1.1 Troops may enter as many teams as they wish (max entries 16, First - come: First - served).

1.2 Venue & timings to be confirmed.

1.3 Teams will receive 3 points for a win and 1 for a draw. The top two teams in each Group will qualify for the knockout stages. Group placings will be decided by points gained, followed by goal difference, followed by goals scored, followed by head to head, followed by a penalty shoot out.

1.4 Drawn games in the knockout stages will be decided by three penalty kicks to each team, then a sudden death shoot-out.

1.5 The decision of the referee in all matters pertaining to the playing rules of an individual game is final. 

1.6 Incidences of indiscipline, poor sportsmanship or un Scout-like behaviour from players or supporters will result in teams forfeiting games or being disqualified from the Competition as a whole.

PLAYING RULES

2.1 Teams should wear matching shirts, Scouts scarves or some other form of identification.

2.2 Each team may field four outfield players and a goalkeeper on the pitch at any time. They may also have one substitute.
A MAXIMUM of 3 of these 6 players can be aged 12 & ½ and over.  Scouts can only play for one team and will not be allowed to switch teams once they have played.                                                                                

2.3 Number of substitutions are unlimited and may only be made when the ball is dead, with the referee's consent. 

2.4 Teams may not change their goalkeeper more than once during the course of a game. A change of goalkeeper must be authorised by the referee.

2.5 No studded footwear, moulded studs or blades are permitted for any player in any match, trainers only.

2.6 Any team member with a rigid plaster on any part of their body will not be permitted to play

2.7 Duration of matches will be two halves of five minutes each way. 

2.8 Each game will begin with one team taking a centre (the ball must be played backwards). After a goal has been scored the game will be restarted in a similar manner. If two halves, the team who did not kick off at the start will re-start as above.

2.9 Only the defending goalkeeper is allowed to play the ball inside the goal area and only he may handle the ball in this area. 

2.10 An outfield player gaining or seeking to gain an advantage by entering his own goal area will have penalty kick awarded against his team.

2.11 An outfield player entering his opponent's penalty area will be penalised. The game will be restarted as per rule 2.13. 

2.12 A goalkeeper gaining or seeking to gain an advantage by leaving his area or by playing the ball when it is outside the area will cause a penalty to be awarded against his team.

2.13 The goalkeeper must return the ball into play by rolling it out of his area with an under-arm bowling action. A teammate receiving it in this way may not return the ball directly to the goalkeeper, the-ball must first make contact with either another teammate or an opponent. In the event of such a back pass an indirect free-kick will be awarded against the offending team from the place where the defending player returned the ball.

2.14 The ball must not be played above head height. An indirect free kick will be awarded against the last player to touch the ball before it goes above head height, regardless of intent.

2.15 The ball will remain in play if it inadvertently goes above head height after rebounding from the goalkeeper, crossbar or kickboard.

2.16 If the ball goes out of play off of the goalkeeper, the game will be restarted as per rule 2.13 by the same goalkeeper. 

2.17 A goal may be scored from any point within the field of play. The only exception is that goalkeepers may not score in their opponents goal.

2.18 No slide tackles are allowed. An indirect free kick will be awarded against the offending player's team. 

2.19 Free kicks for fouls are direct. All other free kicks are indirect. Observe the referees signal. Opposition players must be at least five feet from where any free kick is taken. Players may only take one step before striking penalty kicks.

DISCIPLINARY REGULATIONS 

3.1 In order to reduce the number of incidents that require sending offs, we have introduced a 2 minute sin bin. A sin may be used on its own or in conjunction with a yellow card. Offences that a sin bin may be used for are the following:

Forms of bad language or abusive comments directed towards other players or referees.
Forms of over aggressive play -(i.e forcing players into the boards etc) Persistent foul play not sufficient for a yellow card. 

To "sin bin" a player, the referees will ensure the team the offending player is on reduces to 4 players (including goalie) for the entire two minutes -even if goals are scored. The offending player must be off for the entire two minutes. (Note: all yellow cards cautions are to be accompanied by a 2 minute sin bin)

3.2 A player yellow carded during or after a match will automatically miss the next match. The team may start with 5 players. 

3.3 A player sent off for serious foul play, foul and abusive language or a second cautionable offence will be suspended for the rest of the tournament.

3.4 If a team is permanently reduced to three players, then the game will end. The match will be awarded 5-0 to their opponents. If the score at that time produces a goal difference greater than 5-0 then that score will stand.