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Some minor rule changes have been decided upon by the FA, please the the excerpt of changes below. If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact your team manager.

Changes are highlighted in yellow

STANDARD CODE OF RULES FOR MINI SOCCER AND YOUTH FOOTBALL COMPETITIONS

This document contains the Standard Code of Rules developed by The Football Association for Mini Soccer and Youth Football Competitions (the “Standard Code”).

The Standard Code is mandatory for all Mini Soccer and Youth Football Competitions.

Competitions seeking sanction must draft their Rules in conformity with the Standard Code, using the same numbering and standard headings.

The mandatory rules are printed in normal text and the optional rules in italics.

It should be noted that in many cases rules are so printed because they are alternatives and the procedure to apply should be retained and the others omitted.

In all cases where a [   ] is shown the necessary name, address, number or wording to complete that rule must be inserted.

Competitions may add to the core of the Standard Code, which is mandatory, providing the additions are approved by the Sanctioning Authority and do not conflict with the mandatory rules or any relevant principles and policies established by The FA. Guidance from the Sanctioning Authority should be sought in advance if there is any doubt as to the acceptability of additional rules.

 

Please note that from the 2021/22 season all players must be registered though WGS.

18. QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS

(c)  A child who has not attained the age of 6 shall not play, and shall not be permitted or encouraged to play, in a match of any kind.

The relevant age for each Player is determined by his or her age as at midnight on 31 August of the relevant Playing Season i.e. children who are aged 6 as at midnight on 31 August in a Playing Season (together with those who attain the age of 6 during the Playing Season) will be classed as Under 7 Players for that Playing Season. Children who are aged 7 as at midnight on 31 August in a Playing Season will be classed as Under 8 Players for that Playing Season, and so on.

Notwithstanding the above, a child is permitted to play up in the age group above his or her chronological age group, irrespective of any changes of format or competition structure, save that a child who attains the age of 6 after 31 August is permitted to play only in the Under 7 age group, and may not play in the Under 8 age group, for that Playing Season.

The age groups that children are eligible to play in are set out in the table below, along with the permitted football formats for each of those age groups. Children shall not play, and shall not be permitted or encouraged to play, in a match between sides of more than the stated number of players, according to their age group:

 

Age on 31 August of the relevant
Playing Season
Eligible Age Groups Maximum Permitted Format Minimum Pitch Sizes   Maximum Pitch Sizes   Recommended Goal Sizes
in feet
Ball Size
      Yards Meters Yards Meters    
6 Under 7 5v5 30 x 20   40 x 30   12 x 6 3
6 Under 8 5v5 30 x 20   40 x 30   12 x 6 3
7 Under 8 5v5 30 x 20   40 x 30   12 x 6 3
7 Under 9 7v7 50 x 30   60 x 40   12 x 6 3
8 Under 9 7v7 50 x 30   60 x 40   12 x 6 3
8 Under 10 7v7 50 x 30   60 x 40   12 x 6 3
9 Under 10 7v7 50 x 30   60 x 40   12 x 6 3
9 Under 11 9V9 70 x 40   80 x 50   16 x 7 4

 The rest of this rule remains un-changed