PYSL U6 Micro Soccer Rules
The rules for PYSL U6 micro soccer are substantially different from regular FIFA rules. Please refer to the soccer field drawing when reviewing the following rules. These rules have been developed to ensure uniformity of play, rules and execution among the U6 division. The purpose is to support our players and the goals of U6 soccer:
• Introduce players to the concept of soccer
• Teach basic, fundamental skills
• Facilitate the maximum number of “touches” for each player
• Introduce structured practice and game environments
• Prepare players for the next level
All teams and coaches should follow these rules. Please do not “agree” with other coaches to change rules you do not like or think should be different. The PYSL Board will be happy to consider your input and we periodically review the rules to tweak them and improve our program but for this season, these are the rules we expect all coaches and players to follow.
General Rules:
- The primary goal of micro soccer is for the players to have fun and that requires that all players be involved in the play on the field without regard to ability. The reason we play small-sided games is to give an opportunity for all players on the field to maximize touches on the ball.
- Teams are co-ed and coaches should mix the genders on the field and should not divide the genders into separate teams for game day.
- Games are played on two adjacent fields at the same time. Coaches should divide their team according to skill level with the more advanced players (usually the kinder kids) playing on Field A and the less experienced players on Field B. This ensures that one team will not play its better players against the less experienced players of the other team.
- Each team will play three players on the field playing against three players from the opposing team. Do not adjust this to play 4 v 4 or 5 v 5, as that will reduce the likelihood that all players will be involved in the play.
- Players will play the entire field as both defensive and offensive players. Part of what the players learn at this level is the transition from offense to defense and vice versa. There are no goalies and there should not be a designated defensive player in front of the goal.
- The head coach from the home team and the assistant coach from the away team will be the designated “referees” on Field A. The head coach from the away team and the assistant coach from the home team will be the designated “referees” on Field B.
- Coaches should switch fields at half-time to ensure they have an opportunity to watch all the players on their team play. If a particular player is dominating a particular game, coaches can switch that player to the other field or encourage that player to do harder tasks before scoring (e.g. pass at least once to another player, shoot only with left foot, etc.) The idea is to not let one player dominate play.
- The “referees” shall equally and fairly share control of the game and are encouraged to “coach” all players on the field and not just the players from his/her own team. All coaches (head coach AND assistant coach) MUST have a reliable timepiece with stopwatch capabilities. It is essential for proper game management to keep accurate time. It is also critical to respect and maintain the game schedule for all players, families and coaches.
- Games consist of four 8-minute quarters with a 2-3 minute break in between quarters and a 10-minute halftime. This allows an opportunity for coaching. It is common to offer a snack at half-time such as oranges or grapes but not necessary. The quarters are running time quarters meaning no stoppage of time for injuries or delays. All games should start right on the hour and must end 10 minutes before the beginning of the next hour.
- There are unlimited substitutions at any time there is a stoppage of play. Usually the best time to sub is after a score. It is also a good idea to sub out the player who scored the goal so that the parents can congratulate the player. All players should play in each quarter in equal amounts of time as much as possible. It should be very easy to give each player at least 4 minutes of playtime in each quarter.
- Games are started with a kick off from the center circle. Players should be taught that the ball must move forward on a kick off. After every score, the game should also be restarted with a kick off by the non-scoring team. Coaches should rotate players for kick offs so that every player gets an opportunity to perform a kick off.
- Players should learn the names of the boundaries and learn that play must take place within those boundaries. The sidelines should be referred to as the touchlines. If the ball is kicked over a touchline by Team A’s player, Team B’s player is awarded a throw-in. Players should be taught proper throw in techniques. If the player fails to execute a proper throw in, try to correct them and have them try again but do not spend too much time in the game working on this. Coaches should ensure that all players get an opportunity to perform a throw in.
- The end lines of the field should be referred to as the goal lines. If the ball is kicked over the goal line, the ball is awarded to the opposing team and placed on the 6 yard line directly out from the point where it went out for a free kick. All free kicks are direct free kicks (meaning a goal can be scored without the ball having to touch another player first). THERE ARE NO CORNER KICKS IN MICRO SOCCER.
- At this level of play it is often difficult for players to keep the ball in bounds. Coaches should use discretion in terms of enforcement of the touch line. If a player is clearly headed out of bounds and/or not making an attempt to re-enter the field of play then play should be stopped. Goal line violations should be enforced strictly. At no time should players be dribbling or battling for a ball behind a goal or beyond the field of play.
- No scores are kept for the games. They kids may very well keep track of the score but the coach should not encourage or emphasize the score. Instead focus on the way the team played overall. No standings are kept by the league. Coaches are encouraged to not run up the score. If your team is scoring at will, help your own players by making it more difficult for them by requiring three passes before shooting again or using their weak foot to score. There are many ways a good coach can ensure his team does not embarrass the other team.
- All coaches (head coach AND assistant coach) MUST have a whistle. All referees at all levels of the game use whistles. Part of preparing players for the next level is learning how to obey the whistle and start and stop play on command. USE YOUR WHISTLE!
- It is the responsibility of all coaches to begin games on time. Warm-up time should occur PRIOR to your scheduled game time. Ideally you will be able take the field approximately 10 minutes prior to your scheduled game time for warmups but there is plenty of space to conduct warm ups away from the field. If the previous game is continuing, it is your responsibility to notify the coaches that they are exceeding their time and they need to conclude their game.
- Please encourage your families to immediately leave the sidelines after your game ends (cleaning up all trash and debris) and move to another area for handing out snacks and to have a short team meeting. Do not pass out snacks while the families are still on the sidelines. This will allow the parents for the next game to get set up before kick off.
- At the conclusion of the game each team should gather and prepare to “shake hands” and congratulate the opposing team. This should be done in an area that allows the teams from the next game to begin their warm ups.
- Finally, remember that our league has a zero tolerance policy for abusive coaches or parents. Coaches are responsible for maintaining and modeling good sportsmanship on their sidelines. Respect all players, families and coaches. Remember that our league’s motto for micro soccer is: FUN FIRST, TEACH SOCCER SKILLS SECOND, AND SCORE GOALS THIRD.