U6 - U7 RULES
The Field of Play

a) Size: The field of play should be rectangular. Variations in the length and width are allowed. The recommended sizes for a mini-field is 30m x 20m

b) Goals: The maximum internal height and width of the goals should be 1m x 2 m

The Ball

An approved, licensed, Size 3 ball shall be used in all Under 6 & Under 7 matches.

Duration of Games

a) Under 6 & Under 7– two periods of 15 minutes.

a) Under 6 and Under 7 squads shall consist of a minimum 8 players and a maximum of 12 players.

b) In Under 6 and Under 7, each squad is divided into 2 teams of 4 players, with up to two (2) players in each team being nominated as interchange. There are no goalkeepers.

c) If a team/squad is short, players may be borrowed from any other team/squad of equal or similar ability from the same club. (See restrictions in 4.1.5 (n)).

NOTE: The majority of SSF teams/squads are based on friendships rather than being strictly graded. If a team is short, players may be borrowed from any other team of similarly skilled players so as to keep the balance in the team. Borrowing a player who is too strong is unfair on the opposition as well as the team’s own players. Also, the team is likely to be regraded upwards to play against tougher opposition in future games. For example, if a club has teams A to E, with A being properly graded and B to E being based on friendships, then the E team shouldn’t borrow

from the A team but it can borrow a suitably skilled player from the B to D teams.

d) All players in attendance at a game shall receive equal playing time

Playing Rules

Games will be played under modified FFA SSF rules: -

a) Play should be as continuous as possible with no stoppages.

b) There is NO offside.

c) The game is started with a kick off at halfway.

d) The team kicking off will be determined by the referee using the “which hand is the whistle, rock etc. in” method.

e) The team taking a restart has 3 seconds to recommence play.

f) No corners – goal line restart regardless of which team touched the ball last. Opposing team back to half way line.

g) When a goal is scored play is restarted from the half way line.

h) The following restarts can be started with a pass or a dribble:-

i. Sideline kick in (when the ball travels over the sideline).

ii. Goal kicks ( when the ball travels over the goal line).

iii. Kick offs (except at start of game which must be passed to a team mate).

i) All free kicks are indirect free kicks and must be kicked into play (no dribbling).

j) At every restart other than corner kicks, all opposition players must stand at least 4.5m from kicker until ball is played or the referee has finished his countdown and has called “Go!”.

k) The ball must be touched twice before a goal can be scored from any restart.

l) It is not permitted to have a player permanently stationed immediately in front of the goalmouth as an attacker or defender.

m) Where goal posts are not available cones may be used. Where cones are used a goal is scored when a ball passes over the goal line and between the cones without knocking the cones over.

n) Players cannot switch from one team from his/her squad to the other team from his/her squad during a session unless a player from the other field is unable to continue due to injury and not transferring the player would result in a team being short.

Refereeing

a) Before the match starts both teams will agree on a person to act as the “game leader”.

b) The “game leader” must record the score on the scorecards provided and return the cards to each

squad’s manager.

c) The “game leader’s” role is to instruct players in the correct way to play the game and help them to

enjoy the game.

d) The “game leader” must use common sense to ensure that the game flows as much as possible.

e) The “game leader“ must ensure that the game is restarted quickly by enforcing the three-second

rule and calling, “Go” at every restart of play.

f) The “game leader” should try to give advantage to the attacking team where possible.

g) The “game leader” must be fair to both sides.

On-field Coaching

a) On-field coaching is NOT PERMITTED.

b) Standing near the goal line by coaches or spectators is NOT PERMITTED.

c) One parent is permitted to stand behind the goal line at each end to retrieve the ball.

Grading

Clubs are required to grade squads and teams using a scale of 1 to 4 with 1 being strong and 4 weak.

a) Size: The field of play should be rectangular. Variations in the length and width are allowed. The recommended sizes for a mini-field are: -

i. Under 8 & Under 9 - Maximum: 40m x 30m.

ii. Under 10 & Under 11 - Maximum 60m x 40m.

b) Markings: The penalty area is a standard size of 5m depth x 12 m width regardless of goal size.

c) Goals:- The maximum internal height and width of the goals shall be 5m x 2m for Under 10 and Under 11, and 3m x 2m for Under 8 and Under 9 where goals of this size are in place from the

previous season and it is impractical to change them.

The Ball

a) An approved, licensed, Size 3 ball shall be used in all Under 8 & Under 9 matches.

b) An approved, licensed, Size 4 ball shall be used in all Under 10 & Under 11 matches.

Duration of Games

a) Under 8 and Under 9 - two periods of twenty (20) minutes.

b) Under 10 & Under 11 matches – two periods of twenty five (25) minutes each.

c) There will be a maximum 5-minute break between each half and a maximum 5-minute break between each game.

d) The instructing referee is the sole arbiter of time.

Number of players

a) Under 8 and Under 9 teams shall consist of a minimum of seven (7) players and a maximum of ten (10) players.

b) Under 10 and Under 11 teams shall consist of a minimum of nine (9) players and a maximum of twelve (12) players.

c) In Under 8 and Under 9 seven (7) players from each team may be on the field at any time, one of who must be a goalkeeper, with up to three (3) players nominated to interchange.

d) In Under 10 & Under 11 nine (9) players from each team may be on the field at any time, one of who must be a goalkeeper, with up to three (4) players nominated to interchange.

e) All players in attendance at a game shall receive equal playing time.

Playing Rules

Games will be played under modified FFA SSF rules: -

a) Play should be as continuous as possible with no stoppages.

b) There is NO offside but the referee can move players blatantly put in offside positions. (Compared with 2009, this explicitly gives the referee the authority to move players out of offside positions. Coaches are encouraged to make their players aware of off side at training and to play this way in game situations. Offside will still occur during games but the intention is to pre-empt blatant situations and not to penalise marginal situations.

c) A player may only enter the opposition’s penalty area when the ball is in the same half of the field.

d) The game is started with a kick off on the halfway line.

e) The team kicking off will be determined by the referee using the “which hand is the whistle, rock

etc. in” method.

f) When a goal is scored play is restarted from the halfway line.

g) The following restarts can be started with a pass or a dribble: -

i. Goal kicks (when the ball travels over the goal line).

ii. Kick offs (except at start of game where the ball must be passed to a team mate).

h) Corner kicks and indirect free kicks must be kicked into play (no dribbling).

i) When the ball goes over the sideline and out of play, play is restarted with a throw in. The player taking the throw in must face the field of play, have part of each foot either on or behind the side line, use both hands and deliver the ball from behind and over the head. The thrower may not touch the ball a second time until another player has touched it.

j) All free kicks are indirect free kicks, except where a player deliberately commits any of the following offences anywhere on the field: -

i. kicks an opponent

ii. strikes an opponent

iii. tackling an opponent in a dangerous manner

iv. charging an opponent in a dangerous manner.

v. handles the ball in own penalty area, except if he/she is the nominated goalkeeper. in which case a penalty kick shall be awarded.

k) The penalty kick is taken from the centre of the penalty area line, eight (8) metres from the goal line, with a goalkeeper in position. All other players must stand behind the half way line.

l) All opposition players must stand at least 4.5m from kicker at every restart until ball is played or the referee has finished his countdown and has called “Go!” The ball must be touched twice before a goal can be scored from any restart.

m) The team taking a restart has 3 seconds to recommence play.

n) All players must take a penalty kick before any player can take a second penalty kick in a game.

o) Goalkeepers may only release the ball into play by throwing it or placing it on the ground and kicking it. Goalkeepers must throw or kick the ball within 5 seconds of catching it. Punt kicks and drop kicks are not allowed.

p) Where goal posts are not available cones may be used. Where cones are used a goal is scored when the ball passes over the goal line and between the cones, without knocking the cones over.

q) It is not in the spirit of the game to have a player permanently stationed in the goal area as an attacker or defender.

r) When and individual player has scored three goals and their team is winning by a three-goal margin he/she must be taken off (even if there are not substitutes available) until the other team has scored a goal.

Refereeing

a) The referee’s association may appoint an “instructing referee” to any match.

b) If there is no referee appointed both teams will agree on a person to act as the “instructing referee”.

c) The “instructing referee” must record the score on the scorecards provided and return them to the each team’s manager.

d) The “instructing referee’s” role is to instruct players in the correct way to play the game and help them to enjoy the game.

e) The “instructing referee” must use common sense to ensure that the game flows as much as possible.

f) The “instructing referee” must ensure that the game is restarted quickly by enforcing the three second rule and calling, “Go” at every restart of play.

g) The “instructing referee” should try to give advantage to the attacking team where possible.

h) The “instructing referee” must be fair to both sides.

On-field Coaching

a) On-field coaching is NOT PERMITTED.

b) Standing near the goal line by coaches or spectators is NOT PERMITTED.

c) One parent is permitted to stand behind the goal line at each end to retrieve the ball.