Forty Fort Soccer Club 2015 U7 & U8 Guidelines

Forty Fort Soccer Club 2015 U7 & U8 Guidelines

The following guidelines are intended to promote consistency in the rules used during the game of soccer. We ask coaches to share this information with assistant coaches and parents.

Each child should bring a ball (size 3) to practice. Shin guards and soccer cleats are mandatory. No baseball cleats or metal spikes allowed. Bring a drink.

Games will be played 4v4 with all players attacking and defending. Max roster size is 8 players.

There is no goalie, goal tending or having a designated defender camp out in front of the goal area. In keeping with the spirit of the game, please encourage all kids to participate by pushing up and joining in the attack to score goals. Coaches must teach their players to move up into the offensive zone when their team is on the attack and fall back to defend ball only when they lose possession of the ball. The intent is to keep teams from “parking” a player(s) in their own defensive end of the field regardless of ball location. Players consistently parked in their own defensive end of field defeat the purpose of small sided soccer games, which are to allow each player maximum touches, encourage wide-open play and score goals. The rules we will use are aimed at providing scoring opportunities for every child. Remember this is supposed to be fun, safe and each kid is to participate.

Each player is guaranteed a minimum of 50% of the total game time (2 quarters)and no more than 75% of an entire game (3 quarters) so long as there are substitute players available who have played less than 75% of the game.

Substitutions will be made at the quarter and halftime breaks. Substitutions for injured players will be allowed at all times.

Games will consist of four eight (8) minute quarters (32 minutes total.) 2 minute breaks can be taken between periods for water breaks and to change players and walk them out to the field. Refs will be ready to keep the game moving and starting on time. The time may be adjusted for weather such as high temperatures or player fatigue as the refs feel necessary.

Start each period or restart the game after a goal is scored with a kickoff at the center of the halfway line. All players must remain on their own side of the halfway line until the ball is kicked. The player taking the kick may not touch the ball a second time until it has been played by ANY other player. (See double touch below)

When the ball goes out of play, the game is restarted as follows: The ball is out of play when the whole ball crosses the entire touchline or goal line, whether on the ground or in the air. The ball is in play at all other times

Throw-Ins: When the ball goes out of bounds along either sideline, it is returned into play using a throw-in. If a player on Team A kicks the ball out of bounds, a player on Team B will throw the ball in. During a throw-in, feet should be behind the line, both hands must be on the ball, and it must be thrown from above and behind the head and onto the playing field. Feet must remain on the ground during the throw. If a player incorrectly performs a throw-in on the first throw, he/she should be instructed by the coach and/or referee as to the proper manner of throwing the ball in and given a second chance to complete the throw-in. After a second attempt the ball is given to the other team.

GOAL KICK: Restart with a goal kick ifthe ball goes out of play over the goal line, last touched by a member of the attacking team. The ball is placed anywhere inside the goal area. Opponents must be positioned at least five yards away from the ball and outside the goal area

CORNER KICKS: Restart with a corner kick if the ball goes out of play over the goal line, last touched by a member of the defending team. The ball is placed on the corner of the field closest to the place where the ball went out or inside the field within a yard fromthat corner. Opponents must be positioned at least 3 yards from the ball.

Double Touch: If the player taking the free kick (goal kick, corner kick or kickoff) touches the ball twice in a row prior to being played by any other player, a free kick may be awarded to the opposing team.

PENALTY KICK: There are no penalty kicks in 4v4 soccer

When play is stopped due to an injury, bad weather or other reason not covered elsewhere in these rules, the game is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when play was stopped

METHOD OF SCORING: A team is awarded a goal each time the whole ball completely passes over the goal line. Goals can be scored from anywhere on the attacking half of the field.

Goals cannot be scored directly from kickoffs, free kicks, goal kicks or corner kicks. Once the kick is taken, if any player (attacker or defender) touches the ball and the ball goes in the goal, a goal is awarded to the attacking team.

During the season Forty Fort will provide a junior referee at the games. If a referee is not at the game each team will have the responsibility of providing a referee. This could be a coach, a parent, or an older sibling of a player. The job of a junior referee at this level is to keep the game playing (assist when ball goes out, corner & goal kicks, kickoffs and, have a fun and safe environment and focus on the children. They have the same duties as a FIFA Referee: keep time, enforce the rules, stop and restart play. All fouls shall result in an indirect free kick. The referee will explain infringements to the offending player, restart and let the game continue. No cards will be shown for misconduct.

Fouls can and will occur even at this level. Players should not kick, strike, trip, jump or knee another player. Players shall not intentionally touch the ball with the intent to control the ball with their handor arm. Players may make shoulder to shoulder contact while playing the ball. Soccer is a contact sport. A player without control of the ball may not keep another player from playing the ball, this is obstruction. No player shall kick above the waist or otherwise play dangerously. In the event of an infraction, a free kick will be awarded. All Free kicks from fouls are indirect, with opponents standing no closer than 4 yards away. Therewill be no slide tackling at this age. Slide tackles will result in a free kick to the opposing team.

Coaches and parents should not argue with the junior or volunteer referee’s judgment at any time. All parties (players, parents, and coaches) are reminded that sportsmanship is of the utmost importance to create a fun and positive game day experience.

Games start promptly at the time on the schedule, so encourage families to get there about15 minutes early to warm up and get situated. Remember, coaches and parents are both expected to follow the code of conduct.

No scores or standingsshall be kept at the u7/u8 age level. No league awards will be given out based on win/loss records. Our objective is to place similarly skilled teams in the same divisions. Despite our best intentions, there will be games when two teams are not of equal level and ability. It is the belief of the Forty Fort Pioneers Club and staff that when there is a great disparity in the skilllevel of two teams during a game, the potential for a positive soccer experience may be diminished. There is also the potential for negative player and parental feelings towards the game, opposing team and opposing coach.***In the event that one team is ahead in the game by a 5 or more goal differential, the coaches can agree to combine the two teams by mixing the players and then split into 2 teams. At the end of each quarter they can change the players on each team and separate the new teams by wearing pinnies. This is to be called the ‘Good Sportsmanship Rule’. It is left up to the coaches and they have the option if they want it. The intent of this rule is to create an environment that is both fun and challenging for both teams. It’s not about winning at this age; it’s about teaching, developing and most importantly letting the kids have fun.

After the game: coaches and players are encourage to meet in the center of the field and shake hands or form a player tunnel for players to run through after each game.