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Soccer 7s leaders

Here we publish resources and information for volunteer Soccer 7s leaders.

7 a-side match guidelines

  1. The field of play

Recommended

  • The field of play shall be 36 to 45 metres wide and 55 to 65 metres long.
  • Goalposts should be no more than 4.9 metres x 1.8 metres (16ft by 6ft).

The penalty area

  • The penalty area is defined at each end of the field as follows: Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal lines 20 metres apart from each other. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 10 metres and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line Within each penalty area a penalty mark is made 9 metres from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them. There should be a centre mark at the midpoint of the halfway line.

Alternative

  • Field and goalposts as supplied by the local authority may be used.
  • Coaches should adapt the recommendations according to the venue specifications.

  1. The ball

  • A size 4 ball should be used.

  1. The number of players

  • Teams will comprise 6 outfield players plus a goalkeeper. Suggestion would be for team squads to consist of up to 10 players with rolling substitutions used throughout the match. Players who have been substituted may return to the field of play as often as necessary. All team members should receive equal playing time where possible. In the event of an obvious mismatch the weaker team as jointly agreed by the respective team leaders, may field an extra player.

  1. The players’ equipment

  • All players should wear shin-guards.
  • Metal studs are suitable for grass fields only.
  • Players must wear the appropriate clothing dependant on weather.
  • Glasses may be worn provided they have safety frames and lenses or permitted by the parent.

  1. The referee

  • There is no referee but instead, opposing coaches should stand on the same side of the field and manage the game in partnership.
  • Should there be any fouls, etc, it is hoped that coaches will use a low tariff to judge this and call any fouls against their own team, to help prevent any hostility.

  1. Assistant referees

  • Assistant referees are not required

  1. Duration of the game

  • At P4 & P5 the duration of the game shall be 2 periods of 20 minutes with a 5-minute interval. Matches should be organised as weekly fixtures and shall be trophy free.
  • At P4 & P5 the duration of the game may be 3 periods of 15 minutes with 5-minute intervals. Matches should be organised as weekly fixtures and shall be trophy free.
  • At P6 & P7 the duration of the game shall be 2 periods of 25 minutes with a 5-minute interval. Matches should be organised as weekly fixtures and shall be trophy free.
  • At P6 & P7 the duration of the game may be 3 periods of 15 minutes with 5-minute intervals. Matches should be organised as weekly fixtures and shall be trophy free. The team leaders have joint discretion to alter this in the event of poor weather conditions, pitch conditions or an obvious mismatch.

  1. The start and restart of play

  • On scoring a goal the team that scores will retreat to the halfway line. The team conceding the goal will restart the game with a kick-off at the centre of the pitch. Opponents should be 6 metres away from the ball.

  1. The ball in and out of play

  • Normal rules apply.

  1. The method of scoring

  • Normal rules apply.

  1. Offside

  • There is no offside rule.

  1. Fouls and misconduct

  • Normal rules apply except in relation to a deliberate pass to the goalkeeper commonly known as the ‘pass back’.
  • Pass Back: For P4 & P5: the deliberate pass to the goalkeeper does not apply. For P6 & P7: the deliberate pass to the goalkeeper does apply.

  1. Free kicks

  • Normal rules apply except that opposing players must be 6 metres away. At P4 & P5 all free kicks outside the penalty area are indirect.

  1. The penalty kick

  • Normal rules apply.

  1. The throw in

  • Age P4 & P5 should use kick-ins. In the event of the ball going out of play, a kick-in will be awarded. At all kick-ins all opposition players must be 6 metres from the ball. The player taking the kick-in must use a short pass with the inside of the foot. P6 & P7 should take throw-ins. In the event of the ball going out of play, a throw-in will be awarded.

  1. The goal kick

Retreating area

  • For P4 & P5 there will be a 13-metre retreating area. When the goalkeeper has the ball in his/her hands the opposing team must retreat behind the retreating area (marked by cones, flat markers, poles or the match supervisor can be used to take a line) until the ball has been played to a member of his team. No player from the opposition is allowed into the retreating area until the outfield player has touched the ball.
  • For P6 & P7 there will be no retreating area.

  1. The corner kick

  • Normal rules apply.

  1. General

  • Team coaches will stand on the same side of the field
  • Parents should stand on the opposite side of the pitch behind a marked area, for example, cones, pitch tapes etc. Depending on the venue parents should be encouraged to stand a distance away from the pitch, to only encourage players and to uphold fair play
  • Team coaches should encourage the rotation of players to experience different positions on the pitch
  • Goalkeepers must pass or throw the ball to a teammate and not kick from hand
  • It is recommended, time permitting, that matches will finish with every player taking a penalty kick
  • At the end of every game, team coaches should encourage both teams to shake hands with each other and the coaches.