The Rules

The tournament will have a qualifying phase and a final phase.

INTERNATIONAL RULES

BASES

The international Free Kick Master Tournament named “Free Kick Master U.S.A.” will take place in the MGM Grand Garden Arena of Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 27 - 29, 2010.
A total of 24 free kick specialist and 6 goalkeepers will compete.
6-8 players with “wild card” will compete.

I. THE FIRST ROUND

24 players and 6 goalkeepers will compete in the first round.
The players will be divided into 6 groups of 4.
Each of the 6 goalkeepers will be assigned to one of the groups.
The 4 best goalkeepers will carry on to the next round.
The best player (1º) from each group will qualify for the next round.
The players will kick 2 times from 3 different distances, 18, 21 and 25 metres and 1 time from 30 metres. The player will start at 18 metres, then 21 m., 25 m. and finally 30 metres.

After all 7 kicks, the player will have a Golden ball. The player may kick from whichever distance he chooses, including the bonus 30 metres, and will obtain double of points when kicking for the Golden ball.
At each distance, the player has the right to choose the position from which he will kick, left, right or centre.
The referee will control the distances, regulated by FIFA.
The referee and the commission table will give the sign for the beginning of the kicks.

The scoring:

From 18 metres: 10 points.

From 21 metres: 15 points.

From 25 metres: 20 points.

From 30 metres: 30 points.
The final scoring will be obtained by adding up the points obtained (the goals and the goalposts) from each of the distances.
If the player hits one of the goalposts; he will obtain 2 points from the distance of 18 metres, 4 points from 21 metres, 6 points from 25 metres and 10 points from 30 metres. When kicking for the Golden ball, he will obtain the double of points.
If after the final scoring there are two players with the same number of points, it will be decided by drawing lots who goes to the final round.

II. THE FINAL

The 6 players that qualify from the first round will be joined by 6 “wild card” players, and the 4 best goalkeepers.
There will be two goals, where 2 players will kick at the same time.
The players will kick 2 times from 3 different distances, 18, 21 and 25 metres and 1 time from 30 metres. The player will start at 18 metres, then 21 m., 25 m. and finally 30 metres.
After all 7 kicks, the player will have a Golden ball. The player may kick from whichever distance he chooses, including the bonus 30 metres, and will obtain double of points when kicking for the Golden ball.
At each distance, the player has the right to choose the position from which he will kick, left, right or centre.
The referee will control the distances, regulated by FIFA.
The referee will give the sign for the beginning of the kicks.

The scoring:

From 18 metres: 10 points.

From 21 metres: 15 points.

From 25 metres: 20 points.

From 30 metres: 30 points.
There will be six groups of two players chosen by draw.
The three first groups will kick with the 1º and 2º goalkeepers.
The second groups will kick with the 3º and 4º goalkeepers.
After all kicks, and having the scoring of the 12 players, the 1º and 2º qualified will kick for the 1º and 2º place with the 1º and 2º goalkeepers classified with the 1º and 2º place.
The players classified with the 3º and 4º place will kick for the 3º and 4º place with the 3º and 4º goalkeepers classified with the 3º and 4º place.

In case of two player with the same score to be 1º classified, they will kick again, starting from 18 metres until one of them loose. In the same case but to be 3º or 4º classified, it will be decided by drawing lots.

NOTE: Every player will have 20 seconds to prepare himself for the kicks – from taking the position of the wall and giving the sign by the referee, until the execution of the kick.

When kicking in a goal, the other goal will prepare the wall for the kicking.

III. GOAL KEEPERS

After finishing the first round, the four goalkeepers, those with the lowest number of penalty points, will pass to the Final.
After the final, the goalkeeper with the lowest penalty points will be declared the champion.

The scoring:

· The keeper will receive 5 penalty points if he lets a goal in from 18 metres.
· The keeper will receive 10 penalty points if he lets a goal in from 21 metres.
· The keeper will receive 15 penalty points if he lets a goal in from 25 metres.
· The keeper will receive 30 penalty points if he lets a goal in from 30 metres.
If goalkeepers have the same lowest number of penalty points, it would be decided by drawing lots who will qualify for the next stage.

IV. REFEREES

All of the referees will supervise all of the groups.

V. TROPHIES

Three trophies to the world’s best free kick takers:

· The gold trophy to the first qualified player.
· The silver trophy to the second qualified player.
· The bronze trophy to the third qualified player.

(Besides the trophies the three winners will receive an important prize from the organisation).
Trophy for the best goalkeeper (The one who with the least number of goals) and also an important prize.

VI. THE ORGANISATION SYSTEM

Players will use the uniform decided by the organization.
It is very important that each player bring his own uniform.

VII. THE FREE KICK WALL

There will be a minimum of 15 wall boys (3 walls of 5) between the ages of 18 and 20 who will be from the local region.
The walls will change after every group.
The wall boys will be fully equipped – with football boots, shorts, long socks and shirts supplied by Free Kick Master.

VIII. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What happens if a goalkeeper gets injured?

A: The reserve keeper will take his place and will compete, taking the points of the goalkeeper injured. In case that the reserve keeper is not classified, the best classified will compete.
What happens if a player gets injured?

A: He finish his participation in the competition.