U9 & U10 Football: 7-a-Side Football Rules

Q: What is the difference between mini soccer and 7-a-side football?

Mini soccer, or mini football as it is also referred to, is a game of football that is played by children in the U7 and U8 teams and is played as 5-a-side or 4-a-side. This game of mini soccer transitions into 7-a-side football as children get older, as 7-a-side is typically played by U9 and U10 groups.

Q: What age group is 7-a-side football?

The FA mini soccer laws state that young footballers must only play with and against players from their own age range, in order to keep games fair. Typically, 7-a-side football is played by children under the ages of 9 and 10.

Q: How many players are in U9 and U10 football?

Generally speaking, the amount of players in U9 or U10 football will depend on the club, however the minimum number of players per side is 4v4 and the maximum for this age group is 7v7.

Q: What is the pitch size for 7-a-side football?

In alignment with the FA recommendations, a 7-a-side football pitch should measure 60 yards long and 40 yards wide. Again, this is a change from the smaller sided predecessor of a 5-a-side game which is played on a pitch that measures 40 yards long and 30 yards wide.

Q: How long is an U9 or U10 football game?

In addition to building endurance on a larger pitch area, young players moving up into 7-a-side football are also faced with an increased play time. In an U9 or U10 game, the match is played in two 25 minute halves, with a half-time break of no longer than 5 minutes. This length of match is a 5 minute increase per half compared to what they have played in U7 and U8 football.

Q: What size ball do U10s use for football?

Along with the changes in number of players, pitch size and play time, U10 football players will also now get to use a different size ball. While the U9 team will continue to use a size 3 ball that they will be used to from the U7 and U8 teams, the U10 teams will now use a size 4 ball.

Q: Is there a dedicated goalkeeper in U9 and U10 football?

In U9 and U10 football, now that there are more players per side, there is a higher chance for children to have the opportunity to play as a dedicated goalkeeper. In previous years as U7 and U8 footballers, in games of 4v4, players usually take alternate turns in the role of goalkeeper, and therefore they may not have had many chances to play in the goalkeeper position for long.

Providing easy access and a safe space for children to enter the world of football, U9 and U10 football clubs allow children to test their skills and individuality in a fun and friendly environment. It’s a great way to get children to lead a more active lifestyle while encouraging new skills such as teamwork and communication, as well as mental resilience and a drive to do well. 7-a-side football, in particular, is a fun and exciting sport for children around the ages of 9 and 10 to get involved in, as it is a step up from the 5-a-side they may have been playing at a slightly younger age and enables them to learn a faster-pace for the sport.

However, in order to create a fun and safe environment for these young, aspiring footballers, you must make sure that these games are being run both safely and fairly. It’s important you familiarise yourself with the rules of U9 and U10 football to achieve the fun and fair atmosphere that allows these young players to grow. In this blog, we take you through everything you need to know about these games, from the rules and regulations to how you can support their learning while they play.

What is children’s 7-a-side football?

7-a-side football within the 9-10 age group is a variation of the traditional 11-a-side sport that involves smaller teams, including one goalkeeper and six outfielders. It’s a step up from 5-a-side not only in terms of the number of players but also in terms of the size of the pitch, goal and the football itself. It’s a great step for young players to get a taste of the more advanced rules and workings of the sport played at adult levels and allows them to explore the faster pace akin to 11-a-side football without feeling too intimidated.

What is the difference between mini soccer and 7-a-side football?

Mini soccer refers to football that’s typically 4-a-side and 5-a-side, and includes U7 and U8 football. Children will make the transition from mini soccer to 7-a-side when they start U9 and U10 football. It may feel a bit daunting for some children but it’s important to encourage them that, while there may be more players, there's more fun to be had and more skills to learn as they will have a more dedicated position in the team.

If you’re interested in learning more about mini soccer you can read through our blog on the rules of U7 and U8 football to learn about more of the differences in the rules between these games.

What age group is 7-a-side football?

Typically, 7-a-side football is played between the age ranges of 9 and 10, and as the FA rules and regulations state, the players must play with others in the same age group as them to keep things fair and fun.

Even though there is only a one-year difference between 9 and 10, the difference in abilities and skill levels at this age can be quite large. So, to keep it fair, each team has to be the same age so that no one team is dominating the pitch with bigger and more experienced players.

How many players are in U9 and U10 football?

The number of players will depend on the club, but the minimum number of players you should find in these matches is 4v4 (used when there are not enough players to host the preferred 7-a-side) and the maximum number is 7v7.

What is the pitch size for 7-a-side football?

A 7-a-side football pitch should measure 60 yards long and 40 yards wide. With the pitch jumping up in size, there is more area to cover which may take some getting used to for any children moving up from 5-a-side games. However, having a bigger pitch can help to improve their endurance and stamina, which are great skills to have when playing football and will prepare them for future games as they grow.

How long is a U9 or U10 football match?

In a U9 or U10 game, the match is played in two 25-minute halves, with a half-time break of no longer than 5 minutes. This length of game is in the interest of the health and safety of the young ones, as children of these ages cannot play more than 60 minutes for a full match and no more than 90 minutes overall a day to protect them from overexertion and potential injuries that may occur from pushing themselves too far.

What size ball do U10s use for football?

Children of this age are still a bit too small to play with a regular size 5 football, so it’s best to keep them at a smaller size for now. The general rule when it comes to U9 and U10 football sizes are:

U9 players will be best with a size 3 ball
U10 players are better off with a size 4 football.

The size 4 ball is slightly larger and heavier and provides them with a good chance to get acquainted with what it will be like to eventually play with a size 5 ball as they grow.

What equipment do you need for U9 and U10 football?

When it comes to what they will need to play U9 and U10 football, there are a few essential things to note such as:

Children are not allowed to play unless they have the proper shin guards and these should be covered entirely by knee-length socks.
Footwear and clothes should be weather-appropriate and goalkeepers should wear a different coloured shirt to the rest of the team.

If you need a durable and reliable junior football kit for your 7-a-side team, then you can browse our full collection here at Avec Sport to grab some kit that will keep them comfortable and at optimal performance all season long.

Is there a dedicated goalkeeper in U9 and U10 football?

Since U9 and U10 football is usually 7v7, there is a lot more opportunity to have a dedicated goalkeeper rather than in U7 and U8 football where the teams are much smaller and the players alternate positions.

If your child is most interested in being a goalkeeper and hasn’t had much of a chance before, then this is a great opportunity to take on a more dedicated role as a goalkeeper and work on their skills. Any goalkeeper in a football team, no matter age group or size, must wear a different football jersey from their teammates in order to distinguish them. If you’re looking for a junior goalkeeper kit, we have a wide range of colour options here at Avec Sport to help your team stand out while supporting their training with high-quality materials.

Can U9 and U10 football clubs participate in football leagues?

All age groups under 10 are not allowed to participate in football leagues where the results of the game are published or winner trophies are presented. This can take the fun out of the games for the children and make them more competitive, which isn’t what they should be focused on at this stage.

The purpose behind U9 and U10 football is for them to grow their skills while learning in a fun environment to get them ready for the bigger football matches. Although they cannot participate in leagues, they can play in a maximum of three trophy events during the season. This allows them to learn about winning and losing in a fun environment that won’t promote extreme competitiveness.

Get ready for 7-a-side with junior football kits at Avec Sport

7-a-side football is a great gateway for your young children to work on developing their skills while preparing themselves for playing in bigger teams with bigger pitches and goal sizes.

If you’ve got a young, aspiring footballer making the leap into U9 and U10 football, then make sure you get them ready for their next game with all the right kit. From durable junior football kits to having the right football accessories to help guide them through training, get everything they need to keep them comfortable and happy all season long.