MiniRoos Rules 8-9

MiniRoos Rules

MiniRoos Club Football • Under 8 & 9

⚽ Quick Facts

Number of Players
7-a-side (with goalkeeper)
Field Size
40-50m x 30-40m
Goal Size
3m wide x 2m high
Ball Size
Size 3
Game Duration
2 x 20 min halves
Substitutes
Maximum 4
Penalty Area
5m deep x 12m wide

🧤 Goalkeeper Rules

The goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball anywhere in the penalty area.

To restart play after a save:

  • Ball must be thrown or rolled from the hands, OR played from the ground with their feet
  • Must restart within 6 seconds
  • Opponents must be at least 10 metres outside the penalty area
  • Opponents cannot move inside until the ball is in play
  • Ball is in play once it moves out of the penalty area

⚠️ The goalkeeper is NOT allowed to kick or drop kick the ball directly from their hands.

⚠️ 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.

📍 No Offside

There is no offside rule in MiniRoos Under 8 & 9.

Game Leaders should strongly discourage children from permanently standing in blatant offside positions.

🤾 Ball Crossing the Touch Line (Throw-in)

Throw-in procedure:

  • Player faces the field of play
  • Has part of each foot on the ground either on or behind the touch line
  • Uses both hands and delivers the ball from behind and over their head
  • Thrower must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player
  • Opponents must be at least 5 metres away until the ball is in play

The ball is in play once it enters the field. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.

🚩 Ball Crossing Goal Line (Defending Team Touched Last)

Corner kick:

  • A player from the attacking team places the ball inside the corner arc nearest to where the ball crossed the line
  • Opponents must be at least 5 metres away until the ball is in play
  • Ball is in play when it is kicked and moves

✓ A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.

🥅 Ball Crossing Goal Line (Attacking Team Touched Last)

Goal kick from anywhere within the penalty area:

  • Opponents remain at least 10 metres outside the penalty area until the ball is in play
  • Game Leaders should not restart play until satisfied all opposition players are 10m outside
  • Ball is in play once it is kicked directly out of the penalty area

⚠️ Fouls and Free Kicks

Indirect free kicks are awarded for all acts of handball or fouls and misconduct:

  • Opponents must be at least 5 metres away when the kick is taken
  • A goal can be scored only if the ball touches another player before entering the goal

Penalty kicks:

For deliberate or serious acts of handball or fouls and misconduct in the penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded:

  • Taken from an 8 metre penalty mark
  • Only goalkeeper in position
  • All other players must be outside the penalty area and at least 5 metres behind the penalty mark

Fouls and misconduct include:

  • Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
  • Trips or attempts to trip an opponent
  • Jumps at an opponent
  • Charges at an opponent
  • Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
  • Pushes an opponent
  • Tackles an opponent from behind to gain possession of the ball
  • Makes contact with the opponent before touching the ball
  • Holds an opponent
  • Spits at an opponent
  • Handles the ball deliberately
  • Plays in a dangerous manner
  • Impedes the progress of a player

🥅 Goal Type

Portable goals are preferred, but poles or markers as goals are also suitable.

Important: Portable goals must be anchored securely to the ground using sandbags or pegs to comply with Australian Safety Standards.

📊 Match Results & Points Tables

Match results are recorded for the purpose of assigning teams to appropriate leagues only.

Match results will NOT be published publicly.

Points tables do not exist in Under 8 & 9 football.

The focus is on fun, development, and enjoyment for all players!

Want to Learn More?

For full details, visit the official MiniRoos website:

miniroos.com.au