Johnstone and District Youth Football League: Rules

Match Rules

The rules for Development Football should be kept to a minimum except as provided within these rules. The laws of the game as stated by FIFA and the International FA Board shall apply subject to the following:

Soccer Sevens (7 years and beyond)

1. The Field of Play

The field of play must be grass or astro grass/turf. No teams will play on blaze.

2. Goalposts

Soccer Sevens goals (4.9 m x 1.8 m) will be used.

3. Teams

Teams will comprise 6 outfield players plus a goalkeeper. Team squads may consist of up to 12 players with rolling substitutions used throughout the match. Players who have been substituted may return to the field of play as often as necessary. All team members should receive equal playing time where possible. In the event of an obvious mismatch, the weaker team, when they go 3 goals down will bring on an extra player, if they go another 2 goals down they should bring on another player. Extra players should only be taken off when the game is level.

4. The Ball

Age groups 8, 9 and 10 should play with a size 3 football. Age group 11 should use a size 4.

5. Offside

There is no offside rule.

6. Duration of the Game

The duration of the game shall be 25 minutes each way with a 5 minute interval. Flexibility should prevail. The team coaches have joint discretion to alter this in the event of poor weather conditions, pitch conditions or an obvious mismatch.

7. Match Supervisor

A match supervisor will officiate from on the field of play, no other adult will be allowed on the field of play. Match supervisors are not allowed to coach. Home clubs to supply a Match supervisor, When a player is injured the game must be stopped immediately, the ball does not need to be put out of play, the match official should stop the game, to allow the player to receive medical attention, and the match official should use his discretion when restarting the game.

8. Throw-ins/Corners

All age groups should take throw-ins.

In the event of the ball going out of play, a throw-in will be awarded. At all throw-ins and the taking of free kicks

All opposition players must be 6 metres from the ball. Corner kicks can be short or long, with the younger age

Groups allowed to move the ball closer to the goal.

9. Re-start

Play shall be re-centered after a goal has been scored with the opposing team at least 6 metres from the ball. At all times, when the goalkeeper has the ball in his hands, the game will not be restarted until all the opposing players retreat to the halfway line. The match official MUST ensure the opposing team all must retreat to the halfway line before allowing the goalkeeper to restart the game.

10. Equipment

All players must wear shin-guards. No metal studs or any metal bladed studs will be allowed under any circumstances for any players at any age group. It is the responsibility of the team coaching staff, to ensure this rule is enforced to inform –parents. . Glasses may be worn provided they have safety frames and lenses.

11. Pass back

For age groups 8 and 9, the pass back law does not apply.

For age groups 10 and 11 the pass back law does apply.

12. Penalty Kicks

Penalty kicks shall be taken 7 metres from the goal line.

13. Goalkeepers

Goalkeepers must throw the ball out under arm. Goalkeepers attempting to gather the ball by hand may not be challenged.

14. Coaches

Team coaches and parents will stand on the opposite side of the field; coaches are responsible for ensuring that parents stay on their own side of the park.

15. Behaviour

Team coaches should substitute players displaying unacceptable behaviour, coaches are responsible for the behaviour of their parents.

Please remember this is a developmental league with the aim of player development, fun and non competitive football. Kids will only relay the message they get from their coaches, this is where we as positive adult role models must reinforce the message of non competitiveness.

At the end of every game, team coaches should encourage both teams to shake hands.