1. Pitch boundary safety: To avoid players sliding into push chairs and spectators close to the pitch boundary, a two metre (six foot) area can be marked off. Some clubs use appropriate stakes & rope, but cones, lines and signs could also be used to provide an obvious and visible boundary between the pitch and spectator positions. If rope is used it should have some give. Team managers and substitutes can be allowed in this safety area.
2. The SBMSC fixture format is such that two mini soccer games are played simultaneously, often on adjacent halves of a full size pitch. It is best to have several metres (approx 10 feet) separation between the two mini-soccer pitches. This way, throw-in activity in one game does not distract the other game. Signs or rope can be used to encourage spectators to keep out of the buffer space and avoid being hit in the back of the head by a ball from the other pitch.
3. Goals should be firmly fixed to the ground using metal U clips to prevent them toppling over on to players.
4. As players do slide and fall during games, it improves safety if the pitch is cleared of stones and litter prior to kick off.

Pitch dimensions and sizes

There are three possible ideal pitch dimensions, depending on the team size. Please see the rules for the Age group concerned for further details and metric equivalent dimension.

• U7 and U8 is 50 by 30 yards for five a side matches
• U9, U10 and U11 is 60 by 40 yards for seven a side matches
• U11 nine a side 80 by 50 yards.