INTRODUCTION
The rule will create more opportunities for:
This guide has been developed to help all
clubs, coaches, club based referees, parents
and players, who are participating in football • GK’s to build attacking play from the back,
by playing out through defenders
games utilising the Retreating line.
• Defenders to recognise opportunities to
play through the thirds
You will find the rules and regulations
• Midfielders movements to receive and play
as well as the pitch set-up required to
between opposition units
successfully organize a game day for
• Forwards to learn to drop off first and then
players participating in either 7v7 or 9v9
start to defend and press from the front
formats.
This development tool has been
successfully implemented in Junior Football
throughout the world. It has also been
used successfully by Federations in New
Zealand and the prestigious Weir Rose Bowl
Tournament for the last five years.
The Retreating line rule enables and
encourages our young footballers to start to
develop and enjoy a style of play in keeping
with Worlds best practice and New Zealand
Football’s playing philosophy.
“A proactive, effective, controlled and
incisive possession based style of attacking
play, using individual and combination play
to create and score goals”
The implemented rule has met with fantastic
feedback from players, coaches, spectators
and parents alike. The Retreating line helps
create a game which is enjoyable to play,
watch and coach.
The game involves playing the ball out from
the back with defenders learning to receive
and control the ball, with more success than
usual, the midfielders and forwards then
making angled runs to receive the next pass,
and play through the thirds, with attackers
learning how to properly defend from the
front, this format helps to provide realistic
player movements both on and off the ball,
making it a great format to develop the
modern game and player.
Northern Football Federation in partnership
with New Zealand Football are delighted to
work with you in helping to shape and develop
both the fantastic sport that we call football,
and the potential future All Whites and Football
Ferns of the future.
Darren Bazeley
Football Development Manager
Northern Football
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TECHNICAL OVERVIEW
When a team’s goalkeeper catches/picks up the ball
or is taking a goal kick or any player taking a Free
Kick, the attacking players (blue) must drop back
behind the retreating line.
Only after the goalkeeper plays the ball out and one
of the goalkeeper’s team-mates touches the ball, can
the attacking player advance over the retreating line.
RETREATING
LINE
DEFENDERS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE THEIR
FIRST TOUCH AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, AND TO NOT
LET THE BALL RUN TOO FAR.
If an attacking player advances beyond the retreating
line before the opposition has touched the ball, or
fails to drop behind the line, the referee will award an
indirect free kick on the retreating line.
RETREATING
LINE
ATTACKERS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED AND REMINDED
BY THEIR COACH TO DROP BACK BEHIND THE
RETREATING LINE. WHEN THE OPPOSITION GK HAS
THE BALL OR AT A FREE KICK, AND TO WAIT FOR THE
DEFENDERS FIRST TOUCH BEFORE STARTING TO
PRESS.
RETREATING LINE
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TECHNICAL OVERVIEW
RETREATING
LINE
cont...
The retreating line is the offside line on
attack, rather than the normal half way
line, this is to give the game some realistic
defending depth, when dropping off from the
front.
COACHES MUST NOT ENCOURAGE ATTACKERS
TO JUST GO AND STAND UP AS HIGH AS
POSSIBLE, AND AT THIS AGE COACHES
SHOULD NOT BE LOOKING TO PLAY HIGH
OFFSIDE TRAPS.
RETREATING
LINE
The attacking player (blue) is ONSIDE
when receiving a pass from a team-mate
in a position before the defending team’s
retreating line even if he is beyond the last
defenders, at the moment the ball touches or
is played by one of his team.
COACHES ARE ASKED TO ASSIST FORWARDS
WITH PICKING UP REALISTIC STARTING
POSITIONS RELATED TO THE DEFENDERS
POSITON RATHER THAN JUST STANDING
NEAR TO THE RETREATING LINE, BEHIND
DEFENDERS.
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RETREATING LINE: 7 v 7 PITCH
Pitches are always marked with the retreating lines as 30% - 40% - 30% of all sized
pitches.
The retreating line can be marked ideally using spot markers across the pitch but can be
implemented with pole or high cones on the sides of the pitch.
30%
RETREATING
LINE
40%
RETREATING
LINE
30%
7 v 7 Pitch
Pitch Dimensions:
Maximum: 55m x 35m
Minimum: 45m x 30m
Goal Box Dimensions:
15m x 9m
Retreating Line distance
from Goal:
30% of the pitch
Note: Retreating Line
distance changes
with field length
RETREATING LINE
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RETREATING LINE: RULES & REGULATIONS
1. REFERENCE TO NORTHERN FOOTBALL FEDERATION
REGULATIONS
These regulations are specific competition regulations
governing aspects of play and procedure as allowed
under the Northern Football Federation Junior and Youth
Regulations. The NFF Junior and Youth Regulations shall
apply to these grades as well as these specific competition
regulations.
2A. NUMBER OF PLAYERS PER SIDE - 7 v 7
Teams shall be 7 a side, with one player designated as the
Goalkeeper.
I ) Girls = 9th & 10th Grade
II ) Boys = 9th & 10th Grade
2B. NUMBER OF PLAYERS PER SIDE - 9 v 9
Teams shall be 9 a side, with one player designated as the
Goalkeeper.
I ) Girls = 11th & 12th Grade
II ) Boys = 11th & 12th Grade
I ) the player leaves the field completely before the
substitute goes on
II ) substitutions are made during a break in play
III ) players always enter and leave from the half-way line.
5. SHIN GUARDS
Shin guards must be worn at all times, and must not be
exposed.
6. MATCH BALLS - GIRLS & BOYS
A size 4 FIFA-approved match ball shall be provided by the
home team.
3. DURATION OF MATCHES
I ) 9th & 10th Grade: 2 x 25 minute halves plus 5 minutes
half time
II ) 11th & 12th Grade: 2 x 25 minute halves plus 5
minutes half time
7. GOAL KICKS
A restart after the ball has crossed the goal line for a goal
kick shall be from a place kick on the ground. Where the ball
has been received by a goalkeeper in the normal course of
play, FIFA Laws of the Game will apply.
4A. SUBSTITUTIONS - 7 v 7
The recommended squad size in 7 a side grades is 10, with
only 7 players to be on the field at any one time. One player
must be the goalkeeper.
8. CORNER KICKS
If the game is being played on a marked small pitch, or on
portion of a senior pitch, the corner shall be taken from
within 1 metre of the flag, cone or other marker marking the
corners of the pitch.
There is no limit on the number of substitutions. Unlimited
interchange of players is allowed without requiring the
permission of the referee, provided that:
I ) the player leaves the field completely before the
substitute goes on
II ) substitutions are made during a break in play
III ) players always enter and leave from the half-way line.
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4B. SUBSTITUTIONS - 9 v 9
The recommended squad size in 9 a side grades is 12, with
only 9 players to be on the field at any one time. One player
must be the goalkeeper.
However, up to three substitutes may be used, with unlimited
interchange of players at any time in the match, but requiring
the permission of the referee, and provided that:
9. REFEREES
If there is no appointed official, the home team may provide a
Club Based Referee (CBR) with current accreditation (by way
of a current CBR ID card with Membership Number) to control
the whole fixture. If a CBR is provided he or she shall provide
his/her name to the visiting coach/manager, and is required
to wear their CBR bib. If the home team does not have a CBR,
and the visiting team does, then the visiting CBR shall control
the fixture. If none of the above is available, the home team
shall provide a referee for the first half and the visiting team
shall provide one for the second.
Alternatively, teams may agree at the start of the game that
one referee shall officiate the whole game, or at the start
of the second half that the referee from the first half may
continue to referee to the end of the game. Once agreed the
referee should not be changed during a half other than for
injury or on the mutual agreement of both team coaches. In
any event, the referee controlling any part of the fixture has
the same rights and obligations as an appointed official.
The prime purpose of anyone refereeing in these grades is to
add to the enjoyment of the players through the application of
the Laws of the Game, these regulations, common sense and
fair play.
10A. GOALS AND MARKINGS - 7 v 7
The approved goals, and marked grounds with corner flags,
cones or other markers to mark the corner of the pitch must
be supplied by the home team and must be in place before
the scheduled kick-off time. Nets are recommended for all
Federation Youth Competition matches. Where portions of
standard senior pitches are used there is no requirement for
additional markings to be provided.
Goal size should be minimum 3.8m x 1.8m inside
measurements recommended size is 4m x 2m inside
measurements.
It is recommended, but is not obligatory, that clubs indicate,
by cones or other suitable markers, on the side lines and
goal lines not on the field of play, a goalkeepers area approx
15 metres wide and 9 metres deep. Referees in these
grades should award penalty kicks (to be taken from 9
metres) for foul play clearly inside this area, and handball for
goalkeepers handling the ball clearly outside it. Whether or
not the markers are in place, and whether or not assistant
referees have been provided the referee is the sole judge of
whether to halt play and award a free-kick or penalty.
10B. GOALS AND MARKINGS - 9 v 9
The approved goals, and marked grounds with corner flags,
cones or other markers to mark the corner of the pitch must
be supplied by the home team and must be in place before
the scheduled kick-off time. Nets are recommended for all
Federation Youth Competition matches. Where portions of
standard senior pitches are used there is no requirement for
additional markings to be provided.
Goal size should be minimum 3.8m x 1.8m inside
measurements recommended size is 4m x 2m inside
measurements.
It is recommended, but is not obligatory, that clubs indicate,
by cones or other suitable markers, on the side lines and
goal lines not on the field of play, a goalkeepers area approx
20 metres wide and 10 metres deep. Referees in these
grades should award penalty kicks (to be taken from 9
metres) for foul play clearly inside this area, and handball for
goalkeepers handling the ball clearly outside it. Whether or
not the markers are in place, and whether or not assistant
referees have been provided the referee is the sole judge of
whether to halt play and award a free-kick or penalty.
11. OFFSIDE - GIRLS & BOYS
The offside law WILL be applied.
The offside law will be applied between the retreating line
and goal line only.
12. RETREATING LINE
When a team’s goalkeeper catches/picks up the ball or
is taking a goal kick or any player taking a Free Kick, the
opposition MUST drop back behind the retreating line.
Only after the goalkeeper plays the ball out and one of the
goalkeeper’s team-mates touches the ball, can the attacking
player advance over the retreating line.
Coaches are asked to encourage all players to play the ball
as quickly as possible from the goal keeper and not to allow
the ball to continue to roll towards the retreating line.
13. INFRINGEMENT
If a player advances beyond the retreating line before the
opposition has touched the ball, or fails to drop behind the
line, the Retreating Line regulation has been infringed.
On the first occasion each team infringes the referee will stop
the game and;
I ) advise all players the reason for the stoppage and reemphasise the rule
II ) play is restarted with either a goal kick or the ball in
the goalkeepers hands to play the ball out
For the second or subsequent infringements by the team the
referee will award an indirect free kick on the retreating line
to the opposition.
RETREATING LINE
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RETREATING LINE: 9 v 9
Pitches are always marked with the retreating lines as 30% - 40% - 30% of all sized pitches.
The retreating line can be marked ideally using spot markers across the pitch but can be implemented with pole or
high cones on the sides of the pitch
30%
RETREATING
LINE
40%
RETREATING
LINE
30%
9 v 9 PITCH
Pitch Dimensions:
Maximum: 70m x 50m
Minimum: 60m x 45m
Goal Box Dimensions:
20m x 10m
Retreating Line distance from Goal:
30% of the pitch
Note: Retreating Line distance
changes with field length
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RETREATING LINE: PILOT
New Zealand Football and Northern Football Federation
have held a pilot to research the impact of a Retreating
Line rule in junior football. The Retreating Line rule is
a development tool for footballers to encourage a style
of play in keeping with New Zealand Football’s playing
philosophy:
“A proactive, effective, controlled and incisive
possession based style of attacking play using individual
and combination play to create and score goals.
Defending through aggressive collective, intelligent
pressing underpinned by quick transition and traditional
Kiwi strengths”
• GKs to build attacking play from the back, by playing
out through defenders
• Defenders to recognise opportunities to play through
the thirds
• Midfielders moving to receive and play between
opponent units
• Forwards to learn to defend from the front and make
attacking angled runs
METHOD
During the 2015 winter season, 75 registered football
teams from the 11th Grade took part in a pilot for the
retreating line. This took part across the course of the
season, with information being recorded in two forms:
• Filming of 11th Grade and 12th Grade fixtures.
16 games in total were filmed and analysed, with
11th grade employing the retreating line and 12th
grade not. This allowed for a clear comparison in
the relevant focus areas, providing quantitative
information for review.
• A survey of all coaches involved, questioning
the understanding, relevance, impact and
implementation of the Retreating Line rule.
Twenty nine 11th Grade coaches completed the
questionnaire.
• In addition there was also filming of 9th and 10th
Grade fixtures. 10 games in total were filmed and
analysed, with players from the Northern Football
NZF Skills Centres taking part.
RESULTS
The information gathered from the match analysis
showed:
Playing through the thirds of the pitch
• 17% of all long kicks from Goalkeepers were
successful.
In all games GKs kicked the ball long 245 times,
with 42 actions being successful (resulting in a
player in controlled possession in the middle third of
the pitch).
• 9 & 10th Grade teams - 22% of all long kicks from
Goalkeepers were successful. (GKs kicked the ball
long 51 times, with 11 actions being successful)
• An increase in playing out from the back with
Retreating Line in place. With the retreating line,
11th Grade teams chose to play out from the back
56% of the time (129 out of 231), compared to 23%
in the 12th Grade (43 out of 186)
• 9 & 10th Grade teams chose to play out from the
back 76% of the time (164 out of 215.) with a
retreating line in place.
• An increase in controlled possession in midfield
areas after playing out from the back.
With the retreating line, teams gained controlled
possession in midfields areas 48% of the time when
they played out from the back, compared to 20%
success when playing long
• 9th & 10th Grade teams gained controlled
possession in midfields areas 52% of the time when
they played out from the back.
Regaining defensive position
• Teams are more likely to regain defensive positions
with a retreating line
• 91% of the time, 11th Grade teams, playing with a
retreating line, recovered into defensive positions
before the opposition started an attack. 77% at 12th
grade, playing without the retreating line.
• Teams are more likely to regain defensive positions
with a retreating line
• 9th & 10th Grade teams = 96% of the time.
RETREATING LINE
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RETREATING LINE: PILOT
The information gathered from the coach survey
analysis showed:
• 83% of coaches felt that the Retreating Line rule
had a positive impact on the game
• 90% stated that the Retreating Line rule was easy
for coaches to understand
• 86% agreed that the Retreating Line rule was easy
for players to understand
• 86% stated that the rule had a positive impact on
their team’s playing style when in possession
• 76% stated that the rule had a positive impact on
their team’s playing style when out of possession
RECOMMENDATIONS
The initial pilots has shown that the Retreating Line has
had a positive impact on the teams involved in games
where it has been deployed. It has provided players with
an alternate method to build attacks, ensuring slightly
more time and space for teams to play through the
thirds.
It has also helped teams regain a defensive position,
introducing some of the tactical knowledge that will be
built upon during later years.
The flexibility of the rule still show cases the benefits
of occasionally employing a more direct style of play,
through counter attacks, that result in further entries to
the attacking third.
10
cont...
NZ FOOTBALL COACH EDUCATION PATHWAY
The framework provides coaches with a wide range of development opportunities that prepare them to
effectively meet the age related and development needs of the players they work with.
If you would like to register your interest in any of the courses above or
would like more information please contact:
Korouch Monsef - Coach Development Officer
[email protected]
RETREATING LINE
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