Laws
Conform to FIFA Laws of the Game in all respects, with the following exceptions:
Law 7 – The Duration of the Match
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game, except the match shall be divided into two (2) equal halves of twenty-five (25) minutes. There shall be a half-time interval of up to five (5) minutes. No time shall be added at the end of either half. NOTE: During conditions of extreme heat and humidity, a two-minute water break halfway through each half is acceptable if both coaches agree or if the break is prescribed by the local competition authority. Such water breaks shall create two 10-minute quarters in each half. No overtime period shall be added. In other words, a tie score at the end of a game will NOT result in a penalty shootout to determine the match winner.
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct
Slide tackles are not allowed. When a player slide tackles in a game, an indirect free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the slide tackle occurs within the infringing team's goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.
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 70 yards; maximum 80 yards
Width: Minimum 45 yards; maximum 55 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 eight (8) yards is marked around it.
Goal Area: 5 yards out from the goal line; 16 yards wide.
Penalty Area: 14 yards out from the goal line; 36 yards wide. A penalty arc with a radius of eight (8) yards from the penalty mark is drawn outside the penalty area.
Penalty Mark: 10 yards out from, and centered on, the goal line.
Flag Posts: Conform to FIFA Laws of the Game, if equipment is available.
Corner Arc: Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game.
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.
Safety: Goals must be anchored securely to the ground. Portable goals may only be used if they satisfy this requirement.
Law 2 – The Ball
The ball shall be size four (4) and conform to FIFA standards.
Law 3 – The Number of Players
A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than nine (9) players, one of whom is the designated goalkeeper. An official match may not start or continue if either team consists of fewer than five players.
Substitutions: At any stoppage of play and unlimited at the discretion of the referee. If a player with a suspected head injury leaves the field of play for additional evaluation, a substitution may be made at that time.
Playing time: Each player SHALL play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time. It is the coach’s responsibility to enforce this rule.
Law 4 – The Players' Equipment
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game. Non-uniform clothing that matches the uniform color is allowed based on weather conditions. Uniforms must distinguish teams. Shin Guards are MANDATORY for both practices and games and must be covered entirely by socks. If needed, teams can be distinguished by scrimmage vests.
Safety: A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player. Jewelry may not be worn, except for a medical alert bracelet.
Law 5 – The Referee
Registered referee with a minimum U. S. Soccer Grassroots Certification (formerly Grades 9, 8, & 7) or parent/coach or assistant coach.
Law 6 – The Other Match Officials
Registered assistant referees, if available. If registered assistant referees are not assigned, it is permissible to use volunteer line officials (preferably parents) to signal ball out of play. Volunteer officials shall not call offside infractions.
Law 7 – The Duration of the Match
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game, except the match shall be divided into two (2) equal halves of twenty-five (25) minutes. There shall be a half-time interval of up to five (5) minutes. No time shall be added at the end of either half. NOTE: During conditions of extreme heat and humidity, a two-minute water break halfway through each half is acceptable if both coaches agree or if the break is prescribed by the local competition authority. Such water breaks shall create two 10-minute quarters in each half. No overtime period shall be added. In other words, a tie score at the end of a game will NOT result in a penalty shootout to determine the match winner.
Law 8 – The Start and Restart of Play
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game, with the exception that the defending team is at least eight (8) yards from the ball until it is in play.
Law 9 – The Ball In and Out of Play
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game.
Law 10 – The Method of Scoring
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game. In the event of a tie game (see Note on Law 7), a penalty shootout shall take place. 5 different players from each team shall kick, starting with the home team, and the team with the higher score shall be the winner. In the event of a tie after the 5 have kicked, different players shall kick again in the same order until one side scores a goal and the other does not.
Law 11 – Offside
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game.
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game.
Slide tackles are not allowed. When a player slide tackles in a game, an indirect free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the slide tackle occurs within the infringing team's goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.
Law 13 – Free Kicks
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game, with the exception that all opponents are to be at least eight (8) yards from the ball until it is kicked.
Law 14 – The Penalty Kick
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game, with the exception that the penalty mark is ten (10) yards from the goal line.
Law 15 – The Throw-In
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game.
Law 16 – The Goal Kick
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game.
Law 17 – The Corner Kick
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game, with the exception that opponents remain at least eight (8) yards from the ball until it is kicked.
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 35 yards; maximum 45 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.
Goal Area: none.
Penalty Area: 5 yards out from the goal line; 10 yards wide.
Penalty Mark: 5 yards out from the goal line, and centered on, the penalty area.
Flag Posts: Conform to FIFA Laws of the Game, if equipment is available.
Corner Arc: Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game.
Build-Out Line: Two lines are drawn, parallel to and of the same length as, the goal lines such that the field is divided lengthwise into three equal sections. NOTE: The build-out line is used to promote playing the ball out of the back in an unpressured setting. When the goalkeeper has the ball, either during play or from a goal kick, the opposing team must move behind the build-out line. At any time, the goalkeeper may pass, throw, or roll the ball to a teammate, but the goalkeeper does so accepting the positioning of the opponents and the consequences of how play resumes. Punts or drop-kicks are not allowed as this would defeat the purpose of the build-out line and reduces the opportunity to play out of the defending third in an unpressured setting. After the ball is put into play, the opposing team can then cross the build-out line and play resumes as normal.
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 six (6) feet and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is four (4) feet. Goals for this age group may be smaller.
Safety: Goals must be anchored securely to the ground. Portable goals may only be used if they satisfy this requirement.
Law 2 – The Ball
The ball shall be size three (3) and conform to FIFA standards.
Law 3 – The Number of Players
A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than seven (7) players including a goalkeeper. We strongly recommend playing 6v6 but 7v7 if all players are present. There shall be goalkeepers.
Substitutions: At any stoppage of play and unlimited. If a player with a suspected head injury leaves the field of play for additional evaluation, a substitution may be made at that time.
Playing time: Each player SHALL play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time. It is the coach’s responsibility to enforce this rule.
Law 4 – The Players Equipment
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game. Non-uniform clothing is allowed based on weather conditions, but uniforms must distinguish teams. Shin Guards are MANDATORY for both practices and games and must be covered entirely by socks. If needed, teams can be distinguished by scrimmage vests.
Safety: A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player. Jewelry may not be worn, except for a medical alert bracelet.
Law 5 – The Referee
There is no need for fully qualified referees to manage U8 games. The Home Team Coach should officiate / manage the game. Basic fouls and boundaries should be respected. All infringements should be briefly explained to the players. However, we will provide qualified referees when available
Law 6 – The Other Match Officials
None.
Law 7 – The Duration of the Match
The match shall be divided into four (4) periods of not more than 10 minutes, based on the energy and motivation of the players. The length of the match may be adjusted with the consent of both coaches. There shall be a break between each period, with such breaks being not more than four (4) minutes in duration. The four periods do not have to be of equal duration. Before the match, the Home Team Coach must assign a Time Keeper to keep time and ensure the match stays within its time slot and does not encroach into the time slot of the next match. If the match will encroach into the time slot of the next match, then the 4th quarter must end early to enable the next match to begin at its scheduled time.
Law 8 – The Start and Restart of Play
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game, with the exception that the defending team is at least four (4) yards from the ball until it is in play.
Law 9 – The Ball In and Out of Play
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game.
Law 10 – The Method of Scoring
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game. Medina Soccer Association will now keep official match scores in the U8 division. Emphasis is on good technique, player development, and fun for the children.
Law 11 – Offside
None.
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game, with the exception that ALL fouls shall result in an indirect free kick. Slide tackles and deliberate heading are not allowed. When a player slide-tackles or deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense.
If a defensive player commits a foul within the goal area, the offensive side is allowed a corner kick to be taken from the side nearest to where the infringement occurred. If an offensive player commits a foul within the goal area, the defensive side is allowed a goal kick to be taken on the side of the goal nearest to where the infringement occurred. If the side of infringement is ambiguous, a game official must make a judgment call on which side infringement is and continue play with minimal interruption.
The game official must explain ALL infringements to the offending player. No cards are shown for misconduct.
A handball infraction occurs when a player deliberately handles the ball. 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 (such as the ball striking a hand or arm) is not an offense and should not be penalized.
Law 13 – Free Kicks
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game, with the exception that all free kicks are indirect and all opponents are to be at least four (4) yards from the ball until it is kicked.
Law 14 – The Penalty Kick
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game, with the exception that the penalty mark is five (5) yards from the goal line.
Law 15 – The Throw-In
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game.
Law 16 – The Goal Kick
The goal kick shall be taken from the goal area, on the same side of the goal that the ball went out of play. Opposing players must drop off four (4) yards from the ball until the ball is kicked. The ball must be resting on the ground and stationary when the goal kick is taken; punting or "drop kicking" is not allowed. An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team at the spot of the offense if a player punts or drop-kicks the ball.
Law 17 – The Corner Kick
Conform to the FIFA Laws of the Game, with the exception that opponents remain at least four (4) yards from the ball until it is kicked.
