MINI SOCCER LAWS / RULES

The guide in the Mini Soccer Handbook 2024 provides the Laws of the game for Under 7 to Under 10 age groups . Click here – Mini Soccer Handbook 2024

U7 to U10 are not permitted to play in leagues where results are collected or published or winner trophies are presented for league fixtures, this is deemed to be detrimental to the development of the player and the game.

These Laws are mandatory unless special permission is granted by The Football Association. Please read the Mini Soccer Handbook for season 2024/2025.

See the England Football webpage here – https://www.englandfootball.com/play/ways-to-play/mini-socc

POWERPLAY RULE

The Powerplay rule (see Mini SOccer Handbook) shall be used in the Taunton & District Youth League for U7 to U10 football.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Maximum number of players in the team on match day, including goalkeeper for U7/U8 age groups = 10 players.

Maximum number of players in the team on match day, including goalkeeper for U9/U10 age groups = 14 players.

Please note: If an age group has more players registered with their club and want them to participate in league and cup competitions then they must seek approval to have additional players registered to play.

The league may agree that additional players can be registered under certain circumstance, however, the rule above must be adheared to.

MAX / MINIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS

U7/U8 age groups = Max (5) / Minimum (4)

U9/U10 age groups = Max (7) / Minimum (5)

Matches can begin with 5v4 for U7/U8 and 7v5 for U9/U10 but the importance and ethos of Mini-Soccer should be upheld wherever possible and the development of the children should come before the score line.

Players must play with and against players only from their own age range, as per Football Association and Competition rules.

Each team must not have a squad greater than double the size of the team per age.

Any number of substitutes, without being named, may be used at any time with the permission of the referee. A player who has been  replaced may return to the playing area as a substitute for another player. All team members should receive equal playing time where possible, with a best practice recommendation of at least 50% per player for each game.

Mini Format

Mini football is played on a Saturday morning (kick off 10:00 unless otherwise agreed with the age group secreatry / opposition team) and will be played in the following format:

1 Team v 1 Team

• Game 1:  Galmington Dragons Raiders v Staplegrove Saints

Clubs can arrange a second game once the scheduled game has been played. Max player time is 40 mins for U7/U8 and 60 mins for U9/U10.

Games must be 10 minutes each way for U7 and U8 and 15 minutes each way for U9 and U10.

2 Teams v 1 Team

• Game 1:  Galmington Dragons Raiders v Staplegrove Saints
• Game 2:  Galmington Dragons Raiders v Staplegrove Saints

2 Teams v 2 Teams

• Game 1: Galmington Dragons Raiders v Staplegrove Saints
• Game 2: Galmington Dragons Hawks v Staplegrove Sinners
• Game 3: Galmington Dragons Hawks v Staplegrove Saints
• Game 4: Galmington Dragons Raiders v Staplegrove Sinners

Where there are 4 teams, one of the home teams must play back to back. You must not change the minutes to be played for each half.

As below U7/U8s play 10 minutes each way. U9/U10s play 15 minutes each way.

Players must only play for their allocated team on match day.  Players cannot play for both teams. If teams do not have enough players then see the above rule regarding minium players.

If players pass back to the goal keeper, the goal keeper cannot pick the ball up.  If the referee spots an obvious passback then an indirect free kick is given outside the box in the area the pass back was made.

U7 / U8 Age Groups – 5 v 5

Duration of play shall be two halves of 10 minutes each way (20 minutes each game) for U7 and U8 age groups.  The maximum playing time in any one day for U7 and U8s is 40 minutes.

Retreat Line:

Opponents must retreat to their own half until the ball is in play. The defending team does not have to wait for the opposition to retreat and has the option to restart the game should they choose to

The ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area

Throw-Ins:

See rules in the Mini Soccer Handbook – link above.

Results:

Results are not published for U7 and U8 age groups.

U9 / U10 Age Groups –  7 v 7