YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE INFORMATION & RULES-6U and 8U

Season Information:

  • Spring Season: August-October
  • Ages 5-8 year olds 
  • Soccer leagues follow FIFA rules with MPRB modifications
  • Follow the link to register: NEED LINK HERE
  • League Fees: NEED FEES
  • Youth Program Discounted Fees: Minneapolis residents can choose a price that aligns with their financial situation. Read more about Citywide Youth Program Discounts - Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board

Divisions: 

  • Age Divisions:  
    • 6U: 5 and 6 year olds (Kindergarten and 1st grade)
    •   8U: 7 and 8 year olds (2nd and 3rd grades)
    •   Ages 4 and under-contact your local recreation center to see if there are options
  • Two Divisions: Girls, Open (Anyone can compete in the open division)
  • Roster Size 6U and 8U: (soccer 6 field) 12 players per team, maximum of 2 non-Minneapolis residents. 

League Objectives:

  • Encourage all players participation
  • Develop basic soccer skills in all participants
  • Foster an environment where sportsmanship and self-esteem building come first
  • Everyone involved has a positive experience
  • This is an instructional league and SCORE IS NOT KEPT-it is not about winning or losing and especially not about beating your opponents
  • All players should rotate through all positions
  • Encourage and exemplify good sportsmanship. Encourage compliments to opposing players for their good efforts. 

Players:

  • 6U Leagues: players 5-6 years old or entering Kindergarten and 1st grade
  • 8U- players 7-8 or entering 2nd and 3rd grades
  • Teams should field a minimum of 6 players at all times when possible. Players may be borrowed from the opposing team if needed. 
  • Roster limit: 12 players

Weather/Field Conditions:

  • For cancellations please call the field location starting at 9:00am on game day. 
  • Soccer is a game that is played in all weather. Games are to be played unless there is unsafe or severe weather (lightening, tornadoes, etc)

Equipment:

  • Players must wear tennis shoes or soccer shoes with molded rubber cleats
  • All players should wear shin guards with long socks over them
  • It is strongly recommended that goalkeepers wear elbow and kneepads
  • Ball Size: Size 3 for 6U; Size 4 ball for 8U
  • Coaches will provide the game ball

Playing Field:

  • 6U: The playing field will be 30 yards wide, 40 yards long. Game will be 6 on 6. Goal sizes will be determined by pop up goals. 
  • 8U: The playing field will be 40 yards wide, 60 yards long. Games will be 6 on 6. Goal sizes will be the soccer goals. 

Game/Playing Rules:

F.I.F.A (Fed. Inter. De Football Association) Rules will apply except for modifications stated below:

  • Length of game: 
  • There will be two-20 minute segments, with a 2-minute break for halftime. 
  • All games are running times.
  • Teams have 60 minutes of field use. This time includes warm-up and duration of game.
  • All players must play the equivalent of 1.2 of each game
  • Coaches are encouraged to provide each player with game experience in a variety of positions
  • Substitutions may be made with the consent of the referee (coach on field) at these times:
    • Prior to a throw in your favor
    • Prior to a goal kick by either side
    • After a goal by either team
    • After an injury when the coach stops play
  • A goalkeeper cannot be touched or changed when on control of the ball in the penalty area. The goalkeeper cannot be charged when in the air playing the ball. The goalkeeper must have a free path when punting or throwing the ball. 
  • All goal kicks must emanate from the goal box.
  • The Offside Rule will NOT be enforced. 
  • In case of injury, and s child is unable to play half of the game, the coach should notify either the referee (a coach) or the coach before the game begins. If injury occurs during the game, the game should be stopped and appropriate First Aid should be administered and an Incident Report (available at Park's Front Desk) filled out, and a new player will have to take the injured players position. 
  • No protests will be considered on ANY games. 

Additional Notes:

  • All volunteers must be background checked. 
  • All coaches must be certified through their home park and shall comply with the rules and regulations as stated in the bulletin. 
  • The MPRB does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employee in, its services, program, or activities, upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in all MPRB services, programs and activities. 
  • If anyone believes he or she has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, or handicap, he or she may file a complaint alleging discrimination with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board or the Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240