U7 & U8 football – 5v5 and Size 3 ball

U7 and U8 teams play 5v5 football and use a Size 3 football.

DJM Mini-Soccer matches are played in halves rather than quarters.

U9 & U10 football – 7v7 and Size 3 ball

U9 and U10 teams play 7v7 football and use a Size 3 football.

DJM Mini-Soccer matches are played in halves rather than quarters.

U11 & U12 football – 9v9 and Size 4 ball

U11 and U12 teams play 9v9 football and use a Size 4 football.

This is the point at which DJM players move from a Size 3 to a Size 4 football.

U13 & U14 football – 11v11 and Size 4 ball

For the 2025/26 DJM season, U13 and U14 teams play 11v11 football using a Size 4 ball.

Does U13 play 11-a-side football?

For DJM 2025/26, yes. U13 plays 11v11.

However, the Handbook states that following the 2025/26 season, 11-a-side football is due to begin at U14. Clubs should therefore check the latest DJM Handbook for subsequent seasons.

U15 & U16 football – 11v11 and Size 5 ball

U15 and U16 teams play 11v11 football and use a full-size Size 5 football.

U15 is the point at which players move from a Size 4 to a Size 5 football under the 2025/26 DJM format.

U18 football – 11v11 and Size 5 ball

U18 teams play 11v11 football using a Size 5 football and full-size 24 × 8 ft goals.

U18 fixtures are normally played at 2:00pm on Sundays, unless permission for an alternative kick-off is obtained and both teams agree.

The football size changes as players progress through youth football.

Players therefore normally move to a Size 4 football at U11 and a Size 5 football at U15 under the 2025/26 DJM rules.

For the DJM 2025/26 season, the playing formats are:

The Handbook notes a forthcoming change affecting U13 football, with 11v11 due to begin at U14 after the 2025/26 season.

DJM match lengths increase as players get older.

For the 2025/26 season:

• U7 and U8: up to 5 substitutes
• U9 and older: up to 7 substitutes

Where return substitutes are permitted, a substituted player may return to the match in accordance with the Laws of the Game and with the referee's permission.

The general minimum number of players depends on the playing format.

Different requirements are listed for some DJM girls' divisions, so teams in those competitions should also check the girls' football section below.

The maximum number of players registered to a team at any one time is:

The Handbook does not apply the equivalent maximum registration restriction to U18 11v11 teams under this rule.

By 31 July, teams must have at least:

• 5 players registered for 5v5
• 7 players registered for 7v7
• 9 players registered for 9v9
• 11 players registered for 11v11

Where a DJM cup match requires a penalty shoot-out:

• U7–U12: 3 initial penalties
• U13–U18: 5 initial penalties
• Girls U10–U12: 3 initial penalties
• Girls U14–U16: 5 initial penalties

The DJM Handbook provides the following match-day requirements for girls' divisions.

The minimum-player requirements listed by DJM for some girls' divisions differ from the general mixed-football minimums.

The home team must provide at least two footballs that are fit for play.

The correct ball size depends on the age group:

• U7–U10: Size 3
• U11–U14: Size 4
• U15–U18: Size 5

The referee may report a club if the footballs supplied are unsuitable.

The home team is responsible for providing the required match-day equipment, including:

• Respect barriers
• goal nets
• corner flags
• at least two suitable match footballs

Both teams must have their own clearly marked technical area.

The technical areas should:

• be on the same side of the pitch
• be opposite the spectators' Respect barrier
• be at least 20 metres apart
• provide enough space for the team's DBS-checked officials and substitutes

Team officials should remain within their technical area during the match unless there is a legitimate reason to leave it, such as providing first aid.

Yes. Approved artificial football turf, commonly known as a 3G pitch, may be used where it meets the required FA performance standards and is listed on the appropriate FA register.

The home club should also tell visiting teams about any specific footwear requirements when confirming the fixture.

For enclosed football facilities:

• 5v5 and 7v7: overhead netting is permitted where it is at least 6 metres high
• 9v9 and 11v11: overhead netting is not permitted for affiliated matches

The Power Play rule can be used in 5v5 and 7v7 football if both managers agree before the match.

If one team falls four goals behind, it may add one extra player:

• 5v5 becomes 6v5
• 7v7 becomes 8v7

When the goal difference falls back below four goals, the additional player is removed.

A player's age group is determined by their age at midnight on 31 August at the beginning of the relevant playing season.

A child who has not reached the age of six cannot play in a match.

There are additional FA and DJM rules covering players playing above their chronological age group and provisions affecting girls' football. Refer to the full Handbook where an individual player's eligibility needs to be confirmed.

For normal DJM fixtures during the 2025/26 season, matches may start no earlier than 9:30am and no later than 1:00pm, unless an alternative has been agreed and approved in accordance with League rules.

U18 fixtures are normally played at 2:00pm on Sundays, unless an alternative is agreed and permission is obtained from the U18 Fixture Secretary.

U7 football uses a Size 3 football and is played as 5v5 in the DJM League.

U8 football uses a Size 3 football and is played as 5v5.

U9 football uses a Size 3 football and is played as 7v7.

U10 football uses a Size 3 football and is played as 7v7.

U11 football uses a Size 4 football and is played as 9v9.

U12 football uses a Size 4 football and is played as 9v9.

For the DJM 2025/26 season, U13 football uses a Size 4 football and is played as 11v11.

U14 football uses a Size 4 football and is played as 11v11.

U15 football uses a Size 5 football and is played as 11v11.

U16 football uses a Size 5 football and is played as 11v11.

U18 football uses a Size 5 football and is played as 11v11.