Jr and Sr. Guidelines
JUNIOR AND SENIOR DIVISION GUIDELINES
[Grades 2, 3 and 4]
EQUIPMENT
• All players must wear shin guards.
• All players should wear their team shirt, shorts and socks. Coaches will have some soccer balls; however, it is recommended that each player bring a soccer ball.
• Players may wear soccer cleats or sneakers. Soccer cleats are preferred because they provide better traction, but they are not required.
• Each player should bring a water bottle to all games and practices.
FIELDS
• All fields are lined, marking the sidelines, endlines, goalkeeper's box, and mid-field line.
• JUNIORS (2nd graders) play at HINGHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL.
• SENIORS (3rd and 4th graders) play at UNION STREET (see your schedule for a map of the fields).
GAMES/PRACTICES
• All games and scrimmages are for fun. No scores or standings are kept by HYS.
FALL SEASON:
• PRACTICES/GAMES are held on SATURDAYS.
• Each team may have one weekday practice, determined by your coach.
• Saturday sessions: The first 15-20 minutes of the session should involve an individual team warm-up, focusing on the various skills of the game, such as dribbling, passing, goalkeeping, ball control, shooting, etc.
• Saturday games consist of four 12-minute quarters, or two 25-minute halves, with a five minute break at half-time.
• One coach should act as the referee, with the other coaches assisting on the sideline (off the field) with the sidelines/out of bounds balls. [An out ball is restarted with a throw-in; a goal kick or corner kick restarts a ball that goes out of bounds over the endline/goal line.]
SPRING SEASON:
• During the Spring Season, GAMES are held on SATURDAYS and each team has ONE WEEKDAY PRACTICE. Saturday's sessions begin with a 10-minute warm-up with your team, followed by a game (four 12-minute quarters or two 25-minute halves; 5-minute half-time) against your opponent.
• Each game will have one REFEREE. In the Junior Division, one coach should be the field ref, with the other coaches/assistant coaches assisting (not on the field of play) with the out-of-bounds calls. HYS attempts to have youth referees handle the games in the Senior Division, but coaches may have to act as referee.
GUIDELINES / RULES OF THE GAME FOR JUNIORS and SENIORS
1. Juniors - 6 versus 6 (5 field players, plus one goalie).
Seniors - 7 versus 7 (6 field players, plus one goalie).
2. Basic Rules: PLAY THE BALL, NOT THE PERSON. NO SLIDE TACKLING, NO PUSHING, NO TRIPPING, NO HOLDING, NO PLAYING THE BALL WHILE ON THE GROUND, NO HANDS (except goalie in the goalie box). These fouls will result in an indirect kick or direct kick for the other team.
3. Marked Field: All fields are lined with sidelines, end lines, goalkeeper's box, and mid-field line.
4. Substitution Times: Players may enter the game at these times: (a) goal kicks; (b) your own throw-in; (c) after a score; (d) at start of a quarter or half; (e) when a player is removed because of an injury.
5. No coaches should be on the field during game time. Coaches and resting players should be at least one yard back from the sidelines. [Note: The coach acting as referee should be the only adult on the field of play.]
6. Both teams should be on the same side of the field, at midfield, not along the endlines.
7. Spectators should be on the sidelines, not on end lines or near the goals.
8. Every player must play at least 50% of game. Coaches should strive to provide equal time for all players.
9. Rotate players as goalkeepers, preferably having a player as a keeper for no more than the equivalent of a quarter of the game (i.e. 4 different goalies per game).
10. Rotate players through defensive and offensive positions, regardless of their preference and/or your preference.
11. Coaching or directing play from the sidelines (as a coach or spectator) is not necessary; it is DISTRACTING to the players. Feedback to the players should be POSITIVE and ENCOURAGING, while they are not in the game.
12. At the end of the game, both teams (players and coaches) should line up at mid-field to shake hands and say "good game."
SOCCER TERMS:
1. KICK-OFF - When: (a) At the start of the game; (b) At the start of the second half; or (c) After a goal is scored. The ball must be passed forward, one rotation, for the ball to be in play.
a. Kicking Team: Players may be positioned anywhere on their side of field up to the mid-field line. The ball is kicked from the mid-point of mid-field line.
b. Defending Team: Players may be positioned anywhere on their side of the field up to the mid-field line, but outside of the center circle (roughly 4 yards away from kicking team).
2. GOAL KICK - When an offensive player touches the ball over the defensive end line, the defensive team is awarded possession of the ball. The ball is then kicked by a defensive player from the penalty area, usually from one of the corners furthest from the goal. Any defensive player may make the kick. Opposing players must stand at least 8 yards from the ball.
3. CORNER KICK - When a defensive player touches the ball over the defensive end line, the offensive team is awarded possession of the ball. The ball is then kicked by an offensive player from the corner formed by the sideline and defensive end line. Any offensive player may make the kick. Opposing players must stand at least 8 yards from the ball.
4. THROW-IN - When a player from one team causes a ball to move outside one of the sidelines, possession is awarded to the opposing team. The ball is then thrown in by an opposing team player from outside the sideline. The player must use both hands and must deliver the ball from behind and over his/her head. Both of the player's feet must remain on the ground during the throw in.
5. FOULS include: Pushing, holding, tripping, slide tackling, playing the ball while on the ground, obstruction, and intentionally kicking another player. Fouls or intentional handballs result in a DIRECT KICK at the point of the infraction. Playing the ball while on the ground and obstruction result in an INDIRECT KICK, meaning that one other player, other than the kicker, must touch the ball before it can enter the goal. A DIRECT KICK may go directly into the net.
6. INTENTIONAL HANDBALLS: No Penalty kicks are awarded in the Junior and Senior divisions. Rather, a direct kick is awarded just outside of the penalty box where the handball occurred.
7. Absolutely no verbal abuse will be tolerated by the referee. Any player or coach who engages in unsportsman-like behavior will be asked to leave the game and field.