U8 Fall 2026 schedule
Games are on Fields 4–6 at Twin Lakes Park.
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- Players
- 5v5, no goalkeepers
- Ball
- Size 3
- Game
- Four 12-minute quarters
Number of players
5 field players. No team will play a man up at any time for U8 in 5v5 soccer. There are no goalkeepers in 5v5 soccer. Substitutes may occur at any dead ball situation, but players must get the referee's attention and enter and exit at the half-field mark only. Each player should play 50% of the match.
Uniforms & equipment
All players must wear jerseys/shirts during play. All players must wear shin guards. Any player without shin guards will not be allowed to play. Teams are responsible for providing game balls. Ball size: U6–U8 = size 3.
Goals & goal box
The goal box, 12 feet wide and 8 feet deep, is directly in front of the goal. No player may touch the ball within the whole goal box (the line is not part of the box), however any player may move through the goal box at any time. If any part of the ball or a player's body is on the line, it is not considered to be in the goal box; the whole ball must be inside the whole goal box. If a defender touches the ball in the goal box and it crosses the whole line, a goal is awarded to the offensive team. If the defender or the ball is in the box and contact is made, a goal is awarded. If an offensive player touches the ball within the goal box and it crosses the whole line, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team. If the ball comes to a complete stop in the goal box, regardless of which team touched it last, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team. The goals are a maximum of four feet high by eight feet wide.
Game length
The game consists of four 12-minute quarters, separated by a one-minute water break at the quarters and a five-minute halftime. Both coaches may agree to shorten the game time in the 4th quarter.
Goal scoring
Goals can be scored from anywhere on the offensive half of the field. On kick-ins or free kicks the ball must last be touched (by either offense or defense) within the attacking team's offensive half of the field. Goals may be scored directly on corner kicks and kick-offs.
Standings
3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 points for a loss.
Offsides & slide tackling
No offsides and no slide tackling with an opposing player. A slide tackle is an indirect kick for the violation. A player may slide to stop the ball when unopposed by an opponent.
Five-yard rule
In all dead ball situations, defending players must stand at least five yards away from the ball. If the defending player's goal area is closer than five yards, the ball is placed five yards from the goal area in line with the place of the penalty.
Kick-ins
The ball is kicked into play from the sideline. The opponent must be back 5 yards.
Indirect kicks
All dead ball kicks (kick-ins, free kicks) are indirect kicks, which means the ball must be touched by either team before it enters the goal for a score.
Goal kicks
From the goal box area. The opposing team must move back 5 yards.
Kick-off
May be taken in any direction. You may score on a kick-off. There is a 5-yard circle rule.
Heading
No heading. It is an indirect kick for the violation.
Benches & parents
Team benches are on the same side of the field. Only coaches at the team benches. Parents should be on the opposite side from the benches. No parents behind the goal or on the team bench side. Parents must sit 4 feet from the sidelines.
Sportsmanship
Players, coaches and spectators are expected to show good sportsmanship at all times. Abuse of the referees will not be tolerated and will disqualify the responsible team, player or parent from the event. The team coach is responsible for parent behavior.
Trash
Each team is responsible for picking up trash in the area of the benches and field after each match. Parents need to help pick up trash and keep the park clean!