Age Group and Rules

 

Division 1 -- Ages 5 and 6 (

Division 1 is our league entry point. Children must be at least 5 years old by September 1 to participate.

This is a very informal, unstructured playing environment. The play area is a large open space. Each week your child's coaches will mark off individual fields (small playing areas) with orange cones and arrange a game with an adjacent team (there is no formal game schedule at this level). As is the case in all divisions, each session is broken into practice and game segments. During the "practice" segment, the children play games like Freeze Tag, Ball Burglar, Knock-out, and Capture - these are sneaky little ways of teaching soccer skills without the stigma associated with the word "drills."

Games are played 4 or 5 aside without a goalie and with a minimal amount of coaching. The concept is called "Playing Without Coaches," and it's designed to maximize fun and let the game do the teaching.

Equipment:

  • #3 soccer ball - Smaller and easier on the knees
  • Shin guards are a must - Children are not allowed on the field without the
  • Large water bottle - proper hydration is essential

 

Division 2 -- Age 7 (

)

Each player should report to the field assigned to your team's game. Playtime is from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

This is still a highly instructional soccer environment. Play is small-sided ( 6 players aside), and often coaches may decide to shorten the playing field when the day is hot, and substitutes are in short supply. As is the case in all divisions, each session is broken into practice and game segments. During the "practice" segment, the children play games like Freeze Tag, Ball Burglar, Knock-out, Crab Soccer, Capture, and other imaginative games - all designed to teach soccer skills without realizing how hard they are working.

Games are broken into quarters to allow for frequent water breaks, orderly substitutions and so players can move to a different position.

Equipment:

  • #3 soccer ball - Smaller and easier on the knees
  • Shin guards are a must - Children are not allowed on the field without the
  • Large water bottle - proper hydration is essential

 

Division 3 -- Age 8

Each player should report to the field assigned to your team's game. Playtime is from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

This is still a highly instructional soccer environment. Play is small-sided ( 7 players aside), but players are stronger and faster and will generally be comfortable running the full length of the field at this age. As is the case in all divisions, each session is broken into practice and game segments. The children will still play games (Knock-out, Crab Soccer, etc.) during the practice segment, but they will probably be used as warm-ups. Much of the "practice play" will give way to more serious, focused passing, dribbling, shooting, and ball control drills.

Games are broken into quarters to allow for frequent water breaks, orderly substitutions and so players can move to a different position.

Equipment:

  • #4 soccer ball - Smaller and easier on the knees
  • Shin guards are a must - Children are not allowed on the field without the
  • Large water bottle - proper hydration is essential

 

Division 4 -- Ages 9 and 10 (

)

Each player should report to the field assigned to your team's game. Playtime is from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Play is now 9 aside - players are stronger and faster - the children will start hearing terms like Sweeper and shoulder charge - corner kicks will almost always find their way to the front of the goal, and play in general will be more intense. This is not to say that this division is any less instructional than the younger levels. We are an instructional league from beginning to end. But now, the landscape is starting to change. Your children are becoming more mature and more comfortable with the TEAM concept. They have learned the value of swift, precise passing, and assists are celebrated right along with the goals.

As is the case in all divisions, each session is broken into practice and game segments. The children will still play games ( Knock-out, Crab Soccer, etc.) during the practice segment, but they will probably be used as warm-ups. Much of the "practice play" will give way to more serious, focused passing, dribbling, shooting, and ball control drills.

Games are broken into quarters to allow for frequent water breaks, orderly substitutions and so players can move to a different position.

Equipment:

  • #4 soccer ball - Smaller and easier on the knees
  • Shin guards are a must - Children are not allowed on the field without the
  • Large water bottle - proper hydration is essential

 

Division 5 -- Ages 11, 12, & 13 (

)

Each player should report to the field assigned to your team's game. Playtime is from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

This is wide-open soccer. Play is now 11 aside - the fields are much larger - players are stronger and faster, and it's not uncommon to see goals scored off a header. Set plays, like corner kicks, have become a tremendously exciting part of the game, and team play is a must. However, we are still instructional and highly sensitive to the varying skill levels within this fairly wide age group.

It's interesting to observe how the higher maturity levels impact play. Players have become more patient. They more readily accept that each "run" will not always result in a score or even a shot on goal. They're more inclined to drop the ball back to midfield to set up a better attack, and they've learned the value of a strong left foot.

As is the case in all divisions, each session is broken into practice and game segments. Players may still warm up using some of their favorite soccer games, but much of the practice session is devoted to serious, focused drills.

Games are broken into quarters to allow for frequent water breaks, orderly substitutions and so players can move to a different position.

Equipment:

  • #5 soccer ball - Smaller and easier on the knees
  • Shin guards are a must - Children are not allowed on the field without the
  • Large water bottle - proper hydration is essential