U8 Age Group Rules

• Game is played 7v7 (6 in field and a goalie) with a Size 3 ball
• Game consists of two 20-minute halves and a 5-minute halftime
• SHINGUARDS AND JERSEY ARE MANDATORY – A PLAYER CANNOT PLAY WITHOUT THESE ITEMS
• No offsides will be called, however players should not “cherry pick” either.
• There are throw-ins starting at U8
• Coaches are allowed on the field to coach and to also help “referee” the game with the other coach
• No sliding in any form (to tackle or to kick). Players must remain on their feet.
• Substitutions can be made when at any time when the ball is kicked out of play.
• No heading of the ball is allowed!
• The game is started with the ball placed within the center circle. Players of the opposing team must be eight (8) yards away when the kick is taken.
• A goal cannot be scored directly from an indirect free kick or throw-in. The ball must touch another player on the field of either team before going into the goal for a goal.
• A goal can be scored directly from the kickoff.
• Goals can be scored from anywhere, but the ball must pass below the cross-bar and between the goal posts for a goal.
• When the ball goes wholly across any boundary, the game is restarted with a throw-in. The ball is awarded to the team opposite of the player who last touched the ball.
  • Over the sideline: The ball is placed on the line where the ball went out.
  • Over the ENDLINE by the ATTACKING team: The ball is placed anywhere in the goal area.
  • Over the ENDLINE by the DEFENDING team: The ball is placed in the corner where the ENDLINE meets the SIDELINE.
• There is no tripping, pushing, punching, holding or kicking an opponent. A player cannot pick-up, hold, stop or propel the ball with his/her hands.
  • All infringements are punished by the awarding of a DIRECT FREE KICK.
  • The kick is awarded to the opposite team and is taken from the spot where the foul occurred.
  • Players of the opposing team must be a minimum of eight (8) yards away from the ball when a free kick is taken.
  • If the foul occurred INSIDE the penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded and the ball is placed eight yards from the goal line. All players except the goalkeeper and the player taking the penalty kick must be outside the penalty area and the penalty arc.
• For offenses such as playing in a dangerous manner, preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his or her hands, impeding the progress of an opponent (obstruction), or commits any other offense for which play is stopped results in an Indirect Free Kick
  • All infringements are punished by the awarding of an INDIRECT FREE KICK (i.e. the ball must touch another player on the field before it enters the goal)
  • The kick is awarded to the opposite team and is taken from the spot where the foul occurred.
  • Players of the opposing team must be a minimum of eight (8) yards away from the ball when a free kick is taken.
  • A goal cannot be scored directly off of an Indirect Free Kick; it must touch another player from either team to be a goal.
  • NO SLIDE TACKLING ALLOWED
• Line Out Rule: When the Goalkeeper has the ball, whether during play from the opponent or from a goal kick, the opposing team must move behind the build-out line until the ball is played outside the penalty box. Once the ball is in play outside the penalty box, then play resumes as normal. The players on the team with the ball, do not have to cross the build-out line.