GENERAL RULES FOR 7 YR OLDS

Number of players: 6 vs 6, including goalkeeper

Field size: Approx 30 yards by 50 yards, marked by cones placed by coaches

Play will be on Varsity field. Field of play should run widthwise on varsity field. Two 6 Vs 6 fields shall be configured.

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

Game Times: Two games are scheduled at 9:30 AM, and two games at 10:30 AM. A game schedule will be provided detailing individual start times and fields.

Goals: Portable, collapsible goals are stored in the soccer shed. Coaches with 9:30 AM games are asked to assemble goals prior the game. Coaches with 10:30 AM games are asked to break-down goals after the game. Goals should be returned to the stowage locker and stored neatly. The 7 yr olds will use the largest of the goals stored in the storage shed.

Hand balls: Catching the ball or intentionally hitting the ball with the arm or hand has to be called. 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 near the point of foul 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. Any direct kicks should be placed far enough away from to goal to prevent a point blank shot on goal.

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.

Off-sides: Off-sides is generally not called at the Clinic level. However, it is a good idea to introduce the players to the concept of off-sides to discourage unfair player positioning. Coaches are free to discuss/demonstrate this to the degree they feel comfortable, and to the degree they feel the players are receptive. The players will need to know this concept next year, however, especially at the travel soccer level.

SKILLS

Following techniques should be emphasized during the season. They should already be familiar from 6 yr clinic level, however, repetition will help emphasize.

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, keep both feet on ground, body should not twist and ball should not spin (sideways). 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 team's 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 front of 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.

These and other concepts should be focused on this year. Next year, many of these players will be playing travel soccer; others will be playing refereed games at the club level. Either way, the players need to know the rules. My experience has been that many children coming out of the clinic level enter travel soccer with weak knowledge of some of these skills, with a lot of wasted time then spent teaching these basic skills/concepts vice working advanced skills at the travel level. If the players get these down now, their transition to 8-year old soccer will go much smoother.