Little League Football Officers' Manual

16 MINI SOCCER

Refer to

Mini Soccer is now compulsory for children under 10 years (they are not allowed, under FA rules, to play in an eleven-a-side game).

How to organise mini-soccer
You will need:

• any level surface on which it is suitable to play soccer
• a ball no larger than size 4
• two goals, 12ft x 6ft. If you don't have a set of goals, use cones or markers
• markings laid out with the use of lines, markers or cones
• no referee, just a game organiser

Rules of Mini Soccer
Except where other provision in these laws are made, FA laws apply The game is for boys and girls aged 5 or more (as of midnight 31 August at the start of the season) and mixed football is allowed up to Under 11's (usually school year 6).
There should not be more than a two year age spread in any section.

Team size should be no greater than 7 players from a squad of no more than 10.

The Playing area should be no greater than 60yds x 40yds and no smaller than 30yds x 20yds.

Team and playing area sizes are recommended as follows:
Under 10, 9 years 6 v 6 60yds x 40 yds
Under 8, 7 years 5 v 5 50yds x 30 yds

Any number of substitutes may be used at any time with the permission of the game leader (qualified referees are not necessary) and the Team Managers. Players may re-enter the game and all substitutes must have a period of play. As far as possible there should be equal playing time for each player.

The ball should be no larger than a size 4. A size 3 is recommended for U8's.

The recommended goal size for all age groups is 12ft x 6ft.

The penalty area - length 10 yards, width 18 yards.

Each game will consist of two halves of 25 minutes (or a time to be decided at local level with the age and ability of the children taken into consideration). The half time interval is a maximum of 5 minutes.

The kick off is taken at the centre of the playing area to start the game and after a goal is scored. Opponents must be 5 yards away and in their own half.

There is no offside.

Throw ins should be taken in the normal way.

At corner kicks the opposition should be at least five yards away.

All free kicks are direct and the opposition should be at least five yards away.

Penalty kicks are taken from the penalty spot, which is 8 yards from the centre of the goal.

Goalkeepers

• can handle the ball in the penalty area and there are no restrictions on the number of steps they may take when handling the ball.
• The six second rule applies*
• Back passes cannot be handled*
• may not handle the ball directly from a throw taken by his/her team mate*
• cannot touch the ball again with his/her hands after it has been released from his/her possession and has not been touched by any other player*
• cannot handle the ball outside the penalty area
• can kick the ball on the ground but may then be challenged by opponents

 

Goal-kicks

• are taken anywhere within the penalty area - the opposition should be at least five yards away and outside the penalty area
• must be kicked out of the penalty area

There are no restrictions regarding the number of players allowed in the penalty area during play.

General
The Football Association will not sanction competitive leagues, regional or national tournaments.