Micro Soccer Developmental Program

The Micro Soccer program was established for the age groups U5 to U10 in order to maximize the amount of time each child has in playing the game and to provide an environment which is most optimal for the development of the necessary skill in the early age groups.
 

5 - 8 year old is considered the "Beginner Phase". Players learn to kick the ball in a comfortable, coordinated way, to run purposefully with the ball, and begin playing as a team against other children. They are just understanding the need to share the ball (passing), to help one another to go forward (offense), and to combine to stop the opposition (defense). However, it must be understood that players at this age are just emerging from a colossal growth and development period. In soccer terms, when they start the game for the first time, they are still "babies" - relatively uncoordinated, egocentric and view the world of soccer from that perspective.

 

5 - 8 year old relates to and cooperates with one or two friends (accepted educational psychology).

 

One ball among 6 guarantees the opportunity for all players to kick, dribble and score.

 

Three makes the triangle - the basic team unit. The triangle forms the basic tactical configuration. An attacker with the ball should have at least 2 passing options.

9-11 year old is considered the second stage of learning soccer. Players will be eager, coordinated, energetic youngsters who are like sponges in their ability and willingness to learn, but who want to learn by doing not by being lectured. This stage is the most important in terms of skill development.

CU5, CU6, CU7, GU8: Play 3 versus 3. Two games at a time. Games are 40 minutes long with 10 min. quarters. Roster maximum is 12 players. The playing field size is maximuum 40 yd. long by 30 yd. wide and a minumum 30 yd. long by 20 yd. wide. Ball handling area is 6 yd. straight across the field. Center circle has a diameter of 5 yd. Cones are used at each corner of the field. Goal sizes are 9'W X 4'H X 4'D. The soccer ball size is # 3 for U5 & U6 and # 4 for U7 & U8. Substitutions can be made at any stoppage of play. There are no penalty kicks. If a foul throw is committed, the coach explains the correct method and lets the offender retake the throw until correct. If a foul is committed an indirect free kick is awarded. If there are six players on a team (three on, three off) line changes can be made periodically so the same three players do not always play together. The coach decides who will referee the game.

 

CU5, CU6: Coaches are permitted to stand on the field while refereeing but should not interfere with play on the field.

 

CU7, GU8: Coaches are not permitted to stand on the field while refereeing.

 

CU5, CU6:  Do not use goalies. CU7, GU8: Introduces goalie in spring season.

 

CU7, GU8 Goalkeepers are not permitted to punt the ball, but can roll or use side arm throw. The goalkeeping zone is 6 yd.. The goalkeeper can handle the ball inside this zone but may play (and should be encouraged to do so) beyond the line in a conventional manner using feet and body but not hands.

 

CU7, CU8, GU8, CU9, GU10: Charging (shouldering or any contact) the goalkeeper in the goalkeeping zone or penalty is not permitted. Possession by a goalie shall be a finger, arm, leg or any other part of the body on a stationary ball. Goalkeepers are changed at each quarter on a rotating basis so that "equal time" is established for the goalkeeping function.

 

CU5, CU6, CU7, CU8, GU8, CU9, GU10: Goals Can be scored from anywhere on the field but must pass fully over the goal line in between the goal posts and under the crossbar. When the ball goes out of play, the game is restarted by one of the following ways:

• over the sideline, with a throw-in.
• over the goal line, with a goal kick if the attacking team last touched the ball; or corner kick if defending team last played ball (goal kick is taken anywhere in the goalkeeper handling zone, corner kick from where the goal line and sideline meet).
• after a goal is scored, restart from the half line.

All opposing players must be at least 5 yards away from the ball on free kicks, corner kicks, goal kicks and kick off. All infringements - tripping, handling, pushing, etc. are punished by an indirect free kick, i.e.. ball must be passed first before a shot can be taken. Non-players (including coaches, assistant coaches, spectators and person refereeing) are not allowed on the playing field while play is in session. Non-players must remain by the touchlines (sidelines). Non-players may enter the field only upon stoppage of play with referees (if ref. is used) permission. Sliding or slide tackling is not permitted. Serious injury could occur. A 30 second sit out is the punishment for such an offense during practice (add 30 seconds to each subsequent slide by the same player per the same practice). A player substitution is the punishment for any sliding of slide tackling during a game. A free kick is awarded to the opposing team at point of infraction (slide).

 

In the event a player slides into the ball and the ball passed over the touchline into the goal and

 

a: the player does not contact another player the goal is awarded but the player will be substituted or

 

b: the player does contact another player. The goal is disallowed. A free indirect kick is awarded to the opposing team and the player will be substituted. |(See page four for more details: Sliding and Slide Tackling)|

CU8, CU9, GU10: Play 5 versus 5 minimum 3 versus 3 to start game. One game at a time. Games are 48 minutes long with 12 min. quarters. Maximum roster size is 10 players. The field size is a maximum of 60 yd. by 40 yd. and a minimum of 50 yd. by 30 yd.. The goal area is 4 yd.. The penalty area is 12 yd.. The center circle has a 6 yd diameter. The goal size is 6H X 12W X 4D. The soccer ball size is # 4. Corner flags or cones are used at each corner of the field. There are no penalty kicks. If a foul is committed an indirect free kick is awarded. Plays with a goalkeeper both seasons. The goalkeeper can handle the ball inside the penalty area but may play (and should be encouraged to do so) beyond the area in a conventional manner using feet and body but not hands. If a foul throw is committed, the referee awards the throw to the opposing team. Upon referee's approval, substitutions can be made at your advantage throw-in, any goal kick or injury. Substitutions can not be made on corner kicks. No offside ruling. Two referees are scheduled per game. The referee is paid $10.00. |Note: If a referee does not show up, no payment is made on behalf of the absent person. Unused money is to be handed back to the division leader as soon as possible.|

CU9, GU10 Fall season no offside ruling. Spring season coach starts to point out offside position & offside ruling.

• CU10: Play 7 versus 7 minimum 5 versus 5 to start game. One game at a time. The game is 48 minutes long with 12 minute quarters. The maximum roster is 12 players. The field is maximum 80 yd. long by 50 yd. wide and a minimum 60 yd. by 40 yd.. The goal area is 8 yd. The penalty area 15 yd. The center circle and penalty arc are 8 yd. in diameter. Corner flags are used at each corner of the field, where the end line meets the sideline. The goal size is 6 1/2H X 18 1/2W X 2D X 5 1/2B. The soccer ball is # 4. If the minimum field size is used then the field and goal size will match the coed U9 sizes. Offside ruling is effect both seasons. Penalty kicks are awarded at a distance of 9 yd.

• Sliding: sliding on the ground to get possession of the ball or sliding into the ball to score when an opponent is not near or playing the ball. This act can be dangerous and should be discouraged. Younger players usually do it out of frustration and lack of confidence. The young player needs to learn to play the ball standing on his feet. You might instruct such a player to first, challenge for space (delay the play) then second challenge (attack) for the ball.

 
• Slide tackling: sliding on the ground to get possession or knock the ball away from an opponent. This act can cause serious injury and will not be permitted.

• Offside: a player is offside if he is between his opponent's goal line and the ball at the moment the ball is played unless: he is in his own half of the field; at least 2 opponents (including the goalkeeper) are nearer their goal line than he is; he received the ball directly form a corner kick, goal kick, throw-in, or drop-ball situation. The penalty is an indirect free kick.

 
• Offside Position: a situation in which a player is technically offside but because he is not interfering with the play or an opponent and is not gaining an advantage, the referee will not call a penalty.

 
• Offside Trap: a defensive maneuver designed to lure an attacker into an offside position in order to gain ball possession with the penalty call.

• There are no forfeits in micro or mod soccer. There are no standings.

 
• Sharing of players is permitted and strongly recommended when a team shows up with a lot less players than the other. If sharing players, use pennies to distinguish the teams.

 
• Coaches should cooperate with one another. Don't worry about the score. The players should have rewarding and fun experiences and always play if possible.