| Micro Soccer for U-6 through U-8 |
| Small Sided Games. The Manheim Twp Soccer Club adopted the United States Youth Soccer Association’s (USYSA) Guidelines for Small Sided Games (generally 3v3 for U6, 4v4 for U7, 5v5 for U8). The reason for reducing the number of players on the field and for reducing the size of the field is to provide the players with more opportunities to kick the ball, score goals, and have fun. |
| Objectives: The objectives of the Intramural programs are to develop the individual player, for the players to have fun, and for the players to desire playing soccer in the future. In the micro soccer program the score is neither kept nor recorded. Learning and having fun should be emphasized. Coaches and parents should not emphasize winning or losing. |
| If You Sign Up for the Intramural program, a coach will contact you approximately three weeks before the season begins. The coach will let you know when practices will be held and your team’s schedule for the year. |
| PRACTICES: |
U6 - Practices may be held no more than once a week for no longer than one hour.
U7/8 - Once a week practice is recommended. |
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Practices should be no longer than one hour.
Keep drills short and simple. The objective is to have fun and learn basic ball control, shooting,
and passing skills. Players should also gain a basic understanding of the rules of soccer. |
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| GAMES: |
U6 3 mini teams of 3v3
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U7 3 mini teams of 4v4 |
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U6/7 no goalie, no throw ins, out of bounds should be kicked in but coaches should try to keep the game going with as few stops as possible. |
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U8 3 teams of 5v5 w/goalie and throw-ins. The 5th player is the goalie
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U6,7,8 Play will consist of 2-3 simultaneous games depending on roster size with a break between each game of 2-3 minutes. A total of 3 games will be played each game day. |
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| Game period time: |
U6; 12 minutes |
No more than 3 - 5 minutes between periods. Time should be kept by one person for all games. |
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U7: 15 minutes |
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U8: 15 minutes |
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| BALL SIZE: #3 ball |
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: U-6: 3 v 3 - no goalie U-7: 4 v 4 - no goalie
U-8: 5 v 5 - one player designated as goalie |
| PLAYER ROTATION: Players should be rotated into the game through positions on the field so that each player plays every position during each game. The game squads should be different each week. |
| REFEREE’S: Each team is to supply one referee (U6 - 1 or 2). These may be coaches or parents. Each team has one stop watch (U6 - 2) and each coach should have a whistle. If coaches referee, a parent may need to be assigned to be with some squads on the sideline. A coach or parent should be with each squad to facilitate rotation into the game. |
| FIELD ROTATION: The home teams squads will be on the same field all day. The away team’s squads will change fields for the second half. This will allow each player to play against all players from the other team. |
| THROW-INS: Balls which go over the touchline can be put into play by throwing or kicking. U8s are to do sideline throw-ins. |
GOAL AREA & GOALIE: There are no goal keepers in U-6 and U-7. No player should stand stationary in front of goals.
In U-8 the goal keeper should wear a pinnie and may handle the ball within the goal area. This player should also be encouraged to be a field player. There should be a different goal keeper after each half, preferably, each quarter. |
| GOAL KICKS & CORNER KICKS: When the ball is kicked out over the end line by the attacking team, the defending team kicks the ball from anywhere in the goal area. The attacking team should move back to mid-field to facilitate fair play. When the ball is kicked out over the end line by the defending team, the attacking team kicks the ball from the spot where the sideline and end line meet. |
| FREE KICKS: All infringements - tripping, deliberate handling, etc. - are punished by an indirect free kick for the other team. The ball must be touched by two players before a goal can be scored. Opposing players must be at least five yards from the ball on all free kicks, goal kicks, and corner kicks. |
GAME SCORING: The final outcome is a predetermined tie! Hopefully many goals and laughs for each team.
PLAYER EVALUATIONS: At the end of the season, coaches should complete a player evaluation for each team member. This will be used to keep teams as equal as possible the following season. |
