Match Rules Summary 2026 - 2027

General Rules / Notes

• There will be 2 Respect Stewards at all games, they are responsible for of their team and supporters behaviour. They should liaise with the opposition RS. They have a Safeguarding responsibility for the Referee. Issue must be reported to their CWO.
• All under 7s matches are Development Matches. 
• Most under 8s, 9s and 10s matches are also Development Matches: There are a number of Festival Games throughout the season, these will be Competition. See League Rules.
• Development Matches have no league tables, or cups.
• Mini-Soccer match duration can be 2 x 25 mins for competitive matches or 4 x 12 mins for development matches. Check with each manager before KO.
• Continuous Substitution are now used in all youth football and can be made at any restart.
• Passbacks: The basic law of football still applies: passbacks to the goalkeeper are NOT allowed at any age. However, the passback must be intentional to constitute an offence.
• Side Line Restarts (SLR): SLR will replace Throw-Ins in all Mini-Soccer games. The Ball must be stationary on the Touch-Line, only the SLR player can be off the pitch and all opposition players must be 5yds/4.5m (about 7 paces) from the ball. Under 7 the opposition players must be 3yds/2.6m(about 5 places), The player can either Pass the ball to another player or Dribble the Ball in to play. The Ball is in play as soon as moves
• In Development Matches, The SLR should be retaken if the Referee deems it to be incorrectly taken. Deliberate attempts to circumvent this Pass-In or Dribble-In Law will be penalized by awarding the SLR to the other side only after the team and coach have been formal warned. The reasoning behind this move is to stop the SLR being used as a Free Kick
• Retreat Line: In all mini-soccer matches (under 7s to under 10s), when there is a goal kick the players from the opposing team must retreat to the half-way line until the kick has been taken.
• Goal Kick: At all ages, goal kicks must be taken normally, i.e. kicked from the ground.
• MRCs: Are required for all games and must be received by the League within 5 days of the match being played.
• Team Sheets: Should be exchanged with the opposition, either by email the day before, or a hard copy presented 15 mins before KO. They must include player Shirt Numbers and name your Coaches.
• Photo Squad List: Must be shown to the opposition, you may use electronic or hard copy downloads from Club Portal. An ID parade can be requested by either team before kick-off.
• For 3v3 click here for full rules and information.