Training Sessions
- Develop improved skills with the ball
- Improve confidence and comfort
- Develop intelligence with and without the ball
- Promote faster decisions and better awareness
- Develop partnerships within the team
- Coaches should have the age appropriate license issued by U.S. Soccer
- Formal games are not needed so playing with and against teammates at the end of each training session (1-2 per week) should be sufficient
- Formal rosters and teams are not needed so having a flexible and fluid approach to training and playing is recommended
- While playing, everyone should participate a minimum of 50% of the time
- With 4 players on the field, having 6 players on each “team” when the “game” is played helps maximize participation and engagement
- Heading is not allowed in 4v4 games
- If a player heads the ball in a game, whether deliberately or accidentally, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense
- In a controlled and individual environment (where heading is an isolated skill being taught away from any form of opposition or other aspects of the game), the use of lightweight balls (foam, balloon, etc.) would be acceptable for teaching heading technique
- 25-35 yards (length)
- 15-25 yards (width)
- Goals should be no larger than 4 feet (height) x 6 feet (width)
- Corner flags are not needed
- Size 3 ball
- 4v4 (no goalkeepers)
- Shin guards are required
- Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any time
- 4 quarters
- No more than 10 minute quarters
- 5 minute breaks between quarters
- Playing times can be less than 10 minutes when managed by the coaches and parents
- Kick offs, free kicks, throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks are used to start or restart play
- Kick-ins and/or dribble-ins are also acceptable as restarts when the ball has gone out over the sidelines
- Goal kicks and corner kicks should be taken in the general vicinity of the respective goal or corner
- If used, all free kicks are indirect
- Opponents should be 10 feet away from the ball on all restarts
- No penalty kicks
- No offside
- Registered and certified referees are not needed at this level
- Since there is no referee, coaches are expected to manage the game environment from the touchline using these standards of play and their best judgement
- Together, coaches and parents are expected to create and promote a fun and safe environment for the players