (Penalty: indirect free kick at midfield.) 
• Goalkeeper Distribution Rule 
  • The goalkeeper is prohibited from playing the ball over the midfield line on a goal kick or after handling the ball, whether by throwing, punting, or kicking it directly out of the air. If the goalkeeper places the ball on the ground after handling it, they may not then kick it over the midfield line. The only exceptions are: 
    • When the ball is played during open play without first touching the goalkeeper’s hands. 
    • When the ball is played from a set piece awarded after a foul. 
  • Penalty: Indirect free kick awarded to the opposing team at midfield. 
• All fouls are restarted with an indirect kick by the fouled team. If the foul is within the penalty box, it shall be pulled outside the penalty box and restarted by the fouled team as an indirect kick. 
• Substitutions are unlimited and are encouraged during the flow of play. 
• Game halves are to be 25 minutes. Half-times are to be 3 minutes or less. 

The SLO Friendly is a recreational format and has special rules as follows: 

• This is a recreational tournament. Goals are not counted, there are no team standings, no trophies, and every game starts in a tie and ends in a tie. 
• The goal is to play good soccer, not hurt anybody (including yourself), and have a fun day. 
• Referee calls are final; dissension will not be tolerated. 
• No slide tackling is allowed. 
• Always give the goalie the benefit of the doubt on 50/50 balls! If the goalie calls for the ball, the attacking player(s) should back off and allow the goalie to collect the ball without risk of collision. 
• If a referee deems a player too aggressive, the referee will show a blue card to the player and the player must sit out a minimum of 5 minutes (the player may be replaced on the field). 
• If the referee deems an aggressive player unable to participate recreationally (persistent fouls, continuous dissent, fighting, etc), the player must leave the game immediately and will miss the remainder of the games. Players or teams who show continued aggression will not be allowed back to future tournaments. No protests of this rule will be allowed. 
• Only registered players are allowed to play. Registered players are those whose names appear on an official SLO Friendly roster. 
• All players must be at least 18 years of age to play in the tournament. 
• If a team is short-handed, in the spirit of recreational soccer, players from the opposing team may play for the short-handed team. If there are no volunteers or both teams are short-handed, then the short-handed team may use Ringers. A Ringer is any SLO Friendly registered player. Team members from the two scheduled teams always have precedence over Ringers when substituting. 
• Shinguards are mandatory equipment for all players. Non-standard equipment that is considered dangerous to other players will not be allowed (i.e. helmets, casts, etc.). 
• Any ball you kick out of bounds, you are responsible for chasing immediately following the play. 
• If you are playing the final game on the field for the day, please assist the referees in collecting nets, balls, & corner flags. 
• The SLO Friendly reserves the right to prohibit any individual from playing in the tournament — regardless of previous disciplinary actions. 

HOME team is listed 1st on the schedule and shall change jerseys (or use a different color pinnie) in the event of a color conflict. Home team will choose the side they would like to defend first. 

AWAY team is listed 2nd and shall start the game with play from their keeper. 

Each field will have 3 balls assigned to the field, please ensure that you have 3 balls to start and end the game.