Event-Day Information

• Check-in is required for everyone by 11:50 AM.
• Bring your ticket QR code or provide your name. We can scan your ticket or look you up at check-in.
• Matches start on time. If you are more than 2 minutes late to your match, you will be disqualified. The clock will start on time.
• Bring indoor shoes, water, shin guards, goalkeeper gloves, and your favorite goalkeeper jersey — hopefully a Lair Athletics one! 🙂

Live bracket and schedule: lairathletics.com/pages/lair-athletics-keeper-wars

Tournament Format & Advancement

• Ages 9–11: 6 keepers in two equal groups of 3. Each group plays a three-match round robin, and each group winner advances to the division final. There are 7 matches total.
• Ages 12–13: 6 keepers in two equal groups of 3. Each group winner advances to the division final. There are 7 matches total.
• Ages 14–16: 6 keepers in two equal groups of 3. Each group winner advances to the division final. There are 7 matches total.
• Open Division: 8 keepers play in one league table with no groups. Every keeper plays 3 league matches. The top 4 qualify for semifinals: #1 vs #4 and #2 vs #3. The semifinal winners meet in the final. There are 15 Open matches total.

Schedule & Venue

• Soccer 5, 8729 216th St SE Building C, Woodinville, WA 98072.
• Check-in: 11:50 AM.
• Field 2 is available from 12:00–4:00 PM. Field 3 is available from 12:00–1:30 PM.
• Youth matches begin at 12:15 PM. Open Division league play begins at 1:51 PM.
• Open semifinals begin at 3:03 PM, and the Open final begins at 3:19 PM.
• Awards and event finish are scheduled for 3:30 PM.

Referee Assignments

• Justin: all Ages 9–11 matches, all Ages 14–16 matches, and the Field 3 Ages 12–13 matches.
• Dorian: all Open Division matches, including both semifinals and the final, plus the Field 2 Ages 12–13 matches.

Match Format

• Each match lasts 3 minutes plus stoppage time. The clock runs continuously except for injuries or an official stoppage.
• Goalkeepers compete one-on-one, defending their own goal and attacking the opposite goal.
• The goalkeeper with the most goals at the final whistle wins.
• A coin toss determines who starts with the ball. After each goal, the goalkeeper who conceded restarts.

Scoring & Tiebreakers

• A win earns 3 points, a tie earns 1 point, and a loss earns 0 points.
• Standings are determined by total points, goal differential, total goals scored, and fewest goals allowed.
• If a tie remains, the tournament director may use a sudden-death shootout, coin toss, or advancement override based on the schedule.
• If a championship match is tied, the referee may use sudden death with alternating attacks or a timed sudden-death period to keep the event on schedule.

Attacking & Defending Rules

• Goalkeepers may score by throwing, rolling, kicking from the ground, punting, drop-kicking, or shooting a loose rebound.
• The ball must leave the goalkeeper’s hands within 6 seconds of clear possession.
• A goalkeeper may not run across midfield while carrying the ball, waste time, shoot after leaving the designated release area with the ball in hand, or intentionally direct the ball at an opponent’s head from close range.
• Goalkeepers may use their hands inside their designated goalkeeper area. Players must remain on their own half while defending.
• Sliding challenges must be controlled and directed toward the ball. Dangerous contact and reckless collisions are not allowed.
• The ball remains live after a save, post, or crossbar. Once the referee calls possession, the opponent must retreat for the restart.

Fouls & Disqualification

• The referee may award possession, disallow a goal, issue a warning or card, or remove a player for dangerous contact, deliberate handball outside the permitted area, time wasting, unsporting behavior, abuse, interfering with a restart, leaving the field without permission, or illegal equipment.
• Serious misconduct may result in immediate disqualification. Referee decisions are final.
• Being more than 2 minutes late to a scheduled match results in disqualification.

Equipment

• Goalkeeper gloves, athletic clothing, shin guards, appropriate indoor footwear, and a goalkeeper jersey.
• Players should wear a shirt color that does not conflict with the opponent when possible.
• No jewelry, metal cleats, casts, or unsafe equipment are permitted.

Sportsmanship

• Respect opponents, referees, staff, and spectators.
• No trash talk, taunting, or arguing calls.
• Parents and spectators must remain outside the competition area.
• Coaches and parents may encourage players but may not argue calls or coach from behind the goals.

Tournament Authority

Lair Athletics staff may adjust match length, rest periods, field dimensions, or tiebreaker procedures when needed for safety, competitive fairness, or the scheduled finish. The tournament director’s decision is final.