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The Football Association of Wales (FAW) recognizes that children do not perform the same as adults in an 11–a–side game. Therefore a modified version is required to meet the needs of young players while maintaining all the features and essence of the full game.
Mini Football is recognized by the FAW as the only form of football in Wales for children under 11 years old.
Mini Football is a modified version of the 11–a–side game. It gives children the chance to play real football, for a real team, whilst experiencing an enjoyable and fun introduction to football through small sided games.
All available research shows that children have more fun and learn more playing a game within smaller teams. Mini Football is therefore ideal for girls and boys under 11 years of age.
If children are to enjoy and take part in football they need to:-
All participants entering the mini age groups within tournaments operated at our Welsh Football Tournaments will receive participation awards of equal standard. Special achievement awards will be presented to two teams competing within each age group based on Fair Play, Supporters Encouragement To their Team, Performance and Team Spirit. These special achievement awards will be voted by the match officials reports throughout the tournament.
Winners of the special achievement awards will receive a training pack comprising of bibs, footballs, cones etc.
Throw inn’s are to be treated within lenience and guidance and direction should be given to players to aid their development, no foul throws should be penalized at mini football. Guidance to the rules are should be explained as the game proceeds (for example, hand ball, and then in/out play). It may also be necessary to demonstrate in certain instances how to restart the game (e.g. throw in, corner kicks).
Age guide lines are for boys and girls aged 5 to 11 (as of midnight 31st August the previous year) and mixed football is allowed in all age ranges.
Please note, there is no off-side at mini football competitions Teams should consist of 7 v 7.
Mini pitches at Team Tours Direct events will be based on the following guidelines, the playing area should be no greater than 55 yds x 35 yds and no smaller than 30 yds x 20yds.
Any number of substitutes may be used at any time with the permission of the match official being notified of change of player.
Shin protection – all players are required to wear shin guards.
Match kick off is should be taken in the centre of the playing area to start the game and after a goal has been scored.
Corner kicks – teams should note that opposing sides should be at least three yards away from the corner kick.
Free kicks – teams should be aware that all free kicks are indirect and the opposition should be at least three yards away.
Goalkeepers may handle the ball in your own penalty area and there are no restrictions on the number of steps that you may take when holding the ball. Goalkeepers may not handle the ball outside their own penalty area.
Under 6’s, 7’s 8’s and 9’s may kick the ball out of their hands and under 10’s and 11’s are only allowed to throw the ball. If the goal keeper chooses to kick the ball on the ground they may then be challenged by their opposition.
Goal–kicks – should be taken anywhere on the edge of the penalty area – the opposition should be at least 3 yards away. Age groups 6’s, 7’s 8’s and 9’s may be taken from their hands from within the goal area.
Players can pass the ball to their own goalkeeper, for the goalkeeper to handle.
There are no restrictions regarding the number of players allowed in the goal area.