The Field:
Dimensions: 30 yards long, 15 yards wide (max).
Markings: Distinctive lines can be used but are not required. Field can be marked using 20 flat pro-cones to mark all four sides.
The Goals:
The goals in U-6 games should be a maximum of 4 feet high and 6 feet wide or 2 tall cones set 6 feet apart.
The Ball:
A size 3 ball is used for U-5/6 games.
The Teams:
Games are played with 5 players per team on the field (5v5) and no goalkeepers. Substitutions are made at quarters, halftime and for injuries. A minimum of 2 quarters is required for each player and no player can play 4 quarters until everyone has played 3 quarters. Separate boys and girls teams are recommended at all levels.
Duration of Game
Two 20 minute halves with a substitution break about halfway through the half
and the clock never stops. The substitution breaks should be no more than 1-2
minutes.
Halftime break of 5 minutes.
The clock never stops
except at half time, so the total time the game takes should be around 45 to 50
minutes. If your game is scheduled to start at 9:00am you should be getting off
the field at 9:50am
Player Equipment:
Soccer cleats and shin guards, covered by the socks are mandatory at all practice and game activities. The type and condition of cleated shoes must be inspected for safety before use. All players uniforms should match (Shirt, Shorts, Socks)
The Start of Play:
To start the first and second halves, and following each goal in all age group games, play is started or restarted with a kick-off in the center of the field. A coin toss is used to determine which team kicks off to start the game and the other team kicks off to start the second half. Following a goal, the team scored upon kicks off.
The Kick-off:
The kick-off is taken from the center of the field with each team in their own half and the team not kicking off at least 5 yards from the ball. Do not insist the opponent be a minimum of precisely 5 yards from the ball as this is just a guide to give the kicker room to kick the ball without it immediately hitting an opponent. Remember, let them play and do not interfere for technicalities.
Ball In and Out of Play:
The ball is out of play in all age group games when it completely crosses the touch line (side line) or goal line (end line) either on the ground or in the air. In U-5 games, the coach on the field will determine when the ball is out of play and should guide the restart, interfering as little as possible. It’s the player’s game, let them play and work on technique later.
Method of Scoring:
A goal in all age group games is awarded when the ball completely crosses the goal line into the goal. Goals should be enthusiastically celebrated by everyone. In U-5 games, goals are not recorded to determine who wins as everyone is a winner.
Fouls and Other Stoppages:
Deliberate fouling should be rare in U-5 games. Kicking, tripping, handling the ball and dangerous play may occur. There should be few, if any additional reasons to stop play in U-5 games. If a player is “not playing well with others”, or if play must be stopped for any other reason (injury, substitution, confusion, or to watch a passing train, butterfly or frog), refocus the players and begin again with a free kick or as may be appropriate. Award the restart to whichever team deserves it. Stoppages must not become a lengthy ceremony.
Free Kick:
Play may have to be stopped occasionally to “sort things out” in U-5 games. When this is necessary, correct the situation then restart with a free kick for a deserving team. The opposing team should be at least 5 yards from the ball in U-5 games. All free kicks in U-5 games are direct free kicks. Which means, if you’re lucky, a goal can be scored directly from the kick without the ball having to be touched or played by another player on the field (in-direct kick).
Throw-in:
When the ball goes out of play in U-5 games across the touch line (side lines) or the goal lines (end lines) without a goal being scored, a throw-in is awarded at the point it crossed the line, unless the ball which crosses the end line is last touched by a offensive player, at which time a goal kick is awarded. Except for the goal kick exception, the throw-in is awarded to the team that didn’t touch the ball last. In U-5 games, whether the throw-in is properly taken or not, let it go…teach proper technique later. Again, let them play with minimum interruption. Keep the game moving and fun.
Official
There is no need for fully qualified referees to manage U-5, U-6 games. One of the coaches should "officiate". The games are intended to be an opportunity for the very youngest of our players to experience the fun of playing. The barest of minimum rules are needed and should be applied with a generous amount of flexibility. Let the players have the freedom to play with minimum interruption.
Questions & Answers for U5 & U6
Q. What happens when an offensive person carries
the ball into the goal box? Can a
defender enter the box to defend?
A. Yes, the
defender can and should defend as long as they are chasing an offensive player
into the box. The goal box intention is
to prevent players from “camping out” in front of the goal and therefore de
facto acting as a goal keeper.
Q. What if a player doesn’t throw the ball in
correctly on the first try?
A. Players are still trying to learn this
skill. To that end, if the first try
doesn’t follow the rules, e.g. both feet on the ground, two hands, overhead,
etc. give the player one redo or second try.
If it is still a miss throw, don’t whistle the play, let the play flow
for the first half of the season otherwise there will be more whistles than
play. (Practice throw ins as necessary
the following week at practice.)
Beginning game six, second half of the season, there should be no more
redo’s and an improper throw in should result in a change of possession with
the other team throwing the ball in.
Q. Are there goal kicks and corner kicks at this
age group?
A. Yes, we are really trying to introduce many
concepts that make sense to younger players as to how the game is played at all
age levels. Unlike throw ins, there
should be no redo’s for corner kicks.
There is a redo for goal kicks only when the ball is not kicked out of
the penalty area. That redo is necessary
because it is an infringement to the rules.
Q. What happens if one team is far more skilled and
the scoring is getting out of hand?
A. History tells us this could very well
happen. If there is a five goal
differential, the coach of the team that is ahead should take immediate
measures to STOP further scoring until the gap closes under five goals. Some suggestions to accomplish this: put your
strongest players in the back, not up front in a better scoring location; score
only after there has been 3-4 passes linked together before shooting; dribble
and shoot only with the weaker foot - generally the left foot; take a player
off the field and play a man down is acceptable but not encouraged and only as an absolute last resort as it takes a
player out of what he is there to do - PLAY and HAVE FUN; this is
really a last resort. Teams that are down 6-0, 8-0 are not having fun. Remember we are all volunteers for our
children. Scores and winning at this age
is not important. Participating,
learning and having fun is the objective.
Q. Who provides referees and who is the
official timekeeper?
A.
The HOME TEAM shall provide the referee (sometimes the coach) and the
referee shall also be the OFFICIAL timekeeper.
Q.
How many coaches can be on the field at once?
A.
Each team is allowed only one coach on the field at a time. A coach is permitted to referee and coach at
the same time if he/she is the home team (the preferred way would be to have
two different people so each can focus on just a single responsibility). If the home team coach decides the assistant
will referee so the head coach can coach on the field, then the assistant coach
must act solely as referee and not another coach. Remember only one coach on the field at a
time. Beginning game six, the second
half of the season, coaches will be asked to move and coach from the
sideline. They will no longer be allowed
to coach being on the field.
Q. With this tight timeline, how can
the kids enjoy the after game snack and celebration?
A. This is still a really important
aspect of soccer that the kids anticipate and enjoy. Snack time, encouraging comments from game
should be enjoyed, simply move away from the immediate playing and spectator
areas to be considerate of the next team’s game.
Q. To make it easier to break down
after games maybe we should just go behind the goal to watch and be out of the
way?
A. Players, coaches and parents are not
allowed to gather behind the goals. This is very distracting to the ongoing
game.
Q. Our game was later in the day and
there were old bottles left from previous games. How can we address that situation?
Ultimately it is the coaches’
responsibility to be sure the field is free of trash and bottles. It is suggested that the parent who is responsible
for snacks that game day, also bring a trash bag so all trash is picked up and
disposed of properly before the next game.
Q. I noticed in some games kids were
back “playing goal”. I thought there
were no goal keepers?
A. It is understandable that players
want to come back and get in front of the goal to defend. It wouldn’t be the first time that a player
got distracted, is day dreaming and simply camped out right in front of the
goal.
The solution: Defenders are NOT allowed
to camp out in the “immediate goal area” (area lined on the field). Defenders are NOT allowed to go into that
area unless the ball has entered. Once
that has happened they are free and encouraged to enter that area and defend
their goal.
Q. Can you give us some guidance as to
on field coaching during the game vs. just letting the kids play?
A. There probably is some room left for
interpretation, but here is our recommendation to you. Example: delaying the game for 30-45 seconds
so that the team is coached and perfectly lined up for a throw, a goal kick and
center off etc. is not a good idea. More general coaching during the game that
takes a few seconds is more appropriate: try not to kick with your toe, score
at this end, pass to teammate, remember to stay out of the defensive goal, your
turn to throw in or take the goal kick, etc.
The barest minimum of rules should be used with a generous amount of
flexibility. Try to keep interruptions
to the minimum so the players have the freedom for continuous play. Practice is more the time for rules,
technique and coaching. Game time
is for pleasure and play expressing what they have learned during practice
week.
Q. Are there “penalty
kicks” at this age group if a player handles the ball?
A.
At this age group and especially without goal keepers, there are NO
penalty kicks. If a foul occurs, place
the ball parallel to the infringement outside the penalty box and continue with
a direct free kick. Defending players
should be at least ten yards behind the ball but not into the goal box.