U12-U16 MWFA matches operate under modified Laws of the Game: MWFRA Modified Laws 2025
Duration of Match/Ball Sizes:
- The duration of halves is 25 minutes in U12 matches, 30 minutes in U13 and U14 matches, and 35 minutes in U15 and U16 matches.
- There is no stoppage time played in junior MWFA matches.
- The size of the ball is size 4 in U10 to U13 matches size 5 for U14s and above.
U12 MWFA Playing Rules
Under 12 competitions in 2024 will play according to all standard FIFA rules for 11×11 football with the exception of the two scenarios below
- The distance for the opposition to stand at all set pieces will be reduced to 5m due to the reduction of field size.
- The opposition must be 10m back from the penalty area before the ball is in play after a goal kick or the goalkeeper has possession of the ball in their hands. The goalkeeper is not allowed to kick or dropkick the ball from their hands due to the reduction of field size.
Offside: The Offside law will be included in the Under 12 competition as it is an integral law to the game of football.
Free-Kicks: Opponents must be at least 5 meters away from the ball when a free kick is taken. Direct free kicks will apply.
Kick-Off: Opponents must be at least 5m away from the ball until the kick is taken
Penalties: In accordance with FIFA LOTG, a penalty kick will be awarded if a player commits a direct free kick offence inside their penalty area
Goal kick (Law16): All opponents must remain at least 10m from the edge of the penalty area until the ball is in play. Goal kicks can be taken from anywhere within the penalty area.
Goalkeeper: The goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball anywhere in the penalty area. To restart play after a save or gathering the ball with their hands, the ball must be thrown or rolled from the hands or played from the ground with their feet, within 6 seconds. The goalkeeper is NOT allowed to kick or dropkick the ball from their hands.
Corner kicks: Will be taken from the corner of the pitch. Opponents must be at least 5 meters away from the ball until it is in play. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves. A goal can be scored directly from a corner kick.
Throw-ins (Law 15): Player faces the field of play, has part of each foot on the ground either on or behind the touch line, uses both hands and delivers the ball from behind and over their head. The thrower must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player. The ball is in play once it enters the field of play. A goal cannot be
Number of Players: 9 players on a team, one of which must be a goalkeeper. Maximum of 5 substitutes. Games must not commence or continue with fewer than 7 players.
Field Size: Length 60 (min) to 70 (max); Width: 40 (min) – 50 (max). The technical areas must be on the same side of the field.
Penalty Area: Depth: 10m – Width: 20m
Sanctions: Yellow and Red cards are applicable in U12.
Temporary Dismissals (Sin-Bin): Any player who is guilty of dissent should be sent to the sin-bin. The sin-bin period for U12 is 5 minutes.
A .pdf of these modified U12 Laws can be downloaded HERE: 2024 MWFA U12 Competition Rules
25 Metre Rule (Under 13s – Under 14s):
The purpose of the 25m Rule is to facilitate younger age groups playing out from the back with reduced pressure when they are awarded a goal kick or free kick in their penalty area.
The Clearance Zone is a rectangular area bounded by the touchlines, the goal line and an imaginary line parallel to and 25m from the goal line. This line must be indicated by cones, poles or other marking to assist the referee. Referees are expected to undertake a field check which should include ensuring that the Clearance Zone has been marked out. If there are no cones/poles set up to indicate the Clearance Zone, the referee is required to ask the home team for them to set up the Clearance Zone.
The 25m Rule applies to the U13 through U14 age groups and is in operation for goal kicks and also for free kicks awarded to the defending team in the penalty area.
- For a goal kick, the goalkeeper of the defending team must take the kick
- For a free kick to the defending team in the penalty area, any player from the defending team may take the kick
- The ball is in play when it is kicked, clearly moves, and before becoming stationary, is next touched by a second player from the defending team within the Clearance Zone
- Opponents must be outside the Clearance Zone until the ball is in play.
For clarity:
- The ball cannot be kicked directly beyond the Clearance Zone
- Infringement of any aspect of the 25m Rule results in the kick being retaken
- If in the opinion of the Referee, infringement of the 25m Rule is being utilised to waste time by either team, the players guilty of the perceived time wasting will be cautioned
- Once the ball is in play, opponents are permitted to enter the Clearance Zone and challenge for possession of the ball.
- The Clearance Zone does not apply to free kicks to the defending team outside of the penalty area.
The following diagram illustrates the 25m rule process:
