Primary Objective: Fun and Participation
Secondary Objectives:
- Understanding of the Game
- Individual Player development (preparing the player for the next level)
- Team Play
This is a developmental league. Standings will not be kept through the season.
Rules
- The game will consist of 4 twelve minute quarters
- Each team will have 6 players on the field (5 plus a goalie)
- Unlimited substitutions are permitted at each stop and restart of the game
- For Throw-ins, anything over the head and behind the line is legal. Bad thrown-ins will not be given to the other team. They will instead be given a do-over so that the child is able to practice their throw-ins and develop their skill.
- If the goalie is touching the ball, the goalie has possession
- All free kicks are indirect kicks
- Goal kicks and corner kicks follow normal rules
- No offsides will be called (unless it is intentional offsides)
- No passbacks to goalie can be picked up with hands
- Players must give at least 4 yards for restarts
- Field Size will be approximately 30x40 yards
- Size 4 ball will be used
- 2 minute break in between quarters and 5 minutes for half time
- No slide tackling for any reason. Repeated violations may result in removal from game.
- Players should be playing the ball. No intentional contact is permitted (bumping, pushing, hand shoves, etc.)
- Shin guards are required. Cleats recommended.
- No Penalty Kicks unless the infraction was used to prevent an obvious scoring opportunity and was inside the goalie box
- Parents and teams should be on opposite sides of the field. Teams should be on the same side of the field.
Code of Conduct for Everyone
Whether you are a player, coach or spectator, follow these rules and always…
…have fun
- Play fair, play hard
- Display good sportsmanship
- Obey the officials
- Learn and follow the rules of the game
- Always encourage others
Kids play sports for fun. Everyone must be a team player, follow the rules and be good sports.
Less than the required Players at the Game
If less than the required players from a particular team show for a game, attempt to even the teams by sharing players.
Tired players
With twelve minute quarters and few players to substitute, players will be come tired. If available, rotate your substitute frequently- even a short break and some water will generally renew a tired player.
When a player becomes tired, also consider this an opportunity to teach the players to “play smart” rather than just play hard. A group chasing the ball all over the field quickly tires, but players maintaining shape and anticipating game play are playing smart and conserving energy!
Teach shape, but not Necessarily Positions
Shape is the concept of spreading out and creating space. Positions, to the u8 payer, are generally interpreted as stand here and don’t move or don’t go beyond this point.
By teaching shape and allowing players to “self align”, the players gain a better understanding of shape and are better able to quickly recognize and realign out of shape conditions.
If a player is instructed to play a specific position, a coach’s call to regain shape during the opposition’s attack may result in a player, leaving the play to return to an offensive or attack position when the coach intended to highlight the lack of a defensive shape.
Coaching from the Sidelines
Coaches are not permitted on the field during the game. Instructions from the sidelines should be kept to a minimum and should be general to allow the players to develop on the field. Players receiving constant instructions from the sidelines may execute a specific action at that time, but will not develop their own awareness of the game.
Also, very few people consider getting yelled at for an hour a while lot of FUN! Please share this concept with you parents and encourage them to cheer their daughter from the sidelines without yelling for specific actions
Individual Coaching
Immediately discussing specific situations with individual players off the field often results in a greater understanding of the game and skills to be developed than either coaching specific actions from the sidelines or recounting events at a later time.
Substitution and Playing Time
All players, regardless of abilities, should be provided with equal playing time to the extent possible
In accordance with USYSA recommendations, unlimited substitutions are permitted at each stop and restart of the game (kick ins, corner kicks, goal kicks, etc.)
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