Association Guidelines for Coaches (Rec)
- This is Recreational (Rec) soccer not competitive soccer. We intentionally try to balance the teams vice make a higher and lower level team. This IS contrary to what some organizations do because we feel this will provide each or our teams an equal chance in our organization. This also helps build lower level players skills which overtime builds a large selection of skilled players. The converse potentially leaves the lower level players behind reducing their chances of developing and staying in the sport.
- Do not allow players to have gum or candy during practices or games due to choking hazard.
- Always maintain at least 2 adults present during practices and games when players are present.
- Carpooling is ok but, should still try to maintain 2 adults rule.
- Coaches and/or MSA members should not try to leverage a league/team sponsor into providing gifts or special treatment for teams or players.
- Player’s will show up late, need to leave early, miss practices and games. The player should not be penalized for this and still have the opportunity to play equally for the time they are present.
- Goalkeeper control of the ball is defined by any part of the hand touching the ball. An opposing player cannot challenge the keeper for control of the ball after this point. The opposing player should make all reasonable efforts to avoid contacting the keeper in any way after this point.
- The league rules for each game are governed by the organization hosting the game that day. When traveling to other towns, the coach should inquire about rule variations before the game starts, preferably at or before the time the referees check the team’s gear before the game.
- Referees are the authority on the field. It is their responsibility to control the game and safety of the players. Coaches, players, parents and, observers should be respectful to referees at all times.
- Any dispute with a referee should be handled calmly and respectfully during a stoppage in play away from the players. It may be helpful to invite the opposing coach into the discussion with the referee.
- If you feel your players’ safety is being compromised by the referee’s control of the game and/or its players, it is the coach’s overall responsibility to ensure his/her team/player’s safety; if necessary, by removing them from play. If this is done, a formal complaint should be submitted to MSA, The opposing team’s organization and, referee scheduling authority. Contact a MSA board member immediately to lodge your complaint. The MSA board will submit statements to the aforementioned groups. Additional witness statements to the event are helpful.
- Coaches can be held responsible by the referee for the conduct of spectators associated with players on his/her team. Talk to your parents and team about maintaining the respect for the referees and demonstrating good sportsmanship characteristics to everyone present.
Division Rules for Games (key points) – (U8)
- Equipment: Ball Size #3 and Shin Guards
- No jewelry (ear rings, necklaces…), No regular glasses or sunglasses (must be sport safe glasses)
- 5 vs 5 (w/ goal keeper) - #’s reduced for Spring 2017
- Coaches should remain in the coaching area; approximately 2 yards from the sideline and 10+ yards from the opposing teams coaching area.
- Referee(s) are the authority on the field. (Generally, 1 or 2 referees per game)
- Rules for the game and opposing team rosters should be checked BEFORE the game starts.
- The entire ball has to cross the line to be a goal or out of play.
- All free kicks are ‘Indirect’. Indirect means the player returning the ball to play cannot touch the ball again until another player has contacted it. This is also true for throw-ins.A goal cannot be scored directly from the kick.
- For a goal kick (if the ball goes out on the touch line), then play is restarted by a defense player anywhere in the goal keeper’s box. Opposing team’s players should be outside the defensive box area (defenders are allowed to be inside). The ball must be kicked outside the defensive box prior to ANY player contacting it (including the kicker).
- There are no PK’s (Penalty Kicks)
- There are no fouls by the keeper (i.e.,- the ball can be put down and picked back up by the keeper, the ball can be passed back to the keeper by one of his own players).
- There are no ‘Off-sides’ calls (Beginner’s, U6, U8). An offensive player, without possession of the ball, is allowed to be closer to the opposing team’s goal than the second to last defender.
- Substitutions are done during referee controlled stoppages in play with the referee’s permission (acknowledgement). These are done on (1) either team’s goal kicks (NOT corner kicks), (2) your team’s throw-in and, (3) if the other team chooses to substitute on their team’s throw-in. (4) Other stoppages such as an injury on the field can be an opportunity with the referee’s permission.(5) After a goal, both teams can substitute freely before play resumes.
- MSA have 3 goal rules. No player can score more than 3 goals as an individual in a single game. When a team is leading by 3 goals or more, no player on the leading team who has already scored can score again until the opposing team is less than 3 goals behind. Players who have not scored yet in the game on the leading team are still allowed to score no matter the point difference. These rules are to control a total blow-out and provide opportunities to players who do not usually get a chance to score a goal.
- During a game the time for each quarter is 10 minutes. Referee may add time if a significant stoppage has occurred during the quarter. At the referee’s discretion, if a team is on a good break for the goal, it is okay to continue a little past the normal time. Once the ball progression is stopped on the run {goal, out of bounds, defender turnover} then he/she willend the quarter. If it is a very hot day, discuss with the referee(s) and opposing coach about reducing the time each quarter to an agreeable time, or scheduled water breaks. There should be only 2 minutes between quarters and about 5 minutes at the half.
- Try to give players equal playing time. Some will be able to go the whole time, some may not want to play but a few minutes (just give them the opportunity). Try to keep anyone from getting over tired. During a game it is extremely hard for a coach to have time to motivate only one player to be a substitute. Ask the players parent or and assistant to come over to the team’s side of the field to do the motivation.
Practices:
- Practices should last about 60 minutes.
- Stretching and warm-ups at the younger divisions are not necessary. They will most likely be running around prior to the start of practice. Huddle them together and get started.
- The hardest part is keeping every player’s attention. The more coaches and parents helpingwill keep the kid to coach ratio optimal (recruit parents and older siblings of players). If you need a few moments to change the field setup to a new drill, send the players for a quick water break to give you this time.
- When talking to the team or a player, always face the sun as the coach so the team/player doesn’t have to. Take a knee or sit down on the ground to get to their level. Make sure all other talking and ball play is stopped. (I have them sit on their ball like an egg) Try to keep eye contact as much as possible.On game days, after warm-up drills, have the players take their personal ball to their parents on the other sideline. Put all other balls away in ball bag. This should remove it as a distraction during the game.
- Learning the player’s names is key for both coaches and players. This improves the communication and helps out on the field during a game. Encourage active communication between players on the field and cheering on the sidelines.
- If possible divide the team up into smaller groups to work in stations with different coaches.
- Keep times for each drill to a maximum of 20 minutes. Separate drills with a quick water break and right back to the next station.
- Have a plan for each practice. 3-4 drills/skill development games. Try to keep them related to similar skills being presented in different ways.
- Avoid drills that require standing in line to wait for their turn.The more time each player spends moving the ball with his/her feet the better. Time spent manipulating the ball is the largest developer of skills and it doesn’t even require anything other than having a ball and moving it with their feet.This is a good suggestion as homework for the players.
- Don’t be afraid to end a drill early if they are not grasping a skill or concept. It is best to move on before their attention is totally lost. You can try returning to the drill or try a different presentation at a different practice.
- Teaching positions should only be initially defined as Offence and Defense. “Offense (O) - Your team has the ball and working to get it to the other team’s goal.” “Defense (D) – the other team has the ball and your team is trying to keep them from getting it into your goal and get control of the ball back.” Although this is general defined by a player’s initial placement on the field ((D) closer to own goal or (O) to the center of the field) it should be more of shaping their change in actions based on location of the ball on the field and which team has possession.Formations can be developed as you learn the skill level of your players/team.Mid-fielders will reinforce the Offense and Defense depending on which team has possession of the balland its location on the field (Team’s half or Opponent’s half).
- (7v7) common formations (Offense, Mid, Defense)… 3,1,2… 2,2,2… 1,3,2… 1,2,3…
- Do an end of practice (game) team huddle (invite parents over for this too, or do it right by them). Go over what was practiced, point out what and who did well at certain skill, what the team still needs to work on, and what they can all practice doing as homework. (i.e.,Toe taps, Tic-Tocs, Juggling). Remind them of the time for the next practice or game.Hands in CHEER!
- Be respectful of practice field time spots. Field are usually reserved but there are often open spaces (not reserved) that can be used to enable spreading things our or if you have to change times or run late. As always have your players clean up after themselves (bottles, clothes, trash).
Skills development
Throw-Ins: Used to return the ball to play when it goes out on the sideline.
Key points:
- Both feet have to be touching the ground when the ball this thrown.
- Both feet have to be no closer to the field than the sideline.
- The ball must travel from behind the head, over the top of the head, to the release point in front of the head with both hands touching the ball during that movement.
- Player throwing in the ball cannot touch the ball after the throw-in until another player does.
Ball Control with feet: Dribbling, stopping, passing, kicking
Surfaces of the foot and their uses:
- Bottom- moves the ball in multiple directions from the same starting position.
- Trapping the ball by making a wedge shape or resting on top.
- Pull back- to change the direction of the ball
- Lateral move to either side
- Inside- easiest controlling surface of the foot
- Trapping the ball or receiving a pass
- Passing the ball – sweeping motion like a broom
- Dribbling and close control of ball inside between one’s own feet
- Lateral ball movement for avoidance of an attacker
- Laces (top)- point the toe to make a clean line from the shin to the toe
- Power kick with controlled placement of the ball
- Long pass down field to a teammate
- Emphasize NOT using the toe. This is hard to UN-learn and could be painful later
- Outside- from middle of foot to toe
- Deceptive directional change of the ball when dribbling or shooting
- Heel- back side up to the ankle
- Deceptive directional change of the ball
- Quick short pass behind
Aerial Control:(good practice tool is to use a balloon filled with regular air the size of a soccer ball)
Receiving the ball in the air and/or juggling with:
- Shin
- If held firm or moved upward and/or vertical from the knee, the ball will deflect away from the player
- If held softly or moved down and/or at an acute angle slanting in toward the body, the ball will be directed to a position or trapped close to the player
- Both actions can beuseful depending on the situation.
- Knee
- Often used for a ball in the air as a one touch redirection of the ball away from the player
- Can be used as part of a juggling technique to avoid and opponent
- Thigh
- Often used as a trap to field a ball in the air, maintains the ball in a closer proximity to the player
- Can be used as part of a juggling technique to avoid an opponent
- Chest
- If shoulders are held back moving the chest out (convex), it will deflect a ball in the air away from the player
- If shoulders are shrugged forward caving the chest in (concave), it will absorb and trap the ball keeping it close to the player
- Head – Avoid using this until U10due to underdeveloped neck muscles early forceful use could potentially leading to neck injury.
Skill development games:
- Bone Tag (Simon Says)– body to ball association
- Tic-Tocs – inside foot to ball control, ball association
- Toe Taps – bottom of foot to ball control, ball association
- Sit’n’Juggle – top (laces) foot to ball control, ball association
- Red light, Green light – ball control, dribbling
- Clean your room – kicking and passing
- Kick the cone – kicking and passing
- Dinosaur – ball control, dribbling
- Giants – ball control, dribbling
- Pirates – team work, avoidance, ball control
- Gates – ball control, passing
- Numbers – teamwork, avoidance, ball handling
- Crab soccer – avoidance, ball control
- Sharks & Minnows – avoidance, kicking/passing placement
- Knock out (King Fish) – attack, avoidance, ball protection, ball control
- Fox & Hens- attack, avoidance,ball protection, ball control
- World Cup- multiple mini-teams playing at same time in scoring position
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