Mini Soccer

The Football Association now requires that football played by young players is scaled down to reflect their abilities. 'Mini-Soccer' refers therefore to small-sided games played on smaller pitches, with footballs and goals reduced to a size more appropriate to the development of very young players. Rules are simplified - for example there is no offside law in Mini-Soccer. Boothstown JFC teams play 7-a-side Mini-Soccer in organised leagues. The under-7s/8s/9s play in the Bolton, Bury and District Mini-Soccer League, and the under-10s play in the Swinton Friendly League. Mini-Soccer offers young players the opportunity to be more closely involved in a game of football. The players are always close to the play, and they consequently have more touches of the football. The players step up to 11-a-side games when they reach the under-11 stage.