Rules

Under 5

Number of players      4 a side (no goalkeeper)

Ball size                          3

Duration of Game       15 minute halves, 10 minute half time break

                                          OR 15 minute practice/training session followed by 15 minute game

 

Start of play and restart after a goal

Pass to a team mate from the middle of the halfway 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.

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.

Shin guards MUST be worn by all players

Substitutions

Players may be rotated on or off the field at any time during the game.  A coach may make substitutions whilst the ball is in play, ensuring the player is off the field before the substitute goes on.

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 crossed (i.e. defending team) will place the ball anywhere along the goal 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.

There is no goalkeeper.  Coaches and referees should discourage children from permanently standing in front of the goal.

There is NO offside.  Coaches and referees should strongly discourage children from permanently standing in blatant offside positions.

 

Fouls and Misconduct

Indirect free kicks are awarded for all acts of handball or fouls or 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.  Free kicks should be awarded as appropriate. 

Fouls and Misconduct are:

 

Concussion - Any player suspected of suffering from concussion should be examined by a first aid officer before returning to play.  As a general rule; “If in doubt, sit it out”.


Under 6 & 7

Number of players      4 a side (no goalkeeper)

Ball size                          3

Duration of Game       15 minute halves, 10 minute half time break

 

Start of play and restart after a goal

Pass to a team mate from the middle of the halfway 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.

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.

Shin guards MUST be worn by all players

Substitutions

Players may be rotated on or off the field at any time during the game.  A coach may make substitutions whilst the ball is in play, ensuring the player is off the field before the substitute goes on.

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 crossed (i.e. defending team) will place the ball anywhere along the goal 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.

There is no goalkeeper.  Coaches and referees should discourage children from permanently standing in front of the goal.

There is NO offside.  Coaches and referees should strongly discourage children from permanently standing in blatant offside positions.

Fouls and Misconduct

Indirect free kicks are awarded for all acts of handball or fouls or 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.  Free kicks should be awarded as appropriate. 

Fouls and Misconduct are:

 

Concussion - Any player suspected of suffering from concussion should be examined by a first aid officer before returning to play.  As a general rule; “If in doubt, sit it out”.


Under 8 & 9 

Under 8 and 9

Number of players      7 a side (including a goalkeeper)

Ball size                          3

Duration of Game       20 minute halves, 5 minute half time break

 

Start of play and restart after a goal

Pass to a team mate from the middle of the halfway 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.

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.

Shin guards MUST be worn by all players

Substitutions

Players may be rotated on or off the field at any time during the game.  A coach may make substitutions whilst the ball is in play, ensuring the player is off the field before the substitute goes on.

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 ball must be thrown or rolled from the hands or played from the ground with their feet, within 6 seconds.  The goalkeeper is not allowed to kick or drop kick the ball directly from their hands.

Opponents must be at least 10m 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.

An indirect free kick is awarded if the goalkeeper touches the ball with their hands after it has been deliberately kicked to them by a team mate.

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.

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 10m outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.  The ball is in play once it is kicked directly out of the penalty area.

There is NO offside.  Coaches and referees should strongly discourage children from permanently standing in blatant offside 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:

 

Concussion - Any player suspected of suffering from concussion should be examined by a first aid officer before returning to play.  As a general rule; “If in doubt, sit it ou


Under 10

Under 10

Number of players      9 a side (including a goalkeeper)

Ball size                          4

Duration of Game       25 minute halves, 5 minute half time break

 

Start of play and restart after a goal

Pass to a team mate from the middle of the halfway 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.

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.

Shin guards MUST be worn by all players

Substitutions

Players may be rotated on or off the field at any time during the game.  A coach may make substitutions whilst the ball is in play, ensuring the player is off the field before the substitute goes on.

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 ball must be thrown or rolled from the hands or played from the ground with their feet, within 6 seconds.  The goalkeeper is not allowed to kick or drop kick the ball directly from their hands.

Opponents must be at least 10m 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 or when the goalkeeper places the ball on the ground.

An indirect free kick is awarded if the goalkeeper touches the ball with their hands after it has been deliberately kicked to them by a team mate.

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.

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 10m outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.  The ball is in play once it is kicked directly out of the penalty area.

There is NO Offside

The official offside rules do not apply but coaches and 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:

 

Concussion - Any player suspected of suffering from concussion should be examined by a first aid officer before returning to play.  As a general rule; “If in doubt, sit it out”.


Open 5 & 6 

Open 5 and 6

Number of players      9 a side (including a goalkeeper)

Ball size                          4

Duration of Game       25 minute halves, 5 minute half time break

 

Start of play and restart after a goal

Pass to a team mate from the middle of the halfway 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.

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.

Shin guards MUST be worn by all players

Substitutions

Players may be rotated on or off the field at any time during the game.  A coach may make substitutions whilst the ball is in play, ensuring the player is off the field before the substitute goes on.

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 ball must be thrown or rolled from the hands or played from the ground with their feet, within 6 seconds.  The goalkeeper is not allowed to kick or drop kick the ball directly from their hands.

Opponents must be 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 or when the goalkeeper places the ball on the ground.

An indirect free kick is awarded if the goalkeeper touches the ball with their hands after it has been deliberately kicked to them by a team mate.

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.

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 outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.  The ball is in play once it is kicked directly out of the penalty area.

Offside rules apply

A player is in an offside position if they are in the opponents’ half of the pitch and nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent.

If a player is in an offside position and their team mate passes them the ball it is an offence.

If there is an offside offence the referee awards an indirect free kick where the offence occurred.  Opponents must be at least 5m away from the ball until it is in play.

Referees and/or coaches 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:

Team line up

If a team cannot field 9 players for a game they are able to play with a minimum of 7 players OR substitute players from other teams from the same school.  A player can only fill in for another team a maximum of two times during the season.

Only grade 4-6 age players may fill-in for an Open 5 or 6 team.

Where a school has more than one team in the same age group, each team must be named at the start of the season.

Recording of scores and League Table

Scores will be recorded by referees on team sheets and a league table will be managed by the committee.

If a team does not meet the team line up guidelines as above, the game will be considered a forfeit and recorded as a 3-0 win to the opposition.

 

Concussion - Any player suspected of suffering from concussion should be examined by a first aid officer before returning to play.  As a general rule; “If in doubt, sit it out”.