SIMPLE RULES FOR 7v7 MINI-SOCCER (U9s & U10s)
See also: rules for 5v5 (U7s & U8s), 9v9 (U11s, U12s, U13s), Futsal and for Goal kick Retreat
The rules are designed to be simple and as near to 'real' football as possible, except for:
Age qualification U9s: Players must be under the age of 9 at midnight on 31 August in the playing season. Players qualifying for the U8s are permitted to play at U9s level.
Age qualification U10s: Players must be under the age of 10 at midnight on 31 August in the playing season. Players qualifying for the U9s are permitted to play at U10s level.
Pitch: Maximum 60 x 40 yards
Goals: 12 x 6 feet
Ball: Size 3 (U9s); Size 4 (U10s)
Match: 12 minutes each way (Match day = 2 x 24min games)
Teams: 7v7 with recommended squads of up to 10
Substitutes: 'Rolling' subs during any break in play
Pass back to keeper: Allowed - see Retreat rule
Goal kicks: Pass-out only (foot, roll or throw) - see Retreat rule
Offside: No offside
Sliding tackle: Players must stay on their feet (free kicks will be given for slide tackling).
Definition: A sliding tackle is when a player attempts to take the ball away from an opposing player by deliberately leaving his feet and sliding along the ground.
NB: slide tackles committed by the defending team inside their own penalty area will result in a penalty kick.
Important exceptions and clarifications:
1. Goalkeepers are allowed to slide along the ground inside their own penalty area to make a save (as long as it is not a foul on the attacking player)
2. Players are, of course, allowed to stretch out a leg to tackle or to go down on one knee during a tackle (as long as there is no sliding), both of which are far less dangerous as the player is still in greater control.
3. Players are also allowed to block or intercept a pass or a shot by stretching out a leg or sliding or throwing their body into the path of the ball as long as there is no risk of collision with another player.
Barging and charging: Normal physical contact including shoulder-to-shoulder is allowed but deliberate 'barging' or 'charging' into other players, even with the shoulder, is not allowed (free kicks will be given).
Free kicks: All direct, opposition retreat 5 yards
Corner kicks: Opposition retreat 5 yards
Kick-offs: Ball must go forward, opposition retreat 5 yards
'Active' refereeing
The referees are not just there to enforce the rules. They have an 'active' role in:
[2] For more serious infringements or persistent minor infringements, players receive a 'Blue' card (excluded for 2 minutes and cannot be replaced during that time).
[3] For very serious infringements or a second Blue Card offence, players receive a 'Red' card (excluded for rest of game and cannot be replaced).
Dissent
Under our Respect guidelines, the referees will not tolerate any form of dissent from players or spectators. The referees will make mistakes every week, but their decision is final and must not be disputed, even if you believe it to be obviously wrong. Please don’t criticise or undermine the referee in front of the players and set this standard for your watching parents. Player dissent will be dealt with by blue and/or red cards as stated above. Adult dissent will result in games being stopped. If repeated, offending adults will be asked to leave. Further instances of dissent could result in the League withdrawing fixtures for that team entirely.
Noise levels and shouting instructions
We have a simple rule: the noise level from the touchlines must remain BELOW the level of noise on the pitch. The children should be the loudest sound we can hear. If noise levels rise too much or continuous instructions are being shouted, preventing the children’s learning, then the referee will stop the game and ask adults to stick to the Respect League’s Six Principles.
The rules are designed to be simple and as near to 'real' football as possible, except for:
Age qualification U9s: Players must be under the age of 9 at midnight on 31 August in the playing season. Players qualifying for the U8s are permitted to play at U9s level.
Age qualification U10s: Players must be under the age of 10 at midnight on 31 August in the playing season. Players qualifying for the U9s are permitted to play at U10s level.
Pitch: Maximum 60 x 40 yards
Goals: 12 x 6 feet
Ball: Size 3 (U9s); Size 4 (U10s)
Match: 12 minutes each way (Match day = 2 x 24min games)
Teams: 7v7 with recommended squads of up to 10
Substitutes: 'Rolling' subs during any break in play
Pass back to keeper: Allowed - see Retreat rule
Goal kicks: Pass-out only (foot, roll or throw) - see Retreat rule
Offside: No offside
Sliding tackle: Players must stay on their feet (free kicks will be given for slide tackling).
Definition: A sliding tackle is when a player attempts to take the ball away from an opposing player by deliberately leaving his feet and sliding along the ground.
NB: slide tackles committed by the defending team inside their own penalty area will result in a penalty kick.
Important exceptions and clarifications:
1. Goalkeepers are allowed to slide along the ground inside their own penalty area to make a save (as long as it is not a foul on the attacking player)
2. Players are, of course, allowed to stretch out a leg to tackle or to go down on one knee during a tackle (as long as there is no sliding), both of which are far less dangerous as the player is still in greater control.
3. Players are also allowed to block or intercept a pass or a shot by stretching out a leg or sliding or throwing their body into the path of the ball as long as there is no risk of collision with another player.
Barging and charging: Normal physical contact including shoulder-to-shoulder is allowed but deliberate 'barging' or 'charging' into other players, even with the shoulder, is not allowed (free kicks will be given).
Free kicks: All direct, opposition retreat 5 yards
Corner kicks: Opposition retreat 5 yards
Kick-offs: Ball must go forward, opposition retreat 5 yards
'Active' refereeing
The referees are not just there to enforce the rules. They have an 'active' role in:
- helping the children to understand the rules
- improving re-starts, for example giving children a chance to re-take foul throw-ins
- preventing foul play, for example by advising players to take care when challenging
- recognising good play, for example by praising children's effort and skills
- encouraging sporting behaviour, for example handshakes at the start and end and after fouls
- ensuring that adults are not shouting constant instructions from the sidelines
- looking after children's physical and emotional well being
- Discipline: We have a simple three-stage discipline process:
[2] For more serious infringements or persistent minor infringements, players receive a 'Blue' card (excluded for 2 minutes and cannot be replaced during that time).
[3] For very serious infringements or a second Blue Card offence, players receive a 'Red' card (excluded for rest of game and cannot be replaced).
Dissent
Under our Respect guidelines, the referees will not tolerate any form of dissent from players or spectators. The referees will make mistakes every week, but their decision is final and must not be disputed, even if you believe it to be obviously wrong. Please don’t criticise or undermine the referee in front of the players and set this standard for your watching parents. Player dissent will be dealt with by blue and/or red cards as stated above. Adult dissent will result in games being stopped. If repeated, offending adults will be asked to leave. Further instances of dissent could result in the League withdrawing fixtures for that team entirely.
Noise levels and shouting instructions
We have a simple rule: the noise level from the touchlines must remain BELOW the level of noise on the pitch. The children should be the loudest sound we can hear. If noise levels rise too much or continuous instructions are being shouted, preventing the children’s learning, then the referee will stop the game and ask adults to stick to the Respect League’s Six Principles.