AYSO 8U Youth Soccer
The 8U program is specifically developed to introduce soccer to children in a fun and safe environment, while allowing them to continue to expand their skills. The program is setup to have a short practice once or twice a week at a local park or school, followed by a Saturday game. There is no post season at this age level (players are 6 or 7 years old before the end of the Fall season).
| Season Length | The season runs from August until the middle of November. Spring season is February through May. |
| Time Commitment | Practice 50-60 minutes once or twice a week (depending on coach's schedule), followed by a Saturday game lasting approximately 40 minutes. |
| Equipment | Each player will be given a uniform which consists of a jersey, shorts, and socks. The player must provide soccer cleats and shin guards. Size 3 ball is optional. |
| Certification Required | All volunteers must be registered AYSO Volunteers, and all coaches must be Safe Haven and Safe Sport certified.
Coach certification requires:
Risk Status (background check)
Live Scan (fingerprinting)
Safe Haven
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
CDC Concussion Awareness
Safe Sport
8U Coaching License
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| Game Format | The game is played on a small field in a 4v4 or 5v5 format with NO goalkeeper. The game is played with 2 20-minute halves. Substitutions are done at each quarter (10 minutes). Halftime is 3 minutes. Teams switch sides after halftime. This level introduces referees to officiate games. If there is no referee, the head coach of the home team officiates. |
| Team Draft | The teams are formed via a draft. The player ratings are provided to all coaches prior to the draft. Region 5 allows up to 7 players per team. |
| Game Play Extras | Goals cannot be scored from a kickoff. No goalies and defending players must be outside the goal arc. There are goal kicks and corners kicks. No offside rule. Any ball out of bounds on the touch line (sides) is a throw-in or optional kick-in. Fouls are called but considered learning moments, resulting in indirect kicks. Players displaying aggressive play may be asked by the coach to sit out. |
| Contact | 8U Coordinator |
8U Division