HAND BALL
Educate Yourself On Soccer
Making the Transition from Recreational to Travel Soccer
Evaluating Readiness for the Step Up to Travel Soccer
Parent Web Resources
Small Sided Games
US Soccer has issued new rules for soccer playing/skill learning for young soccer players. These new rules are designed to ensure that youth players get frequent play on the ball, by having fewer players on the field of play. This ensures that the players are more involved in play. This helps to focus on their soccer playing skills, and their enjoyment of being directly involved in play.
Leagues began implementing these plans as of August, 2016, and the small sided game initiative was fully implemented, in all leagues, at the start of the August, 2017, season. This is part of the US Soccer 'Player Development Iniitatitive'. This is a combination of playing standards/philosophy and a 'Concussion Initiative'.
This new initiative will change the size of the field of play, field design, and half time for U9/U10 age groups. Coaches will have to develop practice session scenarios to match the smaller player numbers on the fields, and field design.
The following video gives a perspective of small sided game play:
Hydration For Players
It's For Fun!
Volunteers Are Always Needed And Appreciated!
One of the fundamental rules is 'offside'. Some folks may say 'offsides', but there is no 'offsides' the rule is properly called 'offside'. Spectators may hear a coach tell their players to stay 'onside'. This practically means that the coach does not want a player in an 'offside' position, and hence tells the player to remain 'onside', so that they do not violate the 'offside' rule.
Staying 'onside' requires an attacking player to not be closer to the opponents goal than the 2nd to last defender, with the goal keeper counting as the first defender. This practically means that an attacking player may not be closer to the opponents goal than the goalkeeper and one defending player. The assistant referee on the sideline must have a direct, straight, viewing angle of the 2nd to last defender and any opponent. This angle is crucial to determine if an attacker is either event with the 2nd to last defender, or that they are past the 2nd to last defender and closer to the goal. One very key item needs to be mentioned; A PLAYER MAY BE STANDING IN AN OFFSIDE POSITION, BUT WILL NOT BE CALLED OFFSIDE UNLESS THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO PLAY THE BALL, OR ATTEMPTING TO DISTRACT A DEFENDER/GOALIE. Just being in an offside position is otherwise NOT called. There are several other nuances that are attached to determining offside, which a referee has to recognize. The following video will show you the basic version of what offside is.
SHOULDER CHARGE
Interested In Coaching?
Jack Smith - District VIII Recreational Coordinator
Email: d8americancup@comcast.net
If you want to have some fun, and enjoy watching players have fun, watch the entry level age group games (U5, U6, etc.). If you are interested in coaching, this is a great place to start your soccer career. There are minimum expectations, with the greatest emphasis on the players having fun on the field. As a coach progresses through the age groups they are expected to take coaching license classes, which gives the knowledge needed to pass onto players. The lower age groups generally require at least an ‘F’ license. Check with your league for their coach license policy and classes offered.
Part of the fundamental training for a youth player is learning how to control the ball during play. The following videos will give you a start in helping your player learn ball control:
Mastering Ball Control In Soccer - Top Soccer Coach
https://youtu.be/FqZArr8E56E?t=150
https://youtu.be/xrvIcxULJrc?t=35
https://youtu.be/FqZArr8E56E?t=18
https://youtu.be/84PjqpAqEc4?t=9
https://youtu.be/8SonHSskV6w?t=11
https://youtu.be/h9ty1PnsKg8?t=9
A hand ball is another type of foul that coaches/spectators key in on. It's obvious, a ball hits a hand/arm, and it needs to be immediately called a foul, right?--WRONG!
There are many facets to a hand ball foul calling by a referee, and the vast majority of coaches/spectators are not versed in the total package of circumstances surrounding the calling of a hand ball foul. There are many factors built into the proper calling of a hand ball call, which a coach/spectator are not aware of. There has also been a continuous 'clarification' of hand ball scenarios issued by IFAB over several years, which the coach/spectator would not be aware of. The hand ball rule has 'morphed' over the years. The following video will present a basic understanding of the hand ball rule.
You can find a league near you by using the new Cal North league search tool. You may find the tool here .
How Recreational Teams Are Constructed & Play
District VIII Extended Playing Leagues
How To Help Your Player With Ball Control
Within District VIII, all teams that have played in the regular fall season have the option to play in two other seasons, the 'District Tournament', and the 'Bill Meyer' season. Both of these seasons have entry fees, and involve traveling to other cities to play against other recreational teams from all participating District VIII leagues. No new players may sign up, only those that played in the regular fall recreational season are eligible. No competitive players are eligible for these seasons. These seasons allow a recreational player to have extra excitement in traveling to different venues, and playing against teams from other cities. Coaches get to see different playing styles from many different teams from within the District VIII area.
Has your player determined that they like playing recreational soccer, but they want more competition during play, and have dreams of playing high school/college soccer? To do either of these, they need to develop a higher/competitive mannerism of playing, which is learned by playing on a competitive soccer team. They have to be prepared for a change in playing style though. Being on a competitive team does not guarantee you 50% playing time, as exists on a recreational team. The team plays those that the coach feels can help them win the game, at the time. Players with higher soccer skills will typically get more playing time, while those players needing to learn more skills are subbed in/out more frequently. Competitive teams will also use more family time resources, due to games being played out of town and possibly more than one practice session during the week. The financial costs are also higher on a competitive team, due to traveling costs of gasoline/food, when needed. If the team goes to 'away' tournaments, cost for lodging will be incurred.
Moving up from recreational soccer to travel soccer hinges on the player’s readiness, which can be determined by a few key signs. These signs include the player’s passion for the game, their willingness to show commitment, and their existing ability level. If a player displays an intense desire to experience a more challenging level of soccer, exhibits a readiness to devote time for extra practice, and has a demonstrable skill level, then they could be ripe for the transition to travel soccer. Furthermore, a solid grasp of the fundamental rules and tactics of soccer is essential for navigating the more competitive landscape of travel soccer.
It's important...
Prevent dehydration - USSF Heat & Hydration Guidelines.
OFFSIDE
Recreational Playing League
The basic CYSA Recreational Playing League is classified as a non-competitive playing league within CYSA. This league is comprised of teams that normally play within the boundaries of the league.
3-2-1 Blast Off! CDC’s Injury Center has developed a mobile game app on concussion safety for children aged 6 to 8. Through a futuristic world of galactic racing adventures children can learn the benefits of playing it safe and smart!
The app aims to teach children:
- The different ways the brain can get hurt during sports activities.
- How important it is to tell a coach, parent, or other adult when an injury occurs.
- The importance of taking time to rest and recover if they have a concussion.
Download the HEADS UP Rocket Blades app at no cost.
Concussion Safety and Rocket Blades
Parents and Coaches: Kids want to hear from parents and coaches about concussion safety.
The emphasis for the recreational playing leagues is for fun and ensuring that players get ample opportunity to have field playing time. Some leagues have policies which state that a player must play at least fifty percent (50%) of each game. This policy is totally league driven and league dependent. Players learn soccer skills as they proceed through their age groups. These players are deemed to be 'recreational players'.
Typically league registrations for play in the fall (play starting typically in August) often take place in the Feb.-April time frame, depending on the league. Some leagues have spring playing leagues and registration for these leagues could start in late December/early January. You would need to check with the league that you are interested in, as for their actual seasonal registration dates. Some leagues have co-ed play and others do not for spring season. Most of the teams for fall play are established by gender, unless it is a small league, where they may combine genders, to insure enough playing teams. Please note, you are not limited to signing up to play in just your city. If there is a league in another city, and you are willing to drive, you may sign-up to play there. This would also mean though that you would have to drive to weekly team practices in that city.
Copyright © 2018 CYSA - District 8 | All rights reserved
Rocket Blades Video
Watch this video to learn more about HEADS UP Rocket Blades and how you can get involved!
Center For Disease Control (CDC) HEADS UP ROCKET BLADES
Concussion Information For Young Children
Find A League Near You
Recreational Soccer
With a coach license in hand, the next item that you will need to learn about are the league rules regarding age group play, CYSA Modified Rules for U10 play, and the FIFA Laws of the Game. Check with your league for information on these items.
- Teams are constructed from players that signed up to play. Leagues use different methods to determine placement of players on a team. Each league will be different in how it builds a team. If your are curious, ask them.
- Some leagues may allow you to ask who you want to play/not play for. You would need to ask them about their policy on this, before registering.
- Some leagues will allow a coach to keep a limited number of players from their previous years team. Typically the coach and assistant coach can keep their own player, if they are on the team. The remaining returning players are per coach decision.
- All players in recreational play must get 50% of the total playing time to play.
- Recreational play is based on the aspect of 'fun' play, in a non-pressured environment.
- All play happens locally, except the District VIII end of season tournament, and the extra Bill Meyer Winter League Tournament, for which players are selected by tryouts and the created teams travel thru-out the district playing against other teams, at different locations. There is an extra cost for teams to play in the District VIII tournament, and the Bill Meyer Winter League. Only recreational players, who played in the 'Fall' season are eligible to play in the Bill Myer Winter League.
If you are new to soccer, or even if you have experienced soccer in the past, you can help yourself and your player by being familiar with the dynamics of soccer. The document below was created by U.S. Youth Soccer to help parents understand and navigate through soccer. Take a moment to read through the document.
A 'shoulder charge' is a legitimate soccer practice. It also may be known as 'shoulder tackling'. It's purpose is for challenging for the ball. A parent of a U8 player, who has just moved up to the U10 age group will see this happening, and possibly consider it as a 'foul'. Younger players, having just entering the age group, are more susceptible to a shoulder charge, as they are not used to it. They may easily 'give up the ball', or may fall, due to the shoulder charge contact. They are simply not used to dealing with it. It is a 'tool' that they get used to, while continuing to play, and will eventually use themselves.
The act of charging an opponent can be performed without it being called as a foul. Although the fair charge is commonly defined as “shoulder to shoulder” and without the use of arms or elbows, this is not a requirement and, at certain age levels where heights may vary greatly, may not even be possible. Furthermore, under many circumstances, a charge may often result in the player against whom it is placed falling to the ground (a consequence, as before, of players differing in weight or strength).
The Law does require that the charge be directed toward the area of the shoulder and not toward the center of the opponent’s back (the spinal area): in such a case, the referee should recognize that such a charge is at minimum reckless and potentially even violent.
A player attempting a shoulder charge cannot run across the field and hit the player, shoulder to shoulder, this would be a use of 'excessive force', which typically would cause the hit player to fall to the ground. A foul would be called for this type of 'charge'.
While attempting a should charge, a player must keep their arm at their side and may not push out with their arm against the opponent. This would be considered a foul for 'shoving'. Shoulder charging is a skill and needs to be practiced just like other soccer skills.
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