Sunday, September 2, 2018

Fall Soccer is Here!

Welcome back to fall soccer. The fall season starts on September 9th.  We will run for 9 weeks, with our last game being November 4th. Your child’s team name/color, and field schedule will be sent to you on Tuesday. They will play at 12:00-1:45 on Sundays at Pine Banks.

We do have a mother and child that need a ride to soccer on Sundays. If you are able to volunteer to help with a ride, please let me know. It does not have to be every week, but I would love to have a few that can help out, please.

Each session will start with a 40 minute skills/drills session and finish with 60 minute scrimmage/game, with a 5 minute break between practice and scrimmage.

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.

What you need:

-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. 
-Appropriate shoes.  We'll play on real grass, cleats are recommended (but are not required)
-Shin pads are required.  Your child may be excluded from the game if this important piece of safety equipment is not used.      
Players must come to the session with their own size 4 ball with the players name on it.Long pants and long sleeved shirts may be worn under the team uniform if desired
- Water - for frequent breaks
    A snack for between the practice and game may be desired
    Players must not wear any jewelry (earrings, watches, etc.) during the practice or game
    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 mourn 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:

For this outdoor session we will play 6v6 including a goalie.  We will use the bigger nets. Coaches may decide to change the structure as needed for a fun and fulfilling game depending on attendance. Coaches may decide to balance teams at game time if there is a need to equalize the number of players on each team.

Substitutions should be made when play stops and should occur approximately every 5 - 10 minutes.

We will play with throw-ins, goalie kicks and corner kicks.
The game will start with a kick-off at the center, as will the second half of the game.
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.                
Hand balls result in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side
No slide-tackling allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side
No pushing with the arms or hands allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing sid
No tripping from behind allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side
No checking with hips allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to opposing side
No off-sides called
The coaches may decide to break for half-time

Basic Rules for Parents

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

Pine Banks Field

All games will be played at Pine Banks Field.  We will use the field inside the track with natural grass turf, at the corner of Main St. and Sylvan St. in Melrose.