Referees - Please check out these U8 and U10 Rules Highlights as they pertain to Northwest Soccer. You may download the checklist as a PDF here (or at the bottom of this page).

Highlights of U8

• Ball size is a three (3)
  
  
• Four (4) players and NO goal keepers – keep sweeper at least half way up.
  
  
• Substitutions at any stoppage of play and unlimited
  
  
• Rule infringements should be briefly explained to the offending player
  
  
• Game is played in four (4) quarters and each are twelve (12) minutes long. Note: Clubs may make the quarters shorter in duration if necessary. Both coaches must agree to length of quarters.
  
  
• Winner of the coin toss decides which goal to defend; other team takes the kickoff.
  
  
• Teams switch direction at half time; team that kicks off for the 1 st half also kicks off 2 nd quarter. Switch kick off at half.
  
  
• CANNOT score directly from the kick off
  
  
• There is NO OFFSIDE
  
  
• Absolutely NO Slide tackles – this is not discretionary – it is absolute.
  
  
• Free Kicks are all DIRECT
  
  
• No penalty kicks
  
  
• Throw-ins – feet down and over the head. One do-over per thrower if the throw-in is incorrect. You should explain to the child how to execute a throw-in correctly.
  
  
• Goal kicks and corner kicks – must be four (4) yards away from the ball.
  
  
• Goal kick - Ball is in play when it leaves the goal area.
  
  
• No score is recorded