Number of Players
The U8 division will play 4v4 with no goalie.  Do not keep a player back by the goal. We want all the kids to score as much as possible.  Work on spreading the field during practices.  Remember, we don’t care about winning.  Our number one concern is that the kids have fun and that they want to return next year.

Player Playing Time
The absolute minimum playing time is 50%.  Each player must play at least 50% of the time.  With the size of the rosters, this should not be a problem.

The Ball
The ball should be a size 4.

Duration of Play
Each game will consist of two 12 minute halves with 5 minutes between games and halves.

Playing the Game
We will use a split game format.  There will be two fields and two games being played at the same time.  Each team will play two mini games.
At the end of the first mini game, one of the teams will switch fields, thus playing different players.  You may substitute players on a dead ball and when you have possession.
Balance your teams with talent.  Don’t keep the same teams game after game.

Referee
There is no referee.  The kids should make the calls as much as possible.
One adult or coach should monitor play.  Coaching should be done from the sidelines.  No coaches will be on the field.

Start of Play
Following the coin toss, the kick-off may be played backwards from the center spot to ensure possession.  The offense and defense must remain on their half of the field, and with the defense staying outside of the center circle during the kick-off, until the ball is touched.

Restarts
All restarts are indirect and all opponents must be at least 4 yards from the ball.  Indirect means that the ball must touch another player before it can go in to the goal.  Any illegal restarts should be retaken.

Corner Kicks
There are no corner kicks.  When the ball touches a defensive player and goes across the goal line, any field player on the attacking team can restart the game by passing or dribbling the ball into play from the goal line.

Goal Kicks
There are no goal kicks.  When the ball touches an offensive player and goes across the goal line, any field player on the defensive team can restart the game by passing or dribbling the ball into play from the goal line.

Goals
Following a goal, any field player from the attacking team can restart the game by dribbling or passing the ball across the goal line.  The game is not restarted at center field.

Throw Ins
The game will be restarted with a kick-in from the spot where it left the field of play.

Sliding
Sliding of any kind is not allowed in the U8 division.