Official Under 11 and Under 12 Playing Rules
The SNS age specific modifications to the FIFA Laws of the Game

Law 1-The Field of Play
Length: 70-75 m
Width: 50-55 m

Field Markings:
Distinctive lines not more than fifteen (15) centimetres wide. The field of play is divided
into halves, marked by a centre line and by a centre spot that is located at the midpoint of
the centre line.
A circle with a radius of nine (9) metres.
NB: All fields must be properly marked.

Goal Area
None

The Penalty Area:
A penalty area is defined at each end of the field as follows:
Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, eleven (11) metres from the inside of
each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of eleven (11)
metres and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by
these lines and the goal line is the penalty area. Within each penalty area a penalty mark
is made nine (9) meters from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them.

Flag posts:
Conform to FIFA if used.

The Corner Arc:
Conform to FIFA if marked.

Goal Posts:
Goals must be placed on the centre of each goal line and measure 5.486 x 1.98 metres
(18 feet wide and 6.5 feet high).

Law 2-The Ball:
The ball must conform to FIFA standards and must conform to the FIFA inflation
specifications.
Size four (4).

Law 3- The Number of Players:
A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than nine (9) players, one of
whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than seven
players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. All players shall play equal playing time. Teams
shall consist of ideally 16 players but no more than 22.

Substitutions:
At any stoppage, substitutions are unlimited and must be done with the officials’
permission.

Law 4- The Players Equipment:

Law 5- The Referee:
A Class 5 or higher official must be used. The referee’s role is to keep players safe and to
ensure that the game is played under the “fair play” code. A Class 5 or higher official can
send a team official from the field if they fail to conduct themselves in a responsible
manner.

Law 6- The Assistant Referee:
Two assistant referees of Class 5 or higher (Duties conform to FIFA).

Law 7- The Duration of the Match:
The match will be divided into two (2) halves of thirty-five (35) minutes each. There shall be a
half-time interval of five (5) minutes.

Law 8- The Start and Restart of Play:
Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at
least nine (9) metres from the ball until it is in play.

Law 9- The Ball In and Out of Play:
Conform to FIFA.

Law 10-The Method of Scoring:
Conform to FIFA.

Law 11-Offside:
Conform to FIFA.

Law 12-Free Kicks:
Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents are at least nine (9) metres from the
ball. An indirect kick awarded to the attacking team that occurs inside the penalty area
shall be taken from the outside edge of the penalty area in line where the offense took
place.

Law 13-The Penalty Kick:
Conform to FIFA with the exceptions that the penalty mark is marked at nine (9) metres
from the goal line. All players except the player taking the kick must be nine (9) metres
from the ball.

Law 14-The Throw-In:
Conform to FIFA.

Law 15-The Goal Kick:
Conform to FIFA except that it shall be taken from anywhere within the penalty area.
Opponents must remain at least nine (9) metres away from the ball until it is in play.

Law 16-The Corner Kick:
Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents remain at least nine (9) metres away
from the ball until it is in play.