U8 Rules
Some rules and aspects are abbreviated to simplify the game play for this age group. The following are some of the more significant changes that you’ll see in this NEU division:

1. There are eight players per team on the field at any one time, a goalie and seven other field players. The goalie will need to wear a jersey colored differently from his/her teammates or the opposing team. (You will need to provide this jersey.) Coaches are allowed on the field for only first two games (first grade teams only) thereafter he/she will coach the team only from his team’s sideline. The Home team’s sideline will always be on the North or West sideline of the field, as appropriate. [No one is allowed to coach from or be anywhere BEHIND the baseline/goal line; this is necessary for reasons of safety. This is strictly enforced and not subject to interpretation. (Instructions to the goalie must come from the appropriate SIDELINE and only by the coach)].

2. The intent is to allow all players to play at least half of the game. Coaches should make every effort to adhere to this rule regardless of the outcome of the game. Players should gain experience at all of the various positions as the season progresses. Games are divided into halves of twenty minutes each separated by a halftime of five minutes. Please have your team at the field twenty minutes prior to the scheduled start of the game, so that they are warned up and ready to begin the game on schedule. The game clock will start regardless five minutes after the scheduled start of the game; this is necessary due to the one hour spacing between each of the games. Line-up cards in your game packet should be prepared before the game. The large card is for the home team, and the small card is for the visiting team. The Home team provides a properly inflated size 4 game ball and the wears white jerseys.

3. Unlimited substitutions will be allowed on any dead ball situation (regardless of possession). Example: prior to an opponent’s throw- in, goal kick or corner kick. Be sure to inform the Referee of your intent and be prepared to tell your players who they are going in for so that substituting can be done in an expedient manner. Substitutes must remain by the coach prior to coming into the game to insure an orderly and timely player change. Please instruct your players that if they are injured to sit or lie down. The referee will stop the game once they are down and a dead ball situation has occurred. You must inform the referee prior to the substitution of the Goalie.

4. The referee should offer instruction for improper throw-ins, etc, as they occur and players given an extra chance to correct the errors (first grade teams only) or as the referee deems necessary, but this should not be allowed to adversely effect the flow of the game. The off-sides rule will not be called, nor will players be allowed to “camp” in the goal area, this includes excessive defensive “camping” within their own penalty box or goal. (Defenders must actively play the ball as opposed to being an impassable wall.) Direct penalty Kicks will not be taken on fouls within the penalty box; rather an indirect kick will be taken wherever the infraction was incurred. (All Penalty kicks issued will be indirect kicks.) Corner kicks will be taken from where the goal line and penalty box meet if play is on a regulation size field. The referee will determine where to place the ball for these various kicks.

5. Coaches should furnish a reliable linesman to call out-of-bounds on their sideline and goal line, but the referee will be the final judge of any call made by the linesmen. Parents and coaches can sometimes get carried away with the excitement of the game. Each coach is responsible for controlling the actions of his players and their parents. Under no circumstances may the referee be threatened, intimidated or otherwise harassed. Any out of control coach, parent or player is to be ejected from the game and/or removed from the field if the referee believes it is in the best interest of the game.

6. You may play a game with as little as six players, however the opposing team does not have to reduce its size to accommodate your team. You may not reschedule a game within 48 hours of the original game time. If you need to forfeit a game, you must call the U8 Coordinator, Frank Barajas, or Referee Coordinator, Ed Kressin (as soon as possible so that the referee and the opposing team can be notified). If you fail to appear for a scheduled game without prior notice responsible for the Referee’s fees. Both team’s coaches must call the NEU U8 Coordinator if you decide to reschedule the game, with the time, date and location; no referee will be provided for these games..

Northeast United Soccer Club, U.S.A. 2002

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