| Players | 4v4 baseline |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | None |
| Ball | Size 3 |
| Offside | Not used |
| Duration | Four 10-minute periods |
Begin with the competition’s handbook
These figures describe U.S. Soccer’s published small-sided baseline, rather than a rulebook for every American league. Your league may use permitted adaptations. Confirm which handbook applies to your age group and season, including age eligibility, substitutions, restarts, and participation requirements.
Keep a short, dated note of those answers. It is much easier to agree on the format before kickoff than to resolve two different interpretations while children are waiting.
What to teach at the first practice
Choose a small goal your players can try repeatedly: stopping the ball, turning away from a crowd, or looking up to find space. Explain it in one sentence, demonstrate briefly, and let them experiment.
At this age, a useful observation is whether children are finding chances to touch the ball. If several are standing around, split into smaller games or provide more balls.
- Use short games with quick restarts.
- Let everyone try attacking and defending.
- Invite a hesitant player into a simple paired activity.
- Celebrate an attempt and ask what they noticed.
Help children understand boundaries
Under the standard boundary rule, the whole ball must cross the touchline or goal line to be out. A player standing outside the field does not automatically make the ball out. Use a ball and a line to show the difference.
For the youngest groups, restart procedures can vary. Ask whether your competition uses throw-ins, kick-ins, or dribble-ins, and how opponents should give space. Teach the procedure your players will actually use.
Keep positions flexible
A formation can show starting places, but a U8 player should not spend the entire game guarding a cone or waiting in a fixed zone. Encourage movement, recovery, and the confidence to try with the ball.
Rotate starting roles and partners. After the game, ask each child for one thing they tried, then choose a small theme for the next practice. A score alone will not tell you who became more comfortable joining in.
WORDS YOU CAN USE“Can you find a space nobody else is using?”
Sources & further learning
Rule facts use the sources below. Activity suggestions and tactical examples are ToopTime’s introductory coaching guidance.
U.S. Soccer Player Development Initiatives: published small-sided baseline (2017)IFAB Law 9: The ball in and out of playThis material has not received independent coach or referee review. We are not affiliated with U.S. Soccer or IFAB.