U7 3v3 football rules explained

The handful of rules a U7 coach or parent actually needs on a Saturday morning.

How a game starts

Every game begins with a high five between the two teams. The players then decide who kicks off with rock, paper, scissors. It is deliberately simple and it belongs to the children rather than the adults.

No heading and no penalties

Heading is not permitted in 3v3, and there are no penalty kicks in the format. If an offence happens near goal, play restarts with a free kick rather than a penalty.

Free kicks and the 3-metre rule

Free kicks are taken at least 3 metres from the goal, and opposition players normally stay about 3 metres away from any restart. At a goal-line restart the opposition retreat into their own half so the restarting team has room to play.

Restarts

At goal-line restarts, corners, sideline restarts and free kicks, the player restarting can either dribble the ball in or pass it. Encouraging children to dribble back into play is one of the small details that makes the format so useful.

Scoring

For a goal to count, the player shooting must be in the opponent's half of the pitch. After a goal, the team that conceded restarts from their goal line and every player from the team that scored returns to their own goal line first.

Who applies the rules?

There is no referee. An adult Team Facilitator supports each pitch, keeps things safe and positive, and lets the children make as many of their own decisions as possible.