U7/8 Guidelines

GAME FORMAT

• Games start as scheduled.

• Each game consists of four (4) quarters.

• Each quarter is 10 minutes (10) minutes in length. A running clock is used for all play stoppages.

• There is a two (2) minute break between quarters.

• Each player is scheduled for a minimum of 1 quarter on offense and 1 quarter on defense per game.

• Game format is 6 vs. 6. Five on field and One goalie.

• Soccer ball size #3

• All players must wear shin guards, no exceptions.

• All Jewelry must be removed, including earrings, no exceptions.

• Soccer or gym shoes only. No football or baseball cleats allowed.

• Coaches and game day captain check in with the referee 2 minutes before game time for the coin toss.

• The team that wins the coin toss selects which goal to defend or to have the ball first.

RULES OF PLAY

• Fields are available for warm-up and final words of encouragement 10 minutes before your game.

• All Players are permitted to move around the entire field to promote a free flowing game.

• OFFENSIVE PLAYERS MUST NOT ATTACK THE BALL AFTER THE GOALIE HAS ESTABLISHED CONTROL. ANY GOAL SCORED IS NULLED AND A GOAL KICK IS AWARDED.

• Player substitutions are allowed on a goal kick, after a goal, during an extended time  out (i.e. injury), between periods, or when a referee stops the game to issue a cuation.  
• Drop ball: The ball is out of play if it touches the referre or assistant referee without completely leaving the field of play or when it is necessary for the referee to stop the game (injury).  The play is restated with a drop ball at the spot where it hit the referee.  In the penalty area, the ball is dropped to the goalkeeper.  Outside the penalty area, the ball is dropped to the player last touching the ball.  
• On a goal kick, and once the goalkeeper gains possesion of the ball with their hands, the defensive team must be beyond the halfway line.  The ball is in play as soon as it is touched, and the opponents may advance past the middle line to attack the ball. 

• In the case where a player has exceptional abilities and scores two goals in a single quarter, his/her coach should encourage passing the ball to the other offensive players. If three goals are scored in a single quarter by a single player than the coach should move him/her to goalie or defense.

• If one team is dominating the game, both coaches should agree to add a player to even out play for the remainder of that quarter.

• Player substitutions during a quarter are allowed only when a player is injured or traumatized.

• No player is scheduled for goalie in two consecutive games, no player plays goalie more than one quarter per game.

• Sideline Out of bounds results in a throw-in for the other team.

• End line Out of Bounds By the defense results in a corner kick for the offense.

• End line Out of Bounds by the offense results in a goal kick. The team defending the goal kick must fall back to the midfield line.

• All free kicks are in-direct. No free direct kicks at the goalie ever.

• Goalie cannot drop kick or punt the ball.  The result will be an indirect free kick awarded to the opponent.

• Hand balls results in an in-direct kick for the other team.

• No Slide Tackles, Hooking, Holding or Pushing allowed; an in-direct kick is awarded to the other team.

• Offside is not called. No “Cherry Picking!”

• No punting the ball by the goalkeepers. Teach the players to control move the ball up the field. 

• There is no winning or losing team since no score is kept.

• No Win / Loss records.

• Every team is a winner if the kids have fun and learn!

INCLEMENT WEATHER

• If in doubt about whether games have been cancelled, check the CP Soccer website www.crownpointsoccer.org or the Crown Point Soccer Club Facebook page.

• In case of rain or other early stoppage; two (2) complete quarters played equals an official game. An unofficial or cancelled game is made up during the following week. All games times are 6:00 pm on the original assigned field. The league will attempt to schedule referees for the makeup game, in an instance when no ref is available, coaches will ref the game.
  9a plays Monday at 6p       
  10a  plays Tuesday at 6p
  11a plays Wednesday at 6p
  12p  plays Thursday at 6p
  1p  plays Friday at 6p                      

• If your team cannot play during the scheduled time (whether a scheduling issue or continued weather issues), you must inform the VP and/or your coordinator.

• A maximum of one cancelled game per season is permitted. Special circumstances not withstanding.