Who runs the game, and how are the rules different from adult soccer?

Q: Who runs the game, and how are the rules different from adult soccer?

Per the Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards: Match day format: U6-U9 must use a Festival Format, where several teams play at one venue. A festival may include one or two matches in a day and has no placement or elimination games. Official: a Game Leader at U6-U7; a Game Leader or a referee at U8-U9. A Game Leader helps children enjoy the game, keeps them safe, uses simplified rules and helps with restarts. It can be a club representative, coach, parent, or a beginning or senior referee. Sideline restarts: dribble-in and pass-in instead of throw-ins. Offside: none. Substitutions: unlimited, on the fly or at designated stoppages. Retreat line: yes, at the halfway line. Source: Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN_final91.pdf)

Question

Accepted Answer

Per the Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards:

Match day format: U6-U9 must use a Festival Format, where several teams play at one venue. A festival may include one or two matches in a day and has no placement or elimination games.
Official: a Game Leader at U6-U7; a Game Leader or a referee at U8-U9. A Game Leader helps children enjoy the game, keeps them safe, uses simplified rules and helps with restarts. It can be a club representative, coach, parent, or a beginning or senior referee.
Sideline restarts: dribble-in and pass-in instead of throw-ins.
Offside: none.
Substitutions: unlimited, on the fly or at designated stoppages.
Retreat line: yes, at the halfway line.

Source: Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN_final91.pdf)