ONEILLS FOYLE CUP MINI SOCCER RULES
The emphasis is very much on kids enjoying their experience and being given the opportunity to entertain us with their skills. With this in mind, referees are encouraged not to take any abuse from coaches or parents. We ask all coaches to see players as children first, rather than kids who might be good at football. These games have to have laws of course, but the overriding message for us all – is to make it fun and enjoyable
PLAYING AREA
3 YARDS
The field of play is divided into two halves by a halfway line. The centre mark is indicated at the mid-point of the halfway line. Pitch Size approximately.
| Mini-Soccer U8/ U9 /U10 | 7 v 7 | 55 metres | 35 metres |
| Youth | 9 v 9 | 70 metres | Max 50metres |
Goal Size
Mini size goals will be used. 7 v 7 Goals should be 12ft x 6ft.
Mini size goals will be used 9 v 9 Goals should be 16ft x 7ft
Ball Sizes
The ball should be size 4
U 8 , U9 and 10 will be 7 v7.
U11 will be 9v9.
Girls Under 9 / 11 will be 7 aside
Girls Under 13 will be 9 aside
Squad size is 14 maximum. in 7 aside competitions and 16 in 9 aside competitions
Substitutes
It is our recommendation that all team members should receive equal playing time where possible, with a best practice recommendation of at least 50% per player for each game. Rolling subs permitted.- which means an unlimited number of subs can be used and player who has left pitch may return at any time.
Must Be Worn
Players must wear shin guards and goalkeepers must wear a distinguishing
playing top. Shin guards must be covered entirely by the socks. Players must wear the appropriate clothing dependant on the weather. Correct footwear must be worn for the surface of the pitch e.g. no metal studs on artificial grass pitches.
The Authority of the Referee
Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws for Mini-Soccer in connection with the match to which they have been appointed.
Furthermore, referees should also recognize their role is to facilitate the learning of the players, for example, allow young children to take a second attempt at a throw-in if the first is not within the Laws.
Match Length
Each game will consist of 2 equal halves of 15 minutes each way. In Knock out games 5 penalties will determine the outcome – no extra time to be played.
Starting / Restarting Games
A kick-off is taken at the centre of the playing area to start the game and after a goal has been scored. Opponents must be five yards away from the ball and in their own half of the field. In Mini-Soccer a goal cannot be scored directly from a start or restart of play. Throw ins are taken as normal in football matches.
Special Circumstances
A dropped ball to restart the match, after play has been temporarily stopped inside the penalty area, takes place on the penalty area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the ball was located when the play stopped. No goal can be scored direct from a dropped ball.
PLEASE NOTE : There is no off side.
Normal rules apply, as per Laws of Association Football. However, in Mini Soccer all free kicks are direct. A free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the goalkeeper:-
takes more than ten seconds to release the ball from his/her hands
touches the ball again with his/her hands after it has been released from his/her
possession and has not touched any other player
touches the ball with his/her hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him/her by a team mate
touches the ball with his/her hands after he/she has received it directly from a
throw in taken by a teammate.
For all these offences, the free kick should be taken from the penalty area line, parallel with the goal line, at the nearest point to the offence.
For all free kicks opponents must be five yards from the ball.
See General rules on site to be followed in case of a protest.
Clubs are reminded that they are responsible for the behaviour of their parents who should be encouraged to ‘let the kids play and enjoy the experience’ and not be abusive to a match official
The decision of the referee is final.