Age Group                              U-7/8               Birthdays        8/1/99 to 7/31/01

Number of players on team:               10-12

Number players on field:                    6 per team.  5v5 with goalkeepers.

Ball Size:                                              3

Equipment:                            Shin guards are required.  Players with braces must wear wax or

                                                mouth guards.  Soccer shoes are optional.  No jewelry or watches.

Field Size                              Width 40 yards, length 60 yards.

Goal size:                              21 ft wide x 7 ft tall

                                                Goal box – 5 x 17 yards.

Field Markings:                  Standard except penalty area is 10 x 27 yards.

Duration of Game:               12 minute quarters with 2 minute break(intended for substitutions)

                                                5-minute half time break

Referees:                              2 youth referees.  Referees will explain calls/rules to the players.

Playing time:                        Every attempt must be made to play each child a minimum of 2 quarters except in the case of injury, illness or disciplinary action.

Practice:                               Players are expected to attend all practices.  Two practices per week are encouraged.  A minimum of one is expected.  Practices should be no longer than 60 minutes in length.

Substitution:                        Allowed at each quarter, at half, on kick-off, on injury (the injured player must be replaced), and on either team’s throw-in or goal kicks.  Players should be standing at the midfield stripe and be ready to enter the game.

Concept:                                At this age OYAA continues to teach kids to dribble and kick the ball using both feet, that the deliberate use of hands is not allowed, when a throw in or corner kick is required and that a penalty results in the loss of the ball.  The concepts of referees, position play, passing, goal kicks, indirect/direct kicks and offside are introduced.  The referee will allow a player one “do-over” after an incorrect throw-in.  Obvious offside violations are enforced.  Playing within the rules is a focus, and team play is to be encouraged.  Players should have the opportunity to play all positions.  No one player should play goalkeeper for more than half a game.  Score will be kept.  Won/loss record will be kept for pairing teams in the spring, but will not be published.  THE EMPHASIS IS STILL ON FUN!!!

Coaching goals:                   Coaches are to instruct players in the rules of the game.  Any yelling must be constructive and should be kept to a minimum.  Teach them to play as a team. By the end of the season players should know: that a kick off or indirect free kick should be passed to another player, that a ball must completely cross the sideline or goal line before it is out of play; that a ball our of bounds at an goal line is put back in play with a corner kick by the offensive team, and a goal kick by the defensive team; that the ball must clear the penalty box before it can be played on a goal kick.  Players should be conscious of the need to pass and play their position.

(Turn Over for U 7/8 Rules)