Matchday
How to Rotate Substitutes in 7v7 Football
Exact equal-minutes rotations for U10 and U11 squads of 8 to 12 players.
Updated for 2026/27Source: England Football FutureFit
In short: 7v7 is the FA's 2026/27 format for U10 and U11. A 50-minute 7v7 match has 350 player-minutes to share. Divide by your squad size for each child's fair share, then split the match into equal spells so everyone plays the same number of them. With 10 players that is 35 minutes each — ten 5-minute spells, each player on for 7 and off for 3.
Equal minutes table (50-minute 7v7)
| Squad | Subs | Minutes each | Equal spells | On / off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 players | 1 | 43 min 45 sec | 8 × 6 min 15 sec | 7 on, 1 off |
| 9 players | 2 | 38 min 53 sec | 9 × 5 min 33 sec | 7 on, 2 off |
| 10 players | 3 | 35 min | 10 × 5 min | 7 on, 3 off |
| 11 players | 4 | 31 min 49 sec | 11 × 4 min 33 sec | 7 on, 4 off |
| 12 players | 5 | 29 min 10 sec | 12 × 4 min 10 sec | 7 on, 5 off |
Assumes the goalkeeper rotates too. Match lengths vary by league — the planner recalculates for any length.
Handling 4 substitutes (11 players)
1. Start with the fair share
350 ÷ 11 = 31 min 49 sec each.
2. Change in groups
Bring 2 or 3 players on at each stoppage rather than one at a time — it is easier to track.
3. Keep the same pairs
Rotate the same players through the same position so the team keeps its shape.
4. Write it down before kick-off
Decide who comes on at each change and share it in the team chat.
5. Balance across matches
If one child is a few minutes short, start them next week.
Get your exact change times
Add your players and the free planner works out who comes on and off at each change, then sends it to WhatsApp.
Open the free equal-minutes plannerCommon questions
How do I manage 4 substitutes fairly in 7v7?
With 11 players over 50 minutes, each child gets 31 min 49 sec. Split the match into 11 equal spells of about 4 min 33 sec; each player plays 7 spells and rests 4. If that is too many changes, use 5-minute rolling changes and balance the odd minute next week.
How many minutes should each player get in 7v7?
Multiply 7 by the match length, then divide by the players available. Over 50 minutes that is 350 minutes shared out: 35 each with 10 players, 38 min 53 sec each with 9.
Should the goalkeeper be substituted too?
In development football, rotating the goalkeeper at half time is common and keeps minutes equal. If one child stays in goal all game, share the remaining six outfield places between everyone else.
Which age groups play 7v7?
From the 2026/27 season the FA's FutureFit formats make 7v7 the maximum format for U10 and U11, played with a size 3 ball on a pitch of about 55 x 37 metres. U8 and U9 play 5v5, and 9v9 starts at U12.
Are rolling substitutions allowed in 7v7?
Most youth leagues use rolling substitutions in 7v7, so you can change players during stoppages. Always check your own league handbook for local rules.
See also: managing substitutions · playing out from the back in 7v7 · printable team sheet · FA rules by age