US Youth Soccer Official Under 8 Playing Recommendations

 Law 1 – The Field of Play

Dimensions: The field of play must be rectangular. The length of the touchline must be greater than the length of the goal line.

Length: minimum 25 yards maximum 35 yards

Width: minimum 20 yards maximum 30 yards

Field Markings: Distinctive lines not more than (5) inches wide. The field of play is divided into two halves by a halfway line. The center mark is indicated at the midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with a radius of four (4) yards is marked around it.

The Goal Area: A goal area is defined at each end of the field as follows: Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line three (3) yards from the inside each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of three (3) yards and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the goal area.

The Penalty Area: none.

Flagposts: none.

The Corner Arc: A quarter circle with a radius of 1 m (1 yd) from each corner flag post is drawn inside the field of play.

Goals: Goals must be placed on the center of each goal line. They consist of two upright posts equidistant from the corners and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The recommended distance between the posts is eighteen (18) feet and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is six (6) feet. Goals may be smaller in dimension.

Law 2 – The Ball: Size three (3).

Law 3 – The Number of Players: A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than seven players, one may be a goal keeper.

Substitutions: If a player is injured and can not play. When the next quarter starts.

Playing time: Each player SHALL play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time. Teams and matches may be coed.

Law 4 – The Players’ Equipment: Conform to FIFA. Non-uniform clothing is allowed based on weather conditions, but uniforms must still distinguish teams.

Law 5 – The Referee: An OFFICIAL (Game Manager or Coordinator or Parent or Coach or Grade 9 referee) may be used. All infringements shall be briefly explained to the offending player.

Law 6 – The Assistant Referees: None.

Law 7 – The Duration of the Match: The match shall be divided into four (4) equal, ten (10) minute quarters. There shall be a two (2) minute break between quarters one and two and another two (2) minute break between quarters three and four. There shall be a half-time interval of five (5) minutes.

Law 8 – The Start and Restart of Play: Conform to FIFA, with the exception of the opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least six (6) yards from the ball while kick-off is in progress.

Law 9 – The Ball In and Out of Play:

Ball Out of Play

The ball is out of play when:

• it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air

• play has been stopped by the referee

Ball In Play

The ball is in play at all other times, including when:

• It rebounds off a goalpost, crossbar or corner flag post and remains in the field of play

• it rebounds off either the referee or an assistant referee when they are on the field of play

Law 10 – The Method of Scoring:

Goal Scored

A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal

line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no

infringement of the Laws of the Game has been committed previously

by the team scoring the goal.

Winning Team

The team scoring the greater number of goals during a match is the

winner. If both teams score an equal number of goals, or if no goals

are scored, the match is drawn.

Law 11 – Offside: Warn offense when seeking unfair advantage.  Advise players to move – no cherry picking. 2. Warn coaches to move players. 3. indirect kick allowed after coaches are warned.

Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct: all fouls shall result in a direct free kick. The referee/coach/parent must explain ALL infringements to the offending player. No cards shown for misconduct.

A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following seven offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:

• kicks or attempts to kick an opponent

• trips or attempts to trip an opponent

• jumps at an opponent

• charges an opponent

• strikes or attempts to strike an opponent

• pushes an opponent

• tackles an opponent

A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following three offences:

• holds an opponent

• handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)

A direct free kick is taken from the place where the offence occurred

Law 13 – Free Kicks: all kicks are indirect and all opponents are at least six (6) yards from the ball until it is in play. the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken and the kicker must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.

Law 14 – The Penalty Kick: None.

Law 15 – The Throw-In: At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower:

• faces the field of play

• has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line

• holds the ball with both hands

• delivers the ball from behind and over his head

• delivers the ball from the point where it left the field of play

All opponents must stand no less than 2 m (2 yds) from the point at which the throw-in is taken.

The ball is in play when it enters the field of play. After delivering the ball, the thrower must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player. An improperly performed throw-in can be retaken once.

Law 16 – The Goal Kick: opponents must remain outside the goal area and at least six (6) yards from the ball until it is in play.

Law 17 – The Corner Kick: opponents remain at least six (6) yards from the ball until it is in play.