2025

AGE SPECIFIC RULES

5 v 5 RULES – U7 & U8 Boys & U8 Girls

1. Each team shall consist of 5 players from a declared squad of up to 10 players.

2. Substitutions will be permitted during a break in the game and with the permission of the referee. Substituted players may be re-used during the game. (Rolling Subs)

3. Size 3 regulation footballs of ‘Match Standard’ will be used. WYJFC will provide a match ball.

4. In the event of a colour clash, the ‘Away’ team will adapt their colours to a level acceptable to the match referee.

5. Teams should report to the allocated pitch for their match at least 5 minutes prior to kick off time. Any team not ready to kick off 5 minutes after the end of the previous game, will forfeit the fixture.

6. Group Games shall be one period of 12-15 minutes duration. (Maximum of 60 minutes playing time in 1 day to satisfy the FA Standard Code of Rules for Youth football).

7. Points shall be awarded as follows:

WIN= 3 pts. SCORE DRAW= 2 pts. NO SCORE DRAW= 1 pt. LOSS= 0 pts

8. Teams winning the coin toss will have choice of ends, the other team will take the kick off.

9. The Kick off will be treated as an in-direct free kick. Therefore, goals cannot be scored direct from a Kick off. After a goal, the game will be restarted with a Kick off.

10. Goal kicks may be taken from anywhere within the designated goal area.

11. When a goal kick is awarded, the opposing team must retreat into their own half. The goalkeeper is not required to wait until all players have so retreated before taking the kick.

12. Back passes to the goalkeeper are permitted. (They can pick the ball up)

13. Goalkeepers may kick the ball direct from the hands. (Volleys)

14. There is no offside rule.

15. All free kicks awarded by the referee shall be Direct. Defenders must retreat 5 metres from the ball before the kick is taken.

16. Corners will be kicked into play.

17. No Heading of the Ball as per FA laws

18. Kick / Dribble in’s as per FA rules. Ball must be stationary before being played back on the field of play.

19. Each player will receive a participation medal, as well as the overall winners receiving a trophy.

7 v 7 RULES – U9 & U10 boys & U9 & U10 Girls

1. Each team shall consist of 7 players from a declared squad of up to 12 players.

2. Substitutions will be permitted during a break in the game and with the permission of the referee. Substituted players may be re-used during the game. (Rolling Subs)

3. Size 3 regulation footballs of ‘match Standard’ for U9 and U10, will be used. A match ball will be provided by the referee.

4. In the event of a colour clash, the ‘Away’ team will adapt their colours to a level acceptable to the match referee.

5. Teams should report to the allocated pitch for their match at least 5 minutes prior to kick off time. Any team not ready to kick off 5 minutes after the end of the previous game, will forfeit the fixture

with a score of 2-0 registered against them.

6. Group Games shall be one period of 12-15 minutes duration. Teams winning the coin toss will have choice of ends, the other team will take the kick off.

7. Points shall be awarded as follows:

WIN= 3 pts. SCORE DRAW= 2 pts. NO SCORE DRAW= 1 pt. LOSS= 0 pts

8. Penalty shootout rules: 5 players left on the field of play at the full-time whistle will take a penalty each. (NO Substitutions after the final whistle) If scores are equal then ‘Sudden Death’ rules will apply with the remaining players taking penalties till all have taken one. Repeat in the same order if necessary.

9. Semi-finals and finals will be 71/2 minutes each way. If teams are level at full time, then one period of 5 minutes extra time will be played, with a coin toss to decide ends. If still equal, then penalties will be taken as in Rule 7.

10. The Kick off will be treated as an in-direct free kick. Therefore, goals cannot be scored direct from a Kick off. After a goal, the game will be restarted with a Kick off.

11. Goal kicks may be taken from anywhere within the designated goal area.

12. When a goal kick is awarded, the opposing team must retreat into their own half. The goalkeeper is not required to wait until all players have so retreated before taking the kick.

13. All free kicks awarded by the referee shall be Direct. A penalty kick is awarded if any offences are committed by a player, inside their own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play. However, a free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the goalkeeper:

a) Takes more than 6 seconds to release the ball from their hands

b) Touches the ball again with their hands after releasing it from their possession and it has not touched any other player.

c) Touches the ball with their hands after it has been deliberately kicked to them by a teammate

d) Touches the ball with their hands after receiving it directly from a throw in taken by a teammate.

For all these offences, the free kick shall be taken from the penalty area line, parallel with the goal line at the nearest point to the offence.

14. Defenders must retreat 5 metres from the ball before the kick is taken.

15. Corners will be kicked into play.

16. There is no offside rule.

17. No Heading of the Ball as per FA laws

18. Kick / Dribble in’s as per FA rules. Ball must be stationary before being played back on the field of play.

9 v 9 RULES – U11 & U12 Boys/mixed; U11 & U12 Girls

1. Each team shall consist of 9 players from a declared squad of up to 14 players.

2. Substitutions will be permitted during a break in the game and with the permission of the referee. Substituted players may be re-used during the game. (Rolling subs)

3. Size 4 regulation footballs of ‘match Standard’ will be used. The referee will provide a match ball.

4. In the event of a colour clash, the ‘Away’ team will adapt their colours to a level acceptable to the match referee.

5. Teams should report to the allocated pitch for their match at least 5 minutes prior to kick off time. Any team not ready to kick off 5 minutes after the end of the previous game, will forfeit the fixture with a score of 2-0 registered against them.

6. Group Games shall be one period of 12 minutes duration dependant on final numbers. Teams winning the coin toss will have choice of ends, the other team will take the kick off.

7. Points shall be awarded as follows:

WIN= 3 pts. SCORE DRAW= 2 pts. NO SCORE DRAW= 1 pt. LOSS= 0 pts

8. In the event of teams being equal on points, then goal difference will apply. If still equal, then goals scored will apply. If still equal, then ‘head-to-head’ result will apply. In the event that teams are still equal, then 5 penalties will be taken, after which, ‘Sudden Death’ penalties will be taken until a result is achieved.

9. Penalty shoot out rules: 5 players left on the field of play at the full-time whistle will take a penalty each. (NO Substitutions after the final whistle) If scores are equal then ‘Sudden Death’ rules will apply with the remaining players taking penalties till all have taken one. Repeat in the same order if necessary.

10. Semi-finals and Finals will be 71/2 minutes each way. If teams are level at full time, then one period of 5 minutes extra time will be played, with a coin toss to decide ends. If still equal, then penalties will be taken as in Rule 9.

11. FA Rules and Laws of the Game applicable to these age groups will apply.

12. All free kicks awarded by the referee shall be Direct. A penalty kick is awarded if any offences are committed by a player, inside their own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play. However, a free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the goalkeeper:

a) Takes more than 6 seconds to release the ball from their hands

b) Touches the ball again with their hands after releasing it from their possession and it has not touched any other player.

c) Touches the ball with their hands after it has been deliberately kicked to them by a teammate

d) Touches the ball with their hands after receiving it directly from a throw in taken by a teammate.

For all these offences, the free kick shall be taken from the point of the offence.

13. In the event of a free kick being awarded, defenders shall retire 8 metres from the ball prior to it being taken.

11 v 11 RULES – U13 & U14 Boys/mixed and U13 & U14 Girls

1. Each team shall consist of 11 players from a declared squad of up to 16 players.

2. Substitutions will be permitted during a break in the game and with the permission of the referee. Substituted players may be re-used during the game. (Rolling subs)

3. Size 4 regulation footballs of ‘match Standard’ will be used. The referee will provide a match ball.

4. In the event of a colour clash, the ‘Away’ team will adapt their colours to a level acceptable to the match referee.

5. Teams should report to the allocated pitch for their match at least 5 minutes prior to kick off time. Any team not ready to kick off 5 minutes after the end of the previous game, will forfeit the fixture with a score of 2-0 registered against them.

6. Group Games shall be one period of 12 -15 minutes duration dependant on number of teams in each group. Teams winning the coin toss will have choice of ends, the other team will take the kick off.

7. Points shall be awarded as follows:

WIN= 3 pts. SCORE DRAW= 2 pts. NO SCORE DRAW= 1 pt. LOSS= 0 pts

8. In the event of teams being equal on points, then goal difference will apply. If still equal, then goals scored will apply. If still equal, then ‘head-to-head’ result will apply. If teams are still equal, then 5 penalties will be taken, after which, ‘Sudden Death’ penalties will be taken until a result is achieved.

9. Penalty shootout rules: 5 players left on the field of play at the full-time whistle will take a penalty each. (NO Substitutions after the final whistle) If scores are equal then ‘Sudden Death’ rules will apply with the remaining players taking penalties till all have taken one. Repeat in the same order if necessary.