Recreational Coaches Handbook

  • Posted By: Katrina
  • Posted On: 6/4/2010 5:21:34 PM
  • Views: this article has been viewed 222 times

Rain/Game Cancellation Procedures

Recreational Hands in - over the shoulderEGSA will cancel games due to rain/poor weather by calling age group and referee coordinators and emailing all players approximately 1 to 1-1/2 hours prior to first game.

In general, U6 will be cancelled if raining at all, and other age groups will be cancelled for heavy rain and/or for standing water on fields.  We will try to play games if possible, but will err on the side of safety for players and for keeping the fields in good shape.

Make up games may be scheduled depending on field availability.

 

Coaches' Responsibilities

  • MAKE SOCCER FUN AND BE POSITIVE!
  • Be prepared for practices and games.
  • Have ice or cold packs for minor injuries.
  • Have a team roster with phone numbers at practices and games in case of emergencies.
  • Make sure children know to bring water to all practices and games.
  • Please discourage the practice of post game snacks.  In order to avoid rewarding a healthy, sporting activity with an unhealthy post game snack, please encourage fruit and water if post game snacks are requested.
  • Let every child play!  Each player must play at least 50% of each game.
  • Stress teamwork and fun, not winning.
  • Respect the referees.  They are learning to referee soccer, just like your players are learning to play soccer, and need your patience.  Bring concerns about referees to EGSA, not to the referee at the game.

  • Home team coaches are to sign the referee's payment slip at the conclusion of the game.  They won't get paid otherwise.

Practice Sessions

  • Every player should have/bring a ball.
  • Come to practice prepared for what you will do that night.
  • Drills should be designed so everyone is participating; avoid standing in line.
  • Make up games to teach the techniques.
  • Practice only 1 or 2 techniques during a practice.

  • MAKE IT FUN!

Rules:  Under 6

Game format

  • 4 v 4
  • Size 3 ball
  • At coaches' discretion, teams may play with less players or share players.
  • 4 quarters - 8 minutes each
  • 1 minute break between quarters
  • 5 minute break at half time
  • Games start 20 minutes after the scheduled time - the first 20 minutes is practice

Substitutions

  • At coaches' discretion, while trying to minimize disruption to flow of game

Game Rules

  • No offside rule
  • All fouls: indirect free kicks (NO penalty kicks)
  • No throw-in's: Use "kick-in's."
  • Slide tackling is NOT allowed - call a free kick
  • A team that is behind by 4 goals or is clearly over matched, has the option of putting another player on the field
    On a goal kick, the opposing team must retreat to the half way line and stay there until the other team brings the ball over the halfway line or until 15 seconds has passed. Referee's should only blow whistle if violation of this rule results in immediate goal for team crossing mid field too soon.

  • Only one coach from each team is allowed on field during game. All other coaches should help from sidelines

Equipment

  • Shin guards (required)
  • Sneakers or tennis shoes - cleats are not allowed at Academy Field

Scores and Standings

  • No scores are recorded and no standings kept

Referees

  • One center referee
  • Referee should be vocal and audible in making calls (for example, "Ball out-of-bounds, Green kick!")
  • Referee should blow whistle with authority so all players and coaches can hear it

Rules:  Under 8

Game format

  • 5 v 5 (Four field players and a goalie)
  • Size 3 ball
  • If both coaches agree, they can play with less players or share players. Each team must have the same number of players
  • 4 quarters - 12 minutes each
  • 2 minutes break between quarters
  • 5 minutes break at half time

Substitutions

  • Anytime the ball is out of play

Game Rules

  • No offside rule
  • Kickoff: players must be 5 yards from the ball
  • All fouls: indirect free kicks (NO penalty kicks). Players must be 5 yards away
  • Slide tackling is NOT allowed - call a free kick
  • Throw-ins - second chances given for improper throw-ins
  • On a goal kick, the opposing team must retreat to the half way line and stay there until the other team brings the ball over the halfway line or until 15 seconds has passed. Violation of rule will result in an indirect free kick from mid field.

  • A team that is behind by 4 goals or is clearly over matched has the option of putting another player on the field

Equipment

  • Shin guards (required)

  • Sneakers or cleats

Scores and Standings

  • No scores are recorded and no standings kept

Referees

  • One center referee


 

Rules:  Under 10

Game format

  • 6 v 6
  • Each team must have the same number of players. Players should not be shared
  • Size 4 ball
  • 2 halves - 25 minutes each

  • 5 minutes break at half time

Substitutions

  • On goal kicks, after goals, at halftime, for injury resulting in stoppage of play

  • On throw-ins for team with possession. If one team substitutes, other team may do as well

Game Rules

  • FIFA rules modified for youth play by USYSA
  • No offside rule
  • Slide tackling is NOT allowed - call an indirect free kick

  • A team that is behind by 4 goals or is clearly over matched has the option of putting another player on the field until lead is reduced to 2 goals

Equipment

  • Shin guards (required)

  • Sneakers or cleats

Scores and Standings

  • No scores are recorded and no standings kept

Referees

  • One center referee (no assistant referees, since no offsides)

Rules:  Under 12

Game format

  • 8 v 8
  • If both coaches agree, play with fewer players. Each team must have the same number of players. Players should not be shared
  • Size 4 ball
  • 2 halves - 30 minutes each

  • 5 minutes break at half time

Substitutions

  • On goal kicks, after goals, at halftime, for injury resulting in stoppage of play
    On throw-ins for team with possession. If one team substitutes, other team may do as well

Game Rules

  • FIFA rules modified for youth play by USYSA
  • Offsides
  • Slide tackling is NOT allowed - call an indirect free kick

  • A team that is behind by 4 goals or is clearly over matched has the option of putting another player on the field until lead is reduced to 2 goals

Equipment

  • Shin guards (required)

  • Sneakers or cleats

Scores and Standings

  • Scores are kept and standings kept. The home team coach reports the score to the age group coordinator. Referee should confirm the score with the coaches at the end of the game

Referees

  • One center referee, 2 assistant referees

Rules:  Under 15

Game format

  • 11 v 11
  • If both coaches agree, play with fewer players. Each team must have the same number of players. Players should not be shared
  • Size 5 ball
  • 2 halves - 35 minutes each

  • 5 minutes break at half time

Substitutions

  • On goal kicks, after goals, at halftime, for injury resulting in stoppage of play

  • On throw-ins for team with possession. If one team substitutes, other team may do as well

Game Rules

  • FIFA rules modified for youth play by USYSA
    Offsides

Equipment

  • Shin guards (required)

  • Sneakers or cleats

Scores and Standings

  • Scores are kept and standings kept. The home team coach reports the score. Referee should confirm the score with the coaches at the end of the game

Referees

  • One center referee, 2 assistant referees