U8
Modified Rules (6 VS. 6)

FIFA Laws of the Game can be
found at www.ussoccer.com/referees.

Please note the U8
addendum and appendix.

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. 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 of 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.

Flag posts: none.

The Corner Arc: Conform to FIFA.

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 four players. There are NO
goalkeepers.

Substitutions: At any stoppage of
play and unlimited.

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.

Revised May 27,
2005

US
Youth Soccer 41

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,

twelve (12) 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 four (4) yards from the ball until it

is in play.

Law 9 – The Ball In and Out of
Play: Conform to FIFA.

Law 10 – The Method of Scoring:
Conform to FIFA.

Law 11 – Offside: None.

Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct:
Conform to FIFA with the exception that 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.

Law 13 – Free Kicks: Conform to
FIFA with the exceptions that all kicks are direct and

all opponents are at least four (4)
yards from the ball until it is in play.

Law 14 – The Penalty Kick: None.

Law 15 – The Throw-In: Conform to
FIFA with the exception that an improperly

performed throw-in can be retaken once.

Law 16 – The Goal Kick: Conform to
FIFA with the exception that opponents must

remain outside the goal area and at
least four (4) yards from the ball until it is in play.

Law 17 – The Corner Kick: Conform
to FIFA with the exception that opponents remain

at least four (4) yards from the
ball until it is in play.

Revised May 27,
2005

US
Youth Soccer 42

U8
ADDENDUM

MODIFIED
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GAME FOR U8

Law 1 The Field of Play:
dimensions are smaller to accommodate the four-versus-four

game and are
appropriate for the movement capabilities of six- and seven-year-old children.

These adjusted
dimensions provide more practical space allowing players to be successful.

Field Markings:
the center circle gives the players a concrete marking on where

to be for the
kick-off. The corner arc gives the young player a concrete place to put the
ball to

kick it back onto
the field of play. While kids this young will execute corner kick plays to a

modest degree taking a
kick from the corner is a reasonable way for them to put the ball into play

and provides
continuity with all other age groups. However, the center circle and the corner
arc

for U8 Small Sided
Games are not mandatory field markings.

Goals: the goal,
6 x 18 feet or smaller, is the same for the U6 to U8 age groups.

By using the
same size goal for these age groups clubs will have to buy fewer goals and
there will

be greater
flexibility in the use of fields. A big goal without a goalkeeper should mean a
few

more goals for kids
whose shooting technique is primitive along with their eye-foot coordination.

Let’s give
them the broad side of the barn at which to shoot, the more goals the merrier.
Finally

the shooting odds
for the U8 age group are one versus seven, so let’s give them a chance by

having a larger
target. However, manufactured goals are not mandatory for U8 Small Sided

Games. Clubs are free
to use cones, Pug goals or other items to designate the goal for this age

group. Any goal must
be properly anchored to the ground.

Law 2 The Ball: must be a
size three. The smaller ball is lighter and more easily kicked,

received, dribbled and
passed.

Law 3 The Number of
Players: there are no goalkeepers in the U8 age group so that all

of the players may
chase the ball around the field. The kids want to be where the action is and at

this age it is
around the ball. This will provide the opportunity for the children to further
develop

their running,
jumping and kicking coordination. These are valuable traits for all soccer
players

to develop. The
smaller number of players takes into account the egocentrism of this age group

and therefore
allows each child more opportunities for shooting, passing and dribbling the
ball.

With fewer players
on the field each child has an increased number of contacts with the ball and

has more actual
playing time. Additionally the players will be required to make more decisions

and experience
repeated game situations frequently. The involvement of players will be more

consistent. While learning
both offense and defense, players will become well
rounded and will

understand more readily
the roles and importance of teammates. Children in the U8 age group

will intentionally
play in pairs. The smaller number of players on the field will make it easier
and

more likely that
passing and receiving will occur.

There should not
be a minimum number of players for U8 and U6 and clubs, administrators,

coaches and referees
should be encouraged to allow players from the team with sufficient

numbers to
‘loan’ a player or two to the team that is short players and then
PLAY.

Law 5 The Referee: a
referee is not really needed for this age group. Instead a parent or

a coach should
officiate the game. All rule infringements shall be briefly explained to the

offending player. It is
strongly recommended that the adult officiating the U8 game attend the

Grade
9 referee course.

Law 6 The Assistant
Referees: none are needed.

Law 7 The Duration of the
Match: the game is divided into four quarters. Clubs may

make the quarters
shorter in duration if necessary. Quarters are played in the U8 age group to

accommodate the attention
span and physical limitations of the children.

Law 10 Goal Scored:
shall conform to FIFA.

Revised May 27,
2005

US
Youth Soccer 43

Law 11 Offside: there
shall be no offside called during these games.

Law 12 Fouls and
Misconduct: no caution or send off shall be issued to players. If a

child is being too
rambunctious then the game official will ask the coach to make a substitution
of

that player to give
the child a chance to calm down before returning to play.

Law 13 Free Kicks: all
free kicks shall be direct. This will keep the game flowing and

keep the attention
of the kids.

Law 14 The Penalty Kick:
there will not be any penalty kicks called.

Law 15 The Throw-In: some
U8 players do not yet have the eye-hand coordination to

execute a throw-in to
the letter of the law. However, some U8 players have sufficient eye-hand

coordination to attempt the
throw-in. One ‘do-over’ per thrower should be the normal response
if

the throw-in is
incorrect. The adult officiating the match should explain to the child how to

execute the throw-in
correctly.

Law 16 The Goal Kick:
per FIFA. The defending players must stand at least four yards

away from the ball
until it is in play. The ball is in play once it has left the goal area.

Law 17 The Corner Kick:
per FIFA. The defending players must stand at least four yards

away from the ball
until it is in play.

Roster Size: Under the single field
method the recommended minimum roster

size is six players
and the maximum roster size is eight players. Under the dual

field method the
recommended minimum roster size is ten players and the

maximum roster size is
twelve players. This range of roster sizes allows for a

club to use either
the single field or dual field set up.

Playing Time: A minimum of at least 50%
playing time is required.

Split-Field Model: See appendix for
options.

No score or standings should be kept.

ADVANTAGES OF PLAYING SMALL SIDED
GAMES

More time with the coach

Energetic workouts due to playing both
offense and defense

More efficient use of field space

Matches can be played simultaneously
across a full size field

Children are physically more efficient
in smaller space

Children are actively involved for a
longer period of time

It takes less time to score a goal or
advance to goal

Greater success rate for the players

US Youth Soccer
Recommendations

Opposing coaches, players and parents
should shake hands after each match.

Parent/coaches, non-participating
players and spectators should be there to enjoy and encourage the activity
of the youngsters.

Spectator and team benches should be on
opposite sides of the field.

No alcoholic beverages or tobacco
products will be consumed or allowed near the playing area.

No slide tackles to be allowed in this
age group.

Coaches of U8 teams should attend the
U6/U8 Youth Module coaching course and the Grade 9 referee course.