Medina Valley Soccer Association Inc

8 & Under GENERAL RULES OF PLAY

EXCEPTIONS AND ADDITIONS TO FIFA LAWS

Please refer to https://www.theifab.com/home for Laws of the Game

(IFAB also has an app that can be downloaded to your phone)

 

These Guidelines have been adopted by MVSA from the South Texas Youth Soccer Association and are subject to change upon League Board Majority vote, any changes made will not be made during the current season of play. Any and all changes will be in compliance with FIFA and US Youth Soccer Rules.

Size of Team: Minimum number of players shall be no less than 6, maximum number of players shall be no more than 8.

 

Number of Players 

1. Each 8 & Under team during a game shall play no more than four 4 players on the field at a time.

2. Coaches must play each registered player who is present one half of the game (50%) unless unable to do so due to player’s illness or injury or for disciplinary reasons. In the event that a player is present but will not be playing, the coach must inform the referee and the opposing coach as to the reason that the player will not participate.

 

Forfeits for too few players:   Provided that at least two (2) players from each team are present at game time, 

there shall be no forfeit. Coaches shall accommodate the situation to insure that all players get as much playing 

time as possible. If either team has fewer than two (2) players present, the game shall be forfeit and the record will be recorded appropriately.

 

Ball: Size #3 

 

Goalkeeper: There will be no goalkeeper 

 

Fields: The field shall be rectangular with the length in all cases exceeding the width. 

Size: 60 feet wide by 90 feet long

Center Circle: 3 feet in radius 

Penalty Area: 8 feet by 6 feet

 

Length of Games: Four ten 10 minute quarters. There shall be a 2 minute break between quarters.  There shall be a 5 minute half-time break.

 

Awards. To be issued to first place team only. Individual team awards can be given at the discretion of team coach and team parent.

 

Penalties for fouls: 

1. There shall be no penalty shots unless the ball is touched in the goal box by the defensive team. (see rule below)

2. All fouls will be penalized with indirect kicks.

3. From the point of taking an indirect kick or corner kick, opponents shall not be any closer than three (3) yards.

 

***NEW****       The Goal Box

There are no goalkeepers in 8U. The goal box is approximately eight feet wide by six foot long located directly in front of the goal. There is no ball contact allowed within the goal box, however, all players may pass through the goal box as long as they do not touch the ball while in the box. If the ball comes to a rest in the goal box, or on the goal box line, a goal kick is awarded regardless of who touched the ball last. Any part of the ball or player’s body on the line or inside the plane of the box is considered in the goal box and an extension of such. If a defensive player touches the ball after it has entered the goal box, the plane of the goal box, or an extension of the goal box (such as any part of the ball or player’s body on the line or inside the plane of the box), direct kick will be taken from the kick-off spot. (Penalty kicks are DIRECT kicks taken from the center of the mid-line with all players (on both teams) behind the mid-line. Penalty kicks are dead ball infractions. If a goal is not scored, the defense obtains possession with a goal kick.)  If an offensive player touches the ball after it has entered the goal box, the plane of the goal box, or an extension of the goal box (such as any part of the ball or player’s body on the line or inside the plane of the box), a goal kick will be awarded to the defensive team, and a goal will not be counted if scored. The plane of the goal box extends upward infinitely. The referee’s judgment call and ruling on the field will not be overturned.

Offside: There is no offsides.

 

Throw-ins: The ball will be returned to play by an indirect kick taken from the touchline where the ball exited  the field of play.

*Slide Tackles Are Not Allowed In MVSA Rec League Play - 1st offense = warning, 2nd offense = Yellow Card*

Equipment: please make sure all equipment is away from side sideline,

 

1. Soccer cleats are required (Football or baseball cleats with the toe cleat are not allowed). Must be field cleats. Indoor or turf style cleats are not admissable.

2. All players will wear shin guards which are commercially produced and specifically designed to provide protection to the shins. Shin guards must be worn properly: under socks, not on top.

3. No player will be allowed to play with a hard cast (padded or otherwise), nor will any player be allowed to play with any brace (knee or otherwise) that contains exposed metal or hard plastics, unless it is wrapped with a minimum of ½ inch high-density foam wrapping or the manufacturer’s recommended protective coating.

4. Players may wear sliding, bike, cyclist or tight fitting pants which do not protrude below the top of the knee and are the same color as the shorts (MUST BE WORN UNDER SHORTS). Spanx, or volleyball type shorts are not permitted without shorts being worn on top of them. This does not prohibit players from wearing loose fitting, long-legged sweat pants or tights when it is cold or goalkeepers from wearing  goalkeeper pants which may be tight and have padding.

5. Bandannas of any style may not be worn during any game. Players may not wear a bandanna either on their heads, legs or arms. Exceptions may be made at the local level for medical reasons.

6. All players and coaches must be wearing the league provided jersey shirt. Any team wearing something other than the league provided jersey will automatically forfeit.

 

Referees 

The referee’s judgment decisions shall be final in all matters concerning the rules governing the playing of the game, the playability of the field and the appropriateness of the uniforms. At the completion of the match, the referee shall have each coach sign the game report and submit the game report to the tournament representative. 

It shall be the duty of the referee to declare a forfeit in the event that a team has less than the required minimum number of players on the field ready to play within 15 minutes after the game was scheduled to start. If neither team has the required number, it shall be a double forfeit and shall be scored as a loss for both teams. In the event that the referee rules that the field is not playable, or that the uniforms are inappropriate, then he should note these facts on the game report and have each coach sign it. 

 

A game card will be completed by the referee for all play within MVSA. This card will, at a minimum, contain the following: (MVSA referees will submit all game cards to the appointed board official to record)

** association, age group, division, game location, date, game time 

** team names and final score 

** cautions (yellow cards) or ejections (red cards) issued, by team with player / name 

** any protest noted and brief basis for those protests 

** Prior to each MVSA match, each team shall present to the referee for player 

  verification and to ensure all metal has been removed, shin guards are worn properly 

  (under socks, not on top) and that appropriate cleats are being worn by all players. If a 

   game ball is not available, the referee will examine 2 player balls to ensure they can 

  be used as a game ball. 

 

Substitutions: 

Player substitutions can be made on any dead ball during the game. No ring subs allowed.

 

Kick-offs

1. A player may not score directly from a kick-off

2. If the player taking the kick-off touches the ball again before it has touched another player an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team

3. Kickoffs can go forward or backwards

Headers

1. Deliberate heading will not be allowed

2. If a player deliberately heads the ball, the opposing team will be awarded an indirect free kick 

** All MVSA teams are responsible for keeping the team area clean following the completion of the game, this includes removing all trash, canopies, and chairs. 

 

** Championship points: Win =3pts, tie = 1pt, Loss = 0pts

 

** Games may be cancelled due to inclement weather, Coaches will be contacted and notification will be posted on the website. Coaches will be required to notify individual teams. Make up games may be scheduled during weekdays to accommodate all teams. 

If you have any questions or concerns in regards to the rules, please submit your question in email to Todd Seay, President - MVSA Board of Directors