WaiBOP Football

Western BOP Fun Football Playing Format 2025 - 8th Grade

"Fun Football" for 8th Grade is played 5v5, with no Goalkeepers.

Game Day Format:

Teams should arrive to warm up 20 mins before their first game.
The Ideal warm up is two skill activities from the McDonalds Junior Framework - you can find these activities in Coachmate
Each team will play 2 x 20min games (10mins each way), playing two other teams. (NOTE: In some locations, the format changes to one 40min game)

IMPORTANT: Full Format Information HERE >>PLEASE OPEN AND READ

Fun Football Playing Formats
(8th Grade & U8 Girls)

Format One: Four teams travel to the same venue – Game 1: Team A v Team B, Team C v Team D Game 2: Team A v Team C, Team B v Team D (Multi-Pitch).

Format Two: Two teams travel to the same venue: Game 1 Team A v Team B; Game 2 Team A v Team B (Single Pitch).

Format Three: Three teams travel to the same venue: Game 1 Team A v Team B; Game 2 Team B v Team C; Game 3 Team A v Team C (Single Pitch).

NOTE: If your club/school only has one team and one pitch, they will mostly play Format Two or Format Three.

Fun Football - Key Points

Small-sided games with lots of touches are great for young players as they focus on fun and skill development.

The 5v5 format means more time on the ball, keeping kids involved.

Two shorter games against different teams keep them engaged (without to much focus on tactics, or big scorelines).

5v5 format
40 minutes maximum game time (Ideally 2x20mins)
No goalkeepers
No offside rule
No corners
Ball kicked/dribbled back into play (No throw-ins)
No published match results or ladders
Only the team and referee can be on the pitch (not coaches)
No spectators or officials behind the goal line