FairPlay Coach
FairPlay Coach
Quick-reference FA rules for U9 – U10 — match duration, substitutions, pitch size, ball size, and equal playing time guidance.
Try the Free Rotation App →The 7-a-side format introduces young players to a fuller pitch, goalkeepers, and more complex team shapes — while keeping the core principle of the smaller age groups intact: everyone plays. The FA's Player Development Model explicitly states that coaches should not prioritise results over player development and participation at U9–U10.
FA guidance: equal pitch time remains the priority at U9–U10. Every child in the squad should play a substantial portion of every match.
With up to 14 players in a U9 or U10 squad and 4 quarters to manage, the substitution maths gets complicated fast. Ensuring every player gets at least 40–50 minutes of a 90-minute match while keeping the goalkeeper rotation fair is where most volunteer coaches get tripped up — especially with a vocal parent group watching.
FairPlay Coach handles 7v7 rotation automatically. Enter your squad, flag your goalkeeper preferences, and the app generates a balanced quarter-by-quarter plan so every player gets near-equal pitch time. The built-in timer counts down each quarter and alerts you exactly when to make changes — no clipboard needed.
Try It Free — No Account Needed →FA guidelines recommend 4 quarters of 20–25 minutes each, with a maximum total match time of 90 minutes. Many leagues play 4 x 20-minute quarters. Check your specific league rules for exact timings.
Yes. Rolling (unlimited) substitutions are standard at U9–U10. Players can come on and off multiple times during a match. The referee should be informed before each substitution.
At U9 there is generally no offside rule. At U10, some leagues introduce a modified offside rule in the penalty area. You should check your specific league regulations, as rules vary between county FAs and local leagues.
Squads can have up to 14 registered players, with 7 on the pitch at any time. With 7 on and 7 on the bench, managing equal playing time across 4 quarters is a significant admin challenge — one that rotation apps like FairPlay Coach are built to solve.
Yes. The FA's youth development guidance states that equal pitch time remains a priority at U9–U10. While enforcement varies by league, best practice — and the spirit of the FA's guidelines — is that every player in the squad plays a substantial portion of every match.
Most leagues use a Size 3 ball at U9 and a Size 4 ball at U10, though some leagues use Size 4 throughout. Check your local league regulations to confirm the correct ball size for your age group.