Our primary goal for the U8 age group is to encourage the kids to have FUN, while learning the advanced basics of how to play soccer (dribble, shoot, pass). At this age, you typically will have 1-2 kids on the field that will know how to dribble and shoot well. Players will start to understand basic concepts of offense vs defense. Offense - Work with players on how to dribble past an opponent, pass to open teammates, take shots on goal, and get open. Defense - How to mark up/cover opponents, how to put pressure on the player with the ball, how to steal a ball, how to back up or protect their goalie. Games are more structured than U6 as players get core concepts but there will still be mistakes. Coaches are allowed on the field and are there to give direction and guidance, not to “joystick” their players.

Practices - Keep practices fun. This is the time the kids usually enjoy the most, getting to play and hangout with their friends. Keep lines short or run drills where all kids can participate at once. Should be a blending of introducing game concepts such as offense/defense, and a few basic concepts during throw-ins, kick offs, and goal kicks. Do this with games, quick drills (no more than a couple minutes explaining), and scrimmages. 

Positive encouragement is a must. Find even basic things to compliment or encourage your players. High fives can be your best friend. Goal scored, high five. Made a pass, high five. Showing up to practice, high five. 

Try to find some sort of a stuffed animal or team mascot that goes along with your team name. Our stuffed animal usually gives the kids a bop on the head at the end of games/practices and leads our team cheer. The stuffed animal should be respected, loved, and cherished by the team. It always has positive things to say and is never negative. 

8U Guidelines

Practices:
Practices are usually held twice per week on a separate day from game day. Duration of practice should not last longer than 60-minutes. Coaches may go down to one practice a week towards the end of the season when players have grasped the core concepts.

The Ball: 
A size 3 ball is used for 8U games.

The Players:
Numbers: Five to Six per team on field depending on home team/coaches preference; Jamul plays with a goalkeeper. Seven minimum-10 maximum on roster.
5 on the field may line up as 2 attack, 2 defenders, and 1 goalkeeper. Six on the field may be 3 attack, 2 defenders, and 1 goalkeeper depending on your teams strengths. 
Substitutions: Between quarters/halftime and for injuries.
Playing time - minimum of two periods per game for each player. All players must sit once before any player can site twice

Player Equipment:
Shoes and shinguards, covered by the socks are mandatory at all practice and game activities. Soccer shoes, tennis shoes, or similar type athletic shoes are recommended. The type and condition of cleated shoes must be inspected for safety before use.

Duration of Game:
Four 10-minute periods. Halftime break of 5 minutes. Quarter breaks are usually 2 minutes unless high heat then give up to 5 minutes for water, rest, and shade. 

Officials:
There is no need for fully qualified referees to manage 8U games. One or both of the coaches should "officiate". Typically 1 coach will be the official with a whistle to call out of bounds/fouls. Some coaches prefer to each take a half, some inexperienced coaches may prefer to let a more seasoned coach ref the whole game. 

Our goal is to let our players play with minimum interruption but we are introducing the rules and processes of the game and need for them to understand and apply them. A way to aid this is to give clear instructions to the players such as “ball is out on blue, red throw-in at me” - line up with the throw location and extend your hand to show where the player should line up. You can add additional info such as make sure your feet stay on the ground and the ball must go behind your head. U8 players should be called for infractions such as improper throw-ins/goal kicks but allowed to redo them within reason. Do not have a different player take the throw-in/kick as the purpose of redoing it is for that player to figure out how to properly do it. 

At this age, players may play more aggressive so make sure play is stopped for pushing, kicking, pulling jerseys. Sometimes this will be accidental as they are still learning body control but stop play and explain what was wrong.

Use your whistle for goals scored, kickoff start, and stoppage of play for penalties. You can use your voice for throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks. 

The Start of Play:
The game should be started with a kick-off in the middle of the field. Either have the visiting team start the game with the kickoff and the home team starts at the second half, flip a coin and have the visitors call heads or tails while in the air, or have one kid from each team play a game of rock, paper, scissors to determine who starts with the kickoff. 

The Kick-off:
The kickoff is taken from the center of the field with each team in their own half. The team kicking off may be inside of the circle on their half. The defending team should be outside of the circle on their half. Blow your whistle to start play. The player starting the kickoff should get 1 touch to pass to a friend or kick the ball. 

Ball In and Out of Play:
The ball is out of play in all age group games when it completely crosses the touch line (sideline) or goal line (end line), either on the ground or in the air. When the ball is out of bounds, the referee should say what color the ball was out on and what color has the ball and what the action is - Ball is out on red, blue throw-in. 

End Line - Goal kick - If a ball goes out of bounds on the goal line and was last touched by the attacking team, the defensive team gets the ball. Set the ball down on the white line that is part of the box in front of the goal. Have one of the defensive players kick the ball to a teammate or up the field. At the U8 level, we use a build out line. The previously attacking team must withdrawal back to the build out line and line up to give the previously defending team room to start their goal kick. Jamul usually uses the half line or the bottom of the circle as the build out line. Players must be behind the line until the ball is kicked then they may go attack the ball.   
End Line - Corner kick - If a ball goes out of bounds on the goal line and was last touched by the defending team, the attacking team gets the ball. Set the ball down on the corner that is the same side the ball went out of bounds on (left side of goal = left corner). Have one of the attacking players kick the ball to a teammate or towards the goal. Defensive players should be 10 feet away from the ball.  
 Sideline - If the ball goes out of bounds on the sideline, a throw-in is done. The team that last touched the ball is on defense. The team that did not touch the ball will pick the ball up outside of the sideline. They will return to the spot designated by the ref where the ball went out of bounds. Both their feet must remain on the ground while throwing the ball and they need to either be behind the line or touching the line. The ball must go behind their head with both hands and must be released in front. Some players may take a while to restart a ball after it goes out of bounds. If a player is having a hard time making a decision, usually a 3 second countdown helps them start play.

Method of Scoring:
A goal, in all age groups, is awarded when the ball completely crosses the goal line into the goal.

Fouls:
The opposing team must be at least ten feet from the ball when free kicks are taken in 8U games (usually 3 big steps for an adult). The following, if done deliberately, are the fouls most likely to occur in 8U games: kicking, tripping, pushing, holding, handling the ball and dangerous play. Officials must remember that there is no need to stop play for technical violations that do not interrupt the flow of the game. It's a players game and not a game of how many infractions can be identified, so keep the fun going and let them play.

Misconduct:
Misconduct should be rare in 8U games. There is no need for the public cautioning and sending off of young players (leave the red and yellow cards at home). If a player is being belligerent or purposely hurting players, send them off the field for a time out and see if their play improves. 

Free Kicks:
All free kicks in 8U are indirect kicks (it must touch a second player before going in the goal to count. It can not be kicked directly into the goal). Opponents must be at least ten feet from the ball or on the goal line between the goal posts during free kicks. Free kicks awarded to the attacking team inside the defending teams goal area are to be taken from the nearest point on the goal area line parallel to the goal line.

Offside:
No offside.

Throw-In:
Throw-ins are used for U8 when the ball goes out on a sideline. When the ball is thrown, opponents should be ten feet from the ball.

Goal Kick:
A goal kick is awarded to the opposing team, in 8U and older, when the attacking team is last to touch the ball before it crosses the goal line but without scoring a goal. The goal kick may be taken from any point inside the goal area. The opposing team must be behind the build out line when the goal kick is taken in 8U games.

Corner Kick:
A corner kick is awarded to the opposing team, in 8U and older, when the defending team is last to touch the ball before it crosses the goal line but not scoring a goal. The opposing team must be at least ten feet from the ball when the corner kick is taken in 8U games.

Hand Ball:
A hand ball infraction occurs when a player handles the ball deliberately. The 'hand' includes the entire arm up to the top of the shoulder. Instinctive, self-protective reactions are not penalized at this young age. Accidental contact (ball striking hand or arm with no intent by the player) is not an offense and should not be penalized. The intent of the rule is if a player makes themselves bigger to impede/stop the ball with their hands. It does not count if a ball is kicked and accidentally hits a player in the hand/arm even if extended while running. Use your discretion for hand ball calls. 

No Heading:
Consistent with the US Soccer mandates on heading the ball, heading is banned for all divisions 12U and below and below in both practices and matches. An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team if a player deliberately touches the ball with his/her head during a match (taken where the player touched the ball with his/her head)