U8 Mixed League
Expectations at the U8 Level
- The season is late April/early May (weather pending) to third week of June.
- Children born 2014/2013 are eligible.
- Practice/games are played in Black Diamond by the Water Tower.
- Two practice/games per week: Monday 6:00pm-7:00pm & Saturday 9:15 am-10:15 am.
- Snack/Water break (each child brings their own) between skills and mini game each session.
- Small sided soccer, 5-6 players per side (5v5 or 6v6). Keepers optional. Size 3 ball.
- Registration fee includes a team jersey, team photo and medal/trophy.
- Shin pads, and appropriate running shoes are required (soccer cleats recommended).
- Sportsmanship rules apply.
- Wind-up party to be held at end of season.
- Opportunity to take part in Black Diamond Parade.
Expectations at the U8 Level
- The following skills will be developed at the U8 age group:
- Teach how to dribble the ball
- Teach how to stop the ball using the bottom, inside and outside of the foot.
- Teach how to pass using the inside and outside of the foot.
- Introduce how to shoot the ball and a proper throw in technique
- Teach the basic rules of the game
- Introduction to offside rule
- A coach from each team will be on the field both coaching/directing and refereeing the players.
- 2, 20-minute halves with a 10-minute break for water and snack.
- Run 2-3-minute shifts with both teams changing at the same time.
- Recommend 4-6 vs. 4-6 plus goalies however depending on team size, teams may be split into 2 shifts with equal number of players on each team. Discuss with other coach before the game to decide format.
- Coaches designate a goalie and rotate to give opportunity to all players that wish to try.
- To start play each team gets the kick off for one of the halves.
- No hands except for the goalie.
- Ball out of bounds - throw in - player opposite the team who last touched the ball makes a 2 handed throw in, overhead with feet flat on ground. Players from opposing team move back at least 5 yards.
- Corner kick – if the defending player last touches the ball that passes over the goal line, an offending player takes the corner kick. The opposing players must be 5 yards away.
- Free kick is given for handling, pushing, shoving, tripping etc. The opposing players must be 5 yards away. A goal may not be scored directly from a free kick. The ball must be passed to another player first.
- Goal kick – ball must be out of the penalty area and touched by a teammate before a goal can be scored.
- Parents may encourage from the sidelines but, leave the “coaching” and “refereeing” up to the coaches.
