7-a-side substitution planner
To calculate equal playing time in 7-a-side soccer, multiply 7 field players by match minutes and divide by squad size: 7 players × 50 min ÷ 10 squad = 35.0 min each. In Under 8 MiniRoos (40 min) with 10 players: 7 × 40 ÷ 10 = 28.0 min each. Generate your rotation schedule below.
Updated
Match
Squad
Players marked Starts begin the game and the rest come on in list order. Use Shuffle to change who starts.
- 1GK
- 2GK
- 3Starts
- 4Starts
- 5Starts
- 6Starts
- 7Starts
- 8Starts
- 9Bench
- 10Bench
Every player gets 35 minutes.
- 5 sub stops, 8 changes
- Fair share: 35 of 50 min
- Bench: 3 at a time
Rotation chart
On the pitch In goal Break
Substitution schedule
1st half 0'–25'In goal: Player 1
- Player 2 Player 4
- Player 9 Player 7
- Player 10 Player 2
- Player 4 Player 3
- Player 7 Player 6
2nd half 25'–50'In goal: Player 2
- Player 2 Player 8
- Player 3 Player 5
- Player 6 Player 1
- Player 8 Player 9
Example: 10 players, 2 × 25 minutes
Player 1 keeps goal in the first half and Player 2 in the second, and all ten end with exactly 35 minutes:
| Time | Change |
|---|---|
| Kick-off | Player 1, Player 3, Player 4, Player 5, Player 6, Player 7, Player 8 start (Player 1 in goal) |
| 5' | Player 2 on for Player 4; Player 9 on for Player 7 |
| 15' | Player 10 on for Player 2 |
| 20' | Player 4 on for Player 3; Player 7 on for Player 6 |
| Half time | Player 2 on for Player 8. Player 2 goes in goal. |
| 35' | Player 3 on for Player 5; Player 6 on for Player 1 |
| 40' | Player 8 on for Player 9 |
| Total | Everyone 35 minutes each. |
7-a-side minutes per player
The fair share for common 7-a-side squads and match lengths, keepers included.
| Squad | 2 × 20 min | 4 × 12 min | 2 × 25 min |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 players | 35 | 42 | 43.8 |
| 9 players | 31.1 | 37.3 | 38.9 |
| 10 players | 28 | 33.6 | 35 |
| 11 players | 25.5 | 30.5 | 31.8 |
| 12 players | 23.3 | 28 | 29.2 |
| 13 players | 21.5 | 25.8 | 26.9 |
| 14 players | 20 | 24 | 25 |
What you get
How to plan 7-a-side subs
- Check the match. The planner opens on 7-a-side in two 25-minute halves. Change the length, or pick quarters, to match your competition.
- Set your squad. Enter how many children are available and who is in goal each half or quarter.
- Name the players. Type the names. Use Shuffle each week so different children start.
- Take it to the game. Print the sheet for the touchline, or copy the plan to the parents’ WhatsApp.
Questions
How many minutes does each player get in 7-a-side?
Multiply 7 by the match length and divide by the squad. Over two 25-minute halves (50 minutes): 9 players get 38.9 minutes each, 10 players get 35, and 11 players get 31.8.
How do I rotate 10 players in 7-a-side?
Over two 25-minute halves with a new keeper at half time, every player gets exactly 35 minutes from six stoppages of one or two changes. The planner gives you the minute of each change and who comes on for whom.
How do I rotate subs in 7-a-side quarters?
Choose Quarters under Played in and set the length, for example 4 × 12 minutes. Changes at a quarter break are marked as breaks, and you can choose a different keeper for every quarter so four children get a go in goal.
What is the best squad size for 7-a-side?
Nine or ten players is common: two or three on the bench gives everyone about 70% of the game and covers a child who is sick or away. With 11 or more, each player’s share drops to around 30 minutes of a 50-minute match.
Does everyone have to play the same minutes in junior 7-a-side?
Many junior competitions ask for equal or minimum playing time in small-sided football, but the rules vary between associations and age groups. This planner gives every player the same minutes whatever your rule is.
Read the guide
- MiniRoos rules by agePlayers, subs, match length and pitch size, under 6 to under 11
- Equal playing time in junior footballWhat Football Australia says, and how to share the minutes
- How many subs in 7-a-sideBench limits, rolling rotation rules and fair minutes for Under 8 and Under 9
- MiniRoos rules by state: NSW, VIC, QLD & WANational formats vs state variations, retreat lines and competition policies
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