WHAT TO EXPECT IN OUR 7U & 8U DIVISIONS AT AYSO 33
Division Managers
GU7: LUCY GARCIA
BU7: JAY ZHAROVSKY
GU8: LUCY GARCIA
BU8: BOBBY DIGIACOMO
All inquiries about the Division should begin with the Division Manager (see Board Member page on this website for their email address)
Additional inquiries can be made to the Regional Commissioner at: [email protected]
Age Range:
GU7 & BU7: All players born in the year 2019.
GU8 & BU8: All players born in the year 2018.
(NOTE: National Soccer has established the age range for all divisions. AYSO is obligated to follow 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 3, 2025
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 friend requests.
HERE IS THE PROCESS:
1. Rating Session: Division Managers will schedule two player rating sessions for each division (BU7, BU8, GU7, GU8), between June and July. Players will RSVP for one of the sessions. Attendance is mandatory in order to be placed on a team (These sessions are not “tryouts” because every player who is rated will be placed on a team.)
IMPORTANT NOTE: If your child cannot attend one of the rating sessions, please notify your Division Manager, who will attempt to find an alternate date.
2. Information Request to Parents: Next, division managers will email parents and inquire whether there are any days of the week your child absolutely cannot attend practice because of other activities (See below for information about practice days, times and location).
NOTE #1: SIBLINGS: Siblings WILL be placed on the same team.
NOTE #2: ASSISTANT COACHES: 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. The first responsibility of division managers is to create balanced teams.
3. Division Managers Form Teams: By August 9, 2025, Division Managers will form balanced teams and provide the rosters to each coach. Coaches will then notify parents.
Number of Teams
There is no limit. The number of teams in each division depends on how many certified coaches we have.
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 11, 2025. 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, September 8, 2025, 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 8, 2025 (NOTE: No games on August 30, which is Labor Day weekend).
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
FIELD SETUP REQUIRED FOR TEAMS WITH FIRST GAME
The teams that are scheduled to play the first game on any given Saturday will be required to paint the lines, set up the goals, and make sure any holes are filled in.
Duration of Game:
Four 10-minute periods. Half-time break of 5-10 minutes.
Playing Time Info:
Numbers: Four per team on the field; No goalkeepers. (Seven maximum on the roster.)
NOTE: Except for the coaches, ONLY players are permitted on the field.
ALSO, Coaches should remain on the sidelines unless they are serving as the referee for that portion of the game.
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.
PARENTS & SPECTATORS MAY NOT COACH:
Only the certified coach and/or certified assistant coach may instruct the players what to do during a game. Parents and spectators are expected to be positive and cheer, but MAY NOT OTHERWISE INSTRUCT
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:
NOTE: Occasionally, there may be a certified referee assigned by the Region to officiate a U8 Game
If there is no certified referee, then both coaches should "officiate” together.
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.
IMPORTANT: 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:
IMPORTANT: 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
VOLUNTEERING
AYSO is completely run by volunteers. Nobody gets paid. IMPORTANT: We expect that 1 hour of volunteerism is done on behalf of every player in the 6U Division. To find out what you can do, please email our Volunteer Coordinator, at [email protected]
Parent 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 September 6, 2025 (opening day).
PHOTO DAY
Photo Day will take place on September 13, 2025, at the soccer fields. A time for each team's photo session will be assigned.
There will also be a VERY LIMITED makeup photo session on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, from 5 pm to 6 pm.
TROPHIES & YEARBOOKS
Will be provided to coaches to pass out on the last day of the season.
Thanksgiving Tournament (for Volunteers): We plan on hosting the Cynthia Petrillo Thanksgiving Turkey tournament on Friday, November 28, and Saturday, November 29, 2025, at our Balboa Park soccer fields. It will be a fundraiser for our Region.
NOTE: The Tournament is open to 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 (especially if you have another child playing U10, U12 or U14)
**IMPORTANT: The details above are subject to change. Everything depends on the number of players that register and volunteers that come forward to help.