Please observe the statutory rules of the competition and play the game in the sportsmanlike way that our Association seeks to promote.

Law 1 The Playing Area
Recommended size of pitch:
[min] 50 yds x 30 yds (45.75m x 27.45m) - [max] 60 yds x 40 yds (54.9m x 36.6m)
The field of play is divided into two halves by a halfway line. The centre mark is indicated at the mid-point of the halfway line. The penalty area is a line parallel to and 10 yards (9.15m) from each goal line across the full width of the pitch. The penalty mark will be 8 yards (7.32m) from the goal line opposite the centre of the goal. Goal size: 12 feet (3.6m) x 6 feet (1.88m)

Law 2 The Ball
The ball used will be Size 4. It should be safe and made of leather or another suitable material

Law 3 Number of Players
The number of players per team shall be 7 (including the goalkeeper) Players must play with and against players only from their own age range and within a two year age band. Each team may have a squad of no more than 14 players. Any number of substitutes, without being named, may be used at any time with the permission of the referee. Entry into the field of play will only be allowed during a stoppage in play. A player who has been replaced may return to the playing area as a substitute for another player.

Law 4 Playing Equipment
Players must wear shin guards which must be entirely covered by the stockings. Goalkeepers must wear a distinguishing playing strip. Corner flags may be used, provided they are at least 5 feet high with rounded tops In the event of a clash of colours it will be the responsibility of the away side to change shirt colour or wear bibs.

Law 5 The referee
The home team will provide a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game. When an A and a B Team game are played, the home team shall provide a referee for the A game and the away team shall provide one for the B team. The decision of the referee in all matters connected with play are final.

Law 6 The Assistant Referee
A person may be nominated to assist the referee to
(a) record goals scored
(b) act as timekeeper and signify to the referee by an agreed signal when the time of each half has expired
(c) suspend time on an instruction from the referee for all stoppages and add that time to the end of each half.
(d) Supervise the use of rolling substitutes
(e) Carry out any other duties as prescribed by the referee such as indicating when the ball is out of play or any fouls or misconduct from the players.

Law 7 Duration of the Game
In any one day no player shall play more than 60 minutes
U-11 matches shall last for a maximum of 20 minutes each half plus stoppage time. U-10 matches shall last for a maximum of 15 minutes each half plus stoppage time. The half time interval will not exceed 5 minutes
For cup matches ending in a draw a maximum of 10 minutes extra time shall be played (5 minutes for each half). The game shall be ended after the scoring of the first goal in extra time (see Law 10)

Law 8 Start and Restart of Play
The choice of ends or kick-off shall be decided by the toss of a coin prior to the match. A kick-off is taken from the centre of the playing area to start the game and after a goal has been scored. Opponents must be 5 yards (4.5 m) away from the ball, and in their own half of the field. The ball must be played forward.
Special circumstances: A dropped ball shall be used to restart the match after play has been temporarily stopped at the point where the ball was when the stoppage occurred. In the event that play is stopped inside the penalty area the ball shall be dropped on the penalty area line parallel to where the ball was located when the play was stopped.

Law 9 Ball in and out of Play
The ball is out of play when:
- it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air
- play has been stopped by the referee
The ball is in play at all other times including when it rebounds from a goalpost, crossbar, corner flag post and remains in the field of play or when it rebounds from either the referee or assistant referee when they are on the field of play.

Law 10 Method of Scoring
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the Laws of the Game has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal. The team scoring the greater number of goals during a match is the winner. If both teams score an equal number of goals, or if no goals are scored, the match is drawn. In league competitions, including the league phase of knockout tournaments 3 points shall be awarded to the winning team. In the event of a draw 1 point shall be awarded to each team. In all cup competitions (not including league phase of knockout tournaments), if the match ends in a draw then extra time shall be played (see Law 7) until the first goal is scored. The team scoring the first goal in extra time shall be the winner. If the score remains level after 10 minutes extra time then a replay of the fixture shall be arranged. In the event that a replay cannot be arranged then prior to the match both teams must agree that in the event of a draw after extra time there shall be a penalty shootout. Each team shall take 3 penalties and then further “sudden-death” penalties until such time as a winner is decided.

Law 11 Offside
The offside rules are not to be observed.

Law 12 Fouls and Misconduct
A direct free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
- Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
- Trips or attempts to trip an opponent
- Jumps at an opponent
- Charges at 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.
A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offences:
- Holds an opponent
- Spits at an opponent
- Handles the ball deliberately, except for the goalkeeper within his/her own penalty area
- Plays in a dangerous manner
- Impeded the progress of an opponent
- Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his/her hands
- Commits any other offence for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player.
A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the goalkeeper:
- Takes more than 6 seconds to release the ball from his/her hands
- Touches the ball again with his/her hands after it has been released from his/her possession and has not touched any other player
- Touches the ball with his/her hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him/her by a team mate
- Touches the ball with his his/her hands after he/she has received it directly from a throw in taken by a team mate
For these offences, the direct free kick should be taken from the penalty area line, parallel to the goal line, at the nearest point to the offence.
Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above offences is committed by a player inside his/her own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play.

Law 13 Free Kicks
All free kicks are direct
For all free kicks opponents must be 5 yards (4.5m) from the ball

Law 14 Penalty Kicks
A penalty kick is awarded for offences as described in Law 12 All players except the defending goalkeeper and kicker must be outside the penalty area and at least 5 yards (4.5m) from the penalty mark. The ball must be kicked forward The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line until the ball has been kicked.

Law 15 Throw-in
A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in. A throw-in is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the touch line, either on the ground or in the air. The throw-in is taken from the point where the ball crossed the touch line by the opponent of the player who last touched the ball.
At the moment of delivering the ball the thrower:
- Faces the field of play
- Has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line
- Uses both hands
- Delivers the ball from behind and over the head
A throw-in is awarded to the opposing team if any of the above requirements are not carried out The thrower may not touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player. If he/she does then a free-kick will be awarded against them. The ball is in play immediately it enters the field of play.

Law 16 Goal kick
A goal kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line after it has last been touched by an attacking player. A player of the defending team kicks the ball from any point within the penalty area. Opponents must remain outside the penalty area and at least 5 yards (4.5m) from where the kick is taken until the ball is in play. The ball must leave the penalty area before it can be touched by another player. In the event the ball does not leave the penalty area or if a player touches the ball before it has left the penalty area then the kick shall be retaken.

Law 17 Corner Kicks
A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line after it has last been touched by a defending player. The opposing players must remain at least 5 yards (4.5m) from the ball until it is in play. The kicker may not touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player. If he/she does then a free kick shall be awarded against them. The ball is in play immediately it enters the field.