Shown below is an overview of the Rules under which Small-Sided Games will be played in Under 6 through Under 9 grades in 2008. This information is summarised from the FFA Small-Sided Games Handbook, together with local modifications.

More information about Small-Sided Games, including the Handbook and Parent Information Brochure, can be found at the Football Federation Australia website: http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/Community/default.aspx?s=community_newsfeatures_news_news_item&id=20772.

Ball in and out of play

The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal line or the back line, or when play has been stopped by the referee.

Ball crossing the side line

Under 6, 7 and 8 years of age

No throw-in but a kick from behind the sideline. To encourage quick restarts and decision-making under pressure, the team in possession has three seconds to recommence the play from a restart. This can be done by the match leader having a countdown of ”Ready-set-go!”. When the match leader shouts out: ”Go!”, the ball is deemed to be in play and the defending team can encroach within the 4.5m zone and attempt to win the ball.

Under 9 years of age

Throw in: Player faces the field of play, part of each foot either on or behind the touch line, uses both hands and delivers the ball from behind and over his or her head. The thrower may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player. If he/she does, then a free kick is awarded against him/her.

Ball crossing the back line after touching the defending team last

Under 6–9 years of age

Corner kick.

Ball crossing the back line after touching the attacking team last

Under 6, 7 and 8 years of age

Goal kick off the ground from the back line.

Under 9 years of age

Goal kick from anywhere inside the penalty box.

Method of scoring

A goal is scored when the whole ball crosses the line. When original goals or goal posts (poles) are not available and cones are used for goals then a goal is scored when the ball passes between the cones without knocking them over.

Offside

There is no offside for the Under 6–9-year-old age groups.

Fouls and misconduct

There are only indirect free kicks with the exception of a penalty kick (refer below). All indirect free kicks within the penalty area shall be taken outside the 8m penalty box line.

Fouls and misconduct are:

• kicks or attempts to kick an opponent

• trips or attempts to trip an opponent

• jumps at an opponent

• charges an opponent

• strikes or attempts to strike an opponent

• pushes an opponent

• tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball

• making contact with the opponent before touching the ball

• holds an opponent

• spits at an opponent

• handles the ball deliberately

• plays in a dangerous manner

• impedes the progress of a player.

Under 6, 7 and 8 years of age

No player is allowed to deliberately handle the ball with his or her hand and or arm anywhere on the field.

Under 9 years of age

Only the goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball, and only inside their penalty area. No other player is allowed to deliberately handle the ball with his or her hand and or arm anywhere on the field.

Penalties

A penalty kick is given because of deliberate “hand ball” in the penalty area or when the opponent commits a deliberate serious foul such as: kicking an opponent, striking an opponent, tackling an opponent in a dangerous manner etc.

Under 6, 7 and 8 years of age

The penalty kick is taken from an 8m spot with an empty goal – all other players must stand behind the halfway line.

Under 9 years of age

the penalty kick is taken from behind the 8m line with a goalkeeper in position – all other players must stand behind the halfway line. When a penalty kick is taken, the next penalty kick has to be taken by another player until all players have been used.

Role of the Referee (Team Leader)

Under 6, 7 and 8 years of age groups

We advise that a club member or parent assist the players during the game. His or her main role is to keep the game moving fluently and with minimal breaks. He or she is more of a game leader than a referee. Their main role as game leader is to explain to the children that when the ball goes behind the back line or when a goal is scored the game is restarted from the back line. Keep the opponents 4.5m away from all restarts. Note: Football is a contact sport and each action is dealt with at the time it occurs. Explain the foul in simple terms, restart and let the game continue!

Under 9 years of age

The referee should act as an “instructing referee”. The club can appoint a club member to act as the referee, a beginning referee or may get an official referee from the association. This person’s “official” role is to control the game to ensure it is played fluently and instruct the players on how to behave, what a foul is, what a free kick is and how to throw in etc. He or she can correct the players without blowing their whistle and stopping the game. If it occurs a second time, the referee should stop the game and let them do it again. Keep the opponents 4.5m away from all restarts. Note: Football is a contact sport and each action is dealt with at the time it occurs. Explain the foul in simple terms, restart and let the game continue!

Competition

To ensure that SSG are played in the correct spirit and give all players the best possible chance to develop, FFA advises that Member Federations, associations and clubs adopt and promote the following guidelines:

Under 6 - 9 years of age

No competition or official recording of tables, results, finals and statistics.

Games focus on player development.

Playing Format

For Under 6’s we will be playing a 4 v 4 with a maximum of 6 players

For Under 7 – 8 will be playing a 6 v 6 with no goal keepers

For Under 9’s we will be playing 7 v 7 with goal keepers