Tri-City Soccer U8 Division Rules Summary

 Summary from 1991 FIFA Laws of the Game (see www.fifa.com  "laws of the game" for the 2000 edition)  

#1 Goal of Tri-City Soccer:  Children are to have fun!  If they don't have fun, they won't return to soccer.  

Law I:  Field of Play         Width 20-30 yards, Length 40-50 yds.  (US Youth Soccer                          Recommendation:  30 x 50 yds)  Halfway line, Center Circle (5 yd radius), 4 corner arcs (2’ radius), Goal area (3 yds from each goal post & 3 yds into area of play),  Goals – 6 x 12’ (hockey goal size).

 

Law II:  The Ball               Size 3          (During practice, every player needs a ball.  If you do not have enough good Tri-City balls, ask the players to bring a ball from home).

Law III: No of Players      No. of players on field -  6 vs 6         Maximum players on team - 9 co-ed  (Tri-City Soccer bylaw)  All players are allowed to play 50% of game (if willing and able).  (Coaches - don't always rotate in your best players should another player get hurt or tired.  Parents from both teams see what's happening on the field.  We want them to feel good about their child's participation in Tri-City soccer.  We also want all the children to feel valued despite their ability)  Substitutions made at the end of each quarter.  (Try to limit substitutions during a quarter.  Suggestion: prior to game time, decide which players will play each quarter)  

Law IV: Player Equip.      Shin guards mandatory, soft-cleats or tennis shoes, Tri-City Soccer reversible jersey to worn to all games (Reversible jerseys available at SW Designs.  Player's can purchase their shin guards at any local sporting goods store)  Coaches Equipment:  Balls, cones, ball bag and coaches manual provided by Tri-City Soccer.  Coaches will need to provide their own whistle and stop watch.  

Law V:  Referees               "Coach or parent of the home team".  Coaches to decide on one referee before game begins.  All rule infractions shall be briefly explained to the offending player.  

Law VII: Duration             Four equal 10-minute quarters, halftime breaks of approx.5                         minutes, minute break in between first two and last two quarters (or other times as agreed upon by coaches before game begins.  US Youth Soccer suggests 12 minute quarters)  

Law VIII: Start of Play     Kick-off shall be decided by toss of a coin.  When the referee gives the signal, the game starts when a player kicks the ball into the opponents half of the field (opposing team will be at least 6 yds from the center mark while kick-off is in progress).  After a goal has been scored, the game shall be restarted in like manner.  After halftime, ends shall be changed and the kick-off made by the opposing team.   

Law IX:  Ball in and  Ball Out:        The ball is out of play when (a) it has wholly crossed the goal-line or touch-line or when (b) the game has been stopped by the referee. 

Law X:  Method of  Scoring         A goal is scored when the whole ball has passed over the goal-line, between goal-posts, and under the crossbar.   

Law XI: Off-side               There shall be no off-sides unless a player of the attacking team is playing off-sides in an apparent attempt to get an advantage.  (Definition of off-side:  a player is in an off-side position if he is nearer to his opponents goal-line than the ball, unless (a) he is in his own half of the field or (b) he is not nearer to his opponents goal-line than at least two of his opponents)  

Law XII:  Fouls and    Misconduct     (a)  All fouls will result in an indirect free kick with opponents 6 yards away.  (b) The referee must explain all                         infractions to the offending player.  (c) No caution or ejection's, although under persistent ungentlemanly conduct, the coach should be consulted.   Fouls & Misconduct include intentionally kicking, tripping, pushing, holding, spitting or hitting an opponent; handling ball with hand or arm, yelling, name calling.   

Law XIII: Free Kicks:       (a) All kicks shall be indirect.  (b) No goals can be scored directly from kick unless played by another player. (c)  No kicks shall be taken by the attacking team within the defending team's goal box.  Definition of indirect free kick:  at least one other player besides the kicker must touch the ball before it goes into the goal.  

Law XIV: Penalty Kicks      No penalty kicks shall be taken.  

Law XV: Throw-In           When the whole of the ball passes over a touch-line, it shall be thrown in from the point where it crossed the line, in any direction, by a player of the team opposite to that of the player who last touched it.  Throw in procedure:  player faces field with both feet on ground outside touchline, throwing the ball with both hands, from behind and over his head.  A second throw-in must be allowed if the player commits a foul on initial attempt.  Referee to explain proper method before allowing the re-throw. 

 

Law XVI: Goal Kick          A goal kick is taken by any defending player to restart the game after the ball goes out of play past the goal-line when it was last touched by an attacking player.  The kick may be taken anywhere in the half of the goal area on the side of the field where the ball went out of play.  Opponents must be outside the penalty area.  

Law XVII: Corner    Kick         A corner kick is taken to restart the game after the ball goes out of play past the goal line when last touched by a defending player.  The ball is placed completely within the corner arc on the side of the field where the ball went out of play.   The kick is taken by a player from the attacking team from the corner, with the opposing team at least 6 yards away.   

USYSA and Tri-City Soccer Recommendations:

Opposing coaches/parents and players should shake hands after each game.

Do not record final score.

If team chooses to hand out awards, they should be participation awards for all players. No trophies or awards just for best team.

Parents/coaches, nonpaying players, parents and spectators should be located not less than 6 yards from outside the touchline nor should they be closer than 20 yards to the goal line. 

Parents/coaches, nonpaying players, parents and spectators should be there to enjoy and encourage the activity of the youngsters.

No alcoholic beverages will be consumed near the playing area.  No coach shall consume alcohol while responsible for players.

 

Recommended by Past & Present Tri-City Soccer Coaches:

Dribbling:                    U6 & U8 coaches need to emphasize proper dribbling techniques.  These players naturally want to kick with the end of the foot instead of the sides.  Discourage players away from full-force kicks; we want them to learn ball control.

 

Running the clock:     Stop the clock at the end of each quarter and for injuries only.

 

Safety Issue:               Coaches agree that the game should be temporarily halted if a player falls near the ball.  We don't want the player to be kicked in the face.

 

Teach players Forward and Defending (Fullback) positions.

 

Scoring:                       Every team is a winner!  Down play the issue of winning vs. losing.  At this age, the kids usually know what the final score is.  Emphasize participation and good sportsmanship.

 

Since weather conditions across the county vary greatly, games cancelled due to weather should be done at the field.  Too many parents are hard to reach by phone prior to a game.  

 

Please encourage parent participation at practices should you need help with drills.  Parents on some teams volunteer to bring drinks and/or snacks to games.  If your team chooses not to do this, please encourage parents to bring a drink for their own child.  Parents are also expected to show good sportsmanship during games.  We are our children's best role model.

 

Coaches, you have dedicated yourself and many hours of your free time to insuring the players have a positive experience playing soccer.  Although you may not know it, you leave a big impression in the children's minds.  They remember everything you tell them at practice and is shared with their parents when at home.  Tri-City Soccer knows you are special volunteers to take on this task and would like to thank you for your commitment.