Jr and Sr. 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 midfield.
• JUNIORS (2nd graders) play at EAST 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.  
• The first 30 minutes of the session should involve an individual team practice, focusing on the various skills of the game, such as dribbling, passing, goalkeeping, ball control, shooting, etc. 
• The last hour should be a game, consisting of two 25-minute halves, with a five-minute half-time.
• One coach should act as the referee, with the other coaches assisting 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.]

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 (two 25-minute halves, with a 5-minute half-time) against your opponent.
• Each game will have one REFEREE.  Coaches may be asked to assist with the sideline out-of-bounds calls, but the referee has the final say.

RULES OF THE GAME FOR JUNIORS and SENIORS

• Number of field players:  both JUNIORS and SENIORS play 6 versus 6 (5 field players, plus one goalie).
• 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.
• Marked Field: All fields are lined with sidelines, end lines, goalkeeper’s box, and mid-field line.
• Substitution Times: Players enter the game upon the referee’s direction, at midfield.  Substitution times are at: (a) goal kicks; (b) throw-ins; (c) after a score; (d) at start of a half; (e) when a player is removed because of an injury.
• No coaches should be on the field during game time.  Coaches and resting players should be at least one yard back from the sidelines.
• Both teams should be on the same side of the field, at midfield, not along the endlines.
• Spectators should be on the sidelines, not on end lines or near the goals.
• Every player must play at least 50% of game, with coaches striving to provide equal time for all players.
• Rotate players as goalkeepers, preferably having a player as a keeper for no more than the equivalent of a quarter of the game.
• Rotate players through defensive and offensive positions, regardless of their preference and/or your preference.
• Coaching or directing play from the sidelines (as a coach or spectator) is not allowed; it is DISTRACTING to all of the players.  Feedback to the players should be POSITIVE and ENCOURAGING, occurring while they are not in the game.
• At the end of the game, both teams (players and coaches) should line up at mid-field to shake hands and say “good game.”  Good sportsmanship is HYS’ top priority.

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.
   Kicking Team: Players may be positioned anywhere on their side of field up to the mid-field line.  The ball is kicked forward from the mid-point of mid-field line. 
   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. DIRECT/INDIRECT KICKS - A DIRECT KICK may enter the opposing team’s net directly from the kicker.  An IDIRECT KICK must touch another player other than the kicker before it can enter the goal.
6. FOULS include: Pushing, holding, tripping, slide tackling, playing the ball while on the ground, obstruction, intentional hand balls, and intentionally kicking another player.  In the Junior and Senior divisions there will be NO PENALTY KICKS.  Rather, any fouls or intentional handballs INSIDE of the PENALTY AREA will result in a DIRECT KICK from the boundary of the penalty area, at the point closest to the original offense.  Fouls such as playing the ball while on the ground or obstruction result in an INDIRECT KICK, which means that one other player, other than the kicker, must touch the ball before it can enter the goal.
7. OFFSIDES:  There is no offside rule for the junior and senior divisions.
8. Absolutely no verbal abuse from coaches or players will be tolerated by the referee.   Any coach or player engaging in unsportsman-like behavior will be asked to leave the game and field.