Mini soccer: The rules of U7 and U8 football

Q: Why should kids play mini soccer?

Mini soccer has been designed to suit the specific abilities of young players, helping them get to grips with the game, without being overwhelmed by it. Most importantly, this modified game maintains the soul of football, allowing children the chance to fall in love with the game while still reaping all the benefits of joining in with sport. Mini soccer’s smaller teams, simplified rules and more appropriately-sized pitches and goals make this process smoother, allowing children to begin their football journey from a manageable and accessible starting point.

Q: What age is U7 football?

As the name suggests, U7 football is played by children under the age of 7, just as U8 football is played by children under the age of 8. Following the same schedule as the school year, players of U7 must have turned 6 as of midnight on 31st August in the playing season and can play up until they turn 7. Contrastingly, U8 football rules state ‘the player must be under the age of 8 as at midnight on 31st August in the playing season’, meaning children aged 6-8 can play.

Q: What size are U7 goals?

Kept the same in U8 football matches to allow for the players’ smaller size, the goals used in U7 football measure 12ft by 6ft. Similar adjustments are made for the ball size in mini soccer, which is a size 3 ball, as well as the pitch size, which should be 40 by 30 yards.

Q: How long is an U8 football match?

For mini soccer, there is no set match duration applied to U7 and U8 games. Instead, the length of an U7 or U8 football match is decided by the league or competition, the only regulation in place stating that it must be within the maximum length of 40 minutes per match. These games are played in two halves, and each half is also held to a maximum duration of 20 minutes.

U7 and U8 football is designed to be enjoyed by younger children, with accommodations made from the adult game that reduce competitiveness and replace it with a focus on teamwork. It’s usually found being played in parks, schools and youth clubs, and provides kids with fitness, lifelong skills and an easy entryway into the world of football. It’s perfect for small children who want to get involved in some child-friendly football games.

In this blog, we’re going to discuss everything you need to know about mini-soccer and its rules so you can help your mini-football enthusiasts understand the game and get the most out of their practice.

Why should kids play U7 and U8 football?

U7 and U8 football, also known as mini soccer, is a modified version of football that’s built for younger children looking to play football for the first time. As any coach or parent will agree, putting 6-year-olds on an adult-sized pitch and telling them to try and run from one end to the other to score a goal between posts ten times the size of the goalie is a recipe for disaster. So, to accommodate small children, U7 and U8 football features everything from appropriate pitch sizes to smaller footballs to suit their needs. It provides children with a challenge while acting as a friendly introduction to the sport.

The ultimate goal is to create an environment that will support their growth and help them enjoy the sport. This is done by having smaller team sizes so that kids can utilise their coach's time and allows the coach to pay closer attention to each player and their strengths to give them a better chance at improving their skills. It allows children under 8 to enjoy the sport while making friends and honing their abilities, with a focus on their movement and skills rather than competitive play.

Overall, mini-soccer is a great choice for young, aspiring players to start their journey in a friendly and accessible environment.

Under 7’s football rules

Rules in football can change based on the age of the teams playing, for example, a U7 football club won’t have all the same rules as U12. So, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the rules for specific age groups. As your children get older and move into U12 groups, they will start to face more competitive play styles and new challenges. However, while U7 groups focus their efforts on making games that are both fun and supportive for young players, this doesn’t mean there aren’t rules for the players to follow. Let’s get into some of the basic rules you’ll find at U7 games below.

What's the age for playing U7 football?

U7 stands for under 7, so it's for children under 7 years old and this is based on their age as of August 31st at midnight in any given season. A child who is 6 at this time can join the U7 team even if they turn 7 during that season.

What size are U7 goals?

We can all agree putting a 6-year-old in front of an adult-sized goal would be unfair - not to mention intimidating. So that we don’t scare them off the second they put goalkeeper gloves on, the goals are sized down to fit young children and accommodate the kid-friendly atmosphere. In accordance with the FA guidelines for both U7 and U8 football, the goals should be 12ft long and 6ft tall.

What size ball is used for U7 football?

Similar to having a smaller goal, U7 footballs are sized down to a size 3 football, which has a circumference of 58-60cm and a weight of 300-320g, to support younger children. Regulations also state that the ball should be made of leather or other suitable materials by FA laws for the safety of the kids.

If you’re looking for a great football that’s available in a size 3 and has multiple colours to choose from, our Pro Player Football is a great choice for kids playing U7 and U8 football. If you want to know more information on how to pick out a football that will suit all of your needs then you can check out our blog choosing the right football for a deeper understanding of the different ball sizes in football as well as what they’re made out of.

What size is the pitch in U7 football?

The pitch also takes a major decrease in size to suit your younger players in U7 football. This pitch is around 40 by 30 yards in size for both U7 and U8 teams.

Is there an offside in U7 football?

No, in U7 there is no offside. In line with FA guidelines, the offside rule does not apply to any age-specific football variations for under 12 teams. As a rule which even long-time fans can struggle to grasp, many coaches understand that the rules of football can be a lot for children to take on board, so they hold off on certain rules until the players are older.

This also allows younger players to focus on exploring their strengths and skill learning through smaller and less complex games. It will help them find enjoyment in the sport rather than being overwhelmed by rules and unnecessary pressures to perform well. If you want a more in-depth look into this rule and the history behind it, then check out our ‘what is offside in football’ blog for more information.

Are pass-backs allowed in U7 football?

The pass-back rule will apply in U7 football. This means that the ball must be returned into play within 6 seconds, however, in U7 to U10 football groups, the referees will have discretionary decision-making power over a pass back and may be inclined to be more lax in enforcing this rule depending on the circumstances.

Under 8’s football rules

Most of the rules remain the same in U7 and U8 football as they are very close in age range. However, there are still certain things that are only allowed in U8 and not U7. The most obvious one being the age requirements. Let’s dive into what kinds of rules and regulations you’ll find in a U8 match.

What age is U8 football?

Just like the U7 age rules, U8 stands for under 8, meaning the player must be under the age of 8 as of midnight on August 31st in the playing season. This gives U8 football a slightly higher age range than U7 as children from the age of 6-8 can get involved in these games.

How long is a U8 match?

There is no set length for under 8’s matches. However in order to protect the well-being of the children the length of the match should be no more than 40 minutes with a break halfway through.

As they grow they will experience longer matches but most coaches are aware that forcing young children to play longer games will be both exerting and take away from the fun aspect that they try to focus on at this age.

How many players are in a U8 football team?

Overall, the maximum number of players on a U8’s will be 5 on each side, including the goalkeeper according to FA guidelines, so a maximum of 10 players on the pitch overall.

FA guidelines also make recommendations for equal opportunities when it comes to substitutions as opposed to substitution based on ability. It recommends that all players in a squad play at least 50% of the game with a focus on player development. However, in the instance there are fewer players available in that age range, there can be 4v4 matches arranged but this is the minimum amount of players allowed.

Are slide tackles allowed in under 8’s football?

In U8 football players must stay on their feet at all times meaning slide tackles are not allowed. Free kicks may be given for slide tackles, the only exception to this rule is the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper is allowed to slide in their own penalty area as long as it is to make a save. However, this doesn't mean players can’t stretch their legs out or go onto a knee during a tackle, as long as there is no sliding involved.

Find junior kits for U7 and U8 football at Avec Sport

Get your young football enthusiast ready for their first U7 or U8 football game with high-quality, unisex junior teamwear kits at Avec Sport. They’re ideal for small children who are joining their first mini-soccer game, browse everything from socks, jerseys and shorts and get them football-ready.