UNDER 12 & 13

9v 9 FORMAT
COMPETITION GUIDELINES
Offside rule: The offside rule will be included in the Under 12 & 13
Introduction
competition as it is an integral rule to the game of football. 9v9 on
the recommended size pitch will help players learn the rule as
In 2021 Football Victoria will continue to implement the 9v9
there is no longer as much space between the halfway line and the
format in the Under 12's & 13's competition. This decision has
opposition goals.
been made to provide the best learning environment for
young players so each individual can realise their full
Penalties: In accordance with FIFA LOTG, a penalty kick will be
potential.
awarded if a player commits a direct free kick offence inside their
9-a side in Under 12’s & 13's allows players to be challenged penalty area.
technically as well as physically through multiple repeated
actions in smaller areas. It also aims to set realistic expectations Goalkeeper: The goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball
that meet the needs of young footballers, rather than senior anywhere in the penalty area. To restart play after a save or
players. It focuses on the development of a player rather than the gathering the ball with their hands, the ball must be thrown
result of the match. or rolled from the hands or played from the ground with their feet,
within 6 seconds. The goalkeeper is not allowed to kick or
The playing format for Under 12's & 13's leagues is as follows: dropkick the ball from their hands.

Numbers 9 v 9 Including Goalkeeper. Max of 5 substitutes Goal kick: Goal kicks can be taken from anywhere within the
penalty area. Opponents must be outside the penalty area until
Field Size Length: 60 (min) - 70m (max) Width: 40 (min) - 50m (max)
the ball is in play. The ball is in play once it is kicked and clearly
Height: 2m Width: 5m moves. Players from the defending team may receive the ball
Permanent or portable goal must be compliant with the inside the penalty area from a goal kick.
Goal Size and Type Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s
Consumer Notice No.28 of 2010
Throw ins: Player faces the field of play, has part of each foot on
Field Marking Cones, Markers or Painted Lines are allowed the ground either on or behind the touch line, uses both hands
and delivers the ball from behind and over their head. The
Depth: 10m Width: 20m
Penalty Area Penalty Spot 7m from goal line 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
Duration of Game 2 x 30 minute halves cannot be scored directly from a throw in.
5 minutes minimum
Half Time 10 Minutes maximum Corner kicks: Opponents must be at least 5 metres away from the
ball until it is in play. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.
Referee FV Appointed Green Shirt Referees

Linesman/AR Club appointed Assistant Referees Discipline: Red or Yellow cards will be issued to players in Under
Interchange Maximum 5 Players 12 & 13 competitions.
Ball Size Size 4
For any fouls that would ordinarily result in a red card, the match
Points Table & Finals Yes official will instruct the player to leave the field of play for the
remainder of the match, any player sent from the field of play may
FIFA Laws Of The Game Yes be replaced by another player at the time of the offence. In this
instance, neither team will be required to play with fewer than 9
players.
Competition Rules
Under 12 & 13 competition is played under FIFA Laws of the For any offense that would ordinarily result in a red card for violent
Game with modified rules to assist players in their development or offensive behavior (i.e. R2 - Violent conduct, R3 – Spitting, R6 –
and also refine the transition to 11v11 football, these include: uses offensive or insulting or abusive language / gestures) the
match official will be required to submit a misconduct report to FV
Field Markings: All field markings as required for a full-size pitch, which may result in further disciplinary action for that player.
including the penalty area, are required for Under 12 & 13
matches. Field markings can be marked with paint, or flat Team shape (formation): Teams must setup using at least 3 lines
markers. Painted lines must be a different colour to any existing for example; GK – 3 – 2– 3, GK – 4 – 3 – 1, GK – 3 – 3 – 2. This rule
line markings used for the full-size pitch. is to introduce players to an 11v11 like formation and structure thus
assisting with the transition to U14s.

Playing style: FV strongly recommends “a proactive brand of

football”, based on effective possession with the cutting edge
provided by creative individuals. Defensively, the key
components are quick transition and intelligent collective
pressing. The Playing Style is underpinned by a strong ‘team
mentality’, capitalising on “Australia’s traditional strengths”.
UNDER 12 & 13
9 v 9 FORMAT
COMPETITION GUIDELINES
Zones and Leagues Match Records & ID Cards
The Zoning for Under 12 & 13s Boys will remain as per current Given there are results and ladders kept, match records are
application for MiniRoos and Junior Boys, which is: North, South, required to be submitted prior to each game. Accordingly,
East and West. Similarly, the Under 12 & 13s Girls’ leagues will Player ID cards will also be required.
follow the same principle, however due to less critical mass, there
may be the need to amalgamate zones as per the current process. Match Officials
In that regard, the following considerations will apply when Where possible, FV will continue to appoint Green Shirt Referees
creating league structures for the Under 12’s & 13s, much to the to matches as has been the case in previous seasons. Similar to
same effect as Under 11’s: the concept of the players learning the game through small sided
• Where practical, minimise the over representation of football, FV will also be utilising the format change to help
teams from the same Club in any one league introduce new referees to the game.
• Distance between Clubs within a league, where
Clubs will be asked to arrange a club Assistant Referee as per
appropriate
normal. This breaks down barriers and allows parents to learn the
• League sizes consisting of a minimum of six and rules of the game in a similar learning environment to the referees
maximum of fifteen teams and players.

Self-Grading The home club remains responsible for payment of referees, with
the referee entitled to a total of $40.
Self-grading will remain as per current practice in Under 12’s &
13's for Junior Boys’ and Girls’. The grading will be as follows:
Coaching
A / Kangaroos → strong grasp of football skills
Each club’s team must have a minimum of one Head Coach.
B & C / Wallabies → beginning to develop their football skills
D,E, F / Joeys → little or no previous experience
A/ Kangaroos competitions are locked for the whole of the Further Information
competition season. Regrading will take place at conclusion
of Round 4 for wallabies and joeys (under 12s) and B, C, P, E, F For any further information including questions in relation
(under 13s). Regarding requests must be submitted for FV to coaching and player development contact FV Coaching
consideration a regrading request is at the discretion of FV. Department [email protected] or for any
questions relating to competition matters contact FV
Competitions Department –
Day of Play [email protected]

Currently Under 12 & 13 football is restricted to Sunday only. As a

point of difference to the current Under 12’s competition, and as
per current MiniRoos practice, Clubs will have the opportunity to
nominate Saturday or Sunday.

Provided there is sufficient team requests to play on Saturday

within a Zone, FV will implement leagues where applicable. For
example, particularly in the Southern and Eastern Zones, Saturday
U11’s in MiniRoos are prevalent.

The ability to have Saturday leagues provides the opportunity to

increase teams at clubs and allocation of pitch space.

Kick off times: Kick off times: The preferred kick off times will be
at 10.10am. (Under 12's) & 11:20am (Under 13's)

Results and Ladders

Results and Ladders will remain in the 9v9 format and must be
submitted online by the home club 6:00pm on the same day.