FOS End of Season Playoff Tournament Format

General Information

All upper division teams play in the playoff tournament for their respective division. Seeding is determined by the regular season standings.

Win
3 Points
Draw
1 Point
Loss
0 Points
Tiebreaker
  1. Coach head-to-head record
  2. Least goals allowed
  3. Coin toss

All regular season rules apply for End of Season Playoff Tournaments with the following exceptions:

  • Teams are not required to play at equal strength.
  • No match may end in a tie.

Overtime Format

In the event of a tie at the end of regulation 5-minute Overtime Periods will be played to determine the winner.

Coaches will have three (3) minutes at the end of regulation to select the players for the 1st Overtime Period. Divisions that play 11v11 will select nine (9) players. Divisions that play 9v9 will select seven (7) players. These players did not have to be on the field at the end of regulation. All other players report to the sideline.

A coin toss will be held. The higher seeded team will call the flip. The winner of the coin toss selects which goal they want to defend for the 1st Overtime Period. Between each Overtime Period teams will switch goals.

Each 5-minute Overtime Period will commence with a contested drop ball at midfield. One player from each team may be inside the Center Circle for the drop ball. All other players must remain outside the Center Circle until the ball is touched.

All regular FIFA and division specific season rules apply for Overtime Periods with the following exceptions:

  • There will be NO goalkeepers.
  • There will be NO Offside calls.
  • Substitutions are allowed only between Overtime Periods or in the case of an injury. If an injured player comes off, the opposing team will be allowed one substitution at the same time (i.e. one for one).
  • If a penalty kick is awarded during any Overtime Period, the defending team may place a defender on the goal line in front of the net. This defender is not a goalkeeper and therefore may use any part of their body except their hands during the penalty kick.

If the score remains tied at the end of the 1st Overtime Period, each team will have two (2) less players on the field for the 2nd Overtime Period. For divisions that play 11v11, if the score remains tied at the end of the 2nd Overtime Period, each team will again have two (2) less players on the field for the 3rd Overtime Period. Once 5v5 is reached by the reduction of players no further reductions will occur (not counting red cards) for any subsequent Overtime Periods. Players at the start of each Overtime Period did not have to be on the field at the end of the preceding Overtime Period. The table shows the format for divisions that play 11v11. Divisions that play 9v9 would start at 7v7 and only reduce once.

Overtime Period Match Format Substitutions? Goalkeepers? Offside Calls?
1st Period 9 v 9 (less red cards) NO NO NO
2nd Period 7 v 7 (less red cards) NO NO NO
3rd Period On 5 v 5 (less red cards) NO NO NO

Coaches will have only one (1) minute between Overtime Periods to remove players and perform substitutions.

Any red cards given during an Overtime Period will be treated as if issued during regulation. This means that the team will play a player down for the remainder of the match for each player issued a red card.

The match will end upon the score of a goal by either team – the “Golden Goal” rule.

Download an offline copy here: FOS End of Season Playoff Tournament Format