GENERAL RULES FOR 6 YR OLDS

Number of players: 4 vs 4, including goalkeeper

Field size: Approx 25 yards by 40 yards, marked by cones placed by coaches

Duration: Two 25-minute halves with 5 minute break between games. Games should be started promptly to allow girls travel team starting times at 12:00 PM.

Goals: Portable, collapsible goals. Coaches are asked to assemble goals prior the game; and to break-down after the game and return to the stowage locker.

Hand balls: Catching the ball or intentionally hitting the ball with the arm or hand has to be called. The sooner the players get used to not grabbing the ball, the better. Do not call accidental or unintentional contact with the arm or hand, nor the "duck and cover" protective reaction hand ball. If you see contact that you choose not to call, just say "Play On".

Restarting Play: After a foul or hand ball has been called, restart play by placing the ball a yard or two in from the nearest sideline and give a direct free kick to the offended team. Indirect kicks do not add anything to the game in this age bracket. Since there is no clearly defined goal area, there are no penalty kicks awarded in clinic.

Referees: There should be one (and only one) coach on the field for each team. The coach acts as coach (encouraging and guiding the children) and referee (restarting play, calling stoppages, calling fouls, etc). It is suggested that each coach have whistle to start/stop play as necessary

Offsides: Offsides is not called at the Clinic level

SKILLS

Following techniques should be shown to the children (if they were not shown last year). Some catch on quickly, some more slowly - either is OK as long as the techniques are demonstrated - eventually they will catch on.

Throw-ins: Player throws ball in bounds after opposing team kicks/touches ball out of bounds across the sideline. Throw-in is at the spot ball went out of bounds. If child has trouble throwing to a teammate, a safe play is to encourage the child to throw downfield along the sideline toward the opponent's goal. Technique: Two hands on ball, throw it over the head, try to keep both feet on ground. Teach it properly but don't stop play repeatedly because the throw is not perfect. Keep the game moving.

Goal-kicks: Defending team kicks from in front of goal area after attacking team has kicked ball out of bounds past goal line. Either the goalie, or one of his teammates, may kick the ball. As the level progress, the kicker should be encouraged to kick 1) to the sidelines (away from the goal mouth), 2) toward teammates, 3) away from the other teams players.

Corner kicks: Attacking team kicks from defending teams corner (on same side of goal as the ball went out of bounds) after defending team kicks ball out of bounds past the goal line. The kicker should be encouraged to kick 1) towards goal, and/or 2) towards his teammates.

Goalies are used at this age. It should be emphasized that the goalie can only use hands in general vicinity of the goal area (for instance, goalie cannot come to midfield and pick up ball). However, goalie aggressiveness (ie going to ball) should be encouraged.