The FA youth soccer rules: formats, match length and playing time (2026)
The FA publishes football competition requirements in its Standard Code of Rules for Mini Soccer and Youth Football Competitions (SCORY), alongside handbook guidance. The dataset cites the 2025–26 rules, not a verified 2026–27 update. Its notes flag forthcoming Future Fit format changes; check the rules for your competition and season.
How to read this page
These pages use a sourced dataset snapshot. Check document dates for your season; official documents and applicable local competition rules take precedence. “Not specified” means the dataset has no value for that field, so check your local rules.
What are the rules for each age band?
Under 7 and Under 8 [1]
| Age group | Under 7 and Under 8 |
|---|---|
| Format | 5v5 (maximum permitted format) |
| Players on field | 5 |
| Match length | 40 minutes (maximum) |
| Match length basis | maximum |
| Periods | 2 × 20 minutes |
| Period guidance | SCORY: minimum 10 / maximum 20 minutes per half, or quarters of minimum 5 / maximum 10 minutes; maximum playing time in one day 40 minutes (development fixtures) or 60 minutes (tournaments/trophy events); half-time not more than 5 minutes (Mini-Soccer Handbook) |
| Ball size | 3 |
| Goalkeeper | Yes |
| Heading rule | No deliberate heading in matches (U7-U9 from 2024-25; U7-U10 from 2025-26). Deliberate header = indirect free kick at the point of the header, or from the nearest side line of the penalty area if inside the player's own penalty area. No heading in training in the foundation phase. |
| Substitutions | Mini-Soccer: any number of substitutions may be used at any time with the referee's permission (roll-on roll-off); entry only during a stoppage; a replaced player may return; match-day squad must not exceed double the team size. |
| Minimum playing time policy | Not mandated. Mini-Soccer and Youth Futsal Handbook best practice: all team members should receive equal playing time where possible, with a recommendation of at least 50% per player per game. |
| Build-out or retreat line | Retreat line: on goal kicks the team without the ball retreats to the halfway line until the ball is in play. No offside. Throw-ins replaced by pass or dribble-in (2025/26). |
Under 9 and Under 10 [2]
| Age group | Under 9 and Under 10 |
|---|---|
| Format | 7v7 (maximum permitted format) |
| Players on field | 7 |
| Match length | 50 minutes (maximum) |
| Match length basis | maximum |
| Periods | 2 × 25 minutes |
| Period guidance | SCORY: minimum 20 / maximum 25 minutes per half, or quarters of minimum 10 / maximum 12.5 minutes; maximum playing time in one day 60 minutes (development fixtures) or 90 minutes (tournaments) |
| Ball size | 3 |
| Goalkeeper | Yes |
| Heading rule | No deliberate heading in matches: U9 from 2024-25, U10 from 2025-26; indirect free kick sanction as for U7-U8. |
| Substitutions | Mini-Soccer: any number of substitutions at any time with the referee's permission (roll-on roll-off); entry only at a stoppage; replaced players may return. |
| Minimum playing time policy | Not mandated. Handbook best practice: equal playing time where possible, at least 50% per player per game. |
| Build-out or retreat line | Retreat line to the halfway line on goal kicks. No offside. |
Under 11 [3]
| Age group | Under 11 |
|---|---|
| Format | 9v9 (maximum permitted format) |
| Players on field | 9 |
| Match length | 60 minutes (maximum) |
| Match length basis | maximum |
| Periods | 2 × 30 minutes |
| Period guidance | Minimum 20 / maximum 30 minutes per half; maximum playing time in one day 80 minutes (development fixtures) or 120 minutes (tournaments); half-time not to exceed 15 minutes |
| Ball size | 4 |
| Goalkeeper | Yes |
| Heading rule | Deliberate heading permitted in matches in 2025-26; the FA phase-out extends to U11 from the 2026-27 season. Heading should not be introduced in training at U11. |
| Substitutions | Youth Football (U11-U18): where the competition allows return ('repeat') substitutes, a club may use up to [3 from 3 / 4 from 4 / 5 from 5 / 6 from 6 / 7 from 7] substitutes and a substituted player may return at any time under Law 3. |
| Minimum playing time policy | None mandated in SCORY for Youth Football. |
| Build-out or retreat line | Not specified in SCORY for 9v9 (SCORY refers to The FA's Guide to 9v9 Football). |
Under 12 [4]
| Age group | Under 12 |
|---|---|
| Format | 9v9 (maximum permitted format) |
| Players on field | 9 |
| Match length | 60 minutes (maximum) |
| Match length basis | maximum |
| Periods | 2 × 30 minutes |
| Period guidance | Minimum 20 / maximum 30 minutes per half; maximum playing time in one day 80 minutes (development fixtures, if applicable) or 120 minutes (tournaments) |
| Ball size | 4 |
| Goalkeeper | Yes |
| Heading rule | Deliberate heading permitted in matches. Training guidance: heading 'remains a low priority'; if introduced, max one session per month, max 5 headers, light balls, unopposed. |
| Substitutions | Youth Football repeat substitutions where the competition allows (up to 3-7 from 3-7); otherwise per Laws of the Game. |
| Minimum playing time policy | None mandated in SCORY for Youth Football. |
| Build-out or retreat line | Not specified |
Under 13 and Under 14 [5]
| Age group | Under 13 and Under 14 |
|---|---|
| Format | 11v11 |
| Players on field | 11 |
| Match length | 70 minutes (maximum) |
| Match length basis | maximum |
| Periods | 2 × 35 minutes |
| Period guidance | Minimum 25 / maximum 35 minutes per half; maximum playing time in one day 100 minutes (development fixtures) or 150 minutes (tournaments) |
| Ball size | 4 |
| Goalkeeper | Yes |
| Heading rule | Permitted in matches; graduated training guidance (U13: max one session per week, max 5 headers; U14: max 10 headers per session, one session per week). |
| Substitutions | Youth Football repeat substitutions where the competition allows (up to 3-7 from 3-7). |
| Minimum playing time policy | None mandated in SCORY for Youth Football. |
| Build-out or retreat line | Not specified |
Under 15 and Under 16 [6]
| Age group | Under 15 and Under 16 |
|---|---|
| Format | 11v11 |
| Players on field | 11 |
| Match length | 80 minutes (maximum) |
| Match length basis | maximum |
| Periods | 2 × 40 minutes |
| Period guidance | Minimum 25 / maximum 40 minutes per half; maximum playing time in one day 100 minutes (development fixtures) or 150 minutes (tournaments) |
| Ball size | 5 |
| Goalkeeper | Yes |
| Heading rule | Permitted in matches; training guidance max 10 headers per session, one session per week. |
| Substitutions | Youth Football repeat substitutions where the competition allows (up to 3-7 from 3-7). |
| Minimum playing time policy | None mandated in SCORY for Youth Football. |
| Build-out or retreat line | Not specified |
Under 17 and Under 18 [7]
| Age group | Under 17 and Under 18 |
|---|---|
| Format | 11v11 |
| Players on field | 11 |
| Match length | 90 minutes (maximum) |
| Match length basis | maximum |
| Periods | 2 × 45 minutes |
| Period guidance | Minimum 25 / maximum 45 minutes per half; maximum playing time in one day 120 minutes (development fixtures) or 180 minutes (tournaments) |
| Ball size | 5 |
| Goalkeeper | Yes |
| Heading rule | Permitted in matches; training guidance max 10 headers per session, one session per week. |
| Substitutions | Where a competition does not allow return substitutes (U17-U18): a club may name up to [3-7] substitutes of whom not more than [3-7] may be used. Where return substitutes are allowed: up to [3-7 from 3-7] with re-entry. |
| Minimum playing time policy | None mandated in SCORY for Youth Football. |
| Build-out or retreat line | Not specified |
Notes and qualifications
- Under 7 and Under 8: Squad of 10 or less for U7-U8 (Handbook). Minimum players to constitute a team: 4 (SCORY Rule 20(D)). U7-U10 do not play in leagues; maximum 3 trophy events per season. Ball size 3 confirmed in both SCORY Rule 18(C) table and the Handbook. FA 'Future Fit' changes to youth formats are announced for the 2026-27 season onwards - values here are 2025-26. Back to age band
- Under 9 and Under 10: Quote is from the Mini-Soccer Handbook (Law 7). Squad of 14 or less. Minimum 5 players to constitute a team. SCORY defines Mini Soccer as U7-U10 and Youth Football as U11-U18. Back to age band
- Under 11: Ball size 4 for U11-U12 and U13-U14 taken from the SCORY Rule 18(C) table (rotated page; extracted text is mirrored but legible) and corroborated by the FA Youth Heading Guidance chart. Minimum 6 players to constitute a team. U11 is 'development focussed' (no league table). Back to age band
- Under 12: Competition structure may include one season-long league table from U12. Back to age band
- Under 13 and Under 14: Minimum 7 players to constitute a team. Ball size 4 per SCORY 18(C) table and FA heading guidance chart (U13 and U14 size 4). Back to age band
- Under 15 and Under 16: Ball size 5 from U15 per SCORY 18(C) table and FA heading guidance chart. Back to age band
- Under 17 and Under 18: Bracketed values in SCORY are chosen by each sanctioned competition. Back to age band
What this means for your lineup
These equal-share examples use the recorded on-field count and match length, with 2, 3, 4 or 5 substitutes. For formats with options or a maximum, they use the dataset’s numeric count. Maximum durations remain maxima. Check roster limits in the rules and footnotes; example rosters may exceed them. Alongside the mathematical 50% result, check substitution windows, goalkeeper duties, eligibility conditions and any higher local minimum. Times are rounded to the nearest second.
Under 7 and Under 8
Using 5 on the field for 40 minutes (maximum). Recorded format: 5v5 (maximum permitted format).
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 7 players (+2) | 28:34 (71.4%) | Yes |
| 8 players (+3) | 25:00 (62.5%) | Yes |
| 9 players (+4) | 22:13 (55.6%) | Yes |
| 10 players (+5) | 20:00 (50%) | Yes |
Under 9 and Under 10
Using 7 on the field for 50 minutes (maximum). Recorded format: 7v7 (maximum permitted format).
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 9 players (+2) | 38:53 (77.8%) | Yes |
| 10 players (+3) | 35:00 (70%) | Yes |
| 11 players (+4) | 31:49 (63.6%) | Yes |
| 12 players (+5) | 29:10 (58.3%) | Yes |
Under 11
Using 9 on the field for 60 minutes (maximum). Recorded format: 9v9 (maximum permitted format).
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 11 players (+2) | 49:05 (81.8%) | Yes |
| 12 players (+3) | 45:00 (75%) | Yes |
| 13 players (+4) | 41:32 (69.2%) | Yes |
| 14 players (+5) | 38:34 (64.3%) | Yes |
Under 12
Using 9 on the field for 60 minutes (maximum). Recorded format: 9v9 (maximum permitted format).
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 11 players (+2) | 49:05 (81.8%) | Yes |
| 12 players (+3) | 45:00 (75%) | Yes |
| 13 players (+4) | 41:32 (69.2%) | Yes |
| 14 players (+5) | 38:34 (64.3%) | Yes |
Under 13 and Under 14
Using 11 on the field for 70 minutes (maximum). Recorded format: 11v11.
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 13 players (+2) | 59:14 (84.6%) | Yes |
| 14 players (+3) | 55:00 (78.6%) | Yes |
| 15 players (+4) | 51:20 (73.3%) | Yes |
| 16 players (+5) | 48:08 (68.8%) | Yes |
Under 15 and Under 16
Using 11 on the field for 80 minutes (maximum). Recorded format: 11v11.
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 13 players (+2) | 67:42 (84.6%) | Yes |
| 14 players (+3) | 62:51 (78.6%) | Yes |
| 15 players (+4) | 58:40 (73.3%) | Yes |
| 16 players (+5) | 55:00 (68.8%) | Yes |
Under 17 and Under 18
Using 11 on the field for 90 minutes (maximum). Recorded format: 11v11.
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 13 players (+2) | 76:09 (84.6%) | Yes |
| 14 players (+3) | 70:43 (78.6%) | Yes |
| 15 players (+4) | 66:00 (73.3%) | Yes |
| 16 players (+5) | 61:53 (68.8%) | Yes |
Build a rotation with the free lineup builder for 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11.
Sources
Quotations below are reproduced verbatim from the dataset.
Under 7 and Under 8
For Mini-Soccer - any number of substitutions may be used at any time with the permission of the referee.
Retrieved:
Additional source: The FA Mini-Soccer and Youth Futsal Handbook, version updated August 2025 (hosted by West Riding County FA on thefa.com)
Additional source: England Football / The FA: New heading rules for U7-U11 youth football (17 May 2024)
Additional source: The FA Youth Heading Guidance chart (2021-22) - ball size and format by age
Under 9 and Under 10
U7s - U8s 40 minutes; U9s - U10s 60 minutes. Children should not exceed the maximum playing time for their age in any one day.
Retrieved:
Additional source: The FA Mini-Soccer and Youth Futsal Handbook, version updated August 2025
Additional source: England Football / The FA: New heading rules for U7-U11 youth football (17 May 2024)
Under 11
For Under 11s - Under 18s - a Club may use up to [3 from 3 substitute Players] ... [7 from 7 substitute Players].
Retrieved:
Additional source: The FA Youth Heading Guidance chart (2021-22) - ball size and format by age
Additional source: England Football / The FA: New heading rules for U7-U11 youth football (17 May 2024)
Under 12
Under 12: N/A N/A 20 30 80 (if applicable) 120 - Any varieties including one season long league table
Retrieved:
Additional source: The FA Youth Heading Guidance chart (2021-22)
Under 13 and Under 14
Under 13 and Under 14: N/A N/A 25 35 100 150
Retrieved:
Additional source: The FA Youth Heading Guidance chart (2021-22)
Under 15 and Under 16
Under 15 and Under 16: N/A N/A 25 40 100 150
Retrieved:
Additional source: The FA Youth Heading Guidance chart (2021-22)
Under 17 and Under 18
For Under 17s and Under 18s - a Club may name up to [ ] (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) substitute Players
Retrieved:
Corrections welcome: report a correction with an official source.
Plan your next game
Pitch Time is a youth soccer coaching app that automatically generates fair playing time lineups.
Get the Pitch Time appFAQ
Which youth football formats does The FA list?
Under 7 and Under 8: 5v5 (maximum permitted format). Under 9 and Under 10: 7v7 (maximum permitted format). Under 11, Under 12: 9v9 (maximum permitted format). Under 13 and Under 14, Under 15 and Under 16, Under 17 and Under 18: 11v11.
What minimum playing time does The FA specify?
Under 7 and Under 8: Not mandated. Mini-Soccer and Youth Futsal Handbook best practice: all team members should receive equal playing time where possible, with a recommendation of at least 50% per player per game. Under 9 and Under 10: Not mandated. Handbook best practice: equal playing time where possible, at least 50% per player per game. Under 11, Under 12, Under 13 and Under 14, Under 15 and Under 16, Under 17 and Under 18: None mandated in SCORY for Youth Football.
How long are the youth football matches in these The FA records?
Under 7 and Under 8: 40 minutes (maximum). Under 9 and Under 10: 50 minutes (maximum). Under 11, Under 12: 60 minutes (maximum). Under 13 and Under 14: 70 minutes (maximum). Under 15 and Under 16: 80 minutes (maximum). Under 17 and Under 18: 90 minutes (maximum).