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Mini Soccer Rules & Information

75th year anniversary
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Walsall Junior Youth Football League

 

Season 2024/25

Mini Soccer Rules  & Information 

All teams should have a full copy of the WJYFL mini soccer rules, however, the following provides a

summarised version of the main areas which most often require clarification. The summary also covers

guidance on the administration of matches, which if followed, helps the games run smoothly.

New bespoke additional rules to mini soccer introduced for 2024 / 25 season 

Click link for FA guidance and more detailed information

  • Removal of Deliberate Heading​

    • Deliberately heading the ball is an offence punishable by an indirect free kick

    • The indirect free kick is taken at the point where the ball was deliberately headed, except:

    • Where a player deliberately heads the ball within their own penalty area, the referee will stop the game and restart with an indirect free kick to the opposition from the nearest side line of the penalty area where the offence took place

Sanctions in the event of a deliberate header in a match:

From the start of the 2024-25 season, there will be no disciplinary sanctions applied for a deliberate header in a match, unless the action is considered a persistent deliberate offence, which could then result in a caution.

  • Touchline restarts (removal of throw inns)

    • When the whole of the ball passes over the whole of the touchline, on the ground or in the air, instead of a throw-in, a pass-in/dribble-in is awarded

    • The kicker that takes the pass-in/dribble-in may touch the ball again before it is touched by another player

 

At the moment of delivering the ball:

  • The ball must be stationary on the touchline at the point where it left the pitch; only the kicker may be off the pitch

  •  All opponents must stand at least five yards from the point on the touchline where the pass-in or /dribble-in is to be taken from

  • A goal cannot be scored directly from a pass-in

  • The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves

Laws Summary


Normal laws of football apply, except as stated below:


1. The format is seven-a-side for Under 9's and 10's and five-a-side for Under 7's and 8's.
2. Matches will be of 15 minutes each way for under 9's and 10's and 10 minutes each way for under 8's and 7's.
3. There is no offside.
4. Substitutions are on a "Role on role off" basis. 
    Managers should wait for a break in the play and notify the Referee that they wish to make a substitution.
    Managers should ensure that the player being substituted has left the field of play before the substitute 
    enters the field of play. Substituted players can re enter the game.
5. At kick offs, Corners and Free Kicks, Opposition players must stand 4.5 metres from the ball.
    All free kicks are direct. Goals cannot be scored with direct shots from a kick off.
6. Goal Kicks can be taken from anywhere in the penalty area. Opposition players must retreat to the half way line.
7. The Pass back to the Goalkeeper rule applies. If a passback occurs, a direct free kick is to be awarded to 
    the opposition on the edge of the Penalty area nearest to the point where the Goalkeeper handled the ball.
8. Ball Size : Size 3 balls are to be used for all mini soccer matches. Under 7's up to and including under 10's.
9. Substitutions - Players leave pitch at the shortest point
10.Managers & Coaches can receive Yellow or Red Cards
11.Goal Kicks do not have to leave the penalty area. The ball is live as soon as it is kicked.
12.Free Kicks where a defensive wall is formed, Offensive players have to be 1 metre from the wall

 

Confirmation of normal rules (As stated above, normal rules of Football apply, but the following are areas for clarification)


1. At Kick Offs the ball can move in any direction.
2. Normal foul throw rules apply.
3. The deliberate back pass rule will be enforced.
    Goalkeepers can come out of their areas. Goalkeeper drop kicks are permitted.
4. All players must wear shin guards covered by their Socks.
5. Normal disciplinary rules apply, yellow and red cards will be issued if the referee deems it appropriate.

League Rules


1. Team Officials should register their team for the day at least 15 minutes prior to their first Kick off time.
2. At registration, each team should pay their match fees and hand over their team registration sheet, together
    with the players registration documents. Receipt details should completed & stamped by the the centre.
    The sheet will be stamped by the centre administrator so that no more names can be added and returned to the team rep.
3. At the end of each game, both team Managers should sign the Referees Card to confirm the result.
    Managers should also enter the result in the spaces provided on their registration sheet, which should be 
    signed and handed into the centre administrator after their second game, with the receipt torn off.
4. All teams should carry their players' league registrations with them at all games, and will exchange them
    with their opponents prior to each game. They should also be available on request to Opposition
     Management and League Officials.
5. All teams should carry an alternative strip/bibs. In the event of a colour clash, the first named team should change colours.
6. Prior to the start of each game, both teams should provide a suitable matchball to the Referee, who will choose the match
    ball.

Behaviour


1. Managers are reminded that they are responsible for the behaviour of both their Players and Spectators.
2. Foul and abusive language will not be tolerated. Offenders will be asked to leave the ground.
3. In the event of injuries play will be stopped at the Referees discretion. Only two adults should move 
    onto the field of play to attend the player. No other adults should move onto the field of play.
4. In the interests of Safety Managers and Parents should ensure that Children do not
   swing on goals.
5. Managers and spectators are asked support both teams in a positive and friendly manner.
6. Spectators should stand behind the Respect barriers. Two Managers/coaches per team should stand in the Technical Areas.


The above is for quick reference, League rules, as detailed in the official handbook,
and Mini Soccer rules, as detailed in the Mini Soccer handbook, apply in all instances.

Footwear

Pitch Format

Please note the proposed introduction of Spectator respect barriers and Manager Technical areas.

All pitches should have corner

quadrants and half way lines.

Match Fees for 2024/25

Mini Soccer Formats for 2024/25

Format for 2024/25

 

Season Plan for 2024/25

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