FORT LOWELL SOCCER
CLUB-FREEDOM SOCCER CLUB
Cooperative Play Official
U8 Playing Recommendations
We would like to
encourage as much play as possible during games and practice. Please encourage game by trying to keep the
ball and the kids moving . Thank you for
all of your hard work, your hard work does not go unnoticed. Again if you have any questions, please feel
free to email me at bryan.murray01@gmail.com or contact via
phone 417-827-6975.
Field of Play:
The field must
be rectangular. The length of the
touchlines must be greater than the endlines.
No Goal Area
No Penalty Area
No Flag Posts
The Ball:
Size three (3). (Minimum of three
balls per field.)
Number of
Players: A match is played by two teams,
each consisting of not more than four players. We would like you to play
4v4 on both fields. This will allow more
kids the opportunity to play. If each
team has ten players that would give each team on each field 1 sub per
team. There are two fields, side by
side, with two games of 4v4. There are NO goalkeepers.
Substitutions: At any
stoppage and unlimited.
Players Equipment: Shall conform with FLSC uniform policy. Non-uniform clothing is allowed based on
weather conditions, but uniforms must still distinguish teams.
The Referee: No
referee’s are used in U8 games. Please see start and restart of play.
"Young
players need freedom of expression to develop as creative players...they should
be encouraged to try skills without fear of failure.”
Arsene
Wenger
Match Length: The match
shall be divided into four (4) equal, ten (10) minute quarters. There shall be two (2) minute breaks between
quarters one and two and another two (2) minute break between quarters three
and four. There shall be a half-time
interval of five (5) minutes.
The Start and
Restart of Play: Play will be restarted with a kick-in from the spot the ball
went out of bounds or was
when play was stopped by either coach. It
is a good idea to alternate every time, having a new player do the kick-in. The defending team should also be no closer
than 8-10 yards from the ball. Tell the
kids to find open space where no one else is. This will make the free kick and restart play
more efficiently. After a goal, the game is restarted with
a kick off. This will get play going more quickly.
Fouls:
Fouls can be called when a player is out
of control with either a tackle, hand ball (on purpose) or acts that are not
within the game. Please encourage
advantage in play. You as the coach are
in control of the game and should call fouls as you see fit.
The Goal Kick:
Please see the start and restart of
play. Please place the ball three paces
into the field directly to either side of the goal. Encourage the ball to go to a sideline. Also
remind your kids to find the open space.
Corner Kicks: There are no corner kicks and we ask you please
refer to the start and restart of play.
“There
is not just “one way” to teach soccer to players, nor is there just one style
of coaching. There is a broad spectrum of styles and methods for how each of us
experiences the game. Some of this comes from our backgrounds, while some of
this also is the product of our own personalities.” US
Soccer: Best Practices for Coaching Soccer in the United States
“At
the youth and junior levels, however, there is a set of fundamental principles
that must be considered by anyone involved with soccer. In general, young soccer players require a
certain amount of uninterrupted play. This allows them to experience soccer
first hand. They should be allowed the opportunities
to experiment, and with that, succeed and fail.”
US Soccer: Best Practices for Coaching Soccer in the United States
Websites to visit for more information.
Pima County Junior Soccer League: www.pcjsl.com
Arizona Youth Soccer Assoc: www.azyouthsoccer.org
US Youth Soccer: www.ussoccer.com