Greater Cleveland Soccer Association

Recreational Soccer Program

Basic Information for New Coaches

And

Rules for Recreational Play

Requirements, All Age-Groups

· All players must wear shin guards, which should be covered by socks.

· Baseball cleats are not allowed (baseball cleats have a toe cleat).

· Slide tackles are not allowed in recreational soccer.

Summary Information, By Age-Groups

· U5 & U6 play 3 vs 3 with no goalies. The ball used is size 3. Games last 45 minutes, played in NINE five minute segments.

· U7 play 4 vs 4 with one of those players designated as goalie. The ball used is size 3. Games last 45 minutes, played in NINE five minute segments.

· U8 play 6 vs 6 with one of those players designated as goalie. The ball used is size 3. Games last 48 minutes, played in SIX eight minute segments.

· U10 play 8 vs 8 with one of those players designated as goalie. The ball used is size 4. Games last 48 minutes, played in FOUR twelve minute quarters.

· U12 play 11 vs 11 with one of those players designated as goalie. The ball used is size 4. Games last 60 minutes, played in TWO thirty minute halves.

See the attached pages for detailed information and rules of play for each age group.
U-5 and U-6 Recreational Soccer

The following guidelines have been developed to help new coaches and ensure consistent play among teams.

Games are played 3 vs 3 with no goalies. Each game lasts 45 minutes and is broken into NINE five minute segments. Coaches shall rotate new players into the game at the start of each five minute segment to ensure equal playing time. Coaches are on the field during play to instruct players and serve as referees. All players must wear shin guards, which should be covered by socks. The ball used is size 3.

Kick-Offs:

Kick-offs start in the center circle. The team kicking off places two players within the center circle and the third player stands outside the circle (see field diagram). The opposing team players all must be outside the center circle on their side of the center line. The player who starts the kick-off must pass the ball to one of his/her team mates (i.e. he/she can not touch the ball twice). The ball must go forward of the center line on the first pass. To facilitate learning to make this pass the opposing team shall stand outside the center circle until this first pass has been completed.

Throw-Ins:

When the ball is kicked over the side line the opposing team is awarded a throw-in from the point at where the ball crossed the line. Coaches should teach proper form for throw-ins during practices. Both feet must be on the ground and outside of the side line. The ball must be thrown with both hands extended directly behind the player’s head. To facilitate learning to make the throw, the opposing team players shall back away an appropriate distance to allow the throw to be completed.

Goal-Kicks:

Corner-Kicks:

If the ball crosses the end line and it is last touched by the defending team, the team on offense is awarded a corner kick. To execute a corner kick, the ball is placed in the semi-circle at the corner of the end line and side line and passed to a team mate. The player executing the kick must pass the ball to a team mate (i.e. he/she can not touch the ball twice). To facilitate learning to make this pass the opposing team shall back up toward their own goal to allow the pass to be made.

Coaches should rotate the responsibility of executing kick-offs, throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks to ensure that all players learn these major components of the game. Most of all, look for ways to ensure that the players have fun while learning the basic skills of soccer!!!!

U-7 Recreational Soccer

The following guidelines have been developed to help new coaches and ensure consistent play among teams.

The major change at this age group is the inclusion of a goalie on each team. Games are played 4 vs 4 with a player on each team designated as the goalie. Each game lasts 45 minutes and is broken into NINE five minute segments. Coaches shall rotate new players into the game at the start of each five minute segment to ensure equal playing time. Be sure to rotate the responsibility of playing goalie among all team players. Coaches are on the field during play to instruct players and serve as referees. All players must wear shin guards, which should be covered by socks. The ball used is size 3.

Kick-Offs:

Kick-offs start in the center circle. The team kicking off places two players within the center circle and the third player stands outside the circle (see field diagram). The opposing team players all must be outside the center circle on their side of the center line. The player who starts the kick-off must pass the ball to one of his/her team mates (i.e. he/she can not touch the ball twice). The ball must go forward of the center line on the first pass. At this age level the opposing team players can attack the ball as soon as the first pass is initiated, however coaches should use their judgment on this based upon player skill levels and previous experience. If necessary to facilitate learning to make the initial pass the opposing team shall stand outside the center circle until this first pass has been completed.

Throw-Ins:

When the ball is kicked over the side line the opposing team is awarded a throw-in from the point at where the ball crossed the line. Coaches should teach proper form for throw-ins during practices. Both feet must be on the ground and outside of the side line. The ball must be thrown with both hands extended directly behind the player’s head. Failure to execute a proper throw-in results in awarding a throw-in to the opposing team.

Goal-Kicks:

If the team on offense kicks the ball over the defending team’s end line, a goal kick is awarded to the defending team. Once the ball has been brought back to the field it can be placed anywhere between the end line and the goal kick line (see field diagram) to execute the goal kick. The player executing the kick must pass the ball to a team mate (i.e. he/she can not touch the ball twice). At this age level the opposing team players can attack the ball as soon as the first pass is initiated, however coaches should use their judgment on this based upon player skill levels and previous experience. If necessary to facilitate learning to make the initial pass the opposing team shall back up toward the center line until this first pass has been completed.

Corner-Kicks:

If the ball crosses the end line and it is last touched by the defending team, the team on offense is awarded a corner kick. To execute a corner kick, the ball is placed in the semi-circle at the corner of the end line and side line and passed to a team mate. The player executing the kick must pass the ball to a team mate (i.e. he/she can not touch the ball twice). The opposing team can attack the ball as soon as the kick is initiated.

Goalie Position:

Goalies can pick up the ball anywhere between the end line and the goal kick line. Players must use caution when they approach the goalie and should allow the goalie to pick up the ball without being kicked. Once the goalie has touched the ball, players should back away a short distance to ensure the goalie’s safety. Once the goalie has picked up the ball they can either throw or punt the ball down field to a team mate. Goalies may move forward with the ball as far as the goal kick line before throwing or punting the ball. Goalies cannot use their hands if they are past (forward of) the goal kick line. Many players are very tentative with their first experience playing goalie. It is recommended that coaches expose players to goalkeeping as part of the weekly practices including throwing or punting the ball.

Coaches should rotate the responsibility of playing goalie, executing kick-offs, throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks to ensure that all players learn these major components of the game. Most of all, look for ways to ensure that the players have fun while learning the basic skills of soccer!!!!

U-8 Recreational Soccer

The following guidelines have been developed to help new coaches and ensure consistent play among teams.

The major changes at this age level are a dramatic increase in the size of the field, size of the goals, the number and duration of play segments, and the inclusion of a formal referee. Coaches now are restricted to the sidelines during play. Games are played 6 vs 6 with a player on each team designated as the goalie. The goalie must wear a different colored jersey or pinnie. Each game lasts 48 minutes and is broken into SIX eight minute segments with a half-time after the first three segments. Coaches shall rotate new players into the game at the start of each eight minute segment to ensure equal playing time. Be sure to rotate the responsibility of playing goalie among all team players. All players must wear shin guards, which should be covered by socks. The ball used is size 3.

Games are officiated by a referee and coaches need to abide by the referee’s signals and calls without argument. Information on general rules of play are listed below:

Kick-Offs:

Throw-Ins:

When the ball is kicked over the side line the opposing team is awarded a throw-in from the point at where the ball crossed the line. Coaches should teach proper form for throw-ins during practices. Both feet must be on the ground and outside of the side line. The ball must be thrown with both hands extended directly behind the player’s head. If the ball is thrown incorrectly, the referee will allow one re-throw. Failure to execute a proper throw-in the second time results in awarding a throw-in to the opposing team.

Goal-Kicks:

If the team on offense kicks the ball over the defending team’s end line, a goal kick is awarded to the defending team. The player executing the kick must pass the ball to a team mate OUTSIDE of the goalie box.

Corner-Kicks:

Fouls:

The referee controls the game including calling fouls. No penalty kicks are awarded in this age group, however, direct and indirect kicks will be awarded at the spot of a foul.

Goalie Position:

Goalies can pick up the ball anywhere within the goalie box. Players must use caution when they approach the goalie and should allow the goalie to pick up the ball without being kicked. Once the goalie has touched the ball, players should back away a short distance to ensure the goalie’s safety. Once the goalie has picked up the ball they can either throw or punt the ball down field to a team mate. Goalies may move forward with the ball as far as the extent of the goalie box before throwing or punting the ball. Goalies cannot use their hands if they are outside the goalie box. Many players are very tentative with their first experience playing goalie. It is recommended that coaches expose players to goalkeeping as part of the weekly practices including throwing or punting the ball.

U-10 Recreational Soccer

The following guidelines have been developed to help new coaches and ensure consistent play among teams.

The major changes at this age level are the introduction of the off-sides rule, an increase in the size of the field, size of the goals, number of players on the field, and the number and duration of play segments. As in U-8, coaches now are restricted to the sidelines during play and the game is controlled by the referee and linesmen. Games are played 8 vs 8 with a player on each team designated as the goalie. The goalie must wear a different colored jersey or pinnie. Each game lasts 60 minutes and is broken into FOUR twelve minute quarters. Coaches can rotate new players into the game at any stoppage of play (goal kicks, throw-ins, etc) and should strive for equal playing time for all players. There is a new focus on POSITIONS with 8 players. Be sure to rotate the responsibility of playing goalie and other positions among all team players. All players must wear shin guards, which should be covered by socks. The ball used is size 4.

Games are officiated by a referee and coaches need to abide by the referee’s signals and calls without argument. Information on general rules of play are listed below:

Kick-Offs:

Kick-offs start in the center circle. The team kicking off places two players within the center circle. The opposing team players all must be outside the center circle on their side of the center line. The player who starts the kick-off must pass the ball to one of his/her team mates (i.e. he/she can not touch the ball twice). The ball must go forward of the center line on the first pass.

Throw-Ins:

When the ball is kicked over the side line the opposing team is awarded a throw-in from the point at where the ball crossed the line. Coaches should teach proper form for throw-ins during practices. Both feet must be on the ground and outside of the side line. The ball must be thrown with both hands extended directly behind the player’s head. Failure to execute a proper throw-in results in awarding a throw-in to the opposing team.

Goal-Kicks:

Corner-Kicks:

Fouls:

The referee controls the game including calling fouls. Penalty kicks, direct, and indirect kicks will be awarded appropriately for fouls.

Off-Sides:

When on the opposing team’s half of the field, an offensive player must not be standing beyond the last defender at the time the ball is passed forward, or that player will be called off-sides. As soon as the ball is passed, however, an offensive player can run beyond the last defender to receive it.

Goalie Position:

U-12 Recreational Soccer

The following guidelines have been developed to help new coaches and ensure consistent play among teams.

The major changes at this age level are an increase in the size of the field, size of the goals, and the number of players on the field. As in U-8 and U-10, coaches now are restricted to the sidelines during play and the game is controlled by the referee and linesmen. The off-sides rule is enforced. Games are played with a full compliment of players, 11 vs 11. Each game lasts 60 minutes and is broken into TWO thirty minute halves. Coaches can rotate new players into the game at any stoppage of play (goal kicks, throw-ins, etc) and should strive for equal playing time for all players. There is an enhanced focus on POSITIONS with 11 players. Be sure to rotate the responsibility of playing goalie and other positions among all team players. All players must wear shin guards.

Games are officiated by a referee and coaches need to abide by the referee’s signals and calls without argument. Information on general rules of play are listed below:

Kick-Offs:

Throw-Ins:

When the ball is kicked over the side line the opposing team is awarded a throw-in from the point at where the ball crossed the line. Coaches should teach proper form for throw-ins during practices. Both feet must be on the ground and outside of the side line. The ball must be thrown with both hands extended directly behind the player’s head. Failure to execute a proper throw-in results in awarding a throw-in to the opposing team.

Goal-Kicks:

Corner-Kicks:

Fouls:

The referee controls the game including calling fouls. Penalty kicks, direct, and indirect kicks will be awarded appropriately for fouls.

Off-Sides:

Goalie Position: