League Rules

Under 7s

Age Groups, Playing Times, Ball Sizes Etc:

U7s will play 3v3 carousel football using a size 3 ball.
Teams will be allocated an hourly slot and will rotate between a number of pitches, playing several short games against different opponents. Each individual game will last for 15 minutes, providing approximately 45 minutes of football for every player.
Matchday - Sunday

Rule 1(b) - Rules Of Play

U7 matches will be played in accordance with The FA’s FutureFit 3v3 format.

Matches will be played with three players per team, with no goalkeepers, match officials or offside. Each pitch will be supervised by an adult pitch facilitator, who will support the players and ensure the game is played safely and fairly.

Games will begin with players exchanging a high five. Rock, paper, scissors may be used to determine which team starts with possession.

Players may either pass or dribble the ball into play from all restarts, including touchline, corner, goal-line and free-kick restarts. Opposing players must remain at least three metres from the ball.

For a goal-line restart, the opposing team must retreat into its own half. Following a goal, the team that scored must retreat to its own goal line and play will restart from the goal line of the team that conceded.

A goal may only be scored when the player taking the shot is inside the opposition half.

There are no penalty kicks. All free kicks must be taken at least three metres from the goal.

No Heading Rule

Deliberately heading the ball is not permitted at U7 level. Where a player deliberately heads the ball, play will restart with a pass-in or dribble-in awarded to the opposing team from where the offence occurred.

Under 8s

Age Groups, Playing Times, Ball Sizes Etc:

U8s will play 5-a-side, 25 minutes each way, using a size 3 ball.
A maximum of 10 players may be registered, with all registered players permitted to play on matchdays.
Substitutions will be roll-on, roll-off with the referee’s permission. Any player who has been substituted may return to the field as a substitute for another player.
Matchday : Saturday

Rule 1 (b) Rules of Play

Matches will start with a kick-off from the halfway line. The ball may be played forwards or backwards, but the team taking the kick-off must touch the ball at least twice before a goal can be scored. After a goal, play will restart in the same way. All free kicks are direct, except those awarded under the no-heading rule set out below. Opposing players must retreat at least 6 yards at all set pieces. A goalkeeper must not handle a back-pass; if this happens, a free kick will be awarded on the edge of the penalty area, nearest to where the offence occurred. All goal kicks must be taken with the ball on the ground. A goalkeeper cannot score directly from within the goal area. If the goalkeeper shoots and the only other player to touch the ball is the opposing goalkeeper, the goal will not count and a goal kick will be awarded to the defending team. The Retreat Line rule applies at these age groups. The line must be no further forward than the halfway line and no closer than one-third of the pitch, at the referee’s discretion.

No Heading Rule & Kick-in Rules

Restart Following Deliberate Heading

• Deliberately heading the ball is an offence and will result in an indirect free kick.

• The indirect free kick will be taken from the point where the ball was deliberately headed, except:

o If a player deliberately heads the ball inside their own penalty area, the referee will stop play and award the opposition an indirect free kick from the nearest side line of the penalty area to where the offence occurred.

Touchline Restart

• When the whole ball crosses the touchline, on the ground or in the air, a pass-in or dribble-in will be awarded instead of a throw-in.

• The player taking the pass-in or dribble-in may touch the ball again before another player touches it.

• When restarting play:

o The ball must be stationary on the touchline at the point where it left the pitch. Only the player taking the restart may be off the pitch.

o All opponents must remain at least 5 yards from the point on the touchline where the pass-in or dribble-in is taken.

• A goal cannot be scored directly from a pass-in.

• The ball is in play once it has been kicked and clearly moves.

Under 9s

Age Groups, Playing Times, Ball Sizes Etc:

U9s will play 5-a-side, 25 minutes each way, using a size 3 ball.
A maximum of 10 players may be included in the matchday squad, with all players permitted to take part.
Substitutions will be roll-on, roll-off with the referee’s permission. Any player substituted may return to the field of play as a substitute for another player.
Matchday: Saturdays

Rule 1 (b) Rules of Play

Matches will start with a kick-off from the halfway line. The ball may be played forwards or backwards, but the team taking the kick-off must touch the ball at least twice before a goal can be scored. After a goal, play will restart in the same way. All free kicks are direct, except those awarded under the no-heading rule set out below. Opposing players must retreat at least 6 yards at all set pieces. A goalkeeper must not handle a back-pass; if this happens, a free kick will be awarded on the edge of the penalty area, nearest to where the offence occurred. All goal kicks must be taken with the ball on the ground. A goalkeeper cannot score directly from within the goal area. If the goalkeeper shoots and the only other player to touch the ball is the opposing goalkeeper, the goal will not count and a goal kick will be awarded to the defending team. The Retreat Line rule applies at these age groups. The line must be no further forward than the halfway line and no closer than one-third of the pitch, at the referee’s discretion.

No Heading Rule & Kick-in Rules

Restart Following Deliberate Heading

• Deliberately heading the ball is an offence and will result in an indirect free kick.

• The indirect free kick will be taken from the point where the ball was deliberately headed, except:

o If a player deliberately heads the ball inside their own penalty area, the referee will stop play and award the opposition an indirect free kick from the nearest side line of the penalty area to where the offence occurred.

Touchline Restart

• When the whole ball crosses the touchline, on the ground or in the air, a pass-in or dribble-in will be awarded instead of a throw-in.

• The player taking the pass-in or dribble-in may touch the ball again before another player touches it.

• When restarting play:

o The ball must be stationary on the touchline at the point where it left the pitch. Only the player taking the restart may be off the pitch.

o All opponents must remain at least 5 yards from the point on the touchline where the pass-in or dribble-in is taken.

• A goal cannot be scored directly from a pass-in.

• The ball is in play once it has been kicked and clearly moves.

U12s & U13s

Age Groups, Playing Times, Ball Sizes Etc:

U12s and U13s will play 9-a-side, 30 minutes each way, using a size 4 ball.
U12s and U13s teams may register one squad of up to 16 players, with a maximum of 14 players permitted to play on matchdays.
Substitutions will be roll-on, roll-off with the referee’s permission. Any player substituted may return to the field of play as a substitute for another player.
Matchday: Sundays

Rule 1 (b) Rules of Play

The 11-a-side rules apply, including the offside rule, but matches will use a size 4 ball and 16 x 7 goalposts.

Under 14s - 18s

Age Groups, Playing Times, Ball Sizes Etc:

U14's Dev 11 v 11 35 minutes each way size 5 ball
U14's 11 v 11 35 minutes each way size 5 ball
U15's 11 v 11 40 mins each way size 5 ball
U16's 11 v 11 40 mins each way size 5 ball
U17’s 11 v 11 45 mins each way size 5 ball
U18’s 11 v 11 45 mins each way size 5 ball
For all 11 v 11 age groups registrations is 22 with 16 allowed to play on match days
At all age groups substitutes will be roll on roll off at the referee’s discretion, any player substituted then becomes a substitute themselves

Rule 1 (b) Rules of Play

The full FA 11-a-side Laws of the Game will apply.

U10s & U11s

Age Groups, Playing Times, Ball Sizes Etc:

U10s and U11s will play 7-a-side, 30 minutes each way, Ball size 3
Teams may register one squad of 12 players, with all 12 players permitted to play on matchdays.
Substitutions will be roll-on, roll-off at the referee’s discretion. Any player who is substituted may return to the field of play as a substitute for another player.
Matchday: Saturdays

Rule 1 (b) Rules of Play

Matches will start with a kick-off from the halfway line. The ball may be played forwards or backwards, but the team taking the kick-off must touch the ball at least twice before a goal can be scored. After a goal, play will restart in the same way. All free kicks are direct, and opposing players must retreat at least 6 yards at all set pieces. A goalkeeper must not handle a back-pass; if this happens, a free kick will be awarded on the edge of the penalty area, nearest to where the offence occurred. All goal kicks must be taken with the ball on the ground. A goalkeeper cannot score directly from within the goal area. If the goalkeeper shoots and the only other player to touch the ball is the opposing goalkeeper, the goal will not count and a goal kick will be awarded to the defending team. The Retreat Line rule applies at these age groups. The line must be no further forward than the halfway line and no closer than one-third of the pitch, at the referee’s discretion.

No Heading Rule & Kick-in Rules

Restart Following Deliberate Heading

• Deliberately heading the ball is an offence and will result in an indirect free kick.

• The indirect free kick will be taken from the point where the ball was deliberately headed, except:

o If a player deliberately heads the ball inside their own penalty area, the referee will stop play and award the opposition an indirect free kick from the nearest side line of the penalty area to where the offence occurred.

Touchline Restart

• When the whole ball crosses the touchline, on the ground or in the air, a pass-in or dribble-in will be awarded instead of a throw-in.

• The player taking the pass-in or dribble-in may touch the ball again before another player touches it.

• When restarting play:

o The ball must be stationary on the touchline at the point where it left the pitch. Only the player taking the restart may be off the pitch.

o All opponents must remain at least 5 yards from the point on the touchline where the pass-in or dribble-in is taken.

• A goal cannot be scored directly from a pass-in.

• The ball is in play once it has been kicked and clearly moves.

Under 8s Development

Age Groups, Playing Times, Ball Sizes Etc:

The U8s Development division is for eligible U7 teams wishing to play one age group higher.

U8s Development will play 5-a-side, 20 minutes each way, using a size 3 ball.
A maximum of 10 players may be registered, with all registered players permitted to play on matchdays.
Substitutions will be roll-on, roll-off with the referee’s permission. Any player substituted may return to the field of play as a substitute for another player.
Matchday: Sunday

Rule 1 (b) Rules of Play

Matches will start with a kick-off from the halfway line. The ball may be played forwards or backwards, but the team taking the kick-off must touch the ball at least twice before a goal can be scored. After a goal, play will restart in the same way. All free kicks are direct, except those awarded under the no-heading rule set out below. Opposing players must retreat at least 6 yards at all set pieces. A goalkeeper must not handle a back-pass; if this happens, a free kick will be awarded on the edge of the penalty area, nearest to where the offence occurred. All goal kicks must be taken with the ball on the ground. A goalkeeper cannot score directly from within the goal area. If the goalkeeper shoots and the only other player to touch the ball is the opposing goalkeeper, the goal will not count and a goal kick will be awarded to the defending team. The Retreat Line rule applies at these age groups. The line must be no further forward than the halfway line and no closer than one-third of the pitch, at the referee’s discretion.

No Heading Rule & Kick-in Rules

Restart Following Deliberate Heading

• Deliberately heading the ball is an offence and will result in an indirect free kick.

• The indirect free kick will be taken from the point where the ball was deliberately headed, except:

o If a player deliberately heads the ball inside their own penalty area, the referee will stop play and award the opposition an indirect free kick from the nearest side line of the penalty area to where the offence occurred.

Touchline Restart

• When the whole ball crosses the touchline, on the ground or in the air, a pass-in or dribble-in will be awarded instead of a throw-in.

• The player taking the pass-in or dribble-in may touch the ball again before another player touches it.

• When restarting play:

o The ball must be stationary on the touchline at the point where it left the pitch. Only the player taking the restart may be off the pitch.

o All opponents must remain at least 5 yards from the point on the touchline where the pass-in or dribble-in is taken.

• A goal cannot be scored directly from a pass-in.

• The ball is in play once it has been kicked and clearly moves.

U14s Development

Age Groups, Playing Times, Ball Sizes Etc:

The U14s Development League is for eligible U13 teams wishing to play one age group higher and gain experience of the 11v11 format.
U14s Development teams will play 11-a-side, 35 minutes each way, using a size 5 ball.
Teams may register one squad of up to 22 players, with a maximum of 16 players permitted to play on matchdays.
Substitutions will be roll-on, roll-off with the referee’s permission. Any player substituted may return to the field of play as a substitute for another player.
Matches will be played on a Home and Away basis - Sundays

Rule 1 (b) Rules of Play

The full FA 11-a-side Laws of the Game will apply.

rules of play

Under 7s

Under 8s

Under 9s

U12s & U13s

Under 14s - 18s

U10s & U11s

Under 8s Development

U14s Development

2026/27 EMJFL Laws

For ease of access, we have broken down the 2026/27 Laws into downloadable PDF's relating to specific sections. We have also provided the Standard Code of Rules for Mini Soccer and Youth Football Competitions.

If you have any questions or queries regarding the information above, please contact a League Official here.