USSF, Recreational Youth Referee Course U5-U7 Game Manager Program
Credits Author Steve Schafer NM SDI David Vehar NMYSA NMSRA AYSO
U5-U7 Game Manager Course Objectives Understand what to expect from U5 U7 players Be able to perform pre-game duties Know the parts of the field Know how to manage U5 U7 game Recognize ball in and out of play Understand method of scoring Know how to start, when to stop, and how to restart play Basic understanding of fouls and free kicks
What This Course Does NOT Cover This is NOT Referee Certification for older age groups Some things NOT in U5 U7 games Penalty area and penalty kicks Goalkeepers Cautions/Send-offs (yellow/red cards) Offside
Team KIDS Coaches
Spirit of the Game can be summarized in three simple words: Safety Equality Enjoyment
Philosophy of Game Management The Laws of the Game are intended to provide that games should be played with as little interference as possible, and in this view it is the duty of the game manager to penalize only deliberate breaches of the Law. Constant whistling for trifling and doubtful breaches produces bad feelings, loss of temper on the part of the players, and spoils the pleasure of spectators.
Philosophy of Game Management In the younger players games, the game manager is more of a friendly guide than policeman. Young players that commit technical errors (like taking a restart improperly) generally should be given a second chance (do-over). Young players should never be subjected to public humiliation.
U5-U7 Players Physical Characteristics Early stages of development Can run, jump, and skip, but motor skills are still developing Lots of energy, but in bursts. Can still tire easily Can t sit still long
U5-U7 Players Social/Emotional Characteristics Craves praise and attention Fearful of unknowns Needs encouragement Rapid and unpredictable mood changes Disposition to telling tall tales
U5-U7 Players Thought/Cognitive Characteristics Lacks judgment regarding own safety/abilities Does not think logically Asks lots of questions Fond of stories
Goal Line Field of Play for U-5/U-6 Games Corner Flag Goal Area Halfway Line Goal Corner Arc Center Circle Touch Line
Possible Modified Fields for U5 U7 Goals Regular, smaller, pop-up, or cones Corners Flags, cones, no arc, or a plain corner Center circle May not have Goal area May not have Adapt the game for the field
Pre-game Duties and Activities Arrive early (~15 minutes) With required equipment
Spherical Pre-game Duties and Activities The Ball Firm, but yields ¼ inch to thumb pressure Size 3 for U5 U7 Safe Not torn, sharp edges, or damaged stitching
Pre-game Duties and Activities Team Uniform Check players equipment Shirt, Shorts, Shoes, Socks, Shinguards Use common sense in cold weather (i.e. allow hats, gloves, sweats, coats under shirt, etc.) No jewelry Casts or splints padded if allowed by your local league (safe in your opinion) Medical alert bracelets may be worn, but must be secured to the player with tape
Now that we ve finished our pre-game activities... How do we start the game?
Number of Players on the Field U5-U7 Games 4 v 4 No goalkeeper 8 minute quarters Your Local League May Modify The Number of Players and Game Times
Kick-Off The ball is stationary in the center of the field Game Manager blows whistle to start play Ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward. No 2nd touch for the kicker until touched by someone else Start your Watch The clock runs continuously each period
Reasons for Stopping the Game Ball goes out of play The Game Manager deems it necessary Goal is scored Foul is committed Injury Halftime / End of Game How do you stop the game? Blow your whistle! Note Substitutions are to be made at the quarter breaks
The lines of the field are part of the area they define In Play In Play IN OUT In Play Either in the air or on the ground Out of Play
The ball s position determines whether it is in or out of play Not the player s position
Play is stopped when the Game Manager deems it necessary Sometimes there are outside influences that make it necessary to stop play.
Play is stopped when a goal is scored When the ball crosses wholly over the goal line, between the goalposts and beneath the crossbar. It does not matter which team put it there. No Goal No Goal Goal!! No Goal
Fouls Play is stopped when a foul is committed This is something that is unfair or unsafe.
The fouls that most commonly occur in U5 U7 age groups include: Kicks an opponent Trips an opponent Pushes an opponent Holds an opponent Handles the ball deliberately Plays in a dangerous manner This is a short list. There are other fouls that are not listed.
Fouls Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent Trips or attempts to trip an opponent Tripping on a blade of grass or their own feet is NOT a foul!
Pushes an opponent Fouls Holds an opponent Contact between players is NOT always a foul!
Fouls Handles the ball deliberately Player makes themselves bigger Protecting their body or face is okay Often, it is NOT deliberate handling
Fouls Playing in a dangerous manner
Additional Thoughts on Fouls If you see something in your game that you think is a foul, and it s not listed above, blow the whistle for a foul and talk to a referee/administrator afterwards for clarification If you see something in a game and you don t want to see it again, blow your whistle
Play is stopped for injuries ANYTIME IMMEDIATELY In younger players games, it s better to err on the side of caution
Play is stopped for injuries Blood Must be neutralized on clothing must be removed from the body This is the coach s responsibility
Stopping the game Play is stopped at the end of each period and at the end of the game Switch ends and kickoff at halftime Do NOT switch ends at quarters How do you stop the game? Blow your Whistle! Break Time!
Restarting the Game Throw-In Throw-in for U5 U7 When the ball passes out of play over a touch line, play is restarted with a Throw-in. The throw is taken by the opponents of the team that last touched the ball. The throw is taken from the approximate point on the line where the ball left the field. Opponents are at least 4 yds. away Center circle radius
Restarting the Game Goal Kick When the whole ball passes over the goal line, last touched by an attacker Not a goal Restart with a Goal Kick for the defending team The ball is placed anywhere in the Goal Area Some U-6 do not have a goal area Then place the ball near/on goal line
Restarting the Game Goal Kick All of these balls are legally placed within the Goal Area. Okay for field with no goal area
Restarting the Game Goal Kick Opponents must be at least 4 yds. away from the ball Center circle radius The ball is in play when it leaves the Goal Area into the field of play No 2nd touch for the kicker until touched by someone else A goal can be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team
Restarting the Game Corner Kick When the whole ball passes over the goal line, last touched by a defender (not a goal), play is restarted with a Corner Kick for the attacking team. The ball is placed near the corner. X It is okay at U5/U6 to have no arcs or flags or to use cones instead.
Restarting the Game Corner Kick All of these balls are legally placed with or without the corner arc
Restarting the Game Corner Kick Opposing team must be at least 4 yds. from the ball Center circle radius The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves A goal can be scored directly from a corner kick No 2nd touch for the kicker until touched by someone else
Restarting the Game Free Kick A way to restart play when the Game Manager has stopped play because of a foul The free kick is taken from the location of the foul, but no closer than 4 yds. from the opposing team s goal No Penalty kicks in U5-U7
Restarting the Game Free Kick All opponents must be at least 4 yds. from the ball Center circle radius The ball is in play once it is kicked and moves A goal can be scored directly from a free kick No 2nd touch for the kicker until touched by someone else
Restart Suggestions The game manager can help the game along by placing the ball where it needs to be for the restart and encouraging the appropriate team player to take the restart Remember Do-overs if they mess up for whatever reason
Post-game Duties Collect the game ball and return to appropriate team Supervise team handshake
Challenges - Suggestions Problem Adult Remind them of the spirit of the game Communicating how much fun you are having can help alleviate the situation Rambunctious player Ask the coach to substitute the player for a calming period Playing time questions Managed by coaches Player messes up a free kick (2 nd touch on a restart, barely kicks the ball, etc.) Do-over
Questions? At U5-U7, It s about more than the game! Have Fun!