FIFA Grassroots

7 v 7 games

7 v 7. BASIC RULES
7 reasons to play 7-a-side
To adapt the game to the existing fields (11-a-side).
To have more players playing (11-a-side).
To be an intermediate size between 5-a-side and 9-aside.
To introduce the concepts of position and zone.
To develop the game among a team.
To introduce new rules.
To be a source of progress and development.

7 v 7. BASIC RULES
7 recommendations
To like proposing games to the children.
To give freedom to the game.
To take the emphasis off the result and give priority to
the behaviour/manners.
To create team spirit among the children (friendship).
To avoid physical exercises (all exercises with balls).
To give priority to the technique and to the game.
To offer gradual exercises and adapted games.

7 v 7. BASIC RULES
The pitch
7 v 7:

from 30m x 45m to 35m x 50m

7*7

7*7

4 cones or markers, one placed 10 metres

from each corner along the length of the
field, to demarcate the box. The
goalkeeper can handle the ball in this
area.
7*7

Penalty: 8 metres.

If there are no goalposts, use 2 cones or

markers 6 metres apart

7*7

7 v 7. BASIC RULES
The teams
One team: 7 players (boys and girls) including the
goalkeeper.
7 substitutes allowed. They can play at any time.
The substituted players can participate again later in the
game.
During festivals, all the players (boys and girls) must play
for the same amount of time.

7 v 7. BASIC RULES

The rules
All free kicks are direct.
Offside demarcated by a virtual line (2
cones or poles) 8 metres from the goal
line.
Penalty if the referee considers a
serious offence has been committed in
the box.
Free kick, clearance, corner: opponents
6 metres away.
Penalty: players must be outside the
penalty area, at least 6 metres behind
the penalty mark.

Ball: size 4

Duration: maximum 45-50 minutes

Refereeing: Refereeing for education,

no whistle, not on the pitch

8m
Offside line

Penalty

10 m

Goalkeeper area

5m

7 v 7. BASIC RULES
The rules of offside
The same as for 11-a-side, but the offside line is 8 metres from the
goal line.

Offside

Not offside

7 v 7. BASIC RULES
Basic organisation
The success of 7-a-side is linked
not only to the technique, but
also to the organisation, which
must be simple and understood
by all players.
With the training games, the
coach can also develop the
basics on the tactical side:

Choose a suitable
formation.
Position the players.
Put tactics into action.

7 v 7. BASIC RULES
Attitude during the games
Two situations occur during the game and are followed different
attitudes

The team has the ball

Play towards the front

Get free (use of spaces)
Play back (pivot) support
Passing, dribbling, shooting

The team does not have the ball

Move back facing the ball

Delay the progress of the opponents
Mark the opponents
Intercept
Head-to-heads