MINI LEAGUE CUP RULES – 2024/2025
Round 1 and 2 Rules
All teams must register their players to play in this competition. Players already registered to a cup team can only play for this cup team in this competion. Players are NOT ALLOWED to swap teams. All teams MUST complete the Team & Player Registration Form here: https://www.tdyl.co.uk/mini-u7-u10/mini-cup-team-player-regsitration/
A player can be registered for one cup team only.
If a player has not played in a previous round or has not been previusly registered for a cup team then they can be registered.
For U7/U8 a maximum of 10 players can be registered per team.
For U9/U10 a maximum of 14 players can be registered per team.
The host team must organise the group confirming with all teams in that group location, parking, ground rules etc.
The refereeing will be shared between clubs. A referee will be provided by the listed team under the column REFEREE, please make sure each club brings their own whistle and stopwatch.
If a qualified referee is supplied by the host club then this must be agreed with all teams on match day. Any cost in providing the qualified referee is with the host team providing the referee.
For all matches the toss determines the choice of ends, with the team losing the toss having kick-off. All matches should NOT having stoppage time or injury time, so as to keep to the schedule. timings per half are shown on the results form.
Results MUST be confirmed with all managers on the day and the host team MUST submit the results sheet using the following cup form here: https://www.tdyl.co.uk/mini-u7-u10/mini-league-cup-submit-results/
Cup results must be submitted by 6pm on the Wednesday following the cup competition. Any form not submitted on time or is submitted incomplete will incur a £10 fine. An example of how to complete the form is given in the supplied excel spreadsheets.
The group schedule must be followed. The timings per half MUST NOT be changed. The game order should not change unless a host club has the option of using a second pitch. If a second pitch can be used then the order of play can be changed to suit the group.
All group cup matches must be decided on the day of the match. The only acceptable reason for not playing on the date stipulated is that the ground is unfit to play on due to adverse weather conditions. Postponed cup matches are to be played on the following weekend.
The current Mini Soccer Laws of the game must be followed and can be found on the Taunton & District Youth League Website here: https://www.tdyl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Mini-Soccer-Handbook-2024.pdf
A size 3 football must be used by all age groups
The Power Play rule cannot be used in this cup competition
In the event of a tie:
1. results between the team/s will determine the team going through; if this does not determine then,
2. Goal difference will determine the team going through; if this does not determine then,
3. Goals scored will determine the team going through; if this does not determine then,
If rule 1 to 3 do not determine the winner then the following rules apply:
4. A penalty shoot-out (best of 3 then sudden death).
5. In the event of a three-way tie 3 penalties will be taken against each other club then sudden death
6. In the event of a four-way tie 2 penalties will be taken against each other club then sudden death
LAWS FOR ALL ROUNDS INCLUDING CUP FINAL DAY
This competition will be played in accordance with the FA Mini Soccer rules.
1: Playing Phase
Not applicable
2: Playing Area
Kick offs are from the centre mark on the halfway line.
Retreat line: the team without the ball moves back to the halfway line for a goal kick.
Goal sizes: the goal size for Mini-Soccer is 12ft × 6ft.
3: The Ball
- The ball should be size 3 – U7/U8/U9/U10
- It should be safe and made of leather or another suitable material.
4: Number of Players
Maximum number per team, including goalkeeper.
- U7 and U8 – 5v5 (with a squad of ten or less)
- U9 and U10 – 7v7 (with a squad of fourteen or less)
Roll off roll on substitutions can be made at any time during the game with permission from the referee, including players who have already been substituted.
5: Playing Equipment
Children cannot play Development Football without shin pads.
These should be covered entirely by knee length socks.
Goalkeepers should wear a different coloured shirt to the rest of the team.
Footwear should be appropriate for the playing surface – no metal studs on three and AGP pitches.
If the weather is poor then players should wear appropriate clothing, but hoodies are not allowed.
6: Match Officials
Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws for Mini-Soccer relating to the match to which they have been appointed.
All referees should recognise their role is to facilitate learning of the players, for example, allow young children to take a second attempt at a throw-in if the first is not within the Laws.
Assistant referees are not required.
7: Duration of the Game
In any one day, no player shall play more than
- 40 minutes for U7 / U8
- 60 minutes for U9 / U10
The half time interval must not exceed 5 minutes.
8: Start and Restart of Play
A kick-off is taken at the centre of the playing area to start the game and after a goal has been scored.
Opponents must be 5 yards away from the ball and in their own half of the field. The ball can be played in any direction. In Mini-Soccer a goal cannot be scored directly from a kick off or from a drop ball.
In Mini-Soccer a goal cannot be scored directly from kick off or a dropped ball.
In special circumstances a drop ball us used to restart the game, such as after an injury.
If the game has stopped with the ball in the penalty area, the drop ball should be taken on the penalty area line.
9: Ball in and Out of Play
The goal line and touchlines are part of the field of play. The ball must be entirely over these lines to be out of play.
If an attacker is the last player to touch the ball over the goal line, a goal kick is given. The opposing team retreats to the halfway line.
If a defender is the last player to touch the ball over the goal line, a corner kick is given.
If a player touches the ball over the touchline, a throw in is given to the opposing team.
10: Method of Scoring
A goal is scored when the ball completely crosses the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar of the goal.
If a foul or hand ball occurs the goal shall be disallowed.
11: Offside
There is no offside rule.
12: Fouls and Misconduct
Free kicks are awarded when a foul is committed as in older age football.
In Mini-Soccer all free kicks are direct.
A goalkeeper is not allowed to pick the ball up from a back pass or a throw in.
If this happens a free kick should be given on the penalty area line closest to where the incident occurs.
Coaches in training, and referees on the day, should try to make sure the children
understand the above.
13: Free Kicks
For all free kicks opponents must be five yards from the ball.
14: Penalty Kicks
If a foul is committed in the penalty area by a defender a penalty kick will be awarded.
All players except the defending goalkeeper and kicker must be outside the penalty area and at least 5 yards from the penalty mark.
The ball must be kicked forward.
15: Throw-in
U7 to U9 Age Groups
When the whole of the ball passes over the touchline, on the ground or in the air, instead of a throw-in, a pass-in or dribble-in is awarded.
• A kicker taking a pass-in may choose to touch theball again before it is touched by another playe
At the moment of delivering the ball:
• The ball must be stationary on the touchline at the point where it left the pitch; only the kicker
may be off the pitch.
• All opponents must stand at least 5 yards from the point on the touchline where the pass-in or
dribble-in is to be taken.
A goal cannot be scored directly from a pass-in.
U10 Age Group
If a player touches the ball out of play over the touchline a throw in is awarded to the opposition.
Throw ins can be a difficult technique to learn for younger players so retakes are allowed. Referees should offer guidance to help children learn the game.
16: Goal Kick
If an attacking player kicks the ball over the goal line a goal kick is awarded to the
defending team.
A goal kick can be taken from any point within the penalty area and by any player from the team with the ball.
The ball must leave the penalty area to be in play. If this does not happen the kick can be retaken.
The team without the ball must retreat to their own half until the ball is in play. This is known as the Retreat Line.
Once the ball is in play, the team without the ball can try and win it back.
17: Corner Kicks
The opposing players must remain at least 5 yards from the ball until it is in play.
The kicker may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player. If he/she does, a free kick is awarded against them.
The ball is in play immediately when it enters the field of play.
CUP FINAL RULES
The referee will keep a record of the score on a score card and return the score card to the result tent upon completion of each game.
In the event of a tie after normal time:
- The winner shall be decided by the best of 3 penalties.
- If this still does not decide the result, then the winner will be the best of sudden death penalties.