• U7/U8 Boys and Girls Leagues
  

U7

• Format: 4v4 on two fields. If a team lacks enough players, coaches may agree on a plan to balance play (eg, share players, create equal teams)
• Game Length: 20-minute halves (x2) with a 5 minute halftime.
• Referees: FCAYS Junior Referees
• Teams cannot score from a kick off
• Offensive players are not allowed to score until the ball crosses midfield
• Teams will NOT switch sides of the field at halftime
• Ball out of bounds
  • Ball crosses sideline: Throw in
  • Ball crosses endline: Goal Kick or Corner Kick
  • For Goal Kicks: Only the team with the ball can be on that half of the field. All opposing team players have to be behind the midfield point of the field until a receiver touches the ball. The player taking the kick may choose to kick it quickly though and not wait for the other team to get past the midfield line.
• Penalties: All free kicks are indirect, except Penalty Kicks
• Slide tackles are not permitted
• Substitutions shall occur at dead-ball stoppage of play and be requested of the referee in advance.
• Spectators should be located on the opposite side of the field from the teams bench area or if appropriate space exists at the ends of the field.
• Coaching tactics:  Coaches should work to minimize time on the field and attempt to predominantly coach from the sideline.
• Any game time exceptions to the rules above are at the discretion of the referee or Field Marshal.

• This age group remains an introductory program.  
• The program still focuses on introducing players to the basics of soccer but adds new elements such as more formalized rules enforced by referees. 
• Each child is placed on a team that practices each week with a volunteer coach. 
  
• Games are played each Saturday during the season at The Middle Road Soccer Complex. 
• U7 becomes more developmental for both player skills and general understanding of the game. 
  
• U7 plays two games at the same time for maximum game time. 
  
• Uniforms (colored T-shirts) are included in the cost of registration

• Format: 5v5 on a single field that includes a goalie.
• Game Length: 24-minute halves (x2) with a 5 minute halftime.

• Referees: FCAYS Junior Referees
• Teams cannot score from a kick off
• Offensive players are not allowed to score until the ball crosses midfield
• Teams should switch sides of the field at halftime
• Ball out of bounds
  • Ball crosses sideline: Throw in
  • Ball crosses endline: Goal Kick or Corner Kick
  • For Goal Kicks: Only the team with the ball can be on that half of the field. All opposing team players have to be behind the midfield point of the field until a receiver touches the ball. The player taking the kick may choose to kick it quickly though and not wait for the other team to get past the midfield line.
• Goalie possession: the goalie shall roll or kick theh ball on the ground and cannot punt the ball. The rules for a Goal Kick apply when the goalie takes possession of the ball.
• Penalties: All free kicks are indirect, except Penalty Kicks
• Penalty Kicks are direct from center field with an open net and no players on that side of the field. A goal is awarded if the ball enters the net by fully crossing the line. If the ball goes out of bounds follow rules above; if the ball stops moving without going out of bounds, a Goal Kick for the defending team is awarded to restart play.
• Slide tackles are not permitted
• Substitutions shall occur at dead-ball stoppage of play and be requested of the referee in advance.
• Spectators should be located on the opposite side of the field from the teams bench area or if appropriate space exists at the ends of the field.
• Coaching tactics:  Coaches should manage players from the sideline during the game and only enter the field with express consent from the referee.
• Any game time exceptions to the rules above are at the discretion of the referee or Field Marshal.
• This age group remains an introductory program.  
• The program still focuses on introducing players to the basics of soccer but adds new elements such as more formalized rules enforced by referees. 
• Each child is placed on a team that practices each week with a volunteer coach. 
  
• Games are played each Saturday during the season at The Middle Road Soccer Complex. 
  
• Uniforms (colored T-shirts) are included in the cost of registration
• U8 becomes more developmental for both player skills and general understanding of the game.