5 vs 5
40 mins per game. Please confirm with the referee and opposition coach before the game, if you are playing halves or quarters.
Half time should not be more than five minutes
Children should not exceed the maximum playing time for their age in any one day. It is the responsibility of the junior club and/or the child’s parent or carer to ensure this.
40 mins per day / 60 mins competitions (festivals)
Substitutions: 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.
Retreat Line: The team without the ball moves back to the half way line when goal kicks are taken.
A match may not START if either team consists of fewer than four players. The minimum number of players in a team required for a match to CONTINUE is also four.
A kick off from the centre mark starts the game or restarts it after a goal is scored. It can be taken in any direction. Opponents must be 5 yards away in their own half of the field. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick off
In the event of a kit colour clash, the Away Team should change kits.
Heading
Deliberately heading the ball is an offence punishable by an indirect free-kick.
A deliberate header involves a player moving their head and/or body towards the ball or into its path.
The indirect free-kick is taken at the point where the ball was deliberately headed.
Where a player of the defending team deliberately heads the ball in their own penalty area, the referee will stop the game and restart with an indirect free-kick to the opposition from the nearest sideline of the penalty area where the offence took place.
Introducing Pass-ins and Dribble-ins
Previously, if the ball went out of play, the opposite team was awarded a throw-in. From September 2024 the FDYFL has introduced pass-ins and dribble-ins. Players can now bring the ball back into play by either passing to another player or dribbling back on to the pitch.
The ball must be stationary on the touchline, with the player off the pitch.
The kick takes place where the ball went out of play. The ball is consider back in play when it has been touched and clearly moves.
Members of the opposite team must be at least five yards away from the ball when the game is restarted.
Players can score directly from a dribble-in, but not from a pass-in.
Ball Size: 3
Goal Size: 12ft x 6ft
Min Pitch Size: 30 yds x 20 yrds
Max Pitch Size: 40 yds x 30 yrds
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.
If the weather is poor then players should wear appropriate clothing, but hoodies are not allowed.