TCSA Soccer League U-8 Rules
The field of play shall be rectangular, its length being not more than 50 yards nor less than 39 yards and its width not more than 25 yards nor less than 24 yards. The length in all cases shall exceed the width.
Distinctive lines not more than five (5) inches wide.
A halfway line shall be marked out across the field.
A center circle with six (6) yard radius.
Four corner arcs with a Two (2) foot radius.
Goal area - ten (10) yards in length and four (4) yards to the field of play joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line.
Penalty area – twelve (12) yards in length and six (6) yards into the field of play, joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line.
Maximum: six (6) feet high and ten (10) feet wide.
Minimum: size of Hockey goals.
Teams should be on one side and spectators should be on the other side of the field. Opposing coaches and players should shake hands after each game. Parents, non-playing players, and spectators should be located not less than six (6) feet outside touchline nor should be closer than ten (10) yards to the goal line. No individual should be allowed to run the length of the field except participants of the game. Spectators should not instruct the players during the game time. No alcoholic beverages should be consumed or allowed near the playing area. Tobacco products should not be used at or around playing areas. Sportsman like conduct expected from players, teams and fans.
U8 Rules of Play
Ball size: 4
# of players for each team: 6 plus a goalie for a total of 7.
** All players must play 50% of the game.
Quarters: 4 which are 10 minutes in length.
2 minute break between quarters. 5 minute half time.
Coaches: 2 per team. No coaches are allowed past the opposing teams midfield point or on the field unless injury occurs.
Referees: 2 referees will used for all U8 games. Please allow them to make the calls.
** All referee calls are final!!
*** Any issues with a referee please see a board member or contact your commissioner.
Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should a coach confront a referee!!
All games will start on time. No Exceptions!!
If a team is short players at the start of their game they may:
-forfeit
-play short (max of 2 players down)
-allow the clock to start with play starting when that team has enough to play
-borrow players from the division below (U6)
The game clock runs continuously. It DOES NOT stop for fouls, goals or injury.
The Start and Restart of Play:
Kickoff will occur to begin the game. The opposite team will kick off to start the next quarter.
Kickoff are taken:
- at the start of the game.
-after a goal has been scored.
-at the start of each new quarter.
- a goal can be scored directly from kickoff.
- the opposing team must be at the edge of the circle while kickoff is in progress.
-the ball DOES NOT have to move forward on kickoff
Ball Out of Play:
Throw in: A throw in will occur when the ball leaves the field of play on either sideline.
a player from the team that DID NOT touch the ball last will throw the ball back into play. The throwing player must:
-stay behind the sideline
-throw the ball directly over their head while using both hands.
-keep both feet on the ground.
**This player CANNOT be the first player to touch the ball once it has reentered the field.
Goal Kick:
A goal kick occurs when a player from the attacking team kicks the ball out of play over the goal line.
The ball is then placed on the line of the small box and any player from the defending team kicks the ball to restart play. This player:
- must kick the ball out of the goal box.
-CANNOT be the first player to touch the ball after the kick occurs.
Corner Kick:
A corner kick occurs when a member of the defending team kicks the ball out of play over the goal line.
The ball will be placed at the corner of the field and a player from the attacking team will kick the ball to restart play.
- this player CANNOT be the first one to touch the ball once play has restarted.
Scoring:
A goal is awarded when a player kicks the ball over the goal line and between the goal posts.
-The ENTIRE ball MUST cross the goal line for a goal to be awarded.
- NO GOAL will be awarded if a player kicks the ball out of the goalie's hands. A goal kick will then be awarded.
- A goal will be awarded to the opposing team IF a player would kick the ball into their own goal.
Fouls:
All fouls will result in a free kick being awarded to the opposing team.
** Any foul in the goal box will result in a penalty kick for the attacking team and a free kick for the defending team.
-Headers ARE NOT allowed and will be awarded as a free kick for the opposing team.
-Slide tackling or kicking is not allowed.
** Goals will not be awarded if a player is slide kicking
- kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
- trips or attempts to trip an opponent
- strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
- tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball
- handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area).
- takes more than six seconds while controlling the ball with his hands before releasing it from his possession
- touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any other player
- touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a teammate
- touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a teammate.
- All fouls will result in an Indirect Free Kick with opponents six (6) yards away. An indirect free is taken from where the offence occurred.
- The Referee must explain ALL infractions to the offending player.
- Caution or ejections issued to players only by an independent neutral Referee.
-** Any player that the referees feel are excessively physical, using foul language or name calling will be given one warning during the game. A second occurrence will result in that player being removed for the remainder of the game.
Substitutions:
There are NO substitutions during a quarter unless injury occurs. All substitutions must occur at the beginning of the new quarter.
** Any player that arrives late to a game MUST be checked in by a referee BEFORE being allowed to enter a game.
Equipment and Safety:
-No player will be allowed to play in a game without shin guards.
-No player will be allowed to play in cleats that have a middle toe cleat.
- Jewlery of any kind is NOT ALLOWED during play. This includes but is not limited to earrings, bracelets, necklaces, watches, etc. Earrings shall not be permitted to be worn under any circumstances, even if covered by tape. Bracelets of any material are prohibited. This includes rubber, string, or any other type of material. Hair accessories may be worn only as necessary provided they are deemed to be safe by the referee.
- Hair beads are allowed but MUST be pulled back if the hair is long enough to swing and hit someone in the face.
Coaches should make their best effort to teach players all offensive and defensive positions.
**Please remember that the goal is to teach your players the game of soccer and for them to have fun!!