Information - Game Format/Rules
GAME FORMAT UNDER 5's,6's & 7's
GAME FORMAT UNDER 8's & 9's
GAME FORMAT UNDER 10's & 11's
Game Format
Under 5's 6's & 7's
The field of play - 30m x 20m
Markings - painted line markings
Goal size - Width: 1.5m - 2.0m & Height: 0.9m - 1.0m
Goal type
It is preferable that pop up style or portable goals are used where possible however, the use of poles and markers as the goals particularly in the Under 6 to 9 age groups is also suitable.
We have 10 fields that have fold up posts & permanent line marking, Fields Q1 to Q10. (Click here)
Penalty area - No penalty area
The ball - Size 3
The number of players - 4 v 4 – no goalkeeper.
Maximum of two substitutes who may rotate during the entire game. The coach or parent is allowed to make the substitutions while the ball is in play, but must wait until the substituted player has left the field.
Goalkeeper - No Goalkeeper
The game leader, coaches and managers should continually discourage children from permanently standing in front of the goal.
Duration of the game - 2 x 15 minutes (Half time break 5 minutes)
Game Leader. The main role of the game leader is to keep the game moving fluently, limit stoppages and assist players with all match re-starts. Most importantly, they must make every effort to create an environment that ensures that all players have fun and have maximum involvement. The game leader can be a club official, coach or parent and should always be enthusiastic and approachable.
Most importantly. Remember the children are learning the game, be flexible and patient.
Start of play & Re-start after a goal.
Pass forward to a team mate from the middle of the half way line. All players must be in their own half of the field of play. Opponents must be at least 5m away from the ball until it is in play. The ball must touch a team mate before a goal can be scored.
Ball in and out of play
The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal line or the touch line on the ground or in the air, or when play has been stopped by the game leader.
Ball crossing the touch line
There is no throw in. A player from the opposing team to the player that touched the ball last before crossing the touch line will place the ball on the touch line and pass or dribble the ball into play. Opponents must be at least 5m away from the ball until it is in play. The ball must touch a team mate before a goal can be scored.
Ball crossing the goal line
There is no corner kick. Regardless of which team touched the ball last, a player from the team whose goal line the ball has crossed will place the ball anywhere along the goal line and pass or dribble the ball into play. Opponents must retreat to the half way line and can move once the ball is in play. The ball must touch a team mate before a goal can be scored.
Method of scoring
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar. When goal posts are not available and cones are used for goals, a goal is scored when the ball passes between the cones without touching them, below shoulder height of the player.
Offside - No offside
Fouls and misconduct
Indirect free kicks are awarded for all acts of handball or fouls and misconduct. Opponents must be at least 5m away from the ball when the indirect free kick is taken. (An indirect free kick is where a goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal). Most acts of handball or fouls and misconduct at this level are caused by a lack of coordination, with no intent. In this case try and give the advantage to the attacking team and continue play. If you decide a deliberate or serious act of handball, foul or misconduct has occurred, explain to the child they have done the wrong thing and that they should not do this again.
Game Format
Under 8's & 9's
Field Length: 40m - 50m / Width: 30m - 40m ;
Goal size: Width: 2.5m - 3.0m / Height: 1.8m - 2.0m
Penalty area: Rectangular – 5m depth x 12m width. The penalty area can be marked through use of marked lines, flat markers or cones.
We have 3 fields that have permanent posts & line marking, Fields M1, M2 & M3. (Click here)
The ball: Size 3
The number of players: 7 v 7 – inc. goalkeeper
The coach or parent is allowed to make the substitutions while the ball is in play, but must wait until the substituted player has left the field.
Goalkeeper: The goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball anywhere in the penalty area. To restart play after a save or gathering the ball with their hands, the goalkeeper is not allowed to kick or drop kick the ball directly from their hands. The ball must be thrown or rolled from the hands or played from the ground with their feet, within 6 seconds. Opponents must be at least 5m outside the penalty area and cannot move inside the penalty area until the ball is in play. The ball is in play once it moves out of the penalty area.
Duration of the game: 2 x 20 minutes (Half time break 5 minutes)
Instructing Referee
The main role of the instructing referee is to control the game to ensure it is played fluently and instruct and correct the players (with minimal blowing of the whistle) on how to behave and what the rules are, e.g. what a foul is, what a free kick is and how to throw in etc... Should these indiscretions happen a second time the referee should stop the game and apply the appropriate action and decisions. This person can be a club official, Coach, capable parent or older child.
Start of play and re-start after a goal
Pass forward to a team mate from the middle of the half way line. All players must be in their own half of the field of play. Opponents must be at least 5m away from the ball until it is in play. The ball must touch a team mate before a goal can be scored.
Ball in and out of play:
The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal line or the touch line on the ground or in the air, or when play has been stopped by the instructing referee.
Ball crossing the touch line:
Throw-in: Player faces the field of play, has part of each foot on the ground either on or behind the touch line, uses both hands and delivers the ball from behind and over his or her head. The thrower must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player. Opponents must be at least 5m away from the ball until it is in play. The ball is in play once it enters the field of play. A goal cannot
be scored directly from a throw in. Ball crossing the goal line after touching the defending team last
Corner kick:
A player from the attacking team places the ball inside the corner arc nearest to the point where the ball crossed the line. Opponents must be at least 5m away from the ball until it is in play. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.
Ball crossing the goal line after touching the attacking team last:
Goal kick from anywhere within the penalty area. Opponents remain at least 5m outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.
Method of scoring
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar. When goal posts are not available and cones are used for goals, a goal is scored when the ball passes between the cones without touching them, below shoulder height of the player.
Offside: No offside
Note: In the Under 8 – 11 age groups, team coaches and managers should strongly discourage children from permanently standing in blatant offside positions. Instructing referees should direct players permanently standing in blatant offside positions to move into onside positions.
Fouls and misconduct
Indirect free kicks are awarded for all acts of handball or fouls and misconduct. Opponents must be at least 5m away from the ball when the indirect free kick is taken. (An indirect free kick is where a goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal).
For deliberate or serious acts of handball or fouls and misconduct in the penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded from an 8m penalty mark with only a goalkeeper in position. All other players must be outside the penalty area and be at least 5m behind the penalty mark.
Fouls and misconduct are:
- kicks or attempts to kick an opponent- trips or attempts to trip an opponent- jumps at an opponent- charges an opponent- strikes or attempts to strike an opponent- pushes an opponent- tackles an opponent from behind to gain possession of the ball making contact with the opponent before touching the ball- holds an opponent- spits at an opponent- handles the ball deliberately plays in a dangerous manner- impedes the progress of a player.
Points and Tables:
For Under 8 & 9, the keeping of point’s tables and playing of finals must not be done.
Game Format
Under 10's & 11's
Field Length: 60m - 70m / Width: 40m - 50m ;
Goal size: Width: 4.5m - 5.0m / Height: 1.8m - 2.0m
Penalty area: Rectangular – 5m depth x 12m width. The penalty area can be marked through use of marked lines, flat markers or cones.
We have 5 fields that have permanent posts & line marking
The ball: Size 4
The number of players: 9 v 9 – inc. goalkeeper
The coach or parent is allowed to make the substitutions while the ball is in play, but must wait until the substituted player has left the field.
Goalkeeper: The goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball anywhere in the penalty area. To restart play after a save or gathering the ball with their hands, the goalkeeper is not allowed to kick or drop kick the ball directly from their hands. The ball must be thrown or rolled from the hands or played from the ground with their feet, within 6 seconds. Opponents must be at least 5m outside the penalty area and cannot move inside the penalty area until the ball is in play. The ball is in play once it moves out of the penalty area.
Duration of the game: 2 x 25 minutes (Half time break 5 minutes)
Instructing Referee
The main role of the instructing referee is to control the game to ensure it is played fluently and instruct and correct the players (with minimal blowing of the whistle) on how to behave and what the rules are, e.g. what a foul is, what a free kick is and how to throw in etc... Should these indiscretions happen a second time the referee should stop the game and apply the appropriate action and decisions. This person can be a club official, Coach, capable parent or older child.
Start of play and re-start after a goal
Pass forward to a team mate from the middle of the half way line. All players must be in their own half of the field of play. Opponents must be at least 5m away from the ball until it is in play. The ball must touch a team mate before a goal can be scored.
Ball in and out of play:
The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal line or the touch line on the ground or in the air, or when play has been stopped by the instructing referee.
Ball crossing the touch line:
Throw-in: Player faces the field of play, has part of each foot on the ground either on or behind the touch line, uses both hands and delivers the ball from behind and over his or her head. The thrower must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player. Opponents must be at least 5m away from the ball until it is in play. The ball is in play once it enters the field of play. A goal cannot
be scored directly from a throw in. Ball crossing the goal line after touching the defending team last
Corner kick:
A player from the attacking team places the ball inside the corner arc nearest to the point where the ball crossed the line. Opponents must be at least 5m away from the ball until it is in play. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.
Ball crossing the goal line after touching the attacking team last:
Goal kick from anywhere within the penalty area. Opponents remain at least 5m outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.
Method of scoring
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar. When goal posts are not available and cones are used for goals, a goal is scored when the ball passes between the cones without touching them, below shoulder height of the player.
Offside: No offside
Note: In the Under 8 – 11 age groups, team coaches and managers should strongly discourage children from permanently standing in blatant offside positions. Instructing referees should direct players permanently standing in blatant offside positions to move into onside positions.
Fouls and misconduct
Indirect free kicks are awarded for all acts of handball or fouls and misconduct. Opponents must be at least 5m away from the ball when the indirect free kick is taken. (An indirect free kick is where a goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal).
For deliberate or serious acts of handball or fouls and misconduct in the penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded from an 8m penalty mark with only a goalkeeper in position. All other players must be outside the penalty area and be at least 5m behind the penalty mark.
Fouls and misconduct are:
- kicks or attempts to kick an opponent- trips or attempts to trip an opponent- jumps at an opponent- charges an opponent- strikes or attempts to strike an opponent- pushes an opponent- tackles an opponent from behind to gain possession of the ball making contact with the opponent before touching the ball- holds an opponent- spits at an opponent- handles the ball deliberately plays in a dangerous manner- impedes the progress of a player.
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