Coach's Guide to Football Australia MiniRoos Club Football Under 6-Under 11 2026

• Under 6 and 7: 20 minute halves.
• Under 8 and 9: 20 minute halves.
• Under 10 and 11: 25 minute halves.

Every age group has a minimum 5 minute half-time break.

Source: Coles MiniRoos National Playing Formats and Rules, duration of the game.

• Maximum substitutes: three in Under 6 and 7, four in Under 8 and 9, and five in Under 10 and 11.
• When: players may be rotated on and off the field at any time during the game. A coach or parent may make substitutions while the ball is in play, as long as the player is off the field before the substitute goes on.
• Playing time: equal playing time should be a priority, so that all players, regardless of age, gender and/or ability, get to take the field.
• Rotation: regular rotation of players is key. If there is space on the sideline, substitutes should be encouraged to set up small-sided games or practise their skills in a designated area that does not interfere with play.

Source: Coles MiniRoos National Playing Formats and Rules, substitutions and playing formats.

Under 6 and 7: no throw-in. A player from the opposing team to the player who touched the ball last before it crossed the touch line places the ball on the touch line and passes or dribbles it into play. Opponents must be at least 5m away from the ball until it is in play. The ball must touch a teammate before a goal can be scored.

Under 8 to 11: throw-in. The player faces the field of play, has part of each foot on the ground on or behind the touch line, uses both hands and delivers the ball from behind and over the head. The 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 of play, and a goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.

Source: Coles MiniRoos National Playing Formats and Rules, ball crossing the touch line.

Start of play and restart after a goal (all ages): pass to a teammate from the middle of the halfway line. All players must be in their own half, and opponents must be at least 5 metres from the ball until it is in play. The ball must touch a teammate before a goal can be scored.

Ball out over the goal line, last touched by the defending team (Under 8 to 11): corner kick. The attacking team places the ball inside the corner arc nearest to where it crossed the line, opponents stay at least 5 metres away until it is in play, and it is in play when kicked and moves. A goal may be scored directly from a corner.

Ball out over the goal line, last touched by the attacking team (Under 8 to 11): goal kick from anywhere within the penalty area. Opponents remain at least 10 metres outside the penalty area until the ball is in play, and the Game Leader should not restart until all opponents are that far out. The ball is in play once it is kicked directly out of the penalty area.

All ages: the Game Leader duties include ensuring the opposing team is at least 5 metres outside the penalty area for all goal-line restarts.

Ball in and out of play: the ball is out when it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line on the ground or in the air, or when the Game Leader has stopped play.

Source: Coles MiniRoos National Playing Formats and Rules.

There are no goalkeepers in Under 6 and 7. Under 8 and 9 (7-a-side) and Under 10 and 11 (9-a-side) each have a goalkeeper.

• The goalkeeper may handle the ball anywhere in the penalty area.
• To restart play after a save or gathering the ball, the ball must be thrown or rolled from the hands, or played from the ground with the feet, within 6 seconds.
• The goalkeeper is not allowed to kick or drop kick the ball directly from their hands.
• Opponents must be at least 10 metres outside the penalty area and cannot move inside it until the ball is in play.
• The ball is in play once it moves out of the penalty area. In Under 10 and 11 it is also in play when the goalkeeper places the ball on the ground.
• An indirect free kick is awarded if the goalkeeper touches the ball with their hands after a teammate has deliberately kicked it to them.

Under 6 and 7: the Game Leader is responsible for discouraging children from permanently standing in front of the goal.

Source: Coles MiniRoos National Playing Formats and Rules, goalkeeper.

Offside: the national rules state there is no offside rule in Coles MiniRoos Under 6 and 7, and none in Under 8 and 9. In both age groups, Game Leaders should strongly discourage children from permanently standing in blatant offside positions. The Under 10 and 11 section of the document has no offside entry.

Fouls and handball: indirect free kicks are awarded for all acts of handball, fouls and misconduct, with opponents at least 5 metres from the ball. With an indirect free kick, a goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal.

Under 6 and 7: most handball, fouls and misconduct at this level are caused by a lack of coordination, with no intent. In that case, try to give the advantage to the attacking team and continue play. If you decide a deliberate or serious act has occurred, explain to the child that they have done the wrong thing and should not do it again. Free kicks should be awarded as appropriate. There is no penalty area at this level.

Under 8 to 11: for deliberate or serious acts of handball, fouls or misconduct in the penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded from an 8 metre penalty mark with only the goalkeeper in position. All other players must be outside the penalty area and at least 5 metres behind the mark. The listed fouls and misconduct are: kicking or attempting to kick, tripping or attempting to trip, jumping at, charging, striking or attempting to strike, and pushing an opponent; tackling from behind to gain possession; making contact before touching the ball; holding; spitting; handling the ball deliberately; playing in a dangerous manner; and impeding the progress of a player.

Source: Coles MiniRoos National Playing Formats and Rules.

Points tables are not applicable in Under 6 and 7, Under 8 and 9, or Under 10 and 11 football, and do not exist.

Match results should be recorded only for the purpose of assigning teams to appropriate leagues, so that all players have the most enjoyable experience. Under no circumstances will match results be published publicly by Member Federations, Local Associations or local clubs.

Source: Coles MiniRoos National Playing Formats and Rules, match results and points tables.

• Shin guards: must be worn by all players without exception.
• Concussion: any player suspected of suffering from concussion should be examined by a medical practitioner before returning to play. As a general rule: "If in doubt, sit it out".
• Goals: pop-up style portable goals are preferred where possible, but poles or markers as goals are also suitable. To comply with Australian Safety Standards, portable goals must be anchored securely to the ground, and sandbags or pegs are recommended for pop-up goals.
• Scoring with cones: when cones are used as goals, a goal is scored when the ball passes between the cones without touching them, below shoulder height of the player. With goalposts, the whole ball must pass over the goal line, between the posts and under the crossbar.

Source: Coles MiniRoos National Playing Formats and Rules.

Each game is controlled by one Game Leader, whose main role is to keep the game moving, limit stoppages and help players with all restarts. A Game Leader can be a club official, parent, older child or player, or beginner referee.

The Game Leader should:

• encourage all children to have fun, and let different children take restarts;
• make sure the correct number of players are on the field;
• discourage players from permanently over-guarding the goal;
• check all players are wearing shin guards;
• use a "Ready, Set, Go" prompt to encourage quick decisions at restarts;
• encourage children to dribble or pass to teammates rather than kick the ball long;
• make sure the opposing team is at least 5 metres outside the penalty area for all goal-line restarts;
• make sure team officials and parents create a safe, enjoyable and positive environment;
• encourage children to take part in attacking and defending;
• award free kicks as appropriate, and explain the rules and why a free kick was awarded;
• let the game flow, give instruction to all players on the run where possible, and praise both teams.

Source: Coles MiniRoos National Playing Formats and Rules, Game Leaders.

• Under 6 and 7: up to 8 pitches on a full-size football pitch.
• Under 8 and 9: up to 4 pitches on a full-size football pitch.
• Under 10 and 11: a maximum of 2 pitches on a full-size football pitch. Alternatively, 1 pitch can be set up penalty box to penalty box.

Markings: cones, markers or painted lines are all suitable, including the penalty areas in the Under 8 to Under 11 age groups.

Source: Coles MiniRoos National Playing Formats and Rules, field layouts and field markings.

Working With Children Check: Football Australia says its representatives must comply with the legislative requirements of their own state or territory. The checks and application processes differ between states and territories (for example, the Office of the Children's Guardian in New South Wales and Queensland Government Blue Card Services in Queensland). Football Australia also notes that some jurisdictions offer temporary exemptions for interstate visitors who hold a check from their home state, and that the laws providing these exemptions are not consistent across Australia. Its page does not list which football roles need a check.

Training: the Coles MiniRoos National Playing Formats and Rules encourage Game Leaders to complete the free Coles MiniRoos Certificate before the season starts. Football Australia runs online courses and certification through its FA Learning platform (learn.footballaustralia.com.au).

Source: Football Australia, Working With Children Check (footballaustralia.com.au/member-protection/safeguarding/wwcc); Coles MiniRoos National Playing Formats and Rules.