Use the smallest field markings (approximately 20 X 30 yards)
3 versus 3 players
No goalkeeper
If the ball is kicked out of either sideline, the opposing team gets a kick-in from the spot where the ball exited the field
If the ball is kicked out of either endline(goal line)by the attacking team, the defending team gets a kick-in (referred to as a goal kick) from within a 3 yard radius of their goal.
If the ball is kicked out of either endline by the defending team, the attacking kick gets a kick-in (referred to as a corner kick) from the corner of the field closest to where the ball exited.
If a player deliberately touches the ball with their hands, either to stop it from advancing or to protect themselves, a kick is awarded from where the infraction took place. If the ball is kicked into their arm, then a "hand-ball" should not be called.
Substitute approximately every 5 minutes (whenever the ball has gone out of bounds and there is a break in the action. The entire team should be taken out and three new teammates should be brought in (dependant on numbers). Please ensure that all of your players get an equal amount of playing time.
Game duration should be about 40 - 50 minutes depending on how quickly the game is started. Please make sure your teams are off of the field by, latest, 5 minutes before the top of the hour since another age group begins their games at that time.
U8 Age Level
Use the larger field markings (approximately 20 X 40 yards)
4 versus 4 players
No goalkeeper
If the ball is kicked out of either sideline, the opposing team gets a throw-in from the spot where the ball exited the field. The ball must be brought back behind their head with both hands and thrown over their heads onto the field without lifting either foot. At this age level, if the ball is not thrown in correctly, explain what they did wrong and give them one more chance to throw it in correctly. Another foul throw would result in the other team being awarded the throw-in.
If the ball is kicked out of either endline by the attacking team, the defending team gets a kick-in (referred to as a goal kick) from within a 3 yard radius of their goal.
If the ball is kicked out of either endline by the defending team, the attacking kick gets a kick-in (referred to as a corner) from the corner of the field closest to where the ball exited.
If a player deliberately touches the ball with their hands, either to stop it from advancing or to protect themselves, a kick is awarded from where the infraction took place. If the ball is kicked into their arm, then a "hand-ball" should not be called.
Substitute approximately every 5-10 minutes (whenever the ball has gone out of bounds and there is a break in the action. The entire team should be taken out and four new teammates should be brought in (dependant on numbers). Please ensure that all of your players get an equal amount of playing time.
Game duration should be about 50 minutes depending on how quickly the game is started. Please make sure your teams are off of the field by, latest, 5 minutes before the top of the hour since another age group begins their games at that time.
U10 Age Level
Combine two adjacent U8 field markings to form an extra-wide field (approximately 45 X 40 yards). Players should be encouraged to "spread the game out" by using as much of the field's width as possible. This is a very important strategy as kids progress to older age levels.
6 versus 6 players
1 goalkeeper for each team
If the ball is kicked out of either sideline, the opposing team gets a throw-in from the spot where the ball exited the field. The ball must be brought back behind their head with both hands and thrown over their heads onto the field without lifting either foot. At this age level, if the ball is not thrown in correctly, explain what they did wrong and give them one more chance to throw it in correctly only during the first game, or two. Another foul throw would result in the other team being awarded the throw-in. The next age level, where the players begin to play "travel soccer", gives only one chance to throw it correctly since official referees are used.
If the ball is kicked out of either endline by the attacking team, the defending team gets a kick-in (referred to as a goal kick) within a 3-5 yard radius from their goal.
If the ball is kicked out of either endline by the defending team, the attacking kick gets a kick-in (referred to as a corner) from the corner of the field closest to where the ball exited.
If a player deliberately touches the ball with their hands, either to stop it from advancing or to protect themselves, a kick is awarded from where the infraction took place. If the ball is kicked into their arm, then a "hand-ball" should not be called.
If a goalkeeper punts or throws the ball over the half-way point, it is considered a turn-over and the opposing team is awarded a free kick at midfield.
Substitute approximately every 5-15 minutes (whenever the ball has gone out of bounds and there is a break in the action. The entire team should be taken out and new teammates should be brought in (dependant on
substitute numbers). Please ensure that all of your players get an equal amount of playing time.
