YMCA of Boulder Valley Jr. Buffs Youth Soccer Coaching Guide Spring 2015
Table of Contents Coaching Overview/Philosophy Getting Started Pre-Season Soccer Rules
Coaching Overview/Philosophy The Y Way to Play is a commitment for all to learn, grow and have fun through sports. *The YMCA of Boulder Valley sports programs are designed to provide age-appropriate experiences and character development throughout life. Beginning with skill clinics and continuing with leagues, leadership training and adult sports, there is truly a Y Sports program for everyone. *Y Sports provide opportunities for kids of all ages to develop an appreciation of sports, learn physical and leadership skills and have fun! Kids are first in Y sports and everyone plays. Our modified rules, focused on kids learning the game and growing in confidence, as well as our ongoing commitment to sportsmanship, round out our programs. Coaching is by parents and other adult volunteers who are invested, with the Y, in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. *Youth Soccer provides kids with an opportunity to learn and have fun playing the game in a positive atmosphere. It is your responsibility to make sure the kids have a positive experience with soccer, so that they are excited about playing soccer in the future. By teaching the fundamentals and ensuring that every kid is given an opportunity to learn, grow and have fun; hopefully, every coach and every child will have a great time learning and enjoying the great sport of soccer. *There are many facets to the sport of soccer. By keeping the coaching simple and concrete, the players are more likely to learn and understand the important concepts and fundamentals of soccer. The important soccer concepts to teach are teamwork, technical skills, fundamental skills and good sportsmanship. Getting Started Coaching staff, *As a coach, your job is very important to the team s success and the player s overall experience and enjoyment. The emphasis should be on fun and learning.
*YMCA stresses the importance of allowing every player to participate and be a part of the team s success. It is also important to emphasize sportsmanship by shaking hands after games with the other team and the officials, and to applaud good play by both sides during the game. *Have a practice plan before each practice begins. It is okay to deviate from the practice plan; however, a practice plan is very important to help keep kids attention span and focus, ensuring their learning and growth. *On game day your duties will include helping with the overall game operations. It is vital to be respectful to the referees at all times. Remember, you are working together with the referees to teach the kids. Pre-Season *Set up phone/email/text lists: Include parents and YMCA administration in the event a practice is cancelled or game time changed; and, to know who is bringing post game snacks! *Make sure you use practice plan templates. *Make sure to check out any equipment provided by the YMCA and check equipment for satisfaction. Make sure that you have balls, cones, a whistle and a watch with a second hand. Practice plan: - Use your practice plan to set up a practice agenda and general outline. - Have your session written down (great for parents and kids). - Stick to ONE subject per training session (i.e. Dribbling) - Try to set up your field so the exercises flow from one to the other. - Always try to give kids something to do during down time. - Save last 10-15 minutes for scrimmage or free play. - Stay positive and encourage kids to be positive. - Reinforce the idea of doing their best, trying their hardest and having fun. - Remember, doing their best means all aspects; listening, treating everyone with respect, playing hard, encouraging their teammates, etc. - Don t be afraid to be hands on and physically show the kids correct fundamentals. Lead by example. Remember 1. Parents and players put a lot of trust in coaches to help mold each child s athletic experience. 2. Success shouldn t be measured in wins or losses. Success should be measured by the education and positive experience each player has. 3. Be energetic and enthusiastic 4. BE the example.
5. Soccer should be fun for everyone. Be patient. 6. Encourage players to set high goals for themselves. Refrain from discouraging remarks. 7. HAVE FUN!!! Soccer Rules The Laws of the Game Groups 1. Game Play Number of players on field Duration of Match Size of Ball Size of Field (yards) Direct/Indirect kicks Little Kickers 3v3 4x8 Size 3 25x30 See 6 (U5) U6 4v4 4x8 Size 3 30x35 See 6 U7 5v5 (4+goalie) 4x12 Size 3 30x35 Indirect everything(line defense up 3 yards from foul) U8 6v6 (5+goalie 20 minutes per half U9/U10 8v8 (7+goalie) 25 minutes per half U11-U13 11v11 (10+goalie) 30 minutes per half Size 3 45x60 Indirect everything(line defense up 3 yards from foul) Size 4 55x80 Direct free kicks given at referee discretion Size 4 100x130 Direct free kicks given at referee discretion Out of Bounds/Goal Out of bounds is called when the referee sees the entire ball cross the out of bounds line. o U5 U6 leagues will have loose boundaries, to keep the kids moving and engaged Little Kickers (U5) and U6 are allowed to have fans keep the ball in play. Fans are not allowed to keep the ball in play in U7-U14. Let the players play it in. Fans must sit 5 feet from the sideline for U9-U13 divisions. Fans are to only sit on the Fan Side. The teams will be on the other side of the field. All fans should be supportive, allowing players to focus on the game, their team and their coach (es). Fans are not allowed on other parts of the field.
A Goal is scored when the referee sees the entire ball cross the whole goal line. Referees (U5-U8) Divisions will have 1 ref on the field. (U9-U13) Divisions will have 2 refs on the field. Kids will line up and the refs will check them in using player s card and check for jewelry, shin guards, cleats etc. Other Little Kickers (U5) will have a 20-25 minute practice before the game starts. U5-U7 may have one coach on the field during the game. Halftime Length will be assessed by the Referee based on hourly constraints. 2. Players Equipment All players must have shin guards, cleats/athletic shoes, (U11-U13 cleats required) and the correct YMCA jersey. Shin guards inside the socks and instep bands are recommended. No player is allowed to wear any jewelry, watches or metal in their hair. Only participants registered with the YMCA can practice and play. 3. Substitutions U5 U7 o The referee will stop the game at the period mark. Substitutions will be made at this stoppage, as well as during halftime. U8-U13 The coach can substitute only on a throw in which their team has possession, a free kick in their possession, an injury, and any goal or corner kick (Do not have to have possession for goal or corner kick). Other For tournaments, coaches must sign the score sheet after every game. A tie in regulation results in a 5 person penalty shoots out. After the 5 man shoot out, sudden death will occur. There will be no over time. Substitutions have to be signaled by the referee to come in at all times. Coaches need to sub in immediately; players should know who they are relieving before a sub. Every player must play at least half the game. Players are only allowed to play goalie for a maximum of half their individual playing time for U8-U10, to ensure an understanding of different positions. 4. Throw-Ins The rule
All throw-ins must be taken at the spot where the ball went out of bounds. The player must have both feet in contact with the ground behind the line and the ball must be thrown straight over the player s head. As Applied to Little Kickers (U5)-U6 There will be no throw-ins. Parents are encouraged to stand around the field and help kick the ball in every time it goes out. As Applied to U7 o There will be throw-ins. They will not be enforced but ref will teach how. Fans should help the at all times by shagging any loose balls. There will still be corner kicks and goal kicks, if the ball goes out of bounds in those designated areas. As Applied to U8 - U13 Form will be enforced based on the referee s judgment; one redo will be given during the first half of the season. After half the season is passed there will be no redo and a turnover on possession. Drop balls Any external factor affecting the game or an injury the ref will resume the game with a drop ball. The ball is dropped shoulder height down and a player from each team must try and get possession. 5. Offside The rule A player is in an offside position if he is closer to his/her opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second to last opponent, unless he is in his own half of the field of play. A player level with the second last opponent is considered to be in an onside position. Note that the last two defenders can be either the goalkeeper and another defender, or two ordinary defenders. It is important to note that being in an offside position is not an offense in itself. A player in an offside position is only penalized if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by a member of the players team, the player is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play (i.e. interfering with play; interfering with an opponent; gaining an advantage by being in that position) In the event of an offside offense, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the opposing team to be taken from the place where the offense occurred. There is no offside on a throw in, goal kick, or a corner kick. As Applied to Little Kickers (U5) through U8 Offside will not be called. Coaches are encouraged to teach their players not to cherry-pick. As Applied to U9-U10
Players should be taught what an offside is. Offside will enforced through obvious cherry picking and through warnings from refs. 3 rd warning will result in enforcement 100% of time. After half the season, offside will be enforced a 100% of the time. As Applied to U11-U13 Offside will be enforced 100% of the time. 6. Fouls For all ages All free kicks are indirect for recreation league (U5-U8); they must be touched by another player before a goal is scored. For (U9-U14) direct free kicks will be awarded at Referee discretion. Defenders must be at least 10 yards away. There will be no penalty kicks for the recreation league (U5-U8). There will be penalty kicks for (U9-U13). In the case of a foul in the penalty box for U7 U8, the ball will be replaced by the referee outside of the penalty box and played as an indirect free kick. Unsportsmanlike Conduct Fouls All Unsportsmanlike Conduct Fouls result in an indirect free kick (REC league- U5-U8) and direct free kick (U9-U13) to be taken by the opposing team at the place of the foul. If Unsportsmanlike Conduct Fouls are determined to be severe enough, the referee may take further actions to penalize the player or team involved. Possible fouls are: o Kicking another player or attempting to kick another player o Slide tackling (note: slide tackling will not be allowed- It is only allowed if the player is slide tackling away from any opposing players U9-13) o Playing the ball from the ground o Charging in a dangerous manner o Strikes or Attempts to Strike o Spitting at or attempts to spit at an opponent o Holding/pushing an Opponent o Unsportsmanlike Conduct as Determined by the Referee Note: Any foul deemed minor and which leads to a direct scoring chance for the other team the ref may play an advantage where s/he may or may not call the foul. Two touch rule On a kick off, the player must kick or touch the ball forward to start play. The player may not touch the ball twice in a row. On a throw in, goal kick, or a corner kick, another player must touch the ball after the initial player throws/kicks it into play. On a goal kick, the ball must leave the penalty box before it is considered in play.
Note: This is very important to teach the kids at a young age. It will not be enforced in Little Kickers (U5). U6-U8 need to be aware of it and will be given a warning/redo. (U9-13) it will be enforced; no warning. Hand Ball No player (except the goalie) can strike, propel, or carry the ball with his/her hands or arms. This action will result in an indirect free kick from the spot of the foul unless determined by the referee to be a deliberate action, in which case a direct free kick will be awarded at the spot of the foul. As Applied to Little Kickers (U5) - U7 Hand balls will not be enforced unless the ball is carried by a player, but the rule should be taught. As Applied to U8 Hand balls will be enforced through a warning, unless it leads to a clear advantage or is determined by the referee as a deliberate action. As Applied to U9-U13 All handballs will be called. Other Hand ball foul should not be called if: o a player is instinctively trying to protect themselves from injury o the player did not deliberately touch the ball but the ball hit his/her arm and did not move the arm toward the ball (however, if the player's arms were in an unnatural position, such as above the shoulders or sticking out to the sides, then they should be called for a handball). Goal Keeper Restrictions The goalie may use their hands only in the goal box. A goalie cannot pick the ball up if it is passed to them by a player on their team using the feet, received directly from a throw in, or has been released from their possession and no other player has touched it. If the pass is made with the head or chest, then the goalie can use his/her hands. If this happens, it will result in a penalty kick. Possession is gained by the goalie once they have one hand on the ball and it is stopped. Once the goalie has the ball they have ten seconds to distribute the ball. A goal kick is taken from the corner of the smaller goal box. The goalie does not have to take the kick. The ball must leave the goalie box before being played by another player. A redo will occur if this happens. o The defense must give the goalie room to take the kick. Referees will facilitate the defense yielding space. Misconduct
Players, spectators, and coaches can be issued a warning or be asked to leave the field based on the severity of the following: o Unsportsmanlike behavior o Foul language o Delay of game o Entering the game without permission o Any physical non-sport contact o Badgering the referee. Players issued a warning (yellow card) must come out of the game immediately, but may return. Players asked to leave (red card) are not allowed back on the field for the rest of the game. Spectators and coaches asked to leave are ejected from the field, and must meet with program director. Spectators and coaches are expected to set a great and healthy example for the kids. 7. Rule changes The league director and site supervisor may change any rule as they see fit. They will notify coaches quickly upon any changes. 8. Important information Referees are well trained on how to maintain the game and should have everyone s respect. Please understand that they are only there to help the players develop. Before and during the game the coaches will meet with the referee(s) at the center of the field to check in on how the game is going. Players must shake hands with opponents and officials at the end of the game. Coaches should avoid lopsided scoring. In keeping with Y standards of progressive competition our goal is to facilitate the highest level of play at all times. When conditions occur that create mismatch in game time; coaches are encouraged to use the following as teachable moments for the team: (there are a lot of other things coaches can do, ultimately our goal is to teach excellent sportsmanship and quality progressive competition) 1. Move the best players to the back of the field. 2. Pass a certain amount of times before scoring. 3. Having the players use their opposite legs in passing, shooting, dribbling, etc. Cancellations of games will be due to heavy winter storms, thunderstorms, rain, etc. Coaches and parents will be notified through email/ymca website by 7:00am on the day of games. All participants will also be notified of schedules for makeup games. We have a responsibility to keep the fields clean. Please pick up all trash and after game snacks. There will be no food or animals on the turf fields. There will be grass areas around the turf fields where food and animals are allowed. Coaches are responsible for communicating information provided by the league director to the parents.
Coaches are responsible for the behavior of their spectators and players. They are subject to the same guidelines. The Y Way to Play is a commitment for all to learn, grow and have fun through sports. We're for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Briana Marshall Associate Program Director of Sports Briana.marshall@ymcabv.org 303-443-4474 ext. 2301