U7/U8 Girls & U8 Co-Ed Game Format & Rules

Game Format

Play is conducted as 7 vs. 7, including a goalkeeper, using a size 3 ball.
No punting or drop kicks. Goalkeepers must roll the ball out when releasing it.
Players should participate in both offense and defense; no player should remain parked in front of the goal.
Coaches, parents, and supporters are NOT permitted on the pitch during play.

Substitutions occur at the mid‑line only, after the ball is out of play and players have checked in with the referee.
Unlimited substitutions are allowed:
- On goal kicks
- After a goal
- At the start of the second half
- When any player is injured
The team in possession may substitute on throw‑ins or corner kicks.
The opposing team may substitute on these restarts only if the team in possession is substituting.

Slide tackling and slide‑kicking are not allowed and result in an indirect free kick.
Penalty kicks may be awarded sparingly and only in severe situations.
All free kicks are indirect, with opponents at least 10 yards away.
Offside exists, beginning at the build‑out line, with reasonable latitude.
Throw‑ins are enforced, and poorly executed throw‑ins must be retaken.
The pass‑back rule applies only when the action is fully deliberate.
Handballs must be deliberate to be called.
All other standard Laws of the Game apply (e.g., goalkeeper must wear a different color).

If a team trails by 4 or more goals, they may add one extra player until the deficit is reduced to 2.
If the deficit reaches 8 or more goals, the trailing team may add two extra players until the deficit is reduced to 6.
Extra players must be removed once the deficit decreases to the appropriate threshold.

The build‑out line is the dashed line between the penalty box and midfield.
Opponents must retreat behind the build‑out line when:
- The goalkeeper has control of the ball
- A goal kick is awarded
Opponents may not cross the build‑out line until:
- Two touches have occurred, or
- The ball crosses the build‑out line, or
- The ball comes to a complete stop behind the build‑out line
Examples of two touches:
- During a goal kick after the ball has been played and then touched again by any teammate
- In the run of play, the release by the goalkeeper is the first touch and any subsequent touch by the goalkeeper or a teammate is the second. Dropping the ball on the ground is considered a touch.

The ball no longer needs to clear the penalty area before being played.
Opponents must remain behind the build‑out line until the same two‑touch or ball movement conditions are met.

A player is offside when ahead of the ball and closer to the opponent’s goal than the goalkeeper and one defender.
Offside is only called if the player is involved in active play.
The offside area begins at the build‑out line.

Advantage is applied when the fouled team retains possession and attacking opportunity.
Referees may signal verbally (“play on”) or with arm motion.

A player may stand outside the field while playing the ball, as long as the ball remains in bounds.
The ball is out of play only when it fully crosses the boundary line, on the ground or in the air.

Handling is called only when the referee determines the action was deliberate.
Referees may consider:
- Whether the hand moved to the ball
- Whether the ball moved to the hand
- Whether an advantage was gained

- Teams sit on separate halves of the same sideline
- Parents/supporters must stay on the opposite sideline
- Parents/supporters may NOT sit behind the goals