U8 Soccer Rules

 

* FIFA rules apply if not modified within * The following rules have been designed to ensure fair play for all participants. Each coach and player is expected to understand these rules prior to their participation in the U8 Soccer.

 

TEAM Numbers:

Number of Players: Four is the maximum number of players on the field. A team must have a minimum of 3 field players to start a game. If one team has only 3 players at game time, the referee will ask the other team to start 3 players so that the game can begin on time. Teams will always play with the same number of players. The substitution rules below are in effect regardless of the number of players.

SUBSTITUIONS:

One of the main objectives of this age and level is player participation. Therefore, coaches should make effort to give all players equal playing time. There are two mandatory substitution periods during the game: at the 11th minute mark of the first half and the 11^th minute of the second half.  All players on the bench must enter the game at these substitution periods. The referee will call for substitutes when there is a stoppage in play after the 11^th minute of each half. Coaches are encouraged to substitute after the half time break as well to equalize playing time.

RULES DURING PLAY:

Game Duration: The game shall consist of two 25-minute halves separated by a two minute halftime period. A coin toss will determine direction and possession before the start of the game. There are no timeouts and the Game Clock does not stop in 4v4 games. In the event that a field is behind schedule, the referee may shorten the halftime period, or limit warm-up time prior to game.

Kick Off: May be taken in any direction. You cannot score directly from a kick off (ball must be 100% over the mid-line to be considered on the offensive half of the field). The kick off is an indirect kick.

Kick-Ins: The ball shall be kicked into play from the sideline instead of thrown in. The ball is considered in play when the ball is touched and changes position. This is an indirect kick, and a goal cannot be scored from this kick.

Direct & Indirect Kicks: All dead-ball kicks (kick-ins, kick-offs, free kicks) are indirect with the exception of penalty kicks. Indirect kicks must only change position before the ball will be considered in play. If a free kick is awarded within five yards of the opposing goal box the ball with be moved back to five yards from the box. It is the referee’s discretion where the ball will be placed.

Goal Kicks: May be taken from any point of the end line. This is an indirect kick.

Penalty Kicks: Shall be awarded if, in the referee’s opinion, a scoring opportunity was nullified by an infraction (the infraction does not automatically result in a red card). Penalty kicks are DIRECT kicks taken from the center of the mid-line with all players (on both teams) behind the mid-line. Penalty kicks are dead ball infractions. If a goal is not scored, the defense obtains possession with a goal kick.

Goal Scoring: A goal may only be scored from a touch (offensive or defensive) within the team’s offensive half on the field. The ball must be completely on the offensive half of the field, and cannot be touching the mid-line (Example: kick-off). If a player in their defensive half kicks the ball across the midline and the ball hits another player (offensive or defensive) and the ball goes in the goal, a goal will be awarded. If a ball is kicked from the defensive half and is not touched before the ball rests in the goal, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team. A goal cannot be scored from an indirect kick, such as a kick-in from out-of-bounds.

Five Yard Rule: In all dead-ball situations, defending players must stand at least five yards away from the ball. If the defensive player’s goal is closer than five yards, the ball shall be played five yards from the goal box in line with the direction of play prior to the penalty.

Substitution: Substitutions will be called halfway through the 1^st half, at halftime, halfway during the 2^nd half, and injuries.

No Goal Keepers!!!: There are no Goalkeepers in U8 Soccer.

No Off-sides in U8 Soccer!!!

No Slide Tackling!!!:

If a player is sliding for the ball, contact with any player(s) from the other team is NOT ALLOWED. If a player slides and contact is initiated, a free kick shall be awarded. This does not prevent players from sliding to stop/intercept a ball where contact is not initiated during the slide. Example: a player may slide to save a ball from going out-of-bounds.

Hand Ball Clarification: Deliberate handling of the ball results in a free kick for the opposing team. If it was an obvious goal scoring opportunity, a penalty kick will be given.

Protests of Rules: Protests are strongly discouraged, as they are frequently based on emotions or referee judgment calls. Referee judgment calls are NOT grounds for a protest.

 

 

 

 

EQUIPMENT: Uniforms, Balls, Field Dimensions, Goal Box, etc.

Game Balls / Sizes: Teams are responsible for providing game balls. Here are the following sizes for each group: U6-U8 = Size 3; U9-U12 = Size 4; and U13 & up = Size 5.

Field Dimensions: The playing field is 40 yards long by 30 yards wide for ages U9 and higher. U6, U7 and U8 age groups play on 30 x 20 yard field. The goals are approximately four feet high and 8 feet wide.

 

*The Goal Box*: There are no goalkeepers in U8 Soccer. The goal box is approximately ten feet wide by six feet long located directly in front of the goal. The goals are four feet high by eight feet wide. There is no ball contact allowed within the goal box, however, all players may pass through the goal box as long as they do not touch the ball while in the box. If the ball comes to a rest in or on the goal box line, a goal kick is awarded regardless of who touched the ball last. Any part of the ball or player’s body on the line or inside the plane of the box is considered in the goal box and an extension of such. If a defensive player touches the ball after it has entered the plane, a goal will be awarded to the offensive team. If an offensive player touches the ball after it has entered the plane, a goal kick will be awarded to the defensive team. The plane of the goal box extends upward infinitely.

 

Player Uniforms, Jerseys, Protective Casts & Jewelry: All players must wear shin guards, or will not be allowed to play. All players must wear jerseys/shirts during play. Players wearing protective casts must receive written approval by the Referee Assignor. If the referee on the field of play deems a player’s protective cast is unsafe in any way, the player will not be allowed to play until Referee Assignor re-approve the wearing of the protective cast in writing. No jewelry will be allowed, including earrings of any type, rope necklaces and bracelets. The only exception will be players wearing medical bracelets.

 

OTHER: Delay of Game & Forfeits:

Delay of Game: The referee has the official time on the field and holds the right to take necessary action if he/she feels that a team is delaying the game. Any player may be cautioned with a yellow card if it is deemed by the referee that the player is intentionally wasting time, such as if a player intentionally kicks the ball long distances away from the playing field in order to waste time.

Forfeits: Teams are given five minutes from scheduled game time, or from delayed start time due to unforeseen circumstances, before a forfeit is issued by the referee.

 

SPORTSMANSHIP: Yellow Cards, Red Cards, Player / Coach / Spectator Ejections:

Sportsmanship: Good sportsmanship is to prevail at all times. Coaches will be held responsible for the conduct of themselves, their players, players’ parents and spectators.

Player/Coach/Parent Ejection: Referees have the right to eject a player, coach, or parent from any game for continual disobedience or as a result of an incident that warrants ejection. Coaches or parents whom are ejected by the referee or tournament official must leave the field and area around the field before play will continue. If a coach or parent refuses to leave, the game will be terminated.