8U Guidelines

The Ball: 
A size 3 ball is used for 8U games.

The Players:

• Numbers: Six per team on field; goalkeepers. Nine maximum on roster.
• Substitutions: Between quarters, at halftime, and for injuries.
• Playing Time: Minimum of two quarters per game and no player should play four quarters until everyone has played three quarters.
• Gameplay: Only players and referees are allowed on the field.

Player Equipment: 
Shoes, and shin guards (completely covered by socks) are mandatory at all practices and game activities.  Soccer shoes, tennis shoes, or similar type athletic shoes are recommended.  The type and condition of cleated shoes will be inspected for safety before use - please do not use baseball or football cleats.

Duration of Game:
Four 10-minute quarters - running clock at the end of the 1st and 3rd quarters (clock does not stop for substitutions).
Half time break of 5 minutes.
Water breaks should occur during substitutions (while the clock is running but play is stopped for both teams) and at halftime.
Please plan to exit the fields quickly after the games are complete so that the next games can get started.

8U Officials:
AYSO certified 8U Officials or higher are recommended for 8U games. The 8U Official should briefly explain any infringements to the player(s) and encourage proper play and sporting behavior. As with all games, every effort should be made to keep the game moving and free from stoppages for doubtful infractions. Let them play and enjoy.  If a certified official is not available, each coach should officiate half the game.

Assistant Referees/Club Linesmen:
If available, qualified assistant referees who have completed Assistant Referee Certification may be used to assist the referee. This is an opportunity for new assistant referees to begin getting experience.  If qualified assistant referees are not available, club linesmen (untrained volunteers who may be affiliated with one of the teams/clubs) may be recruited from the spectators to assist the referee with calling the ball in and out of play only. This is an opportunity for parents to get involved.

The Start of Play: 
The game should be started with a kick-off in the middle of the field.

The Kick-off: 
A coin toss is used to determine which team kicks off to start the game and the other team kicks off to start the second half. Opponents must be outside the center circle while kick-off is in progress.

Ball In and Out of Play:
The ball is out of play in all age group games when it completely crosses the touch line (side line) or goal line (end line), either on the ground or in the air.

Restart After the Ball Crosses the Touchline:
Normally, the restart after the ball goes over the touchline is a throw-in.  For first games in 8U, the restart will be a "kick-in" where the player places the ball on the touch line near where it exited the field and restarts play with a kick to a teammate. 

Method of Scoring:
A goal, in all age groups, is awarded when the ball completely crosses the goal line into the goal.

Fouls:
The opposing team must be at least ten feet from the ball when free kicks are taken in 8U games. The following, if done deliberately, are the fouls most likely to occur in 8U games: kicking, tripping, pushing, holding, handling the ball and dangerous play. Officials must remember that there is no need to stop play for technical violations that do not interrupt the flow of the game. It's a players game and not a game of how many infractions can be identified, so keep the fun going and let them play.

Misconduct: 
Misconduct should be rare in 8U games. There is no need for the public cautioning and sending off of young players (leave the red and yellow cards at home). Officials should work cooperatively with the coach when a player may need a 'time out'.

Free Kicks:
All free kicks in 8U are indirect kicks (ball must touch another player before a goal can be scored). Opponents must be at least ten feet from the ball or on the goal line between the goal posts during free kicks. Free kicks awarded to the attacking team inside the defending teams goal area are to be taken from the nearest point on the goal area line parallel to the goal line.

Offside:
No offside.

Goal Kick:
A goal kick is awarded to the opposing team, in 8U and older, when the attacking team is last to touch the ball before it crosses the goal line but without scoring a goal. The goal kick may be taken from any point inside the goal area. The opposing team must be at least ten feet away from the ball when the goal kick is taken in 8U games.

Corner Kick:
A corner kick is awarded to the opposing team, in 8U and older, when the defending team is last to touch the ball before it crosses the goal line but not scoring a goal. The opposing team must be at least ten feet from the ball when the corner kick is taken in 8U games.

Hand Ball:
A hand ball infraction occurs when a player handles the ball deliberately. The 'hand' includes the entire arm up to the top of the shoulder. Instinctive, self-protective reactions are not penalized at this young age. Accidental contact (ball striking hand or arm with no intent by the player) is not an offense and should not be penalized.

No Heading:
Consistent with the US Soccer mandates on heading the ball, heading is banned for all divisions 12U and below in both practices and matches.  An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team if a player deliberately touches the ball with his/her head during a match (taken where the player touched the ball with his/her head).