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THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION LAWS FOR MINI SOCCER

for players (both boys and girls) over the age of 6 and under 10

Law 1 PLAYING AREA

Pitch length 60 yards � Pitch width 40 yards

Penalty area

Length 10 yards - Width 18 yards

Penalty mark 8 yards from the goal line opposite the centre of the goal

Halfway Line

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.

Centre Circle

5 yards radius measured from the centre mark on the halfway line.

Goal Size

The distance between the posts is 12ft. and the distance between the lower edge of the crossbar and the ground is 6ft.

Portable goals of any size must be either pinned or weighted to the ground to prevent them from toppling forward.

Law 2 THE BALL

The ball should be safe and made of leather or another suitable material: size 4 for under-10s and under-11s and size 3 for under-9s, under-8s and under-7s.

Law 3 NUMBER OF PLAYERS

A match is played by two teams each consisting of not more than seven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match cannot start if either team consists of fewer than six players. Substitutes may be used at any time with the permission of the referee. A player who has been replaced may return to the playing area as a substitute for another player. Entry on to the field of play will only be allowed during a stoppage and at the halfway line. Players should not be allowed to begin to play until the season of their seventh birthday.

Law 4 PLAYING EQUIPMENT

Safety

A player may not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself/herself or another player (including any kind of jewellery).

Basic equipment

The basic compulsory equipment of a player is:

jersey or shirt
shorts (if thermal under-shorts are worn they are to be of the same main colour as the shorts)
stockings (socks)
shinguards
footwear

permitted wearing of additional items of clothing during inclement weather-mini soccer and youth football up to Under-13s: In cases of extreme weather players can be permitted to wear garments under the recognised football attire of shirts, shorts and socks. Clothing must not clash with the colours worn by the opposing team's recognised club colours. The wearing of gloves or mittens may be permitted. NO headgear of any description will be allowed. The referee's decision of acceptable clothing is final.

Shinguards

(i) must be covered entirely by the stockings

(ii) must be made of suitable material (rubber, plastic or similar substances)

(iii) must provide a reasonable degree of protection

Goalkeepers

Each goalkeeper should wear colours which distinguish him/her from the other players, the

referee and the assistant referees