OBJECTIVES, GENERAL RULES AND GAME RULES
1ST GRADE
Objectives
The First grade program is based on the youth and small sided soccer programs developed by both the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and US Youth Soccer Association (USYSA). This age group will play small-sided soccer 5v5 (four field players and one goalkeeper). GOALKEEPERS are introduced at this age group. This allows each player to have more playing time and a greater opportunity to touch the ball, participate and have FUN!! Other objectives for this age group include:
· FUN and a positive environment.
· Continuation to the basics of soccer.
· Continue to teach basic soccer skills; dribbling, simple moves, striking the ball with either foot.
· Introduction to positional play, including the goalkeeper. All players will be instructed in the role of defending and attacking positions. Each player will be rotated through the different positions during the game.
· Encourage fair play, good sportsmanship, self-confidence, and coordination.
General Rules
· All players MUST wear SHIN GUARDS, covered entirely by the sock.
· Players shall not wear anything, which is dangerous to them self or another player, including jewelry, watches, rings, ear-rings — even for newly pierced ears (this is a FIFA rule designated to prevent injuries).
· Players with arm casts are permitted provided they are wrapped, padded, and pose no danger to them self or another player, this is at the discretion of the two coaches.
· No Slide Tackling.
· Mouth guards are not required but recommended.
· Cups for boys are not required but recommended.
· Sport glasses for those requiring prescription eyeglasses are not required but recommended.
· Each player SHALL play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time. Equal play for all is strongly encouraged. It is also encouraged that each player plays a part of each half.
· Teams and coaches to line up and shake hands at the conclusion of each game.
· In cases where a team is short players or have no substitutes:
o Play with fewer players on the field, allowing the team with fewer players one substitute.
o The team with more players can loan players to the other team.
· Be creative!
· It’s about playing and having FUN!!
· In cases of hot weather and or when teams are shorthanded:
o Take extra water breaks, substitute players more often.
o Play quarters instead of halves or eighths instead of quarters.
· Players’ safety is everyone’s Number 1 priority.
1ST Grade Game Rules
· Size 3 soccer ball.
· 10-minute quarters, 5-minute halftime breaks.
· All players must play at least half of the game.
· No scores or standings kept.
· Balls out of bounds are restarted with a throw-in, goal kick or corner kick.
· No offside.
· All free kicks are direct, meaning you can score directly from a direct free kick.
2ND & 3RD GRADE
Objectives
The Second and Third grade program is based on the youth and small sided soccer programs developed by both the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and US Youth Soccer Association (USYSA). This age group will play small-sided soccer 7v7 (six field players and one goalkeeper). This allows each player to have more playing time and a greater opportunity to touch the ball, participate and have FUN!! Other objectives for this age group include:
· FUN and a positive environment.
· Introduction of an official referee.
· Continuation to the basics of soccer.
· Continue to teach basic soccer skills; dribbling, simple moves, striking the ball with either foot.
· Introduction of more complex and or combination of moves.
· Continue to teach positional play, including the goalkeeper and to further develop player, team skills and strategy. All players will be instructed in the role of defending and attacking positions. Each player will be rotated through the different positions during the game.
· Second and Third grade divisions are noncompetitive with team standings and game scores not kept.
· Competition among teams is expected, but the emphasis is on FUN, PARTICIPATION and SOCCER DEVELOPMENT. NOT GAME RESULTS.
· Encourage fair play, good sportsmanship, self-confidence, and coordination.
General Rules
· All players MUST wear SHIN GUARDS, covered entirely by the sock.
· Players shall not wear anything, which is dangerous to them self or another player, including jewelry, watches, rings, ear-rings — even for newly pierced ears (this is a FIFA rule designated to prevent injuries).
· Players with arm casts are permitted provided they are wrapped, padded and pose no danger to them self or another player, this is at the discretion of the two coaches.
· No Slide Tackling.
· Mouth guards are not required but recommended.
· Sport glasses for those requiring prescription eyeglasses are not required but recommended.
· Each player SHALL play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time. Equal play for all is strongly encouraged. It is also encouraged that each player plays a part of each half.
· Teams and coaches to line up and shake hands at the conclusion of each game.
· In cases where a team is short players or have no substitutes:
o Play with fewer players on the field, allowing the team with fewer players one substitute.
o The team with more players can loan players to the other team.
o Be creative!
o It’s about playing and having FUN!!
· In cases of hot weather and or when teams are shorthanded:
o Take extra water breaks, substitute players more often.
o Play quarters instead of halves or eighths instead of quarters.
· Players’ safety is everyone’s Number 1 priority.
2nd & 3rd Grade Game Rules
· Size 4 soccer ball.
· 25-minute halves, 5-minute halftime break. Note: 12-minute quarters can be used with a 2-minute break between quarter 1 & 2 and quarter 3 & 4. However, from Bill Lapp Festival to end of season 25-minute halves.
· All players must play at least half of the game.
· No scores or standings kept.
· Balls out of bounds are restarted with a throw-in, goal kick or corner kick.
· Offside conforms to FIFA. Note: During early part of season, instruct players on offsides and be liberal with rules enforcement.
· All free kicks conform to FIFA with the exception that all opponents are at least eight (8) yards from the ball.
This age group uses the Build Out Line as part of US Soccer's Player Development Initiatives.
The Build Out Line explained:
o Part 1: Build Out Line Explained
o Part 2: Build Out Line Explained
4TH & 5TH GRADE
Objectives
The Fourth and Fifth grade program is based on the youth and small sided soccer programs developed by both the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and US Youth Soccer Association (USYSA). This age group will play small-sided soccer 9v9 (eight field players and one goalkeeper). This allows each player to have more playing time and a greater opportunity to touch the ball, participate and have FUN!! Other objectives for this age group include:
· FUN and a positive environment.
· Continuation to the basics of soccer.
· Continue to teach basic soccer skills; dribbling, simple moves, striking the ball with either foot.
· Introduction of more complex and or combination of moves.
· Continue to teach positional play, including the goalkeeper and to further develop player, team skills and strategy. All players will be instructed in the role of defending and attacking positions. Each player will be rotated through the different positions during the game.
· U11 divisions are competitive with team standings and game scores kept.
· Competition among teams is expected, but the emphasis is on FUN, PARTICIPATION and SOCCER DEVELOPMENT. NOT GAME RESULTS. REMEMBER ALL TEAMS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS, SO IT DOESN’T REALLY MATTER WHAT THE STANDINGS ARE DURING THE SEASON!
· Encourage fair play, good sportsmanship, self-confidence, and coordination.
General Rules
· All players MUST wear SHIN GUARDS, covered entirely by the sock.
· Players shall not wear anything, which is dangerous to them self or another player, including jewelry, watches, rings, ear-rings — even for newly pierced ears (this is a FIFA rule designated to prevent injuries).
· Players with arm casts are permitted provided they are wrapped, padded, and pose no danger to them self or another player, this is at the discretion of the two coaches.
· No Slide Tackling.
· Mouth guards are not required but recommended.
· Cups for boys are not required but recommended.
· Sport glasses for those requiring prescription eyeglasses are not required but recommended.
· Each player SHALL play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time. Equal play for all is strongly encouraged. It is also encouraged that each player plays a part of each half.
· Teams and coaches to line up and shake hands at the conclusion of each game.
· In cases where a team is short players or have no substitutes:
o Play with fewer players on the field, allowing the team with fewer players one substitute.
o The team with more players can loan players to the other team.
· Be creative!
· It’s about playing and having FUN!!
· In cases of hot weather and or when teams are shorthanded:
o Take extra water breaks, substitute players more often.
o Play quarters instead of halves or eighths instead of quarters.
· Players’ safety is everyone’s Number 1 priority.
4TH & 5TH Grade Game Rules
· Size 4 soccer ball.
· 30-minute halves, 5-minute halftime break.
· All players must play at least half of the game.
· Scores or standings kept and end of season playoffs.
· Balls out of bounds are restarted with a throw-in, goal kick or corner kick.
· Offside conforms to FIFA.
· All free kicks conform to FIFA with the exception that all opponents are at least eight (8) yards from the ball.
6TH, 7TH & 8TH GRADE
Objectives
The Sixth, Seventh and Eighth grade (middle school) program is based on the youth and small sided soccer programs developed by both the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and US Youth Soccer Association (USYSA). This age group will play 9v9, 10v10 or 11v11 (one player being a goalkeeper) depending on the number of teams and players per team and will be based on the number of players register by July 15. It is preferred that there are a minimum of six teams in this division. This allows each player to have more playing time and a greater opportunity to touch the ball, participate and have FUN!! Other objectives for this age group include:
· FUN and a positive environment.
· Continuation to the basics of soccer.
· Continue to teach basic soccer skills; dribbling, simple moves, striking the ball with either foot.
· Continue to teach more complex and or combination of moves.
· Continue to teach positional play, including the goalkeeper and to further develop player, team skills and strategy. All players will be instructed in the role of defending and attacking positions. Each player should be given the opportunity to play the positions they desire during the game; though some players may now be more selective in the position they wish to play.
· This division is competitive with team standings and game scores kept.
· Competition among teams is expected, but the emphasis is on FUN, PARTICIPATION and SOCCER DEVELOPMENT. NOT GAME RESULTS. REMEMBER ALL TEAMS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS! So, it doesn’t really matter what the standings are during the season!
· Encourage fair play, good sportsmanship, self-confidence, and coordination.
General Rules
· All players MUST wear SHIN GUARDS, covered entirely by the sock.
· Players shall not wear anything, which is dangerous to them self or another player, including jewelry, watches, rings, ear-rings — even for newly pierced ears (this is a FIFA rule designated to prevent injuries).
· Players with arm casts are permitted provided they are wrapped, padded, and pose no danger to them self or another player, this is at the discretion of the two coaches.
· No Slide Tackling.
· Mouth guards are not required but recommended.
· Cups for boys are not required but recommended.
· Sport glasses for those requiring prescription eyeglasses are not required but recommended.
· Each player SHALL play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time. Equal play for all is strongly encouraged. It is also encouraged that each player plays a part of each half. Exceptions are if a player is physically unable or specifically requests less time. Also, if a player is being disciplined for aggressive on field behavior.
· Teams and coaches to line up and shake hands at the conclusion of each game.
· In cases where a team is short players or have no substitutes:
o Play with fewer players on the field, allowing the team with fewer players one substitute.
o The team with more players can loan players to the other team.
· Be creative!
· It’s about playing and having FUN!!
· In cases of hot weather and or when teams are shorthanded:
o Take extra water breaks, substitute players more often.
o Play quarters instead of halves or eighths instead of quarters.
· Players’ safety is everyone’s Number 1 priority.
6TH, 7TH & 8TH Grade Game Rules
· Size 5 soccer ball.
· 35-minute halves, 10-minute halftime break.
· All players must play at least half of the game.
· Scores or standings kept and end of season playoffs.
· Balls out of bounds are restarted with a throw-in, goal kick or corner kick.
· Offside conforms to FIFA.
· All free kicks conform to FIFA with the exception that all opponents are at least ten (10) yards from the ball.
HIGH SCHOOL
Objectives
This age group will play 11v11 (one player being a goalkeeper). The Rec program allows the continuation of competitive soccer to high school aged players, both intramural and former travel players who are unable to commit to the rigors of a travel team program. Other objectives for this age group include:
· FUN and a positive environment.
· Continuation to the basics of soccer.
· Continue to teach basic soccer skills; dribbling, simple moves, striking the ball with either foot.
· Continue to teach more complex and or combination of moves.
· Continue to teach positional play, including the goalkeeper and to further develop player, team skills and strategy. All players will be instructed in the role of defending and attacking positions. Each player should be given the opportunity to play the positions they desire during the game; though some players may now be more selective in the position they wish to play.
· Competition among teams is expected, but the emphasis is on FUN, PARTICIPATION and SOCCER DEVELOPMENT.
· Encourage fair play, good sportsmanship, self-confidence, and coordination.
General Rules
· All players MUST wear SHIN GUARDS, covered entirely by the sock.
· Players shall not wear anything, which is dangerous to them self or another player, including jewelry, watches, rings, ear-rings — even for newly pierced ears (this is a FIFA rule designated to prevent injuries).
· Players with arm casts are permitted provided they are wrapped, padded, and pose no danger to them self or another player, this is at the discretion of the two coaches.
· Mouth guards are not required but recommended.
· Cups for boys are not required but recommended.
· Sport glasses for those requiring prescription eyeglasses are not required but recommended.
· It is the club’s preference that each player SHALL play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time. Equal play for all is strongly encouraged. It is also encouraged that each player plays a part of each half. Exceptions are if a player is physically unable or specifically requests less time. Also, if a player is being disciplined for aggressive on field behavior.
· Rec Game Rules
· Size 5 soccer ball.
· Conforms to FIFA Laws with any modifications or exceptions designated by the Rec League.
· Club’s preference that all players must play at least half of the game.