The Brian Mejia-Paxtor 5v5 Memorial Soccer Tournament 

The tournament
The Brian Mejia-Paxtor tournament is a memorial tournament to honor and remember Brian, and to help raise funds for a scholarship prize for a graduating LHS male and female senior student.

To apply for the scholarship, current LHS Seniors can apply at www.LexUnifut.com.  The amount of the scholarship is dependent on the amount of funds received for registration.  For more information, please check out the Lexington Unifut Soccer Clubs website.

When
  • February 9th 5:30-9pm
  • February 10th 7am-9pm
  • February 11th 8am-8pm

Where
Number of Players
  • The game is played with five (5) players (one goalkeeper and four outfield players)
    • Teams need a minimum of three (3) players to start a game.
  • All substitutions can be made on the fly (no stoppage in play needed). 
  • Players must enter and exit at midfield. 
  • Roster size may not exceed 10 players per team. 
    • All players shall be listed on the official roster for each team prior to the first game.
Referee
  • There will be one referee per game. The referee will enforce the tournament rules during each game. Any decision made by the referee is final. The referee will be responsible for maintaining the game clock and reporting the final score to league officials. Scores and standings will be on www.lexunifut.com.
 
Equipment
  • All players must wear footwear indoor soccer shoes (no cleats), shin guards, and a consistent colored jersey (shirts must match in color). 
  • In the event of a jersey color conflict between the home and away teams, the home team will be responsible for changing to an alternate color.  Unifut will have pinnies in the event the home team does not have an alternate option.

Duration of the Game
  • A game will consist of two 12 minute halves, with a two-minute (2) halftime period. 
  • Once play begins, the clock will not stop until the end of the half (running clock). 
  • There are no time-outs, but a referee can stop the clock due to injuries.
  • The clock will start at the start of game time whether or not both teams are ready to play.  Teams need to be on the field and ready to play.
    • If 1 team is ready at the start of the game time, and the other team is still talking at the sideline, the play will start.
    • Official start of game occurs when ref blows their whistle.
    • Official end of play occurs at scoreboard buzzer.
 
Field Dimensions
  • 30 yards long x 25 yds wide with a 20’ arc goal area for goalkeepers centered on the goal

Ball Sizes
  • We will use indoor balls that are felt on the outside.  This is a requirement when using the facility.
  • 8U: Size 3
  • 9U-12U: Size 4
  • 14U and Up: Size 5

Age Groups and Flights
  • Lexington Unifut Soccer Club may combine age groups to ensure teams play games against different competition. Every effort will be made to keep teams in their requested age group.
  • It is our goal to have different divisions for boys and girls for the following ages.
 
Goalkeeper
  • If the goalkeeper does not release the ball from their hands within four (4) seconds, an indirect free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team at the top of the penalty area.
  • Goal Box area is a 20’ arc from the center of the goal

Build Out Line
  • There will not be a build-out line for any age division.

5v5 Clarifications
  • There is no offside and no slide tackling is allowed.
    • If a player is sliding for the ball, contact with any player(s) from the other team is NOT ALLOWED.
    • If a player slides and contact is initiated, a free kick shall be awarded.
    • This does not prevent players from sliding to stop/intercept a ball where contact is not initiated during the slide. Example: a player may slide to save a ball from going out-of-bounds. 
 
Restarts
  • Opposing players must be five (5) yards away from the ball on all restarts.
  • If a restart is not taken within ten (10) seconds, an indirect free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team.
    • Throw-in: The standards for throw-ins will be the same as they are when playing outdoors.
    • Goal Kicks: Goal Kicks can be taken from anywhere within the goal box.  The ball must be at a complete stop before kicking the ball into play. If the ball is placed at the goal box line, the ball must be touching the line.
    • Corner Kick: The ball is placed in the corner. A goal can be scored directly off a corner kick.
    • Free Kick: Direct and indirect free kicks.
 
Goal Sizes
  • Each age group will use the same goal sizes.  The goals are 6’x6’.

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT
Sportsmanship
All players are expected to conduct themselves appropriately.  Vicious fouls, and foul language directed to opponents or the referees will not be tolerated and will result in suspension for the remainder of the tournament.

Direct Free Kicks are awarded when any of the below offenses occur (penalty kick awarded when offense takes place inside the penalty area – kick to be taken from the top of the goal box.)
  • Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent
  • Jumps at an opponent
  • Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent
  • Charging an opponent 
  • Striking or attempting to strike an opponent
  • Holding an opponent
  • Pushing an opponent
  • Tackles or challenges an opponent
  • Handling the ball (except goalkeeper)
  • Impedes an opponent with contact
  • Throws an object at the ball, an opponent or match official, or makes contact with the ball with a held object
 
Indirect Free Kicks are awarded when any of the below offenses occur (if the offense takes place inside the penalty area – an indirect free kick is to be taken from the top of the penalty area in line with the goal).
  • Obstruction without contact
  • Dangerous play (includes sliding)
  • Preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from the hands or kicks or attempts to kick the ball when the goalkeeper is in the process of releasing it
  • When a player is guilty of dissent, using offensive, insulting, abusive language and/or action(s), or other verbal offenses
  • The goalkeeper picks up or touches with their hands a deliberate back pass (an indirect free kick from the top of the penalty area, or close to the spot of foul will be awarded).
  • The goalkeeper picks up or touches with their hands a throw-in from a teammate (an indirect free kick from the top of the penalty area, or close to the spot of foul will be awarded).
  • Too many players on the field. Includes players entering the field of play during substitutions. Players must be off the field before a substitute may enter.
  • Deliberate heading of the ball (only 10U age groups and below)
​
 Penalty Kicks 
  • Shall be awarded if, in the referee’s opinion, a scoring opportunity was nullified by an infraction (the infraction does not automatically result in a red card). 
  • Penalty kicks are dead ball infractions. If a goal is not scored, the defense obtains possession with a goal kick.
  • Penalty Kicks will be taken at the top of goal box arc with all players (on both teams) 5 yards behind the ball.
    • ​The ball must be touching part of the line.  
Ejections and Suspensions
  • Any player, coach, or spectator who is ejected (red card) from a game shall miss the remainder of that game, and an additional one-game suspension.
    • Any ejections after the first offense will result in removal from the tournament.
  • Any player who receives a Yellow card offense will need to be substituted.  The play stops to allow for substitution, but the clock keeps running.

 Forfeit
  • Teams will be provided a 5-minute grace period from the scheduled start time of their game. If they do not have the minimum number of players (3) after the 5-minute grace period that team will forfeit the game. The opposing team will receive 3 points and the game will be recorded as a 0-5 loss for the forfeiting team.

Final Score
  • Official game cards will be collected from referees after each game; scores will be recorded in available to view at https://events.htgsports.net/?eventid=12293#/.
  • Standings will updated live as scores are reported.
  • Point System
    • Win = 3
    • Tie = 1
    • Loss = 0
  • Tiebreakers
    • Most Total Wins
    • Goal Differential
    • Most Goals Scored
    • Least Goals Against
    • PK’s
      • Best of 3 shooters.  If still tied, sudden death rounds.

Refund Policy
  • In the event the tournament is canceled, teams will be allowed to receive a 100% refund, or the option for their registration fee to stay in the scholarship fund.