Sunday, January 1, 2017

Winter Is Upon Us

[Updated 1/21: Adjusted schedule for missed first day]

Dear U9 Parents,

The winter session begins this Sunday, January 8th.  The session will run for 9 weeks.

We still have spots available, but there will be a strict limit on the number of players accepted and remaining kids will be wait listed.  If you have not registered yet, you should do it asap.  If you know somebody who would like to play, please let them know that they need to register now.

You can register here:
http://www.maldenyouthsoccer.org/register.html

The Season

We will have an 8 game season this Fall.  All U9 games will be on Sunday mornings at from 11:30 to 12:55 each week.

No games will be scheduled during the first week of February break.  Our last game being played on March 12, weather permitting

The Blog

This Blog will be the primary source of information for schedules, cancellations, etc.

http://maldenu9soccer.blogspot.com/

Cancellations due to weather will be posted to the blog... please check it within an hour of the start time on game-day morning.  If you do not have access to the internet on Sunday mornings, please let me know.

Parents will need to supply...

  1. If you already have the correct uniform color, please use it.  If not, the league will supply a shirt, shorts and socks on the first day
  2. Appropriate shoes.  We'll play on a gym floor.  Please come with clean dry gym shoes.
  3. Shin pads are required.  Your child may be excluded from the game if this important piece of safety equipment is not used.
  4. Players must come to the game with their own size 4 ball with the players name on it
  5. Water - for frequent breaks
  6. A snack for between the practice and game may be desired
  7. Players must not wear any jewelry (earrings, watches, etc.) during the practice or game
  8. Parents must remain at the field with their children during the entire session 

Our Philosophy

At the U9 level we continue focusing on basic skills, and begin incorporating more of the basic rules into the experience.

Our primary focus remains providing a fun and healthy environment for the kids to discover their emerging soccer skills.  We do not focus on winning.  We don't keep official score, celebrate wins, or suffer from losses.  We strive for every player to get equal playing time, and try to keep the number of players on the field small in order to maximize opportunities to play.  We reward skillful play, good attitudes and sportsmanship.

Adults, please try to keep this in mind.  If you see a player on a team opposing your child's team, and that player is exceptionally good...  please try to celebrate that skill as opposed to trying to suppress it.  All players develop at different rates, and at this age, some kids really stand out.  This is a good thing, try to not take offense by it.

Here are some additional notes about the U9 format:
  1. For this indoor session we will play small sided games 3v3 or 4v4 depending on attendance. We may choose to omit the goalie and play with smaller pug nets. Coaches will decide on the final format each game. 
  2. Coaches may decide to balance teams at game time if there is a need to equalize the number of players on each team.
  3. Substitutions should be made when play stops and should occur approximately every 5 - 10 minutes
  4. We will play goalie kicks and corner kicks but will allow play to continue off the walls
  5. The game will start with a kick-off at the center, as will the second half of the game
  6. After each goal, the team scored upon will start again by kicking-off at center.  A successful kick-off means that the ball needs to roll 1 revolution forward and be touched by another player
  7. Hand balls result in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side
  8. No slide-tackling allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side
  9. No pushing with the arms or hands allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side
  10. No tripping from behind allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side
  11. No checking with hips allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to opposing side
  12. No off-sides called
  13. The coaches may decide to break for half-time

Basic Rules for Parents

  1. Players must play within their assigned team.
  2. Players must play on the team they have been assigned to.  Requests for specific teams will be honored if availability permits.  Requests made close to the start of the season are often hard or impossible to accomodate for.
  3. At least one adult supervisor must stay during the entire session and is responsible for watching kids if they wander away from play
  4. Parent involvement is appreciated and encouraged when appropriate but please try not to interfere with the session
  5. Due to insurance rules players who are not registered with the league cannot play
  6. Players must not wear jewelry such as earrings, watches, necklaces, etc.  

Schedule

Be sure to note the time you play each week...  it changes!


DateFieldBleacher SideWall Side
Sunday 1/15/2017Field 1&2AC MilanBarcelona
Week 1Field 3&4ChelseaReal Madrid
Sunday 1/22/2017Field 1&2AC MilanChelsea
Week 2Field 3&4Real MadridBarcelona
Sunday 1/29/2017Field 1&2AC MilanReal Madrid
Week 3Field 3&4BarcelonaChelsea
Sunday 2/5/2017Field 1&2BarcelonaAC Milan
Week 4Field 3&4ChelseaReal Madrid
Sunday 2/12/2017Field 1&2BarcelonaChelsea
Week 5Field 3&4Real MadridAC Milan
NO Soccer 2/19 for February Vacation
Sunday 2/26/2017Field 1&2BarcelonaReal Madrid
Week 6Field 3&4AC MilanChelsea
Sunday 3/5/2017Field 1&2Real MadridBarcelona
Week 7Field 3&4ChelseaAC Milan
Sunday 3/12/2017Field 1&2Real MadridAC Milan
Week 8Field 3&4BarcelonaChelsea
Sunday 3/19/2017Field 1&2ChelseaReal Madrid
Week 9Field 3&4AC MilanBarcelona

Salemwood School Gym

We will play indoors at the Salemwood School in Malden at 529 Salem St, Malden, MA 02148.