4-v-4

U8 League Features
- Field size is 20 yards by 30 yards
- 4'x6' goals with no goalkeeper
- No standings or scores are recorded
- 3- 15 minute periods

Player Eligibility: Each player must be registered with Dynamo Soccer Club and can only be registered to one recreational team or program.  Players who are registered Travel Players with Virginia Youth Soccer Association, may not play on a Dynamo Soccer Club Team.

Coaching and Spectators: There is to be no coaching from behind the goals or from the spectator side of the field.  All teams and coaches will be on the designated side of the field with the spectators on the opposite side.  Spectators are asked to remain behind the dashed spectator line to give the players room to play.

Number of Players: There is a maximum of 8 players per team. U8 teams compete with 4-v-4. Four field players and no goalkeeper.  Teams are encouraged to play down a player if their team is winning by 5 goals or more.

Minimum Number of Players to Start a Game: 3 per team. Coaches are encouraged, but not required, to play-down when the opposing team is playing short, without jeopardizing the minimum playing time for each player.

Positioning: 4 field players. (Starting with the defenders) 1-2-1 formation. 1 Defender, 2 Midfielders (left/right), 1 Forward.

Referees: Referees are High School players.  They have been instructed to teach the game of soccer to the younger children as they officiate. They may let some children throw the ball in two or three times in order to teach them the proper technique. Please let them do their job, and if there are any problems or concerns, please contact Shawn Martin at [email protected] .  

Playing Time:  Players are guaranteed to play half of the game.

Game Length: Each game is divided into three periods, each lasting 15 minutes. There is a 5 minute rest period between periods.

Ball size: Size 3

Throw-ins: Throw-ins are taken when the opposing team kicks the ball across one of the sidelines. The player taking the throw must keep both feet on the ground when the ball is thrown and both hands must deliver the ball from behind and over his/her head in a continuous forward motion.

Goal kicks: Goal kicks are taken when the opposing team kicks the ball across the defending team's end-line. The opposing team must stand behind the midfield line while the kick is taken. The team kicking the ball may stand where they choose.  Once the kick is taken the game is live.

Corner Kicks: Corner kicks are taken when the ball crosses the end-line, and is last touched by a member of the defending team.

Fouls: Fouls such as handballs, tripping and pushing will occasionally occur, usually unintentionally. If an obvious foul occurs (at the discretion of the referee) then an indirect free kick will be awarded.

Heading: If the ball hits a player in the head accidentally, play will be stopped and restarted with a drop-ball. If a player uses their head purposefully to hit the ball, play will stop and be restarted with a free kick for the opposing team.

Off-side: Not applicable.

Penalty Kicks: None 

**ALL OTHER RULES WILL FOLLOW FIFA LAWS**