U-8 - MODIFIED LAWS OF THE GAME
Questions regarding the rules of play may be brought to the attention of Rich Devenney, Director of Referees; Heather Mayfield, U-8; Paul Rutledge, Recreation Director; or Jody Millians, VRSA President. In their absence, Jason Warmoth, U-6 Director; Keith Shedd, VRSA Vice President; or Bill Rucker, Director of Coaching will be able to help. If still not satisfied, contact the VR Rec Dept Director of Athletics, Michael Best.
The rules for U-8 are modified from FIFA, USYSA, GYSA, and VRSA rules. The GYSA rules of play are covered in Section 500.1 through 670.2. The following briefly explains the modified 17 Laws of the Game (LOTG) for U-8:
Law 1 – The Field of Play
The minimum and maximum field dimensions and goal sizes are defined in the GYSA modified rules for U-8 play. VRSA follows their guidelines for youth games with 30x40 fields. There are no center circles, goal boxes, penalty marks (no PKs in Tot Shot, U-6, and U-8), and no corner arcs or corner flags in Tot Shot, U-6, and U-8. The field lines are defined in the sketch under Law 8.
Law 2 – The Ball
#3 ball size for Tot Shot, U-6, and U-8. Referee will check ball safety and inflation before the game. The team listed as the Home team (first listed) provides the game ball.
Law 3 – Number of Players
Maximum roster size is 10 players per team. Games are 5v5 (5 against 5) with one of the players a goalkeeper. Each game MUST begin and end with at least “4” players. Each player will play a minimum of 50% of each game, with some playing possibly as much as an entire game depending on the number of players present at the game. At each substitution, the BENCH WILL BE CLEARED unless a reason from player’s parent why their child cannot play the minimum of the game! The goal keeper will be swapped each substitution period with four different keepers used in each game. All players must play a minimum of one half. If a player plays keeper they can only play keeper once. Also, if a player plays keeper they must play one-half of the game on the field. This means EVERY PLAYER will play as a field player 2 times in a game.
NO EXCEPTIONS.
In the event of an injury substitution, each team is allowed a substitution. It is strongly suggested that a parent from each team stand behind the bench of the opposing team to track substitutions. Some coaches are into “winning” at all costs keeping their weakest players benched most of the game. Bring this to the attention of one of the officials listed above. Failure of a coach to follow the substitution rules could result in a forfeit. No coaches are allowed on the field during a game. No coach or parent is allowed behind the goal keeper during games. Prior to the start of a match, two complete team rosters (game cards) may be prepared by each team coach/manager and presented to the referee. GYSA required for intra-scheduled games (against other leagues) and tournaments U-10 and above. Referees will grade sportsmanship.
Law 4 – Players’ Equipment
The players uniform consists of color matched team shirts/jerseys, shorts, socks, store-bought shin guards, and SOCCER shoes. Tennis shoes/sports shoes without cleats are allowed. Cleats must be rubber and not have the center toe cleat (baseball and football shoes). Shin guards must be completely covered by the socks. Shirts/jerseys must be tucked into shorts before the game begins. Goal keepers must wear a different color than their teammates and opposing teams. T-shirts or pinnies are allowed for keepers. Anything other than the mandatory equipment listed will be checked by the referee for safety. Cold weather: dark blue or black long sleeve shirt “under” jersey and dark blue or black sweat pants or pants “over” shorts. Players in casts or splints will not be allowed to play even if wrapped or padded. No hair beads! ABSOLUTELY NO JEWELRY IS ALLOWED DURING GAMES - NOT EVEN COVERED AND TAPED.
Law 5 – The Referee
One Certified Referee is used in each game. The referee enforces the Laws of the Game (LOTG) and is the official timekeeper and scorekeeper. The referee’s authority begins once he/she enters the field before the game, and until they leave after the game. The referee has sole authority on the rules of play. If there is a dispute, do not take it to the YOUNG referee. This could be intimidating. Bring it to an older official’s attention listed above. We do not want to lose referees by parents and/or coaches using intimidation. Coaches or parents/spectators could be ejected for such behavior. A report could be made to the Rec. Dept for proper disposition. Sanctions for coaches and parents behavior towards the referees are discussed in GYSA Section 700 Sportsmanship. See Law 12 for the sanctions that may be imposed. This has happened in the past, and we hope we do not have to resort to these methods in the future. In MOST cases, the referees know more about the rules of play than the parents and coaches. In the absence of a referee, the coaches will take turns refereeing each half of the game or use a knowledgeable parent as a referee.
Law 6 – Assistant Referees
None in Tot Shot, U-6, and U-8. A 4th Official (adult referee) are used for training and evaluation purposes of referees, and may be used for questionable games where teams, parents, or coaches have presented problems in the past and must be monitored for their behavior.
Law 7 – Duration of the Match
Games will start within 5 minutes of their scheduled times. The first half is 20 minutes followed by a 5-minute half-time. Substitution is called on first dead ball near the 9-minute mark, and play is restarted with the proper restart for the call after substitution. The second half is the same 20 minutes. The clock does not stop for substitutions so quickly make your substitutions and get back out on the field. There are no allowances for time lost. However, if a player or team is deemed to be wasting time (6 second warning), they will be warned. If the player persists, they will be asked to leave the field. Games tied end in a tie. There are no overtime periods.
Law 8 – Start and Restart of Play
Each team must have a minimum of 4 players to start the game. If a team does not have the minimum within 5 minutes of game-time, that team may have to forfeit (0-3 loss), unless arrangements can be made by the other coach to replay the game at a later date. The winning team DOES NOT have to make the game up; however, VR Officials may have the authority to waive this ruling depending on the circumstances. If both teams do not have the minimum, then by GYSA rules both teams forfeit. The game can be made up or remain not played by VRSA rules. Each team must be represented by a coach. In the absence of a coach, a parent may act as the coach for that game. Home team (1st team listed on the schedule) provides the game ball. The game starts with a coin toss. The Visitors make the call. The winner of the coin toss decides “which goal they want to defend/attack.” The loser kicks off. Second half, teams swap ends of the field and the other team kicks off. The kick off is made at the start of the first and second half and after a goal scored by either team. In the illustration below, the kick-off team (A) lines up behind the halfway line. The defending team (B) lines up behind the goal box line. No one is to move across their line until the ball is kicked forward. On the kick off, the ball must be touched by another player before it is touched by the kicker again. The same for goal kicks. For any infringement on the kick off (player crossing their line before the ball is kicked), the kick is retaken by the same team. Unlike FIFA rules, in Tot Shot, U-6, and U-8, a goal CANNOT be scored directly from a kick off. We illustrate a typical kick off lineup below. They may line up anywhere behind their respective lines.
Typical Kick Off Lineup
goal lineB / (keeper)
B
goal box line / B / B / B
Halfway line / O
A / A A / A
goal box line
A / (keeper)
goal line
A drop ball is a way of restarting the match after a temporary stoppage, which becomes necessary while the ball is in play for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in LOTG. The dropped ball must touch the ground before it is kicked. If it does not touch, the drop is retaken. If the same player infringes, then it becomes an indirect kick to the other team. Examples are injuries requiring immediate attention or cautions. If a parent or coaches enters the field to tend to an injured player (referee will motion coach and/or parent onto field), the player must step off the field or be substituted. If the player elects to continue playing, he must remain on the touch line until the referee blows the whistle and motions them on to the field. If not, the other team is allowed equal substitution privileges. If the restart is within the goal box, the drop ball is made at the nearest point on the goal box line. No space is required for a drop ball.
Law 9 – Ball in and out of Play
The ball is in play until it completely leaves the field across the goal line or touch line (side lines). The ball is still in play even if it hits the goal post, cross bar, or referee and remains on the playing field. If the ball crosses the “goal line” as a result of the attacking team touching the ball last, the restart is a goal kick from anywhere on or inside the goal box line. We show the illustration under Law 16.
If the ball crosses the “goal line” as a result of the defending team touching the ball last, provided it is not a hand ball or foul, the restart is a corner kick from the nearest corner the ball left the field (see Law 17).
Law 10 – Method of Scoring
A goal is scored if the ball completely crosses the goal line between the goal posts and under the cross bar. The restart is a kickoff by the opposing team. A goal cannot be counted if it is the result of a foul by the attacking team or if it is a Direct Kick by the attacking team. The restart is a goal kick by the defending team. The game can end in a tie with no tie-breakers. Scores are kept in U-8 games with the U-8 Director and Villa Rica Scorekeeper receiving the game results.
Law 11 – Offside
There is no offside in Tot Shot, U-6, and U-8.
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct
No slide tackling allowed near players! There are no Direct Kicks for fouls or misconduct in Tot Shot, U-6, and U-8, nor are there Penalty Kicks. The “6-yard” rule comes into affect in U-8 for such offenses that are not goal kicks or kick offs. The difference in a penalty kick situation is that the defending team is allowed within the goal box area (6-yard rule) and the kick must be indirect. The offenses are too numerous to mention. Please refer to the Laws of the Game for the lists. Some typical examples are shown below:
v Using hands/arms for pushing, shoving, pulling, grabbing, hitting, blocking, etc. could result an indirect kick for the other team after a verbal warning to the player involved. The next time the same player commits a similar foul, the ball goes to the other team. Persistent infringing may result in the player being asked to leave the field for an undetermined amount of time. Continuing this behavior could result in a yellow or red card depending on the severity or offense.
v Intentionally kicking a player or fighting will result in the player leaving the field to cool off for an undetermined amount of time. It could be as little as the next substitution period to as long as the rest of the game. For persistent infractions of the same nature in future games, the child could be removed for the remainder of that game and the next scheduled game. This has never happened, but we have had border-line instances in the past. The result of such behavior could lead to a drop ball or a free kick to the other team depending on the offense.
v Disruptive or foul language is a direct kick situation; however, indirect kicks are used in Tot Shot, U-6, and U-8 age groups. Foul language is a “red card” offense and may result in the player leaving for the remainder of the game and the next scheduled game.
Yellow cards and red cards MAY be used for persistent infringements after the second verbal warning. In some cases, the child may be asked to leave the field but rarely does this happen. Again, the list is too long to show here. Please refer to the LOTG. Handballs by any field player will result in an indirect kick by the opposing team from the point of infraction. If the handball or foul is made between the goal box line and the goal line by either team, the ball is moved to the goal box line at the nearest point. If the hand ball is made by the defending player that is a PK situation shown in the same illustration in red. We illustrate these placements below:
Fouls inside the goal box and PKs
goal lineB / B (keeper) / B
x (Area where foul occurred)
A / A / B
(6 yds)B
Goal box line / x1 (spot where restart is taken)
A / X1 (PK) / A
A
Mid-field line
A (keeper)
The coaches are ultimately responsible for the behavior of their players, parents, and fans. Parents/coaches/fans are asked to behave in a good sportsmanlike manner to reinforce positive role modeling for the players. Verbal comments/expressions should be limited to positive cheering for the teams. We do not expect our young referees to handle poor coaching and parent behavior situations. If a conflict arises, referees or Directors listed above retain the right to handle the situation. The young referee may temporarily stop the game to seek assistance from an older official. If none are found, the young referee is instructed to abandon the match. Please read Section 700 Sportsmanship in the GYSA Rules and Regulations. The following steps VRSA Officials may utilize: