Spring U8 Guidelines

Mission: To provide a format for players to improve their individual skills and team play skills. 

  • Eligibility: Must have played during the preceding fall season
  • Format: 
    • 8 v 8 
    • 11 on the roster.
    • No standings, participation medals for all players
  • Length of season:    3/1/08 to 4/27/09. No post season play 
  • Practices once a week for 1hr.duration.
  • Game duration two 20 minute halves. Substitutions are made midway through the 1st half, half time, midway 2nd half, and for injury. Recommend players participate in three of the four quarters.
  •  Start of game kickoff conforms to FIFA laws of the game with the exception that opponents are 6 yards from the center mark.
  • Throw-in conforms to FIFA laws of the game with the exceptions that the second throw in must be allowed if the player commits a foul throw on the first attempt. (Referee, should instruct the proper method in a positive manner before the 2nd throw. 
  • Goal kicks conforms with FIFA laws of the game, exceptions: 
    • Goal kick taken any where in the goal area
    • Ball must cross the 12 yard line before in play.
    • Opponents must be outside the 12yrd line.
  • Scoring: a goal is awarded according the FIFA laws of the game, with the following exceptions:
    • Goals can not be scored directly from a goal kick.
    • Goals can not be scored directly from a kick off.
    • Goals can not be scored from the defensive half of the field.
  • Free kicks: all fouls and infractions will be awarded with direct free kicks. No kick from the penalty mark.
  • Offside: a line designates offside that is 12 yards out from each goal line, from touchline to touchline. Offside infractions will be awarded with a direct free kick.
    Attacking players with out the ball can only enter the attacking 12yrs line if 2 opponents are inside the 12 yard line. The attackers must stay even with or behind the 2 defenders or are behind or even with the ball. A player in possession of the ball can kick, dribble, the ball into the goal, or 12 yard area. At any time and remain on side.
  • Goalkeepers: U8 teams will have a goalkeeper on the field. The goalkeeper can handle the ball anywhere within the 12yr line area. Players may not play more than one half of each game as goalkeeper. 
  • Referees: the home team will provide the referee team. No yellow or red cards are to be used.


AYSO Region 630
31441 Santa Margarita Parkway
Suite A-280
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 
Copyright © 2006 - AYSO Region 630, All rights reserved.