FairPlay Coach
FairPlay Coach
Quick-reference FA rules for U7 – U8 — match duration, substitutions, pitch size, ball size, and equal playing time guidance.
Try the Free Rotation App →The FA's 5-a-side format for U7 and U8 is designed around one principle: fun and participation. At this age group, winning means nothing. Every child should leave the pitch having played, touched the ball, tried different positions, and enjoyed themselves. The FA's own youth development guidelines make equal pitch time a requirement, not a suggestion.
FA guidance: equal pitch time is mandatory for all players at U7–U8. No player should receive significantly less time than any other.
Managing rolling substitutions for 10 players across 4 short quarters is deceptively difficult. Many parent-volunteer coaches end up eyeballing it — which leads to the inevitable: one child plays 40 minutes, another plays 12, and a parent on the touchline notices. FairPlay Coach automates the rotation matrix for 5-a-side squads so the bench allocation is done before the match even starts.
FairPlay Coach generates a pre-balanced quarter-by-quarter rotation plan for your entire squad before kick-off. For U7–U8 5v5 with a 10-player squad, it ensures each player starts 2 quarters and is on the bench for 2 — automatically. The live match timer alerts you when each quarter ends so you never miss a substitution window.
Try It Free — No Account Needed →FA guidelines recommend 4 quarters of 10–20 minutes each, with a maximum total match time of 60 minutes. Exact quarter lengths may vary by league, but the 4-quarter format is standard across England.
Yes. Rolling (unlimited) substitutions are the standard at U7–U8. Players can be reintroduced after being substituted. The referee must be informed before a substitution takes place.
No. The offside rule does not apply in FA-format 5-a-side football for U7 and U8 age groups. This allows younger players to learn the game without the complexity of offside decisions.
Yes. FA youth development guidelines state that equal pitch time is mandatory at U7–U8. All players in the squad should receive broadly the same amount of playing time every match.
A Size 3 football is used at U7 and U8. This is smaller and lighter than the standard adult ball, making it more appropriate for young players' physical development.
Squads typically have 8–10 registered players, with 5 on the pitch at any time. Leagues may cap squad sizes differently, but 10 players (5 on, 5 bench) is the common arrangement.