U5-U6
4 v 4 Soccer
1) We do not have goal keepers, so please remind your players not to stand in front the goal. Goal guarding is strongly discouraged. We do not play with goalies and want all kids involved in the game. If you play with a defender in the back, please encourage your defender to come up towards the half line when the ball is in the attacking half. When the ball crosses into your half then the defender can go to goal and try to keep the ball out.
2) We play 5 minute quarters with a 1 minute break between the 1 & 2nd and 3 & 4th. There is a 2 minute halftime break. Please try to keep on time - especially if you are the first game of the day!
3) Slide tackling is NOT allowed!
4) Heading is not allowed.
5) You and the other coach are the refs. I recommend you stop play if there is an infraction. (Especially when one player intentionally knocks down another player. Boys tend to be more aggressive than girls and will not think twice about using their arms to push their way to the ball.) In these cases explain the penalty to all the kids and offer a free kick from the spot of the foul and let play continue.
6) Based on the recommendation from USYS, both teams must move to their half of the field during a goal kick. This allows the kicking team to begin an attack rather than have to play defensively on a goal kick. Once the ball is touched, players are free to move anywhere on the field. The goal kick may be taken prior to the other team retreating, if the kicking team chooses to.
7) Open Substitutions (on any stoppage w/ permission of referee).
8) In the event of lightning and/or thunder all practice and play must be stopped immediately and the field cleared! After a 30 minute period without any lightning or thunder, play/practice may resume.
9) Game must run on time! Please be respectful that there may be up to 6 more games that need use the field after you and need to start on time.
Here are some tips:
1) Throw-ins might be difficult during the first or second game. That's ok. Do-overs are allowed and encouraged throughout the season when an improper throw-in is performed. At this age, kids should not attempt running throw ins. Teach them to stand still and throw the ball over their head. Please do not stop the game several times to re-do throw-ins. At this age its important to keep the ball on the field and game moving!
2) Player safety is your primary concern as a coach. Your second concern is that they have fun!
3) Each player should play about the same amount of time in each game. I found it difficult to keep track of this during a game, so I would come up with a substitution plan before each game. But don't be afraid to modify if needed.
4) I recommend you use a parent on the sideline to keep time. The clock generally does not stop when the ball goes out of play.
5) If one team is scoring all the goals, the other team may add a player to the field help balance the competition and keep the game more enjoyable for everyone. Since we don't "keep score," please talk to the opposing coach before hand and see when it might be appropriate. Coaches of teams that are up by 5 or 6 goals need to also look at what they can do with their lineups to give other players an opportunity and keep the game more fun for everyone. Remember, there are no win/loss or goal statistics kept.
6) Remember, we don't keep score or stats, so the most important part is that the kids learn and have fun.
7) Remember, you and the other coach are working as a team. Work together to do what will create the best learning environment for the kids.
8) Praise players from both teams! This teaches your team good sportsmanship.
U7-U8
4 v 4
Here are some highlights:
1) We do not have goal keepers, so please remind your players not to stand in front the goal. Goal guarding is strongly discouraged. We do not play with goalies and want all kids involved in the game. If you play with a defender in the back, please encourage your defender to come up towards the half line when the ball is in the attacking half. When the ball crosses into your half then the defender can go to goal and try to keep the ball out.
2) Each player must play at least 50% of the game.
3) Children will play 2 quarters that are 16 minutes long - halftime 2-3 minutes long. Have a parent or an assistant coach keep track of time and let you know when 1/4 of the time has elapsed each quarter (3:00). You will find it very difficult if not impossible to keep track of time while coaching so have an assistant or parent do this and the time hacks keep you mindful of substitutions (see #2). Please try to keep on time - especially if you are the first game of the day!
4) Slide tackling is NOT allowed!
5) Heading is not allowed.
6) One do-over for an improper throw-in is allowed. Do not let poor throw-ins slide. Explain the error and give them another chance to make a proper throw-in.
7) Based on the recommendation from USYS, both teams must move to their half of the field during a goal kick. This allows the kicking team to begin an attack rather than have to play defensively on a goal kick (kick the ball to the sideline and out of play). Once the ball is touched, players are free to move anywhere on the field. The goal kick may be taken prior to the other team retreating, if the kicking team chooses to.
8) Open Substitutions
9) Coaches will run games.
10) In the event of lightning and/or thunder all practice and play must be stopped immediately and the field cleared! After a 30 minute period without any lightning or thunder, play/practice may resume.
Here are some other tips:
1) Player safety is your primary concern as a coach. Your second concern is that they have fun!
2) Each player should play about the same amount of time in each game. I found it difficult to keep track of this during a game, so I would come up with a substitution plan before each game. But don't be afraid to modify it if need.
3) I recommend you use a parent on the sideline to keep time.
4) I recommend you use a parent on the sideline to keep time. The clock generally does not stop when the ball goes out of play.
5) If one team is scoring all the goals, the other team may add a player to the field help balance the competition and keep the game more enjoyable for everyone. Please talk to the opposing coach before hand and see when it might be appropriate. Coaches of teams that are up by 5 or 6 goals need to also look at what they can do with their lineups to give other players an opportunity and keep the game more fun for everyone. Remember, there are no win/loss or goal statistics kept.
6) Remember, we don't keep score or stats, so the most important part is that the kids learn and have fun.
7) Remember, you and the other coach are working as a team. Work together to do what will create the best learning environment for the kids.
8) Praise players from both teams! This teaches your team good sportsmanship.
1) We do not have goal keepers, so please remind your players not to stand in front the goal. Goal guarding is strongly discouraged. We do not play with goalies and want all kids involved in the game. If you play with a defender in the back, please encourage your defender to come up towards the half line when the ball is in the attacking half. When the ball crosses into your half then the defender can go to goal and try to keep the ball out.
2) Each player must play at least 50% of the game.
3) Children will play 2 quarters that are 16 minutes long - halftime 2-3 minutes long. Have a parent or an assistant coach keep track of time and let you know when 1/4 of the time has elapsed each quarter (3:00). You will find it very difficult if not impossible to keep track of time while coaching so have an assistant or parent do this and the time hacks keep you mindful of substitutions (see #2). Please try to keep on time - especially if you are the first game of the day!
4) Slide tackling is NOT allowed!
5) Heading is not allowed.
6) One do-over for an improper throw-in is allowed. Do not let poor throw-ins slide. Explain the error and give them another chance to make a proper throw-in.
7) Based on the recommendation from USYS, both teams must move to their half of the field during a goal kick. This allows the kicking team to begin an attack rather than have to play defensively on a goal kick (kick the ball to the sideline and out of play). Once the ball is touched, players are free to move anywhere on the field. The goal kick may be taken prior to the other team retreating, if the kicking team chooses to.
8) Open Substitutions
9) Coaches will run games.
10) In the event of lightning and/or thunder all practice and play must be stopped immediately and the field cleared! After a 30 minute period without any lightning or thunder, play/practice may resume.
Here are some other tips:
1) Player safety is your primary concern as a coach. Your second concern is that they have fun!
2) Each player should play about the same amount of time in each game. I found it difficult to keep track of this during a game, so I would come up with a substitution plan before each game. But don't be afraid to modify it if need.
3) I recommend you use a parent on the sideline to keep time.
4) I recommend you use a parent on the sideline to keep time. The clock generally does not stop when the ball goes out of play.
5) If one team is scoring all the goals, the other team may add a player to the field help balance the competition and keep the game more enjoyable for everyone. Please talk to the opposing coach before hand and see when it might be appropriate. Coaches of teams that are up by 5 or 6 goals need to also look at what they can do with their lineups to give other players an opportunity and keep the game more fun for everyone. Remember, there are no win/loss or goal statistics kept.
6) Remember, we don't keep score or stats, so the most important part is that the kids learn and have fun.
7) Remember, you and the other coach are working as a team. Work together to do what will create the best learning environment for the kids.
8) Praise players from both teams! This teaches your team good sportsmanship.
U9-U12
7 v 7
Here are some highlights:
1) We play 7 v 7. There are 6 field players plus a goal keeper.
2) Each player must play at least 50% of the game.
3) We play two 22 minute halves with a 2-3 minute halftime break. The referee will start the game on time, so please be sure your team is ready!
4) Slide tackling is NOT allowed!
5) U9-U10 Goalie is not allowed to punt the ball
5) Heading IS not allowed. (Do not plan/encourage the high cross to a header, for example.) Heading is not allowed in practice.
6) Liberal offside” will apply a “loose” interpretation” to the “offside” rule meaning officials will enforce “offside” when a player “resides” in an offside position (not when a player mistimes a movement or angle)
Here are two videos that provide basic concept of offsides: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFCdMz7eph8 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKxy45xqgSo
8) Open Substitutions (on any stoppage w/ permission of referee).
9) You will have a ref. Please pay ref at the beginning of the game. Are refs do games in several different leagues with different rules. Please fill free to go over rules with the ref before the game.
10) In the event of lightning and/or thunder all practice and play must be stopped immediately and the field cleared! After a 30 minute period without any lightning or thunder, play/practice may resume.
1) We play 7 v 7. There are 6 field players plus a goal keeper.
2) Each player must play at least 50% of the game.
3) We play two 22 minute halves with a 2-3 minute halftime break. The referee will start the game on time, so please be sure your team is ready!
4) Slide tackling is NOT allowed!
5) U9-U10 Goalie is not allowed to punt the ball
5) Heading IS not allowed. (Do not plan/encourage the high cross to a header, for example.) Heading is not allowed in practice.
6) Liberal offside” will apply a “loose” interpretation” to the “offside” rule meaning officials will enforce “offside” when a player “resides” in an offside position (not when a player mistimes a movement or angle)
Here are two videos that provide basic concept of offsides: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFCdMz7eph8 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKxy45xqgSo
8) Open Substitutions (on any stoppage w/ permission of referee).
9) You will have a ref. Please pay ref at the beginning of the game. Are refs do games in several different leagues with different rules. Please fill free to go over rules with the ref before the game.
10) In the event of lightning and/or thunder all practice and play must be stopped immediately and the field cleared! After a 30 minute period without any lightning or thunder, play/practice may resume.