UNITED SOCCER ASSOCIATION
8U, 9U AND 10U RULES
8’s, 9’s and 10’s
UNITED SOCCER ASSOCIATION
First and Foremost, the game must be fun for all.
Roster:
The 8, 9 & 10 age groups will have no more than twelve (12) players on roster per each team, and a minimum of 6 players for each team. The game will be 7v7 format on the field. Each team will have their own got soccer team account, and roster of players.
Guest Players:
Guest Players will NOT be allowed to play in a USA sanctioned game. However, a maximum of Three (3) Club pass players will be allowed, as long as roster size is no greater than 12 players.
Check In:
Each team will present to the referee a got soccer game card. Rostered players not participating will be crossed out. Only computer generated GotSoccer game card will be allowed. Any players handwritten in, will not be allowed to play. Coaches will be listed on the pre printed game card.
Passes:
All players and coaches will present valid US Youth passes to the referee, no player or coach without a pass will be allowed to participate.
Referee:
There will be one (1) center referee, assigned by the club not USA. There will be NO linesmen. Offside WILL BE CALLED.
Length of Game. 2 x 25 mins
Number of players: 7v7 which includes a goal keeper.
No Heading
Indirect free kick from spot of header. Exception, if illegal header committed by defender is inside the Goal Area, ball will be placed on the Goal Area Line closes to the point of the illegal header for re-start. Ball in play once kicked and clearly moves. If illegal header committed by an Attacking player, ball may be placed anywhere inside the Goal Area. The free kick is in play once it is kick and clearly moves.
The Field of Play:
Dimensions: The field of play must be rectangular. The length of the touchline must be
greater than the length of the goal line.
Length: minimum 45 yards maximum 60 yards
Width: minimum 35 yards maximum 45 yards
Goals: the goal, 6ft x 18ft, is the same for the 10 and 12 age group.
Build Out Line.
The directive from U.S. Soccer states that “when the goalkeeper has the ball … the opposing team must move behind the build-out line until the ball is put into play.” But the keeper can distribute the ball quickly, accepting the fact that opponents can then challenge for the ball.
This also means when goalkeeper gets control of ball during the run of play, opposing team must retreat to the build out line, and not cross the build out line until the goal keeper has either thrown, rolled, or passed ball to his teammates, ball does NOT have to cross the penalty box line and offensive players can play the ball from within the penalty box.However,ball is deemed in play once the ball is put in play by either goal kick or distribution by goalkeeper.
On goal kick situations, the goal keeper or someone else from team with possession, puts the ball in play from the goal kick, and the opposing team can then cross the build out line ONCE the ball has has been put in play by the goalkeeper or whoever takes the goal kick.Ball does NOT have to clear the penalty box, for defenders to leave the build out line area.
SO to summarize….
- Defenders are not allowed to cross the Build Out Line, until the ball is PUT IN PLAY..
Either on goal kick or GK possession OR
- When GK is in possession of ball and ball is distributed ball and ball is put in play..THEN players can cross build out line.
- In either scenario, its only when the ball is put in play that allows the players on the build out line in.
Additional clarification:
- The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves from any point within the goal area by a player from defending team
- Opponents must be ” Outside the build out line” until the ball is in play.
**** Previously, the ball was deemed ‘dead’ until it left the penalty area, but the new change means that the ball is in play as soon as it is kicked and clearly moves and it can be played inside the penalty area.
Link to US Soccer Small sided games as originally published in 2017.
