RECENTLY ADDED:
Zero Tolerance Policy.
Click here to view the Zero Tolerance Policy

Intramural Game Cancellations
Intramural Game Cancellations
Club policy on canceling games

Coaches are NOT to cancel games. If it is raining, the game is to be cancelled at the field. If there is a scheduling conflict, the game should be cancelled at least 10 days before the scheduled time.
If games are not cancelled at least 10 days before the scheduled time, the club will not provide or pay for a referee for the make-up game. If the coach finds someone to referee the game, they will NOT be paid by the club.
If the game is cancelled 10 days before the scheduled time and the referee coordinator is notified, we will attempt to proved a referee for the make-up game. Few referees are available during the week.


Guidelines & Policies for Micro Soccer - U-6 through U-8
MANHEIM TOWNSHIP SOCCER CLUB
Micro Soccer for U-6 through U-8                                            April ’01

Note: All general guidelines also apply to Micro Soccer.

1. PRACTICES: U-6 - Practices may be held no more than once a week for no longer than one hour.
U-7/8 - Once a week practice is recommended. 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.

2. GAMES: U-6:    Teams will split into 3 mini-teams of 3 - 5 players.
U-7/8: Teams will split into 2 mini-teams of 4 - 7 players.

3. GAME LENGTHS:
U-6: 8 min quarters
U-7: 10 min quarters
U-8: 12 min quarters   
No more than three minutes between quarters - 5 to 8 minute halftime
Time should be kept by one person for all games.

4. BALL SIZES:         #3 ball   

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. THROW-INS: Balls which go over the touchline can be put into play by throwing or kicking. Any type of throw-in in permitted.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. GAME SCORING: The final outcome is a predetermined tie! Hopefully many goals and laughs for each team.

14. 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.

Rules, Policies & Guidelines for Teams and Games
MANHEIM TOWNSHIP SOCCER CLUB
CLUB RULES, POLICIES & GUIDELINES                                       March ’01

PURPOSE: To foster interest in the game of soccer and develop the fundamentals and skills of
the game among the youth of Manheim Township. These rules and policies have been
developed to control and promote the game in accordance with the rules and policies
established by the United States Youth Soccer Association and the Eastern Pennsylvania         Youth Soccer Association.

GENERAL CLUB POLICIES:
SHIN GUARDS: Shin guards are required worldwide by all FIFA teams including our own. 
Players without shin guards are not to participate in practices or games under any circumstances.
JEWELRY: No jewelry or hard barrettes are to be worn by players for any reason.
CASTS: Players with casts may not participate in games regardless of any padding. No casts or 
braces with metal hinges - No jewelry or hard barrettes
BLOOD: Any bleeding player must leave the field and may not return until the bleeding has stopped and blood is cleaned up or covered.
REGISTRATION FORMS: Be sure to have your registration forms with you at all games and
practices. These forms contain the medical release forms that are necessary if any player needs medical treatment. Do not allow a player on the field if you do not have a signed medical release form for that player.
TEAM PARITY: MTSC has established a policy that states that intramural teams are to be
assembled by balancing the skill levels of individual players among all of the teams within a particular age group. This will help to keep parity among the teams and keep the teams fairly well matched and competitive. This requires coaches to rate their players at the end of the season using an established, proven, rating system. These ratings forms should be provided to you by your age group coordinator and after completion should be returned to the age group coordinator. If you do not complete the ratings, we can’t properly balance teams.

The MTSC board feels very strongly regarding this policy. If you do not receive rating forms or do not feel this policy is being followed in your age group, please contact the club intramural coordinator or any other executive board member.

COACH’S BEHAVIOR: Positive cheering and limited, positive tactical instructions to players 
during games is allowed and encouraged. However, the constant shouting 
and screaming at players and negative comments will not be tolerated. 
Please try to remember that you are representing the Manheim Township 
Soccer Club and that in most cases your players and parents will mirror 
your game day behavior, so do your best to set a good example.

PRACTICES: Practices may be held no more than twice a week and no longer than 1½ hours
per practice. Practice may be held only on the assigned field unless otherwise
authorized by the Fields Coordinator, or on an area that is not a field.

SCRIMMAGES: Absolutely no adult/child scrimmages

FIELD USAGE: Please try to conduct drills and as much of your practice as possible away from 
the goal area to try to decrease wear on the fields. You can use cones to run 
practices across the field. Keep the amount of practice time in front of the goal to 
a minimum. Do not hold practices on a wet or muddy field. Either cancel practice 
or hold practice in open areas off the playing field.

RESPECT FOR OTHERS PROPERTY: At all fields, please respect the properties surrounding
the fields. In most cases we are guests of the property that we are playing on. We need to treat that property and adjacent property with respect or risk losing our welcome to play there. Stay off adjacent property completely. Do not take pets on adjacent properties, and, on hot days, do not seek relief in the shade on surrounding properties. We need to use common sense and treat other peoples property with respect if we expect to be welcomed back. Please see that all trash is picked up after each practice and game.

RESCHEDULED GAMES: If you have any cancellations or games to reschedule, please arrange this through your age group coordinator. If you cancel a game less than a week before it is scheduled, please call the Referee Coordinator also. Your cooperation is appreciated and if we work together this will be a positive experience for all. Remember, the referee is there because he/she loves the game, just as you are there because you love the game

GAME DAY:
CANCELLATIONS: Rain cancellations will be decided at the field by the referee. Unless you are
notified of a cancellation, teams and coaches must go to assigned field.

HOME TEAM: First team listed is home team. Away team calls toss, winner picks end to attack, 
loser kicks off.

PRE-GAME: Coaches are encouraged to ask questions when they meet with the referees

BEFORE the game. During the game, coaches can set an example for their players
and parents by communicating with the referees in a positive and constructive
manner. It is the responsibility of the COACHES to work with their parents and
spectators if questions are raised during the game.

LOCATION: In all age groups, the teams and coaches will be on one side of the field and all
Parents and fans on the other side. The only exception to this is fields where this is
not possible because of space. Coaches can help prevent problems by seeing that
they are on one side of the field and parents and fans are on the other side of the
field. No coaches or spectators should be behind either goal line

FIELDS: Games may be played only on the assigned field. No coach is permitted to switch 
game fields without the authorization of the Fields Coordinator.

UNIFORMS: The only uniform that may be worn during a MTSC game is the one issued by    
the club. No alternations, including the addition of names, may be made to the shirt.

PLAYING TIME: Players on intramural teams must play a minimum of one half of every game. If 
a coach feels a need to violate this policy, they must first discuss with and
receive permission from the age group coordinator. Generally, all players
should play three quarters before any player plays four quarters.

COACHES ON FIELD: Coaches may be on the field only at beginning of quarters and if called on 
for injury - No coaches are permitted on the field during running time.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Substitutions may be made on a throw-in by the team throwing in, or by either
team on a goal kick, at quarters, and at half time. If an injured player leaves the field, each team may make one substitution. All substitutions should be made at the half-way line
.
ONE-SIDED GAMES: If the game becomes one-sided, the coach of the dominating game should
take steps to make the game more even. This may include playing with less players, restricting shooting and moving players around on the field.

SUPPORT:  Parents should be encouraged to cheer for their team and their children, not against the other team.

REFEREES:
The majority of the referees in the MTSC intramural program are FIFA certified and most are players. They know the rules and are there to see that the games are played safely and fairly by each team. The referee, of any age, is in charge from the time they enter the playing area. If the referees and coaches work together, any conflicts that arise can be resolved with minimal disruption. Most of the difficulties we have experienced in the past have been based on misunderstandings of the rules, and parents or spectators on the sidelines becoming involved with the referees. For this reason, it is important that coaches discuss the rules for their age group with parents, and that they ask the parents and spectators not to become involved with the referees during the game.

As a coach of the Manheim Township Soccer Club, it is your responsibility to both accept and enforce these policies. The Fundamental nature of the club philosophy must be emphasized at all times. Be positive and fair with all of your players and encourage them to work together as a team. We highly recommend that you have a parents’ meeting prior to the start of the season to explain your expectations and coaching philosophy and to enlist their help as team parents. Make sure that your players also understand what you expect of them. It may be helpful to give all parents a copy of these guidelines.

FIFA "Laws of the Game" and Guidelines apply unless specifically changed below.

Age Specific Rules for U-9 & U-10
Ball - Size 4                Team Size - 8 v 8, minimum 5 needed to play                
Game length - 25 minute halves, 5 minute half-time
No Slide Tackles - penalty is direct kick
Fouls, Cards, Penalty Kicks, Offside - Follow FIFA rules

Age Specific Rules for U-12 & Up
Ball - U-12 - Size 4; U-14 & Up - Size 5
Team Size - 11 v 11, minimum 7 needed to play
Game Length - All - 5 minute half-time
Boys U-12 - 30 minute halves  
U-14 - 35 minute halves
U-16/19 - 40 minute halves

Girls U-12 - 30 minute halves; or 15 minute quarters
U-14 - 35 minute halves; or 18 minute quarters
U-16/19 - 40 minute halves, or 20 minute quarters
Girls - Play halves unless the visiting coach requests quarters.
Tell them you are playing halves.   2 minutes between quarters.

Fouls, Offside, Cards, Penalty Kicks - FIFA rules apply

Illegal players - Coaches allowing illegal players on the field may be legally liable if a problem occurs. Illegal players are those for whom you do not have a signed consent form.