Rules For DSA Recreational Soccer Teams
KINDER
These rules apply to all age-levels:
1) Parents and fans can cheer positively…no negatives…no ‘coaching’ from parents on the sidelines
2) Coaches can cheer positively…coaches may correct, but not by yelling and screaming negatives at a player.
3) Neither parents, fans, players or coaches are permitted to ridicule or intimidate the refs…the refs control the game…the coaches facilitate the play…the players play the game…the fans enjoy the game…and EVERYONE supports the players, the teams, coaches and the refs.
4) Parents and fans must observe the game on the sidelines opposite from the players and coaches.
5) Parents, fans, players and coaches are not permitted to observe the game from an end-line.
6) Players, coaches, parents, fans and refs must comply with the DSA Code Of Conduct.
7) Coaches must give equal playing time to every player on their roster.
These rules apply to the Kindergarten League:
1) Teams in the Kindergarten (K) league should have 2 or 3 practice sessions before the season opens. After the season begins, teams in this league can schedule an additional practice session every other week. They play twice each week (as scheduled) on the ‘Mini Fields’ at Mingo Park. If there are an odd number of teams in this league, teams will have an occasional bye and only play once that week. HOWEVER, during their bye week, the coach can schedule a scrimmage where half of the team plays the other half.
2) Teams in the Kindergarten (K) league have 1 pre-season all-league group training session as scheduled by the league’s director. All-league training sessions are run by DSA’s Coach and Player Development Coordinator. During each all-league training session, coaches learn and implement age-appropriate drills for the season, as players develop the skills taught in each drill.
3) Objectives: have fun…demonstrate and teach good sportsmanship above all else…become familiar with the ball…develop a desire to play with the ball…motivate the kids to play and learn more about soccer, teamwork and good sportsmanship…develop basic technique with throw-ins, stopping the ball with feet, thigh, chest…develop dribbling skills, changing directions, begin using both feet to dribble…teach passing…develop an initial sense of 2 lines of play.
4) The time indicated on your schedule is the time when your session begins on the fields. You will practice for 20 - 25 minutes…then play a game against your opponent. You do NOT divide your team in half as is the case in the PS/PK league.
5) No goal keeper on defense…no “cherry-pickers” on offense.
6) The coach should designate two lines of players – front line and back line. Players should play in both lines during each game, thus beginning to learn how to play more in positions, rather than all over the field as is customary in the PS/PK league. The mission is to keep the game moving, creating a free-flow style of play. Players should not be restricted from going to the ball UNLESS a player has been deliberately placed in a position because he/she had been dominating play and/or scoring too many goals at-will.
7) Although the rule is to have two lines, this does not mean that the ‘defense’ (back line) is supposed to stay back by the goal while the ‘forwards’ (front line) advance and try to score. Both lines can and should advance down the field to try to score…and move back as their opponent re-gains control of the ball. That’s where the “players should not be restricted from going to the ball” comes in. It’s hard thing to teach a young child…but K’s should try to avoid ending up in a mass of players all kicking at the ball together (like in the PS/PK league) when we are just wanting kids to get a feel for being on the field and learning to develop some basic understandings of the game. That’s why we begin to introduce the two lines with the K’s…and begin to teach them to pass side to side, front to back, back to front…the 2 lines helps the player begin to see that soccer is a game of space…and passing…and teamwork
8) Games will be on the mini-fields as scheduled. Use a size 3 ball. The game consists of four 7 minute quarters with a 2 minute break between quarters and a 3 minute half-time break.
9) Games consist of 6 - 8 field players aside (again, no goalkeeper). The opposing coaches decide how many to play aside, but both teams must have the same number of players. Although not required, it is suggested that each team have at least one sub and ideally two. Of course, that depends on how many players show up for the game!
10) Tennis shoes or soft-cleated soccer shoes are recommended. Shin guards are highly recommended.
11) Coaches are on the field during the games…instructing, supporting and serving as the refs.
12) Coaches are NOT permitted to kick the ball, interfere with play, or even be close to the ball once the game begins (the coach’s size can be an intimidating/inhibiting factor to the children).
13) To begin play, opponents must be outside the center circle and on their half of the field. Players from the kicking team must be on their half but are permitted inside the center circle. The ball may be played forward or backward on the kickoff but cannot be touched a 2nd time by the initial kicker until first touched by another player. Continue to ‘re-do’ until it is done properly.
14) When one team kicks the ball out of bounds on a sideline or end-line, the other coach should select a player to throw the ball in using a soccer throw-in…do not look for perfection…let the kids have fun throwing it in over their heads.
15) To score, the ball must completely cross the line in the goal…do NOT keep score or emphasize the score…do NOT run up the score against your opponent.
16) Even though we do not keep score, if you know your team is leading by 3 - 4 goals, you must subtly modify your team’s method of play, enabling the other team to score a few goals and feel a part of the game (vs. becoming frustrated and seemingly tired).
For example, your team must play back and let your opponent get closer to the goal before your team can touch the ball…and/or each player on your team must pass the ball to another player when the ball is passed to them (vs. receiving the ball and immediately scoring.) When a team is required to pass back and forth, eventually an opponent will get the ball, thus minimizing your team scoring...often, a team scores many goals because of 1 or 2 high-impact players.
17) If you have a player who is repeatedly scoring, after he/she’s scored a couple of goals, then modify his/her game a bit. Some possibilities are to have him/her play back or tell him/her he/she must pass to the other players and can’t score again until all of the other players have scored.
18) Only flagrant fouls or uncontrolled charging of an opponent should be addressed. Players should be approached individually…the foul should be explained while another ball is thrown in by the coach and the play continues. No intentional pushing, kicking or slide tackling another player is permitted.
19) No free kicks, penalty kicks, goal kicks or corner kicks…no off-sides.
20) Heading the ball is NOT permitted
21) Coaches will designate when your practice sessions are conducted.