Boys 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Soccer

Division Coordinator

Age

The 6th, 7th & 8th Grade boys age group is for boys entering Sixth, Seventh and Eighth grades (Middle School) in September. Typically they are young adults who will be 11, 12 or 13 years old or younger on July 31 of current year.

Season

Teams are formed and parents should be notified by their coach in Mid to Late August. Typically practices will start in late August and continue one and possible two nights a week until early October. Practice duration should be no more than 90 minutes. Practice night is determined by the coordinators, coach, and field and space availability. Games are primarily on Saturday (late mornings) or Sunday (afternoons). Season starts the weekend after Labor Day and continues through early to mid November. This division will have end of the season playoffs.

Objectives

The Sixth, Seventh and Eighth grade (middle school) program is based on the youth and small sided soccer programs developed by both the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and US Youth Soccer Association (USYSA). This age group will play 9v9, 10v10 or 11v11 (one player being a goal keeper) depending on the number of teams and players per team and will be based on the number of players register by July 15. It is preferred that there are a minimum of six teams in this division. This allows each player to have more playing time and a greater opportunity to touch the ball, participate and have FUN!! Other objectives for this age group include:

• FUN and a positive environment.
• Continuation to the basics of soccer.
• Continue to teach basic soccer skills; dribbling, simple moves, striking the ball with either foot.
• Continue to teach more complex and or combination of moves.
• Continue to teach positional play, including the goal keeper and to further develop player, team skills and strategy. All players will be instructed in the role of defending and attacking positions. Each player should be given the opportunity to play the positions they desire during the game; though some players may now be more selective in the position they wish to play.
• This division is competitive with team standings and game scores kept.
• Competition among teams is expected, but the emphasis is on FUN, PARTICIPATION and SOCCER DEVELOPMENT. NOT GAME RESULTS. REMEMBER ALL TEAMS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS! So it doesn’t really matter what the standings are during the season!
• Encourage fair play, good sportsmanship, self-confidence and coordination.

General Rules

• All players MUST wear SHIN GUARDS, covered entirely by the sock.
• Players shall not wear anything, which is dangerous to them self or another player, including jewelry, watches, rings, ear-rings — even for newly pierced ears (this is a FIFA rule designated to prevent injuries).
• Players with arm casts are permitted provided they are wrapped, padded and pose no danger to them self or another player, this is at the discretion of the two coaches.
• No Slide Tackling.
• Mouth guards are not required but recommended.
• Cups for boys are not required but recommended.
• Sport glasses for those requiring prescription eye glasses are not required but recommended.
• Each player SHALL play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time. Equal play for all is strongly encouraged. It is also encouraged that each player plays a part of each half. Exceptions are if a player is physically unable or specifically requests less time. Also if a player is being disciplined for aggressive on field behavior.
• Teams and coaches to line up and shake hands at the conclusion of each game.
• In cases where a team is short players or have no substitutes:
  • Play with fewer players on the field, allowing the team with fewer players one substitute.
  • The team with more players can loan players to the other team.
  • Be creative!
  • It’s about playing and having FUN!!
• In cases of hot weather and or when teams are short handed:
  • Take extra water breaks, substitute players more often.
  • Play quarters instead of halves or eighths instead of quarters.
  • Players’ safety is everyone’s Number 1 priority.

Sixth/Seventh/Eight Grade Game Rules

• Size 5 soccer ball.
• 35 minute halves, 10 minute halftime break.
• All players must play at least half of the game.
• Scores or standings kept and end of season playoffs.
• Balls out of bounds are restarted with a throw-in, goal kick or corner kick.
• Offside conforms to FIFA.
• All free kicks conform to FIFA with the exception that all opponents are at least ten (10) yards from the ball.

Field Location

Plymouth Whitemarsh High School

201 East Germantown Pike

Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

This division plays at Victory 7 which is the field located to the left of the football stadium behind Plymouth Whitemarsh high school.