Mini Soccer - The starting point in youth football The principles and rules of Mini-Soccer are similar to those in Association Football, except that the pitches are smaller and there are fewer players on each team. Depending on the age group, the number of players and size of pitch can vary from four a-side for the youngest, to seven a-side for the under 10s. The goal size for all age groups is 12ft by 6ft (3.6m by 1.8m).

The Benefits of Mini Soccer

- More touches of the ball to increase participation and enjoyment
- Fewer players on the pitch meaning simpler decisions and better understanding.
- Smaller piches meaning greater concentration and interest among participants
- More individual success leads to more children playing. In the long term, this leads to sustained participation
levels beyong this age group


The Laws Of Mini Soccer

The 17 Laws of the Game of Association Football authorized by the International Football Association Board will apply to mini-soccer with the following modifications authorized by the Football Association:-

Law 1: Playing Area:
Length: Maximum 60 yds: Minimum 50yds. Width :Maximum 40 yds: Minimum 30 yds

GOALS: shall be 12ft x 6ft.Markings:

The Penalty Area shall be marked by a line 10 yds out from the goal-line and 18 yds wide.
A penalty mark shall be placed 8 yards from the centre of the goals. The penalty area will also serve as the goal area.
The radius of the centre-circle shall be 10 yards.

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Law 2: The Ball:
The ball shall be size 3 for the under 8s and under 9’s and Size 4 for the u10’s.

Law 3: Number Of Players:
Seven a side including a goalkeeper. Players must play against players of their own age group – within a two year age band. Players must have reached the age of 6.

Subs: "Flying" substitutes, without being named, may be used at any time with the referee's permission when the ball is out of play.

A player who has been replaced may return as a substitute for another player, except through injury, substitutes must leave and enter at the half-way line.

Law 4: Equipment:
Players MUST wear shin-guards covered entirely by socks.

Law 5: Referees:
In the absence of a referee appointed by the League, the Home Club shall provide a referee. He / She shall have the same powers and duties as laid down in the Laws of the Game.

Law 6: Duration:
20 minutes each way with a short interval break at the discretion of the referee.

Law 7:Offside:
There will be NO offside rule played.

Law 8.Fouls and Misconduct:
In mini-soccer all free kicks are direct. There are no indirect free kicks. Offences committed by a player inside his/her own penalty area results in a penalty kick except the following committed by the goalkeeper:-

a) Takes more than 6 seconds to release the ball from his/her hands.

b) Touches the ball again with the hand after release and not touched by another player.

c) Touches the ball with the hand after being deliberately kicked to him/her by a team mate.

d) Touches the ball with the hand after receiving it direct from a throw in taken by a team mate.

For these 4 offences by the goalkeeper a free kick is awarded to the opposing team to be taken from the penalty area line (ten yards from the goal line) at the nearest point to the offence.

Law 9:Goal-kicks:

Goal kicks will be taken from within the penalty area. The opposition must be 10 yards away and the
ball must be kicked out of the penalty area.

N.B.: Except in the above modifications all the Laws of the Game apply to Mini-Soccer:

e.g. Opposing players must be ten yards away at the kick-off and free kicks etc.