Under 8 Age Group
New Rules for Fall 2009
U8 Games
and Practices
4 V 4, No goalkeeping , Throw Ins and NO Direct
Kicks
Please note that the following change is being made
for the upcoming Fall (2009) soccer season. In keeping
with the trend and recommendations of both the US Youth
Soccer Organization as well as the Georgia Youth Soccer
Association, Tucker Youth Soccer Association has decided
to adopt this small-sided 4V4 format (w/ no goalkeeper)
at the U8 level.
The small-sided environment is a developmentally appropriate
environment for young soccer players. It's a FUN environment
that focuses on the player. This is the opinion of
the US Soccer National Staff Coaches, Every US Youth
Soccer State Director of Coaching, as well as the US
Youth Soccer Director of Coaching! If you should have
any questions, comments or concerns regarding the format
change feel free to e-mail the Warren van der Westhuizen
, Coaching Director, at
doc@tysa.com
Reasons for Small-Sided Play
- Because we want our young soccer players to
touch the soccer ball more often and become more
skillful with it! (Individual technical development
through more opportunities to possess the soccer
ball)
- Because we want our young soccer players to
make more quality decisions during the game! (Tactical
development because less players on the field equals
less complicated decision making)
- Because we want our young soccer players to
be more physically efficient in the field space
in which they are playing! (High intensity play
with the ball versus long runs “chasing” after the
ball)
- Because we want our young soccer players to
have more involved playing time in the game! (More
opportunities to solve problems that only the game
presents)
- Because we want our young soccer players to
have more opportunities to play on both sides of
the ball! (More exposure to both attacking and defending
situations)
- Because we want our young players to have more
opportunities to score goals! (The pure excitement
and satisfaction one gets from scoring a goal)
The following rules apply as they have in previous season:
Rules and Recommendations
- Games are comprised of four 12 � minute quarters.
- Substitutions take place at the quarter break.
Allow players remaining in the game to get a drink
of water, especially if it's hot. This break should
take 1-3 minutes.
- Substitutions cannot be made except at the three
sub periods (1st quarter, half time and 3rd quarter)
unless a player is hurt or ill or simply demands
to come out of the game.
- The ball size used is a no. 3
- There are no direct free kicks in U8. All kicks
are indirect. Back all players away from the Indirect
Free Kick by 6 yards.
- All players must play � of the game. No player
can play a full game until all players have played
3/4 of the game.
- No players may shoot the ball into the goal
until the player and ball have gone over the marked
shot line.
- There are no goal keepers in U8
Coaching Support
Tucker Youth Soccer Association U6 and U8 Coaching Activities.
Coaching Activities for U6 - U8.....coaching activities
to use at practice for U6 and U8 players
Team Management Form.....personal information about
every player , try fill out before the start of every
season
Player Certificates
Version 1
(MS Word) & Version 1
(PDF)
Version 2
(MS Word) & Version 1
(PDF)
