WHY SMALL SIDED FOOTBALLOptus Small-Sided Football is a modified form of

11-a-side football, designed to meet the needs of players under the age of 12, who have very different developmental characteristics and needs to adult players.

The philosophy of Optus Small-Sided Football focuses on enjoyment and freedom of expression with limited emphasis on coaching, particularly in the formative years of a player’s development.

SMALL SIDED FOOTBALLSmall-Sided Football is available for players aged

from Under 6 to 11 years.

Small Sided Football is broken into three age categories:* Under 6’s & 7’s* Under 8’s & 9’s* Under 10’s & 11’s

NOTE : Under 11’s is a competition base age group.

Under 6 & 7 RulesThe ball – Size 3

Number of players – 4v4. Maximum of 4 players from each team on the field at any time. Players may be interchanged at any time.

No goalkeepers.

No offside.

Duration – 2x 15 minute halves.

Field is 20x30m in size.

Under 6 & 7 RulesThe “home team will take the kick off and the Game Leader

will decide the direction of play.

The kick off and direction of play will be reversed at half time.

For all starts and restarts of play at the commencement of a game, after half time, and after a goal is scored:

* All players MUST be in their own half of the field, and

* Kickoffs will be taken from the CENTRE of the field.

In U6 & U7 the player taking the kickoff may start by dribbling the ball forward.

Opponents must be at least 5m from the ball until it is in play.

Under 6 & 7 RulesA goal cannot be directly scored from the kickoff. It must touch

at least one other player before entering the net or a goal kick will be awarded.

Restarts after the ball goes over the touchline (sideline).

No throw-ins! Players can kick or dribble the ball in from behind the

side line. Defenders must be at least 5m from the ball until it is in

play. Use a ready, set, go! countdown to ensure the game

keeps moving!

Under 6 & 7 RulesRestart after the ball crosses the goal line (back line).

Regardless of which team touched the ball last, a player from the team whose goal line the ball has crossed will place the ball along the goal line near the corner flag.

They will either pass or dribble the ball into play.

Opponents MUST retreat to the half way line and can move once the ball is in play.

The ball must touch another player before a goal can be scored.

There is NO corner kicks.

Under 6 & 7 RulesAll free kicks in U6 & U7 are indirect free kicks.

There are no penalties or direct free kicks.

An indirect free kick is where a goal can be scored only after the ball has touched another player before entering the goal.

If the ball enters the goal directly from a free kick without touching another player, a goal kick is awarded.

Under 6 & 7 Rules

A free kick awarded to the attacking team is taken from the spot the infringement occurred but shall be no closer than 5m to the goal.

A free kick awarded to the defending team is taken from the spot the infringement occurred but shall be no closer than 5m to the goal.

Under 6 & 7 RulesTry to limit giving free kicks. Most acts of

handball or fouls at this level are caused by a lack of coordination, with no intent.

Only award a free kick if you believe that the player committed a serious act of handball, foul or misconduct and explain to the child that this is not the right way to behave and to not do it again.

Under 6 & 7 Rules

Please consider that if a child picks up the ball during play it may be because they heard a whistle on a field nearby.

If you are satisfied that this act was not intentional restart play with a drop ball ASAP!

Under 6 & 7 TestHow many players per team?

4Are there goalkeepers in U6 & U7?

NoIs there offside in U6 & U7?

NoDo they take throw ins in U6 & U7?

No, they can pass or dribble.How far away must defenders stand for a free kick or

kickoff?5 metres.

How long are the halves in U6 & U7?15 minutes, with a MAXIMUM 5 minute half time

break.

Under 6 & 7 TestAre there any direct free kicks/penalties in U6 & U7?No, there are only indirect free kicks and even these

should be limited.A team has just scored a goal, where is the restart of play

taken from?From the middle of the halfway line, by the team who

conceded the goal.Menai Hawks just scored a goal against the Ridgebacks.

Where do the Hawks players stand for the restart of play?At least 5m away from the ball until it is in play.

The ball is kicked over the goal line by the defending team. Where is the restart of play taken from?From anywhere on the goal line, just like a goal kick,

except from in the goal mouth. Remember there is no corners in this age group!

Under 8 & 9 RulesThe ball – Size 3

Number of players – 7v7 including a goalkeeper. A maximum of 7 players on the field from each team at any time. Players may be interchanged at anytime.

Size of field – 40x30m

Duration – 20 minute halves with a MAX 5 min halftime break.

Offside – There is no offside.

Under 8 & 9 RulesThe “home team will take the kick off and the Game Leader

will decide the direction of play.

The kick off and direction of play will be reversed at half time.

For all starts and restarts of play at the commencement of a game, after half time, and after a goal is scored:

* All players MUST be in their own half of the field, and

* Kickoffs will be taken from the CENTRE of the field.

Opponents must be at least 5m from the ball until it is in play.

Under 8 & 9 RulesRestart after the ball crosses the touch line.

The game is restarted with a throw in awarded to the opposition.

Players face the field of play, part of each foot on or behind the

line, using both hands delivers the ball from behind and over their head.

The thrower may not touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player. For this offence an indirect free kick is awarded against the thrower.

Opponents must be at least 5m away from the ball until it is in play.

The ball is in play once it has entered the field of play.

A goal can NOT be scored directly from a throw in.

Under 8 & 9 RulesBall crossing the goal line after having last

touched a DEFENDER.

The game is restarted with a corner kick taken by the attacking team.

The kick may be taken from up to 1 m from the corner flag post, either along the back line or side line.

Opponents must be at least 5 m from the ball until it is in play.

A goal can be scored directly from a corner kick.

A player taking a corner kick is not permitted to kick the ball a second time until the ball touches another player.

Under 8 & 9 RulesBall crossing the goal line after having last

touched an ATTACKER.

The game is restarted with a goal kick taken from anywhere inside the penalty area.

The ball is in play once it is kicked directly out of the penalty area

Opponents must remain at least 5m outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.

Under 8 & 9 RulesGoalkeepers are allowed to handle the ball anywhere

within the goal area.

Once the goalkeeper has control of the ball ALL players, with the exception of the Goalkeeper, must leave the goal area.

No player can challenge the goalkeeper when they are in possession of the ball in the goal area.

An indirect free kick is awarded if the goalkeeper touches the ball with their hands after it has been deliberately

kicked to them by a team-mate.

Under 8 & 9 Rules

The goalkeeper must release the ball using one of the following methods within 6 seconds of gaining control of it:

Rolling or throwing the ball

Kick the ball – BUT ONLY AFTER PLACING THE BALL ON THE GROUND

Under 8 & 9 RulesFouls and misconduct – Indirect free kicks are

awarded for any fouls that are committed on the field of play outside the penalty area.

For deliberate acts of handball or serious fouls in the penalty area a penalty kick is awarded.

This kick is to be taken from an 8 metre penalty mark with only the goalkeeper in position.

All other players must be outside the penalty area and at least 5m behind the penalty mark

Under 8 & 9 RulesFouls and misconduct are:

Kicks or attempts to kick an opponentTrips or attempts to trip an opponentJumps at an opponentCharges at an opponentStrikes or attempts to strike an opponentPushes an opponentTackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball,

making contact with the opponent before touching the ball

Holds an opponentSpits at an opponentHandles the ball deliberately (except for the

goalkeeper in his own penalty area)

Under 8 & 9 TestHow many players per team?

7Are there goalkeepers in U8& U9?

Yes Is there offside in U8 & U9?

NoDo they take throw ins in U8 & U9?

Yes. If a goalkeeper has control of the ball how can he distribute

the ball to his team?By either rolling the ball, throwing the ball or kicking the

ball off the ground within 6 seconds.How far away must defenders stand for a free kick or

kickoff?5 metres.

Under 8 & 9 Test cont’d How long are the halves in U8 & U9?

20 minutes, with a MAXIMUM 5 minute half time break. Are there any direct free kicks/penalties in U8 & U9?

Yes for any infringements that occur in the penalty area. A team has just scored a goal, where is the restart of play taken

from? From the middle of the halfway line, by the team who conceded

the goal. Menai Hawks just scored a goal against the Ridgebacks. Where do

the Hawks players stand for the restart of play? At least 5m away from the ball until it is in play.

The ball is kicked over the goal line by the defending team. Where is the restart of play taken from? From within 1 metre either side of the corner flag.

Cronulla Seagulls are the attacking team and they just kicked the ball over Bangor Brumbies goal line. How is play restarted? With a goal kick, taken from anywhere in the penalty area.

Under 10 & 11 RulesAre the same as the U8 & U9 rules except for the

following:

The ball – Size 4

Number of players – 9v9 including a goalkeeper.

Size of field – 60x40m (1/2 field)

Duration – 25 min halves (MAX 5 min half time break).

Under 10 & 11’sIDENTIFICATION CARDS (I.D.)

• All players in the Under 10’s & 11’s MUST have I.D. Cards showing their team and grade for 2013.

• A player is not permitted to play in an Under 11 competition match if not in possession of an I.D. Card.

• In Under 11 competition matches, the I.D. Cards of all players participating in the match MUST be shown to the opposition teams Manager.

SSF Game Leader or Instructing Referee

What’s the difference?Game Leaders look after

the Under 6 & 7Instructing Referees look

after the Under 8-11 The roles of SSF Game

Leaders and Instructing Referees differ slightly

SSF Game LeaderThe most important thing is to – KEEP THE GAME

MOVING!!

Try to limit stoppages in play.

Help players with the restart of play to ensure the game is moving freely.

Ensure the opposing team is back to the halfway line for all goal line restarts.

Facilitate an environment where all the kids will have FUN !!!

SSF Instructing RefereeThe main role of the instructing referee is to

control the game and make sure it runs freely.

SSF Instructing Referees aim to instruct and correct the players on how to behave and what the rules are. The referee may instruct the players without stopping the game.

Discourage players from permanently standing in blatant offside positions.

Facilitate an environment where the kids will have FUN !!!

BORROWING OF PLAYERSPlayers in Under 6’s to 10’s maybe borrowed into any other

side within their age groups at any time. Please ensure that the coach does not borrow a player who is obviously too high of ability for that grade.

Under 6’s to Under 9’s maybe borrowed into a higher age group but CANNOT go up more than 2 years in age.

Under 9 players maybe borrowed into ANY Under 10 side.

Under 9 players can be borrowed into Under 11 sides but must go down one grade ie 9B to 11C, 9C to 11D Note : 9A can only play 11A but they can be borrowed into any Under 10 grade.

No more than TWO Under 9 players can be borrowed by Under 11 teams.

BORROWING OF PLAYERS

Under 10 players can be borrowed into Under 11 sides in their own grade or higher or in addition also play down one grade ie 10B to 11C, 10C to 11D

Note : 10A can only play 11A.

ALL BORROWED PLAYERS MUST BE RECORDED ONTO THE MATCH SHEET WITH THEIR AGE AND GRADED RECORDED.

UNDER 11’s

A team participating in an Under 11 Competition must have a MINIMUM of six (6) ELIGIBLE Players on the field for the entire game.

The eligible players may include up to four (4) borrowed players

And finally...

It is not unusual for referees, young and old, to feel nervous when they go onto the field.

Please ensure that Ground Control are present to support your referees

Ensure that your referees have read and understood all the rules.

And finally..If you have any questions or problems

during the season, please either contact me

Giulio DiStefano SSFA SSR CO-ORDINATOR0466 438 296giulo15@hotmail.com.