WHAT TO EXPECT IN OUR 7U & 8U DIVISIONS AT AYSO 33**
Division Managers
GU7: MARK LAMBERT
BU7: BOBBY DIGIACOMO
GU8: MARK LAMBERT
BU8: VINCENT HERNANDEZ
All inquiries about the GU7 Division should begin with Vincent at: [email protected]
All inquiries about the BU7 Division should begin with Bobby at the same email address: [email protected]
All inquiries about the GU8 or BU8 Divisions should begin with Mark at: [email protected]
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Age Range
GU7 & BU7: All players born in the year 2017.
GU8 & BU8: All players born in the year 2016.
(NOTE: National Soccer has established the age range for all divisions. AYSO is not permitted to deviate from it.)
What Equipment Do I Need
Soccer shoes (not turf shoes) are preferred. Also, athletic shoes are allowed. NOTE: Metal cleats are not permitted.
Shin Guards (which must be completely covered by soccer socks)
Size 3 soccer ball
When will Teams be Formed
By August 6, 2023
How Teams are Formed
IMPORTANT: U7 and U8 teams are NOT formed by request
One of the principal philosophies of AYSO is that all teams must be balanced. It is a frustrating experience for players (and parents) to lose a game 0-10. It is also not challenging or fun to win a game 10-0. So, we do our best at Region 33 to make the teams fair and the games more fun by emphasizing balanced teams over requests.
HERE IS THE PROCESS
1. Rating Session: Division Managers will schedule two player rating sessions for each division (BU7, BU8, GU7/GU8 combined), the first during the week of July 10 and the second during the week of July 17. Players will RSVP for one of the sessions. Attendance is mandatory in order to be placed on a team.
NOTE #1: These sessions are not “tryouts” because every player who is rated will be placed on a team.
NOTE #2: If your child cannot attend one of the rating sessions, please notify the Division Manager, who will attempt to find an alternate date. HOWEVER, this is very inconvenient so please do so only if your child absolutely cannot attend because you are away or for some other similar reason.
2. Information Request: Next, division managers will email parents and request the following information: 1. Is there any day of the week your child absolutely cannot attend practice because of other activities? And 2. Is there any player that your child would like to have on the same team?
NOTE #1: THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THE FRIEND REQUEST WILL HAPPEN. The first responsibility of division managers is to create balanced teams. To the extent they can keep the teams balanced, division managers will do their best to accommodate a friend request. BUT AGAIN, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE
NOTE #2: Siblings WILL be placed on the same team.
3. Division Managers Form Teams: By the end of August 6, Division Managers will form balanced teams and provide the rosters to each coach. Coaches will notify parents.
NOTE: The Division Manager will NOT honor requests for assistant coaches to be on a team with any particular head coach if it will cause teams to be unbalanced.
Number of Teams
IMPORTANT: The number of teams entirely depends on how many certified coaches we have.
BU7: 6 teams
BU 8: 8 teams
GU7: 4 teams
GU8: 4 teams
How do I become a certified coach for 7U and 8U
AYSO is an all-volunteer organization, and we must have certified coaches to have teams. AYSO coaches and assistant coaches, at every level, must: 1) register as a volunteer through our website (ayso33.org) and 2) complete online classes and an in-person coach training session. Here is a link to the step-by-step process to become a coach: https://www.ayso33.org/Portals/14777/docs/2023/coach_certification_2023.pdf
When do Practices Begin
Practices will begin the week of August 7. All U7 and U8 teams will practice once per week for one hour at our Balboa Park soccer fields. We have practice field permits for Monday through Friday from 5 pm to 7 pm. The coach will select the practice day and time.
NOTE: We will have the “UK Trainers” available to assist at some practices.
When Do Games Begin
Opening Day is Saturday, August 19, 2023, at the Balboa Park Soccer Fields (see map on our website). The schedules will be posted on our website: Weather permitting, play will continue every Saturday through November 11 (no games on Sept 2 and Sept 16 due to holidays).
Game Times
It will vary from week to week. The schedules will be posted on our website at www.ayso33.org (go to the “Team Central” tab)
GAME DAY DETAILS AND RULES
Duration of Game
Four 10-minute periods. Half-time break of 5-10 minutes.
Playing Time Info
Numbers: Four to Five per team on the field; No goalkeepers. (Eight maximum on the roster.) Note: Except for the coaches, only players are permitted on the field..
Substitutions: Between periods, at halftime, and for injuries.
Playing Time: Minimum of two periods per player per game. No player may play four periods until everyone has played three. If a player sat out two periods the previous game, that player must play at least three periods the next game.
The Field
The recommended field size for 7U and 8U games is 50 yards long by 25 yards wide for teams playing 5 x 5. The filed may be smaller for teams playing 4 X 4.
The field is marked with sidelines (“touchline’), goal lines, and a halfway line. There is also a center circle (8 yards wide) and a half-moon area in front of each goal.
Goal Dimensions
We use Bownet goals, 4 ft high by six feet wide.
The Ball
A size 3 soccer ball is used for all 7U and 8U games and practices.
Scores are NOT Kept
In the 7U & 8U games, scores are not kept, and goals are not recorded. They are considered “non-competitive” divisions.
Good Sportsmanship is a MUST - No “Slaughter” Rule
Even though the score is not kept, a game that is too one-sided can cause bad feelings. In that situation, coaches should take positive steps to hold down the score. Our Coach Mentor is a terrific resource for the many ways this can be accomplished: [email protected]
Referees/Officiating
For most games, both coaches should "officiate” together (occasionally, there may be a certified referee assigned to a U8 Game). Option 1) One coach referees the entire first half, while the other coach does the second half. Option 2) Each coach referees one-half of the field for the entire game.
NOTE: When coaches are refereeing, they should not coach their players. They can help set up players on restarts and mark where kick-ins should happen but refrain from guiding players to “pass” or “shoot”. Rather, let the game flow, allow the kids to have fun, and keep interruptions to a minimum by stopping play when necessary to prevent the risk of injury. Misconduct should be extremely rare in 7U and 8U games.
The Start of Play
The home team will kick off from the center of the field (the visiting team will kick off to start the third quarter.)
Ball In and Out of Play
The ball is out of play when it completely crosses the touch line (sideline) or goal line, either on the ground or in the air. Play is restarted by a throw-in (for balls out of play crossing the touchline,) by a goal kick for balls crossing the goal line and last touched by the attacking team, or by a corner kick for balls crossing the goal line and last touched by the defending team. The opposing team must stand at least 10 yards away from the ball when free kicks are taken.
No Guarding of the Goal
No defensive player should stand inside the half-moon area in front of their own goal. Players may enter the half-moon to play a ball but may not stand there defending their goal.
What counts as a “Goal”
A goal is awarded when the ball completely crosses the goal line into the goal.
Offsides Rule
No offsides in 7U and 8U soccer.
Handball Rule
A handball infraction occurs when a player handles the ball deliberately. The 'hand' includes the entire arm up to the top of the shoulder. Instinctive, self-protective reactions are not penalized at this young age. Accidental contact (ball striking hand or arm with no intent by the player) is not an offense and should not be penalized.
No Heading
Heading the ball is not allowed in all divisions below age 14U.
Fouls
The coaches (or referee) will assess direct free-kicks for all fouls, with the opposing team at least 6 feet away. There are no penalty kicks.
End of game
It is customary at the end of the game to do a cheer for the opposing team. Also popular are high-five lines and tunnels for the players to run through. Keep it fun.
Snacks
Each player is responsible for bringing their own water.
Half-time snacks/end-of-game snacks: Parents on a team should decide if they want to bring their own for each game or take turns providing it for the team.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
VOLUNTEERISM
AYSO is completely run by volunteers. Nobody gets paid. We expect that a minimum of 1 hour of volunteerism is done on behalf of every player in the 7U and 8U Divisions. To find out what you can do, please email Wendy Shuster, our Volunteer Coordinator, at [email protected]
IMPORTANT: PARENT & SPECTATOR CODE OF CONDUCT
To create an enjoyable atmosphere for kids, coaches, parents and referees, AYSO Region 33 has adopted a “Code of Conduct” for parents and spectators. Here is the link: https://www.ayso33.org/Portals/14777/docs/2023/parent_spectator_codeofconduct_2023.pdf
UNIFORMS
Uniforms (socks, shorts, and jersey) will be provided to coaches to hand out prior to the first game, which is August 19, 2023.
Photo Day
Photo Day is September 9, 2023. There will be a makeup photo day on September 30, 2023 (However, those who attend the makeup session will likely NOT be included in the team photo).
Trophies
Will be provided to coaches to pass out on the last day of the season.
Thanksgiving Tournament (for Volunteers)
We are hosting the Cynthia Petrillo Thanksgiving Turkey tournament on Friday, November 23, and Saturday, November 24 at our Balboa Park soccer fields. It will be a fundraiser for our Region.
NOTE: U10, U12 and U14 Players who have parents/guardians/family members who are Board Members, Coaches, Referees or donated significant volunteer hours will be invited to play.
It will be a lot of fun and an incentive for you to volunteer at Region 33 this season.
**The details above are subject to change. Everything depends on the number of players that register and volunteers that come forward to help.