Football Rules

1. Year 3 is played 5 v 5 with a size 3 ball.
2. Year 4 is played 7 v 7 with a size 3 ball.
3. Year 5 & 6 is played 7 v 7 with a size 4 ball.
4. A kick-off starts play at the start of the match or after a goal. A kick-off involves one player kicking the ball, from stationary, forward from the centre spot. All players must be in their half before kick-off. After half time, the teams switch direction and the other team will kick-off. After a goal is scored, the team which conceded the goal will kick-off to restart play.
5. A goal is scored when the ball crosses the goal line inside the goal mouth.
6. A foul is an offence which could be using excessive force while playing the game either deliberately or unintentionally or to handle the ball (unless you are a goalkeeper). The referee may caution players for offences.
7. Free kicks are given when there has been a foul and are always direct in the school game. The kick should be taken from a stationary position where the offence occurred.
8. Penalty kicks are given against a team when they commit an offence inside their penalty area. The ball is kicked from stationary from the penalty spot. The opposing team must be outside of the penalty area.
9. Goal kicks are taken anywhere inside the penalty area and are awarded when the attackers put the ball off the backline.
10. A throw-in is used to restart play after the whole of the ball has crossed the touchline.
11. A corner kick is given when the whole of the ball crosses the backline and was last touched by a member of the defending team (and no goal was scored). A corner kick is taken from inside the corner arc on the side the ball went out.
12. All opposing players must be at least 5 yards from the ball on the taking of free, goal and corner kicks. 13.There is no offside.

Other Resources You May Find Helpful

• Football passing on the move
• Penalty Shoot Out