Small Sided - Laws of the Game
The Pitch
Small Side Football may be played with or without barriers.
Dimensions:
The playing area must be rectangular. The length of the touchline must be greater than the length of the goal line.
For 5 and 6 – a side football the following dimensions are recommended
Length:
- minimum 25 m
- maximum 50 m
Width:
- minimum 16 m
- maximum 35 m
For 7 a side football the following dimensions are recommended
Length:
- minimum 50m
- maximum 60m
Width;
- minimum 30m
- maximum 40m
Area Markings
The playing area is marked with lines. The two longer boundary lines are called touchlines. The two shorter lines are called goal lines.
All lines are 8cm wide.
The playing area is divided into two halves by the halfway line.
The centre mark is indicated at the midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with a radius of 3 m is marked around it.
A penalty area is defined at each end of the pitch as follows:
A semi circle of 6 m radius shall be drawn from the centre of each goal line. The extremities of these semi-circles should reach the goal line, barrier or wall regardless of whether or not the goal posts encroach onto the playing area.
Penalty Mark
A penalty mark is drawn 6 m from the midpoint between the goal posts and equidistant from them.
The Corner Arc
Where barriers do not surround the playing area a quarter circle with a radius of 25cm from each corner is drawn inside the playing area.
Goals
Goals must be placed on the centre of each goal line.
They consist of two upright posts equidistant from each corner and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar.
The distance (inside measurement) between the posts is maximum 5m, minimum 3m and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is maximum 2m minimum 1.20m.
Both goal posts and the crossbar have the same width and depth of 8cm. Nets, made of hemp, jute or nylon, are attached to the posts and crossbars behind the goals. The lower part is supported by curved bars or some other adequate support.
Safety
The goals may be portable but they must be anchored securely to the ground during play as per Health and Safety requirements.
