February 1 - 2
GFI Battlegrounds
THE ultimate soccer showdown
No matter your academy, this tournament is your chance to showcase your talent and represent where you come from—prove your team has what it takes to dominate the field!
Gameplay Breakdown
Matches follow a 5v5 play format with each half lasting 15 minutes and a 5-minute halftime break. Teams can have a maximum of 10 players on their roster, with a minimum of 5 players required to compete. Teams must arrive at their assigned field at least 15 minutes before their scheduled game for referee or tournament official inspection. Games will begin promptly as scheduled, and teams not ready to play on time forfeit the match.
1st and 2nd place team in each bracket will receive awards!
Bring your A-game and compete for glory! The top two teams in each bracket will take home special awards to celebrate their hard-fought victories. Whether you finish first or second, this is your chance to earn recognition and bragging rights. Who will rise to the top? It’s time to find out!
FAQs
Age Brackets: U9-U10 | U11-U12 | U13-U15
Play Format: 5v5
Game Length, per half: 15 minutes
Half Time: 5 minutes
Roster Limit: 10 players
Minimum Players: 5 players
The rules of play shall be the FIFA “Laws of the Game” except as modified by US Soccer, US Youth Soccer, and South Texas Youth Soccer Association, unless modified by the tournament rules, and in the case of conflict the tournament rules below shall take precedence. The tournament director shall decide all matters not explicitly covered by the rules that need to be addressed during the tournament. The judgement of the tournament director is final.
All outfield players must wear a team uniform of a color that is distinguishable from the uniform of the opposing team and the referee. The referee may approve the use of any alternative number for a player. If a team's uniform colors conflict with the opposing team the home team will be asked to wear bibs.
Unlimited substitutions are allowed, but all substitutions require the permission of the referee. Substitutions are allowed:
- Prior to a throw-in
- Prior to a goal kick, by either team
- After a goal is scored, by either team
- After a stoppage due to an injury
- After a player is cautioned
- At half time, by either team
- During water breaks, by either team
Any player that is:
- Not on the official team roster for the tournament OR
- Found to be impersonating a player that is on the official team roster OR
- Found to be older than the age group of the team on which they play is defined as an illegal player.
A team that uses an illegal player, whether as player on the field, or as a substitute in uniform on the bench, shall be disqualified from the tournament and forfeit ALL games. The tournament director shall make the final determination in any investigation regarding the suspected use of an illegal player.
There shall be a team side and a spectator side of the field. A maximum of four (4) team officials may be on the team side of the field. The team coach, or other designated team official, is responsible for:
- Ensuring that the spectators of their team are on the correct side of the field
- Controlling their behavior.
A referee may stop or abandon a game if the behavior of the spectators cannot be controlled and the game may be awarded by forfeit to the opposing team.
Teams earn points based on their performance in each game. A win awards 6 points, a tie earns 3 points, and a loss results in 0 points. Forfeits are penalized with 10 points awarded to the opposing team.
Teams can also earn bonus points:
- 1 point per goal scored, up to a maximum of 3 bonus points per game.
- 1 bonus point for a shutout if your team keeps the opponent from scoring.
Any team that forfeits a game during the tournament will not be eligible to advance to a final or be declared the champion.
Tie breakers shall not be used in qualifying games, and teams shall be awarded the points associated with the score of the tied game. Tie breakers shall be used to determine which teams advance to a final, as required, if teams finish qualifying play with an equal number of points and not all of the teams can advance. The following sequence of tie breakers shall be used to determine the advancing team(s):
- Result of head-to-head game - not used if more than two (2) teams are tied.
- Goal difference - total goals for, minus total goals against, with no limit on goals scored or conceded per game.
- Total goals against – with no limit on goals conceded per game.
- Penalty shoot-out For finals only, ties shall be broken by a penalty shoot-out, immediately after regulation time (no overtime periods). Only players on the field at the end of regulation time may participate in the penalty shoot-out.
U9-U10
$400 per team.
U11-U12
$450 per team.
U13-U15
$500 per team.
There will be a $50 late registration fee if your team registers after January 27, 2025.
A team withdrawing from the tournament after being accepted shall forfeit its entry fee. It will not be rescheduled for another date and no refunds will be issued once play has begun.