Parent's Guide to SAFA Grassroots Football Ages 6-12 2026

SAFA's suggested grassroots pitch sizes:

Goals

• Goal size should suit the age: a suggested start is a 3 m goal for 4-a-side, increasing gradually to a 6 m goal for 9-a-side.
• At festivals and in small-sided games, goals are a maximum of 5 m x 2 m. Futsal goals (3 m x 2 m) can be used.
• If proper goals aren't available, cones or poles can be used (6 m apart for 7v7).

SAFA's grassroots material suggests these match lengths for a tournament, depending on the format and the time available:

A 7v7 match should last no more than 45-50 minutes in total.

When many teams play in one tournament, individual games are shorter (for example 10-15 minutes for 6-8 year olds), so that the day's total stays within the recommended playing time. At festivals, games are short rotations of 5-15 minutes between small-sided matches and skills workshops.

SAFA's grassroots material aims for every child to play:

• In festivals, all players must take part on an equal basis.
• In tournaments, everyone plays the same number of matches.
• Rolling substitutions: a substituted player stays part of the match and can go back on.
  • 4v4 and 5v5: substitutions at any time.
  • 7v7 and 9v9: substitutions at any stoppage, with the coach-educator's approval.

Recommended total playing ("exertion") time for a festival or tournament day:

A whole festival should not last more than 2½ hours.

At festivals, no. SAFA's grassroots festival rules say there are no referees and results are not recorded. For 4v4 and 5v5 the material says not to allow any form of competition or classification: the priority is play rather than winning.

At tournaments, teams can be organised in pools (single or double round-robin) and can go on to semi-finals and finals, but:

• everyone plays the same number of matches
• results are not the crucial issue, and the emphasis is on play and enjoyment
• in 7v7, coaches are asked to make light of results and focus on how the game is played.

Referees (SAFA grassroots material):

Grassroots refereeing must always be educational. In 7v7 and 9v9 the recommended style is "informative" refereeing from off the pitch, without a whistle, with a chat to both teams' players and coaches before the match.

Offside

• 4v4 and 5v5: no offside.
• 7v7: offside as in 11-a-side, but only inside a line 8 m from the goal line (marked with two cones or poles).
• 9v9: offside as in 11-a-side, but only inside a line 13 m from the goal line.

SAFA's grassroots Laws of the Game are recommendations, not hard and fast rules: coaches and organisers can adapt them to the age, skill and venue.

Other points:

• 4v4 can be played without goalkeepers (keep-ball, passing games or small goals), or as 3 outfield players plus a goalkeeper. In 5v5 one of the five is the goalkeeper. Teams are boys and girls together.
• In 7v7 a penalty is given only if the referee considers a serious foul was committed in the box.
• In 9v9 the centre circle has a 6 m radius.
• The goalkeeper can handle the ball inside the marked penalty area.

SAFA's grassroots material specifies a size 4 ball for 6 to 12 year olds, in festivals, tournaments and the 4v4, 5v5, 7v7 and 9v9 formats.

For futsal, a size 3 futsal ball is recommended for under-12s. It is smaller and bounces less, which makes control and passing easier and means children are less afraid of the ball.

SAFA competitions follow the IFAB Laws of the Game. Under Law 4 (2026/27) a player's compulsory kit is:

• a shirt with sleeves
• shorts
• socks (any tape on the outside must be the same colour as the sock)
• shinguards, of a suitable material and size, covered by the socks
• footwear

Safety rules:

• Nothing dangerous may be worn or used. Dangerous items must be removed, not taped over.
• From 2026/27, accessories (previously called "jewellery") are allowed only if they are not dangerous and are safely and securely covered.
• Players are checked before kick-off, and a player who refuses to remove a dangerous item can be cautioned.

Grassroots games are played in coloured bibs or T-shirts, so a team kit is not essential at festivals.

SAFA's grassroots material sets these rules for spectators:

At festivals

• Parents and supporters are not allowed on the pitches or in the workshops. Only the children taking part and the team supervisors may be on the field.

At tournaments

• No spectators or parents in the coaching zone.
• Keep a safe distance from the pitch.
• Show a positive attitude.
• Teams shake hands before and after every match as part of fair play.

The grassroots philosophy behind this is that everyone gets to play, there is no discrimination, the game is simple and rewarding, and fair play must be respected. The priority is play, not winning.

The grassroots material SAFA publishes (from the FIFA Grassroots Programme) asks organisers of tournaments for 6 to 12 year olds to provide:

• a first-aid kit and an emergency number
• secured goals, so they cannot tip over
• a warm-up and cool-down
• drink breaks, allowing for the weather

For a one-day festival, the organiser must make sure a first-aid kit and drinks are available, and give the children breaks to drink and recover.