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Introduction to MiniRoos
MiniRoos is a grass-roots football program for children of all abilities from 4 to 11 years of age.
The program acts as an introduction the sport of football, with playing conditions tailored to individual development stages, providing players with more opportunities to touch the ball, score goals, and learn new skills.
See a breakdown of the rules below.
Under 6 and 7
| Number of players | 4 per side – no goalkeeper |
| Field size | Approximately 30m x 20m |
| Goal size | Approximately 2m wide x 1m high |
| Ball size | Size 3 |
| Game duration | 20 minute halves. Minimum 5 min half-time break |
| Penalty area | No penalty area required |
No Goalkeepers
There are no goalkeepers in MiniRoos Under 6 & 7. Kids should be discouraged from persistently standing in front of the goal.
No Throw-ins and No Corner Kicks
When the ball crosses the side line, a player from the opposing team to the player that touched the ball last will place the ball on the side line and pass or dribble the ball into play. Opponents must stand at least 5 metres away until the ball is in play. The ball must touch a teammate before a goal can be scored.
When the ball crosses the goal line, the defending team always kicks the ball back into play. They may take the kick from anywhere along the goal line and may pass or dribble the ball into play. The opposing team must retreat to halfway until the ball is in play. The ball must touch a teammate before a goal can be scored.
No Offside
There is no offside rule in MiniRoos Under 6 & 7 but players should be strongly discouraged from standing in blatant offside positions.
Fouls and Misconduct
Indirect free kicks are awarded for all acts of fouls and misconduct including handballs. A goal can only be scored from an indirect free kick if the ball touches another player before it enters the goal. Players on the opposing team must remain at least 5 metres from the ball until the kick is taken.
Most instances of fouls and misconduct at this age are accidental and referees are encouraged to give the advantage to the attacking team and keep play moving if it is safe to do so.
No Points Tables
The SSFA does not publish match results or points tables for MiniRoos Under 6 & 7. Results are recorded to help assign teams to appropriate grades and ensure a good experience for all players.
Under 8 and 9
| Number of players | 7 per side including a goalkeeper |
| Field size | Approximately 45m long x 35m wide |
| Goal size | Approximately 3m wide x 2m high |
| Ball size | Size 3 |
| Game duration | 20 minute halves. Minimum 5 min half-time break |
| Penalty area | 5m deep x 12m wide |
Goalkeepers
The goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball anywhere in the penalty area. To restart play after a save or gathering the ball with their hands, the ball must be thrown or rolled from the hands or played from the ground with their feet. The goalkeeper is not allowed to kick or drop kick the ball directly from their hands.
Opponents must be at least 5 metres outside the penalty area and cannot move inside the penalty area until the ball is in play. The ball is in play once it moves out of the penalty area.
An indirect free kick is awarded if the goalkeeper touches the ball with their hands after it has been deliberately kicked to them by a teammate.
Throw-ins
When the ball crosses the side line, a player from the opposing team to the player that touched the ball last will restart play with a throw in.
The player faces the field of play, has part of each foot on the ground either on or behind the side line, use both hands and delivers the ball from behind and over their head. The thrower must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.
Opponents must be a least 5 metres away from the ball until it is in play. The ball is in play once it enters the field of play. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw in.
Goal Kicks and Corner Kicks
When the ball crosses the goal line after touching a player on the attacking team, the defending team will kick the ball back into play from anywhere within the penalty area. play. The attacking team must retreat to halfway until the ball is in play. The ball must touch a teammate before a goal can be scored.
When the ball crosses the goal line after touching a player on the defending team, the attacking team will kick the ball back into play from the nearest corner. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.
No Offside
There is no offside rule in MiniRoos Under 8 & 9 but players should be strongly discouraged from standing in offside positions.
Fouls and Misconduct
Indirect free kicks are awarded for all acts of fouls and misconduct including handballs unless the offence occurs within the penalty area. A goal can only be scored from an indirect free kick if the ball touches another player before it enters the goal. Players on the opposing team must remain at least 5 metres from the ball until the kick is taken.
A penalty kick is awarded for all acts of handball, fouls or misconduct in the penalty box. The penalty kick is taken from a spot 8 metres from the centre of the goal with only a goalkeeper in position. All other players must be outside the penalty area and be at least 5 metres behind the penalty mark until the kick is taken.
No Points Tables
The SSFA does not publish match results or points tables for MiniRoos Under 8 & 9. Results are recorded to help assign teams to appropriate grades and ensure a good experience for all players.
Under 10 and 11
| Number of players | 9 per side including a goalkeeper |
| Field size | Approximately 65m long x 45m wide |
| Goal size | Approximately 5m wide x 2m high |
| Ball size | Size 4 |
| Game duration | 25 minute halves. Minimum 5 min half-time break |
| Penalty area | 10m deep x 20m wide |
Goalkeepers
The goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball anywhere in the penalty area. To restart play after a save or gathering the ball with their hands, the ball must be thrown or rolled from the hands or played from the ground with their feet. The goalkeeper is not allowed to kick or drop kick the ball directly from their hands.
Opponents must be at least 5 metres outside the penalty area and cannot move inside the penalty area until the ball is in play. The ball is in play once it moves out of the penalty area.
An indirect free kick is awarded if the goalkeeper touches the ball with their hands after it has been deliberately kicked to them by a teammate.
Throw-ins
When the ball crosses the side line, a player from the opposing team to the player that touched the ball last will restart play with a throw in.
The player faces the field of play, has part of each foot on the ground either on or behind the side line, use both hands and delivers the ball from behind and over their head. The thrower must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.
Opponents must be a least 5 metres away from the ball until it is in play. The ball is in play once it enters the field of play. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw in.
Goal Kicks and Corner Kicks
When the ball crosses the goal line after touching a player on the attacking team, the defending team will kick the ball back into play from anywhere within the penalty area. play. The attacking team must retreat 15 metres from the goal line and cannot move forward until the ball is in play. The ball must contact a team mate or an opponent before the kicker may kick the ball a second time.
When the ball crosses the goal line after touching a player on the defending team, the attacking team will kick the ball back into play from the nearest corner. A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.
No Offside
The offside rule does not apply to MiniRoos Under 10 & 11. Goals can be scored from the offside position.
Players should be made aware of the offside rule during training and be encouraged to adopt this philosophy during the game.
Fouls and Misconduct
Indirect free kicks are awarded for all acts of fouls and misconduct including handballs unless the offence occurs within the penalty area. A goal can only be scored from an indirect free kick if the ball touches another player before it enters the goal. Players on the opposing team must remain at least 5 metres from the ball until the kick is taken.
A penalty kick is awarded for all acts of handball, fouls or misconduct in the penalty box. The penalty kick is taken from a spot 8 metres from the centre of the goal with only a goalkeeper in position. All other players must be outside the penalty area and be at least 5 metres behind the penalty mark until the kick is taken.
No Points Tables
The SSFA does not publish match results or points tables for MiniRoos Under 10 & 11. Results are recorded to help assign teams to appropriate grades and ensure a good experience for all players.
Learn More
For further details about MinRoos Football, please consult the 2024 SSFA MiniRoos Rule Book.
You can also learn more by visiting the Play Football MiniRoos website.
