What does a U8 game look like?
Rule- USA
- US Youth Soccer
- US Soccer small-sided standards
- Under 8
- Under 10
- Recreational and club
- 2026-27 season
- Parents
U6, U7 and U8 play 4v4 with no goalkeepers under US Soccer's small-sided standards:
- Field: 25-35 yd long, 15-25 yd wide. No corner flags needed.
- Goals: no larger than 4 ft high x 6 ft wide.
- Ball: size 3.
- Game: 4 quarters of no more than 10 minutes, with 5-minute breaks. Coaches can make quarters shorter.
- Substitutions: unlimited, at any time.
- Restarts: kick-offs, throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks are used. Kick-ins or dribble-ins are also acceptable. All free kicks are indirect, and opponents stand 10 ft from the ball.
- No penalty kicks and no offside.
- No referee required: the coaches manage the game from the touchline. Together with parents, they're expected to keep it fun and safe.
Added 21 Oct 2026