U7/U8 Division

Rules and Regulations

Revised 1/06

 

 

I.                    Age Limit

a.      U7/U8 is the Under Eight division of WASA.  Eligible players must be 6 years old before August of the current soccer year and may not be 9 years old before August 1 of the current soccer year.  Soccer year runs from August 1 (fall) to July 31 (spring).  No player will be allowed to “play up” to the U-9 level of play unless he or she is nine years old AFTER August 1 of the current soccer year.

 

II.                  Playing Field

a.      Overall Size:  30 yards x 45 yards

 

III.                Ball Size

a.      Size 4 – Home team is responsible for providing an acceptable game ball.

 

IV.               Number of Players

a.      All teams will be formed by the U7/U8 boys and girls Commissioners.

b.      Maximum number of players on the team roster shall not exceed ten (10) to allow sufficient playing time for each player.

c.      Maximum number of players on the field of play shall be six (6), of whom one shall be the goalkeeper.  This rule shall apply unless a goal differential requires a team to add or take out players.

d.      A minimum of four (4) players on each team is required to start a game.  Teams must start with equal number of players on the field meaning teams with non-absent players must field an equal number of players as the opposing team with absent players (not to drop below 4 per team).  If unable to field enough players to start the game, contact the opposing coach and your commissioner to reschedule.

e.      Goal Differential

i.        If the goal differential is five (5) goals, the losing team may field one extra player.

ii.      If the goal differential is six (6) goals, the losing team may field a second extra player AND the leading team will remove one player other than the goalkeeper.

iii.    If the goal differential is seven (7) goals, the losing team may add a third extra player AND the leading team will remove one additional player other than the goalkeeper.

iv.    The number of players on the field for the leading team shall not be less than four (4), of whom one shall be the goalkeeper.

v.      These circumstances remain only as long as the goal differential remains at the specified level.  All coaches should make every effort to avoid running up the score on the opposing team.

            V.                 Substitutions – Only as defined below:

a.      Injuries – Only if in the judgment of the coach and/or referee the player cannot continue.

b.      On a dead ball after the first 5 minutes of play and at least every 5 minutes thereafter to include the start of a quarter or halftime.  Both teams may substitute on any dead ball.

c.      If a player shows extreme fatigue.

 

VI.               Rotations

a.      Coaches should substitute so that all players play all positions and they play for a minimum of 50% of the game.  No player may play one line of position for more than two quarters per game.  Line of position meaning: 1.  Forward. 2.  Half back.  3.  Fullback.  4.  Goalkeeper.  All players must be given the opportunity to play each line of position and rotated fairly throughout the season.  Goalkeeper should not be the responsibility of just one player.

 

           VII.             Player’s Equipment – Shall consist of the following:

a.      Uniform:  Team jersey purchased through WASA and stockings / shorts provided by the player.  During foul weather, knit caps, sweatshirts, sweatpants and the like may be worn under the uniform jersey and shorts.  Hooded sweatshirts must have the hood tucked inside the jersey or worn on the head.  Players should remove all jewelry.  This includes necklaces and earrings of any kind.

b.      Footwear:  Tennis shoes, turf shoes or soft-cleat soccer shoes are permitted.  There may be no exposed metal parts on the shoe.

c.      Shin Guards:  Shin guards are mandatory!  Any commercially available type is acceptable.  All types must be worn inside the stockings.

d.      Goalkeeper’s Jersey:  The goalkeeper must wear a jersey of different color of either teams primary jersey color.  The purpose is to make the goalkeeper easily distinguishable to the referee.

 

VIII.           Game Duration

a.      The game shall be divided into four ten (10) minute quarters.

b.      The halftime break shall be five (5) minutes and each quarter break shall be two (2) minutes.

c.      The referee shall be responsible for maintaining the official game time.

d.      Time will not be stopped for injuries.  Injured players should be removed as quickly as possible from the field.

e.      In the event of foul weather the coaches are responsible for deciding whether the game will be played.  If both coaches agree to postpone the game, the coach of the home team will be responsible for calling the commissioner to reschedule the game.  The commissioner will be responsible for rescheduling the referees for the game.

f.        If lightening is seen from the field, play MUST stop immediately.  A 15 minute wait will be adhered to before resuming play.  The game may be rescheduled if play is stopped in the first half and cannot be continued.  If play is stopped after the first half, the game will be considered complete and will not be rescheduled.

 

IX.               Rules of Play

a.      Start of Play

i.        Conform to the laws of the game.  Kickoff will be from the centerline and shall begin play.  Ball is not in play until it travels the length of its own circumference.

b.      Ball In and Out of Play

i.        Conform to the laws of the game.  The ball is out when it has fully crossed the goal or touchline.

c.      Method of Scoring

i.        Conform to the laws of the game.  The ball must fully cross the goal line between the goal posts and under the cross bar.

d.      Off-sides

i.        There shall be no off-sides called.  However, all coaches should familiarize players with the concept.  Especially in the second season (spring), players should be operating in an on-sides manner.  This is an issue under consideration for mandate for future seasons.  Please familiarize yourself with these practices now.

e.      Fouls and Misconduct

i.        All intentional fouls shall result in an INDIRECT free kick.  If the kicker scores on the indirect kick there will be NO GOAL COUNTED.  The referee will explain why there is no score to the players and the kick will be taken again (the ball must touch a second player before going into the goal).  There will only be one redo.  If not taken correctly the second time, the opposing goalie will put the ball back in play.

ii.      The referee shall briefly explain all infractions to the offending player.

iii.    Ejections shall be issued to players for fighting or repeated warnings from the referee.  However, the referee shall inform the coach in the case of flagrant fouls and the coach shall take the appropriate disciplinary action.

iv.    NO SLIDE TACKLES!  Penalty kicks will be awarded against teams guilty of slide tackling.  The referee may remove players found guilty of slide tackles repeatedly throughout a game.  Slide tackles are considered dangerous play and calls made by the referee are not to be disputed.  The referee’s decision is final.

f.        Free Kicks

i.        All free kicks shall be INDIRECT.

ii.      A goal may not be scored until the ball has been played or touched by a second player from either team.

iii.    The attacking team shall take no free kicks within the opposing team’s goal box.  These kicks shall be moved outside the defensive team’s goal box.

iv.    Defensive players must remain at least five (5) yards from the spot of the free kick. 

v.      All other rules conform to the laws of the game.

g.      Penalty Kicks

i.        Penalty kicks shall be awarded for slide tackles only.

ii.      Penalty kicks shall be placed at the top of the defending team’s penalty area.

iii.    All other rules conform to the laws of the game.

h.      Throw-ins

i.        Conform to the laws of the game.  A second throw-in shall be allowed after a brief explanation by the referee.  If the throw-in is still incorrect, the other team will be awarded possession of the ball.

i.        Goal Kicks

i.        Conform to the laws of the game.  All players except the goalkeeper and the player taking the kick shall be outside of the PENALTY area.

j.         Corner Kicks

i.        Conform to the laws of the game.  The kick shall be taken at the corner of the field.

k.      Goalkeeper

i.        The goalkeeper cannot touch the ball with the hands outside the penalty area.

ii.      The goalkeeper can control the ball with the hands within the penalty area only once until touched by another player.

iii.    Teammates cannot intentionally kick the ball to their goalkeeper for the purpose of picking the ball up.

iv.    The goalkeeper must put the ball back in play within ten (10) seconds of picking it up.

 

X.                 Coaches

a.      All coaches will be volunteers and will be awarded a team on completion of a coach packet obtained at player registration on an “as needed” basis.  The packet includes pertinent personal information.  A coach’s code of conduct agreement, an Employment/Volunteer Disclosure Statement, and an OYSAN Coaches Registration form.

b.      Coaches are responsible for instructing their players in the rules of the game and for ensuring that the players abide by those rules.  Since ejections of players for flagrant fouls are permitted, coaches must take appropriate action when informed of such fouls by the referee.  Appropriate action includes instructing the player of proper action or removing the player from the game.

c.      Coaches are responsible for the conduct of parents of their players.

d.      Coaches designated as home team are responsible for providing corner flags and providing an acceptable game ball.

Complaints, protests, or questions regarding the officiating are NOT to be addressed to the referee either during or after the game.  Coaches shall obtain the name of the referee and shall refer their questions to their commissioner or to the board at the next general meeting.  The referee may terminate the game if the coaches fail to comply with these rules.

 

XI.               Spectators

a.      Spectators must remain at least four feet from the touchlines.

b.      Spectators must locate themselves on the opposite side of the field of the teams and coaches.

c.      Spectators shall not locate themselves along the goal lines or behind the goal while the game is in progress.

d.      Questioning, complaining to, or protesting to the referee is prohibited as prescribed in the laws of soccer.  FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RULE MAY RESULT IN VIOLATING SPECTATORS BEING EJECTED FROM THE PARK AND/OR TERMINATION OF THE GAME BY THE REFEREE.

 

XII.             Referees

a.      There will be two assigned referees per game scheduled.  However, if one of those referees does not show for the game the remaining referee may officiate alone.

b.      Referees will obtain a game report from the home team coach and be responsible for obtaining both coaches’ signatures on the form.  The referee will also be responsible for completing the referee information on the form and turning it in to the concession stand after the game.  ONLY ONE FORM WILL BE ACCEPTED PER GAME.  BOTH REFEREES WILL SIGN THE SAME FORM.

c.      Referees must be 12 years of age by August 1 of the current soccer year to officiate in the fall season.  He/she must be 12 years of age by April 1 to officiate in the spring season.  The soccer year includes the fall and spring playing seasons.  This runs from August 1 through July 31.

d.      The referee will come to the field at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of the game.

e.      The referee will come equipped to every game with whistle, timing watch and official shirt.  In colder weather, sweatshirts or jacket may be worn under official referee shirt.

f.        The referee is responsible for beginning the game on time.

g.      The referee is responsible for ensuring that the game is played in accordance with the rules of the game as amended herein.

h.      The referee’s decision on points of fact connected with the game shall be final.  The referee shall briefly explain infractions to the offending players.  Explanations to coaches or spectators are NOT required except as noted in Section XII, e, iii.

 

Any questions or concerns regarding these rules and regulations should be directed to the In-house director.