Goalkeeper Wars is a 1V1 Goalkeeper vs Goalkeeper competition. This competition allows goalkeepers to showcase their ability in a fun environment.

How to play the game:
In this 1v1 challenge, goalkeepers will stand face-to-face approximately 18-24 yards away, taking turns attempting to score on their opponent. The game will have two 3-minute halves with a 1-minute half-time. The player who has the most goals at the end of the time wins. This game will challenge your ability to distribute, stop shots, strategize, and push your fitness limits. Each player will play at least 4 matches. Three matches in the Group Stage and one match in the elimination round. Brackets are divided into different age groups and are limited to 16 players. 

A minimum of 8 players per group is needed, or the tournament will be restructured. For more information on the rules, check out the drop-down menu below. 

AGES 8-18, click below to register for Diamante Goalkeeper Wars (only 16 spots available per age group):

When: 
June 20, 2026

Where:
Lancaster Bible College
901 Eden Rd
Stadium Turf field
Lancaster, PA 17602

1. Insurance Card
2. Gloves
3. Cleats
4. Water Bottle
5. Lawn Chair
6. Sunblock
7. Tent (optional, must have weights – NO STAKES)

Awards: Awards will be given out to the first and second-place winners.
The first-place winner will also have the honor of being dubbed the 2026 Diamante Goalkeeper War’s King or Queen Keeper.

VIP: All goalkeepers who participate in Diamante Goalkeeper Wars will have access to a VIP section where they can cool down and enjoy some refreshments. In addition, all participants will be given a Diamante Goalkeeper Wars T-shirt.

Who: If you have any questions, feel free to email us at info@DGKSoccerAcademy.com

• 08:30 am Goalkeeper Wars Check-in
• 09:00 am Pictures in the stands
• 09:15 am Rules and Regulation Meeting
• 09:30 am Warm-up
• 09:45 am Tournament Begins (Group Stage)
• 12:00 pm Lunch
• 01:00 pm Tournament Resumes (Eliminations Begin)
• 06:00 pm End of Day (Matches will be played until all matches are completed) 

GOALKEEPER WARS: RULES OF THE GAME

FIELD DIMENSIONS

• Minimum Length 18 yards, Maximum Length 24 yards
• Minimum Width 12 yards, Maximum Width 16 yards

AGES / GOAL SIZES

Age Groups: Players register by birth year and the age group that they will be in at the time of the event. *(Birth year bracketing is based on the soccer calendar turning over on August 1st each year.)

• 8-10 Boys / 8-10 Girls – 6’ x 12’ Goals*
• 11-14 Boys / 11-14 Girls – 7′ x 21′ Goals
• 15-18 Boys / 15-18 Girls – 8′ x 24′ Goals

*Younger age groups may use either 6′ x 12′ or 7′ x 21′ goals depending on location/facility

SOCCER BALLS

• Only one ball is permitted on the field of play during match play.
• If two or more balls are on the field during match play, the referee, at his/her discretion, may stop the game until the excess balls are removed.  (There will be 8 balls at each field.)
• Size 4 balls = 11 and under
• Size 5 balls = 12 and older

GAME PROCEDURES

• Each goalkeeper must report to the appropriate scorers’ table 5 minutes before their scheduled match and provide their name. The referee/field marshal will do a coin toss; if no coin is available, the referee may opt to do “rock, paper, scissors. The winner will choose if they want to start with a ball or decide which side they want to start on.
• All other bracket participants will be required to act as ball retrievers and feeders. (We request that each keeper bring 1-2 ball boys/girls to shag. Brothers and sisters are allowed to help shag balls.)

REFEREE / FIELD MARSHAL / DIRECTOR

Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the rules of the tournament director including but not limited to the following:

• Ensures that the ball meets size and inflation requirements
• Ensures player equipment requirements
• Shin guards are not required for our event
• Acts as timekeeper and scorekeeper for each match
• Stops, suspends, or terminates the match, at his/her discretion, for any rule infringements, safety precautions, player injuries, unsportsmanlike conduct from participants, parents, and/or fans
• All match-related decisions are determined by the referee and are considered final once a match has ended.
• The Tournament Director reserves the right to modify the tournament rules should he/she deem it absolutely necessary.
• All decisions are final; no protests will be accepted.

TIME LIMIT

• A match duration is 2 halves of 2 minutes, with keepers changing goals during 1-minute half-time.

EVENT FORMAT

Each goalie is guaranteed a minimum of 4 games, depending on the event.

3 points awarded for a win / 1 point for a tie / 0 points for a loss

The point system is only used for Group Stage games

Tiebreaker for playoffs:

• Points
• Head-to-Head
• Forfeits
• Least Goals Conceded (Goals Against)
• Goal Differential
• Sudden death PK Shootout

Games during match play (group stage) can end in a tie.

All Playoff games (Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Finals) will not be allowed to end in a tie. In the event of a draw during playoff competition, an overtime period will be played with 2 minutes of extra time, no sudden death.

Overtime: Overtime wins are scored with 1 more goal being given to the winner. (Actual goals scored during overtime will be documented in the public notes of that game.)

Shoot Out: If after 2 minutes of Overtime, the game is still tied, then the players go to PK sudden death.

DISTRIBUTION

Distribution is the method by which a goalkeeper starts, or restarts play, and scores goals.

A goalkeeper may distribute the ball in the following ways: from their hands or the ground:

• Throw
• Volley
• Half-volley/Drop kick
• Stationary kick
• Roll and kick

SIX SECOND SHOOTING RULES

• Goalkeepers must distribute the ball within 6 seconds of taking possession of the ball. Possession means that the said goalkeeper firmly maintains control of the ball by catching it, stopping it, or receiving it from the sideline.
• If the ball is not distributed within 6 seconds, the designated goalkeeper will be called for a delay of the game. A delay of the game violation results in a change of ball possession.
• *Younger groups can go all the way up to the first line on their fields and shoot within 6 seconds.
• *Older groups have 6 seconds and 4-6 yards from their own goal line to try and score.

STARTS / RESTARTS

• The referee will oversee a coin toss or opt to do a “rock, paper, scissors, shoot” game should a coin not be present. Whoever wins will decide if they want the ball first or pick which side of the field they start the game on.
• Keepers switch sides at half.
• The keeper who did not start with the ball at the beginning of the match starts with the ball in the second half.

OUT OF PLAY

The ball is out of play when:

• It has entirely crossed the goal line or touch line, whether on the ground or in the air.
• If a goalkeeper saves or deflects the ball out of bounds, it remains your ball. If you are scored on, the ball will restart in your hands to continue play.
• Ball shaggers are not allowed to toss or roll the keeper the ball when needed; the goalkeeper must retrieve the ball from the side of their net to avoid extra balls on the field.

BALL IN PLAY

• After the keeper makes a save, he/she can attempt to score within the designated shooting area, using any type of distribution within 6 seconds.
• Rebound Rule: After the ball is deflected off the keeper or crossbar/post and enters the other player’s half, they will have the chance to shoot a one-time finish on any rebounds given up, but ONLY if it enters their half of the field. Once the ball enters back into the original shooter’s half of the field, the keeper can either shoot it one-time up to the half line of the field, OR bring it back to their original shooting area and not have to use one-touch to score. If they bring it back to their original shooting area, they have to shoot from the original shooting zone and not up to half. 
  • Ages 8-11 do not have a half line for their fields but must stay in their own 3rd of the field at all times (marked by cones or painted lines). These keepers also do not have to use one touch to score off of a rebound; they can stop the ball and re-kick it if it comes back into their 3rd of the field.
• Any rebound that goes into the initial shooter’s goal is not counted as a goal. This is played as an out-of-bounds and given to the opposing keeper as a restart. The keeper must have possession and follow all other rules to score on their opponent.

GOAL SCORE

• A goal is scored when the entire ball passes over the goal line, between the goal posts and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the laws of the game has been committed before the goalkeeper’s distribution.
• A goal cannot be scored from the opponent’s shooting area.

PENALTY KICKS

• All spectators will be behind the halfway line on the opposite side of where the kicks from the mark will take place.
• All soccer balls will be at the halfway line.
• Rock, paper, scissors, 1st win, no best of 3, one and done, to determine who will shoot first.
• PK will be sudden death; each keeper will get one possession minimum to shoot against the opposing keeper.
• GK will shoot on the referee’s signal, referee’s whistle, or verbal signal.
• Referee will line up closer to the defending GK’s goal to observe for encroachment.
• An encroaching goalkeeper that makes a save will result in the kick being re-taken.
• All recordings of the GK penalty shootouts must be captured behind the halfway line with no exceptions.

MATCH WINNER

The goalkeeper earning the greater number of goals by the end of the match is the winner.

OFFSIDE

A keeper is offside when he/she enter the opponent’s half. After infringement, he/she loses possession of the ball. Play resumes with both keepers starting on their own goal lines.

MODIFICATIONS

Any or all rule modifications may be made at the tournament director’s discretion, including but not limited to:

• Field size
• Ball size
• Goal size
• Game duration
• Adjust the total number of matches

WEATHER-RELATED STOPPAGE OF PLAY

If the weather stops play during a match. For the match to count, the match must make it to halftime to stand as an official match played. If a weather-related issue stops the match prior to making it to halftime, the match will be postponed. If the match is not able to continue due to weather, the game will not officially count as played.

If the weather stops the event from completing and a minimum of 3 games have been played, the event will be considered final. The winners will be determined by standings.

If fewer than 3 games have been played, then a partial refund will be given, or a transfer of the full registration fee to another event will be offered.

INJURIES

• Keepers must complete the match to win the match. Once a serious injury takes place, an Athletic trainer must state that they are safe to continue to play the game. Once this takes place, parents and the injured player are able to decide if they would like to continue.
• If a player drops out leading up to finals matches (quarterfinals, semifinals, or finals), the next highest-ranked player in their bracket will be moved up in the injured player’s position. *We strongly advise not leaving our event early if you are close to moving on to finals games due to this possibility.

CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY

• If the Goalkeeper Wars event is canceled due to weather, it will be rescheduled for another date in the summer. A partial refund may be given if the attendee cannot attend the new date given.
• Partial refund of registration will only be given with advanced notice, prior to the scheduled completion.

Refunds will not be given without prior notification or if the player is a “No Show” on game day.

Cancellation Policy

• If canceled within 15 days of the event, no refund will be issued.

• If canceled 15-29 days before the event, a 50% refund will be issued.

• If canceled more than 30 days before the event, a full refund will be issued.

All cancellations/refunds will be given at the discretion of Diamante Soccer Academy owner, Josue Bosque.

___________________________________________________________________________

Inclement Weather Policy

Rain will not be considered inclement weather unless the field surface is compromised determined by the Diamante On Site Manager. Please read below for other types of weather conditions, such as lightning. 

When inclement weather approaches, the following steps should be taken for the safety of all players, coaches, support staff, and spectators.

• In a preventive fashion, the Diamante On-Site Manager will obtain an official weather report from the National Weather Service before each practice, game, clinic, camp, tournament, or event. In the event of potential thunderstorms, the weather conditions will be monitored via the internet or phone app Weather Bug Spark. All personnel should monitor incoming severe weather using the Flash Bang method.

To use the Flash Bang method, count the seconds from the time lightning/flash is sighted to when the clap/bang of thunder is heard. Divide this number by 5, and this equals how far away (in miles) the lightning is occurring. (For example, 20-second count = 4 miles). As a minimum, the NCAA and the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) strongly recommend that all individuals leave the athletic sites and reach a safe location by the flash-to-bang count of 30 seconds (6 miles). However, lightning can strike as far as 10 miles, and it does not have to rain for lightning to strike.

Activities will be terminated at 40 seconds or 8 miles.

• Chain of command for evacuating teams/spectators during games:
Ops Director/ On-site Manager  → Officials → Coaching Staff → Teams → Spectators

• Chain of command for evacuating teams/spectators during practice:
Ops Director/ On-site Manager → Coaching Staff → Teams → Spectators

• In the event that the Weather Bug Spark Lightning Detector reacts to nearby lightning strikes twice in the 0-8-mile range, all venues will be evacuated. The following will occur by all sporting programs during storm activity: The existence of blue sky and the absence of rain are not protection from lightning. Lightning can, and does, strike as far as 10 miles away from the rain shaft. It does not have to be raining for lightning to strike.

Indication Reaction by Department

Severe Thunderstorm Monitor Weather Bug Spark for distance

1. Storm Distance 0-8 miles Evacuation to Safe Facility
2. Storm Distance 9 – above miles Monitor for distance

• It is the responsibility of the head coach for each practice to remove and direct all players, coaches, and parents to the nearest safe facility or suitable shelter. (If the head coach is not present, the assistant coach or team manager will assist.)

• No team/player shall be allowed to return to practice and/or competition for 30 minutes after the Lightning Detector has returned to the safe range of “Storm Distance 8 and above Miles” or no indication of lightning strikes on the detector for 30 minutes.

• The DGK On-Site Manager or On-Site Coach will inform all parties that it is safe to return to the field of play.

If inclement weather occurs, the tournament will be adjusted or restructured accordingly.
If severe weather occurs and the tournament must be canceled, a rain date will be provided.