PSC GUIDELINES FOR U8

The primary goal of this division is to continue moving the ball around and focusing on intentional passing. The Academy sessions will help with this and should be encouraged to attend.

The Ball 

Size 3 ball 

The Players 

Number - Four (4) per team on the field at one time. There are no goalkeepers at this age.
* Because there are no goalies, players are not allowed to stand inside the goal box unless involved in active play.

Substitutions - Unlimited both teams at any stoppage in play.

Playing Time - Minimum of half of the game. 

Player Equipment 

Shirts, shorts, shin guards, socks, shoes; No jewelry and nothing dangerous. 

Socks to cover shin guards.

Duration of Game 

Two 20-minute halves with a 30 second water break halfway through, 2 minute halftime.

Referees

As per TN Soccer directives; top priority is player safety

Every effort should be made to keep the game moving and free from stoppages for doubtful infractions.

Every decision is at the discretion of the referee and should be respected.

Ball Out of Play

Ball is out of play when it completely leaves the field-of-play over the touchline or goal line, either on the ground or in the air;

Ball is also considered to be out of play whenever the referee blows the whistle and the game is stopped; 

Restarts 

Player may not touch the ball again at the taking of a free kick, goal kick, corner kick, kick-off or throw-in until it has touched another player (restart is IFK to opponents). 

Kick-Off 

All players on both teams must be on their own half of the field with the exception of the kicker; Opponents must also be outside the center circle; 

Ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves in any direction; Kicker may stand in the opponent's half of the field.

Dropped Ball 

Restart when the referee stops games as for an injury, outside interference, weather or accidental whistle. The ball will be dropped to the team that was in clear control of the ball when play was stopped at that location;

The exception is if the ball was in the penalty area, then it will be dropped to the goalkeeper;

All players remain 4.5 yds from the ball until it is in play;

The ball is in play when it makes contact with the ground;

Requires touch by two different players for a goal to be awarded.

Free Kicks

Opponents must be at least 8-yds. from the ball or on goal line between the goal posts; 

Ball in play when kicked and clearly moves;

Indirect free kick ( IFK) - two touches required for a goal to be allowed.

Penalty Kicks 

There are no penalty kicks at this age

Throw-Ins 

Throw-ins are ok to use at this age but we still encourage a kick-in by placing the ball on the touchline and have a player kick the ball in.

Restart when the ball goes over the touchine (side line); Throw-in taken by opponent of player who last touched the ball; 

Thrower's feet must be on or outside the touchline; Throw-in taken with both hands from behind and over the head; 

All opponents must stand 2 yds away from the point of the throw;

Ball is in play when any portion of the ball breaks the outside plane of the touchline into the field-of-play after having been thrown; 

When an improper throw-in is taken, the referee should stop play and award throw-in to opponents; 

A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in. 

Goal Kicks 

Restart when the ball goes over goal line (end line) last touched by an attacking team player; 

Ball is placed anywhere inside the goal box area. Ball in play when it is kicked and clearly moves; 

Opponents must be on their half of the field until the ball is in play; 

Goal may be scored directly from a goal kick. 

Corner Kicks 

Restart when ball ball goes over goal line (end line) last touched by a defending player; 

Opponents must remain 8-yds. from the corner area; 

Ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves; a goal may be scored directly from a corner kick.

Scoring 

When the whole of the ball completely crosses the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar, provided that no offense has been committed by the team scoring the goal. 

Fouls 

In accordance with criteria defined in Law XII. 

Offense committed on the field-of-play and while the ball is in play; typically involves contact 

All fouls fouls and technical infraction result in an (IFK) restart.

Handball 

For the purposes of determining handball offenses, the upper boundary of the arm is in line with the bottom of the armpit. NOT EVERY TOUCH OF A PLAYER’S HAND/ARM WITH THE BALL IS AN OFFENSE;

Offense if a player deliberately touches the ball (motion to the ball);

Offense if a player touches the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger;

An IFK offense when a player deliberately plays the ball with their hand or arm; 

Accidental contact, i.e. ball striking hand or arm with no intent by player, is not an offense and should not be penalized; 

Instinctive, self-protective reaction is not a deliberate attempt to play the ball and should not be penalized unless there is movement toward the ball.