Soccer Game Rules for Young Kids

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, and for many children it is the first team sport they take part in. FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) and the U.S. Soccer Federation have modified the rules of soccer to allow easier play for children.

  1. Soccer Field Size

    • Soccer Field

      For adults, the soccer field is 75 by 120 yards. Because children have a difficult time covering that much ground, their field is much smaller. For children under age nine, the field size averages 25 by 35 yards. For each year above that, the field gets bigger in increments of 5 yards. Thirteen-year-olds have a field size of 60 by 110 yards. After age 13, a regulation size field is used.

    Goal Size

    • Soccer Goal

      In an adult soccer game, the goal is 8 feet high and 24 feet wide. Children use much smaller goals in conjunction with their smaller fields. Children under nine have goals averaging 6.5 feet high by 12 feet wide. Once they reach the age of 12, the height moves up to 7 feet tall and 21 feet wide. Ages 13 and up use regulation goal sizes.

    Players

    • Soccer Players

      In adult and international teams, the field has 11 players on each team in active play. Because children have smaller fields, they need fewer players on the field. Ages six and seven have three players per team in active play. Eight-year-olds have four players, nine-year-olds have six, ten-year-olds have eight and eleven-year-olds have nine. Twelve year-olds and up have the regulation number of 11 players per team on the field.

    Basic Rules

    • Soccer referees ensure that the game is played fairly.

      The basic rules of the game stipulate that only the goal keeper may touch the ball with his hands. The other players may use their feet, legs, chest and head to get the ball going in the direction they want. Each team tries to get the ball into their goal at the end of the field. Referees watch the game to ensure that fair play is practiced throughout the game.