26-27 Match Lengths and Formats

26-27 Match Lengths and Formats

This article provides an overview of the permitted playing formats, pitch and equipment requirements, game durations and playing rules for each age group.

Pitch & Equipment Set Up

Age Group	Format	Ball	Recommended Pitch (m)	Minimum Pitch (m)	Maximum Pitch (m)	Goal Size (ft)
Under 8 (Year 3)	5v5	Size 3	37 x 27	27 x 18	37 x 27	12 x 6
Under 9 (Year 4)	5v5	Size 3	37 x 27	27 x 18	37 x 27	12 x 6
Under 10 (Year 5)	7v7	Size 3	55 x 37	46 x 27	55 x 37	12 x 6
Under 11 (Year 6)	7v7	Size 3	55 x 37	46 x 27	55 x 37	12 x 6
Under 12 (Year 7)	9v9	Size 4	73 x 46	64 x 37	73 x 46	16 x 7
Under 13 (Year 8)	9v9	Size 4	73 x 46	64 x 37	73 x 46	16 x 7
Under 14 (Year 9)	11v11	Size 5	82 x 50	82 x 46	91 x 55	21 x 7
Under 15 (Year 10)	11v11	Size 5	91 x 55	82 x 46	100 x 64	24 x 8
Under 16 (Year 11)	11v11	Size 5	91 x 55	82 x 46	100 x 64	24 x 8
Under 17 (Year 12)	11v11	Size 5	100 x 64	91 x 46	118 x 91	24 x 8
Under 18 (Year 13)	11v11	Size 5	100 x 64	91 x 46	118 x 91	24 x 8
Open Age	11v11	Size 5	100 x 64	91 x 46	118 x 91	24 x 8

All pitches should have a minimum 3m run off.

Game Set Up – Match Duration & Competition

Age Group	Format	Max Minutes Per Game	Max Minutes Per Day	Referee	Goalkeeper	Substitutions	Competition
Under 8 (Year 3)	5v5	40	60	✓	✓	Rolling	No League Tables Maximum 3 Trophy Events per season over 2 week periods (6 weeks)
Under 9 (Year 4)	5v5	40	60	✓	✓	Rolling	No League Tables Maximum 3 Trophy Events per season over 2 week periods (6 weeks)
Under 10 (Year 5)	7v7	50	90	✓	✓	Rolling	No League Tables Maximum 3 Trophy Events per season over 4 week periods (12 weeks)
Under 11 (Year 6)	7v7	50	90	✓	✓	Rolling	No League Tables Maximum 3 Trophy Events per season over 4 week periods (12 weeks)
Under 12 (Year 7)	9v9	60	120	✓	✓	Rolling	League Tables
Under 13 (Year 8)	9v9	60	120	✓	✓	Rolling	League Tables
Under 14 (Year 9)	11v11	70	150	✓	✓	Rolling	League Tables
Under 15 (Year 10)	11v11	70	150	✓	✓	Rolling	League Tables
Under 16 (Year 11)	11v11	80	150	✓	✓	Rolling	League Tables
Under 17 (Year 12)	11v11	90	180	✓	✓	Rolling	League Tables
Under 18 (Year 13)	11v11	90	180	✓	✓	Rolling	League Tables
Open Age	11v11	90	180	✓	✓	Rolling	League Tables

Game Set Up – Playing Rules

✓ Applies/permitted ✕ Does not apply/not permitted

Age Group	Format	Heading	Sideline Restarts	Corners	Free Kicks	Back Pass	Retreat Line	Power Play	Offside
Under 8 (Year 3)	5v5	✕	Pass in / Dribble in	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✕
Under 9 (Year 4)	5v5	✕	Pass in / Dribble in	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✕
Under 10 (Year 5)	7v7	✕	Pass in / Dribble in	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✕
Under 11 (Year 6)	7v7	✕	Pass in / Dribble in	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✕
Under 12 (Year 7)	9v9	✓	Throw-ins	✓	✓	✓	✕	✕	✓
Under 13 (Year 8)	9v9	✓	Throw-ins	✓	✓	✓	✕	✕	✓
Under 14 (Year 9)	11v11	✓	Throw-ins	✓	✓	✓	✕	✕	✓
Under 15 (Year 10)	11v11	✓	Throw-ins	✓	✓	✓	✕	✕	✓
Under 16 (Year 11)	11v11	✓	Throw-ins	✓	✓	✓	✕	✕	✓
Under 17 (Year 12)	11v11	✓	Throw-ins	✓	✓	✓	✕	✕	✓
Under 18 (Year 13)	11v11	✓	Throw-ins	✓	✓	✓	✕	✕	✓
Open Age	11v11	✓	Throw-ins	✓	✓	✓	✕	✕	✓