U8 RULES

5v5 • Volunteer Referees

Minor Fouls

• Handballs (deliberate, not accidental contact) 
• Double touches on throw-ins, goal kicks, or corners 
• Time wasting (e.g., excessive delay on restarts)

Major Fouls

• Kicking or trying to kick an opponent. 
• Tripping or trying to kick an opponent. 
• Jumping at an opponent. 
• Charging opponent. 
• Holding opponent. 
• Striking or trying to strike an opponent. 
• Pushing opponent.

Additional Rules:

• On goal kicks, the opposing team must back up to the halfway line until the ball is in play 
• Each team is on opposite sides of the field; parents and players on same side 
• Coaches are allowed to coach on the field during the games at this age 
• No stoppage time
• All free kicks are indirect

Goalkeeper Rules:

• No deliberate handling outside the penalty area 
• The goalkeeper touches the ball with their hand after release or after a deliberate kick or throw from a teammate. 
• Opponents may not interfere with the goalkeeper’s release 
• Goalkeepers must not hold the ball excessively (6+ seconds; give warnings)

How to Handle Infractions:

• Explain what happened clearly and simply 
• Substitute the player off immediately if the foul is major 
• Do not issue cards — this age group is too young for formal cautions 
• Restart with an Indirect Free Kick (IFK)