Friday, November 4, 2016

Final Week of Fall Soccer + Winter is coming

The final week of fall soccer is upon us.  I hope you and your young athlete had a wonderful season.  I would love to hear how your season went.

Winter is Coming

We are planning for the winter season now.  Registration is open, you can use this link:
http://www.maldenyouthsoccer.org/register.html

Our winter session is played indoors at the Salemwood School gym.  It is an enormous facility that can support 3 or 4 concurrent games.  U7 will most likely play Sunday mornings from 10:00 to 11:30.  The season will start in early January and will run for 10 weeks.

Lineup for this week

Friday, October 28, 2016

Week 7 + Exciting stuff

Welcome to Week 7!  This is our second to last day of Fall soccer.  Next week will be our final game for fall soccer.

We have a few important points to communicate this week...

New Coordinator
We have a new U7 coordinator, Nicole Doucette.  Please help in welcoming her into this new role.

Winter Registration is Open
The registration for winter soccer is open.  You can register at this link.  The season starts January 8 and will run for 10 weeks.  U7 will probably play at 10:00 on Sunday mornings, but times are still being finalized.  There is a discounted rate for players who register early, so sign up soon.

U10 Tournament
Malden Youth Soccer is hosting a tournament for our U10 travel teams to play against each other.  The tournament is this Sunday, 2:00-5:00 at Pine Banks.  All of the U10 teams are performing very well in their divisions, so this should be an exciting event.  We plan to have a concession stand and a sponsor, Sullivan Tire, will be there as well some swag.

I hope you consider returning to pine banks for cheer on your favorite U10 team.  If you need help choosing a favorite U10 team, I recommend my team... BU10-8...  "Crazy Eights!"

This week's schedule

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Week 5 + Still looking for a coordinator

One final plea for help (I hope)!!!  Continuation of U7 soccer depends on somebody taking on the coordinator role.  We can make it fit into your life...  Please contact me (Doug Danoff) by responding to any of the emails you have received.

Here are your assignments for this week...

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Week 4 + Plea for Help + no Soctober Fest this year

Hello U7 Parents,

U7 Coordinator

I beg a moment of your time before getting your assignments for this week.

We need to find a new U7 coordinator.  Please consider stepping forward.  There are many benefits to both you and hundreds of other people by spending a few hours a week doing things that are fun and rewarding.  

If you have any questions about this to help make up your mind, please let me or any other board member know.  Other board positions are also available 

No Soctober Fest

On a related note, we will not be hosing Soctober fest this year.

Field Assignments this Week


Thursday, September 22, 2016

Friday, September 16, 2016

Week 2!

I hope your first week went well!

I have only one important point to emphasize this week...  NO JEWELRY ALLOWED!  This is an important rule designed for the safety of both your player and the others who share the field.  This includes earrings, rings, watches, necklaces.

We are still looking for a U7 Coordinator.  Please let me know if you are interested.

Here are the assignments for week 2.

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Fall soccer has arrived... Week 1

Hello U7 Parents and Young Athletes!

Welcome

Welcome back to soccer.  Our first U7 game is Sunday.

The first day of Fall Soccer is special.  Many of the kids have moved up to a new age group.  New coaches are stepping into new positions.  Many players are trying soccer for the first time.  I cannot imagine a better way to spend a beautiful 9/11 day than to open a fall soccer season with my neighbors from around our globe.

Be sure to bring:

  1. Shinpads (REQUIRED!!!)
  2. Drinking Water
  3. Size 3 ball
  4. Snack if desired
  5. Cleats (not required)

Please Arrive Early

The first day is also hard.  Uniforms need to be passed out.  Parents need to find parking spaces.  Players need to find their teams.  Coaches need to meet new faces.  So... PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY!!!!!!  You should arrive at the field about 30 minutes before your scheduled start time.

Trophies

Any remaining trophies from the Spring banquet will be distributed during tomorrow's U7 and U9 games (9:00 until 1:30).  All trophies not claimed by the end of this time will be discarded.  Forever.

U7 Coordinator Opening

We are searching for a U7 coordinator for Malden soccer, I have moved to U9 and we have a vacancy.  If you are interested, I encourage you to consider contacting me.  It is an extremely rewarding job.

Here are your team's field assignments for this week

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Fall soccer starts in 2 weeks!

Welcome back to the school year, cool weather and fall soccer.  I hope you all had an excellent summer break and you're ready to resume with reality.

The fall season starts on September 11, just 2 weeks away.  We will run for 9 weeks, with our last game being November 6.  We will not play on October 9 due to Columbus day unless we use it to make up for a rain day.

Teams are being setup and finalized now.   You should get an email welcoming your child to her or his new team by Monday, August 29.  If you don't get it by then, contact the league, as you may not be registered properly.

We still have spots available, but there will be a strict limit on the number of players accepted and remaining kids will be wait listed.  If you have not registered yet, you should do it asap.  If you know somebody who would like to play, please let them know that they need to register now.

You can register here:
http://www.maldenyouthsoccer.org/register.html


The Season

We will have an 8 game season this Fall.  All U7 games will be on Sunday mornings.

We will have 2 time slots that will change for each team every week.  The first slot is 9:00-10:25.  The second is 10:30-11:55.  Each 85 minute time slot will be divided into a 40 minute skills/drills session and a 40 minute scrimmage/game, with a 5 minute break between practice and scrimmage.

No games will be scheduled over Columbus Day Weekend, October 9.  The last game will be November 9, weather permitting.

The Blog

This Blog will be the primary source of information for schedules, cancellations, etc.  Feel free to use the comments to discuss the league and let us know what we can do to improve any aspect of U7 Soccer.

http://MaldenSoccerU7.blogspot.com/

Cancellations due to weather will be posted to the blog... please check it within an hour of the start time on game-day morning.  If you do not have access to the internet on Sunday mornings, please let me know.

Parents will need to supply...

  1. If you already have the correct uniform color, please use it.  If not, the league will supply a shirt, shorts and socks on the first day
  2. Appropriate shoes.  We'll play on real grass, cleats are recommended (but are not required)
  3. Shin pads are required.  Your child may be excluded from the game if this important piece of safety equipment is not used.
  4. Players must come to the game with their own size 3 ball with the players name on it
  5. Long pants and long sleeved shirts may be worn under the team uniform if desired
  6. Water - for frequent breaks
  7. A snack for between the practice and game may be desired
  8. Players must not wear any jewelry (earrings, watches, etc.) during the practice or game
  9. Parents must remain at the field with their children during the entire session 

Our Philosophy

At the U7 level we continue focusing on basic skills, and begin incorporating more of the basic rules into the experience.

Our primary focus remains providing a fun and healthy environment for the kids to discover their emerging soccer skills.  We do not focus on winning.  We don't keep official score, celebrate wins, or mourn losses.  We strive for every player to get equal playing time, and try to keep the number of players on the field small in order to maximize opportunities to play.  We reward skillful play, good attitudes and sportsmanship.

Adults, please try to keep this in mind.  If you see a player on a team opposing your child's team, and that player is exceptionally good...  please try to celebrate that skill as opposed to trying to suppress it.  All players develop at different rates, and at this age, some kids really stand out.  This is a good thing, try to not take offense by it.

Here are some additional notes about the U7 format:
  1. For this outdoor session we will play 6v6 including a goalie.  We will use the bigger nets. Coaches may decide to change the structure as needed for a fun and fulfilling game depending on attendance.
  2. Coaches may decide to balance teams at game time if there is a need to equalize the number of players on each team.
  3. Substitutions should be made when play stops and should occur approximately every 5 - 10 minutes
  4. We will play with throw-ins, goalie kicks and corner kicks.
  5. The game will start with a kick-off at the center, as will the second half of the game
  6. After each goal, the team scored upon will start again by kicking-off at center.  A successful kick-off means that the ball needs to roll 1 revolution forward and be touched by another player
  7. Hand balls result in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side
  8. No slide-tackling allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side
  9. No pushing with the arms or hands allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side
  10. No tripping from behind allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side
  11. No checking with hips allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to opposing side
  12. No off-sides called
  13. The coaches may decide to break for half-time

Basic Rules for Parents

  1. Players must play within their designated age group.
  2. Players must play on the team they have been assigned to.  Requests for specific teams will be honored if availability permits.  Requests made close to the start of the season are often hard or impossible to accomodate for.
  3. At least one adult supervisor must stay during the entire session and is responsible for watching kids if they wander away from play
  4. Parent involvement is appreciated and encouraged when appropriate but please try not to interfere with the session
  5. Due to insurance rules players who are not registered with the league cannot play
  6. Players must not wear jewelry such as earrings, watches, necklaces, etc.  

9 Week Schedule

Be sure to note the time you play each week...  it changes!

DateTimeHome TeamAway TeamField
Sun 9/11/20169:00 AMOrlando CityColumbus CrewField 1&2
Week 19:00 AMDC UnitedNE RevolutionField 3&4
9:00 AMNew York CitySeattle SoundersField 5&6
Second Session10:30 AMPortland TimbersMontreal ImpactField 1&2
10:30 AMHouston DynamoChicago FireField 3&4
Sun 9/18/20169:00 AMNE RevolutionColumbus CrewField 1&2
Week 29:00 AMSeattle SoundersDC UnitedField 3&4
9:00 AMMontreal ImpactNew York CityField 5&6
Second Session10:30 AMChicago FireOrlando CityField 1&2
10:30 AMHouston DynamoPortland TimbersField 3&4
Sun 9/25/20169:00 AMOrlando CitySeattle SoundersField 1&2
Week 39:00 AMPortland TimbersChicago FireField 3&4
9:00 AMMontreal ImpactHouston DynamoField 5&6
Second Session10:30 AMNew York CityNE RevolutionField 1&2
10:30 AMDC UnitedColumbus CrewField 3&4
Sun 10/2/20169:00 AMHouston DynamoDC UnitedField 1&2
Week 49:00 AMChicago FireMontreal ImpactField 3&4
9:00 AMNE RevolutionOrlando CityField 5&6
Second Session10:30 AMColumbus CrewSeattle SoundersField 1&2
10:30 AMPortland TimbersNew York CityField 3&4
No Soccer 10/9/2016 due to Columbus Day weekend
Sun 10/16/20169:00 AMNE RevolutionChicago FireField 1&2
Week 59:00 AMDC UnitedNew York CityField 3&4
9:00 AMColumbus CrewMontreal ImpactField 5&6
Second Session10:30 AMSeattle SoundersHouston DynamoField 1&2
10:30 AMOrlando CityPortland TimbersField 3&4
Sun 10/23/20169:00 AMChicago FireDC UnitedField 1&2
Week 69:00 AMHouston DynamoOrlando CityField 3&4
9:00 AMNew York CityColumbus CrewField 5&6
Second Session10:30 AMMontreal ImpactNE RevolutionField 1&2
10:30 AMSeattle SoundersPortland TimbersField 3&4
Sun 10/30/20169:00 AMDC UnitedPortland TimbersField 1&2
Week 79:00 AMNE RevolutionSeattle SoundersField 3&4
9:00 AMNew York CityHouston DynamoField 5&6
Second Session10:30 AMColumbus CrewChicago FireField 1&2
10:30 AMOrlando CityMontreal ImpactField 3&4
Sun 11/6/20169:00 AMPortland TimbersNE RevolutionField 1&2
Week 89:00 AMMontreal ImpactDC UnitedField 3&4
9:00 AMHouston DynamoColumbus CrewField 5&6
Second Session10:30 AMNew York CityOrlando CityField 1&2
10:30 AMSeattle SoundersChicago FireField 3&4

Pine Banks Field

All games will be played at Pine Banks Field.  We will use the field inside the track with natural grass turf, at the corner of Main St. and Sylvan St.





Saturday, June 11, 2016

Final Week + Banquet Tickets

This is our last week of week of U7 spring soccer.  I hope you had a good season and your player's got a bit better.

Moving on as U7 Director
This is also my (Doug Danoff's) final season as U7 Director.  I will be moving to fill the U9 Director position starting in the fall, so it does not feel like much of a change to me, but it feels noteworthy none-the-less.  Thank you all for letting me help to provide a healthy experience for your blooming players for the past 3 years as U7 director.  It has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.

If you are moving up to U9, I will see you in the fall.  If not, I will see you in a year!

While I'm at it...  I encourage you to consider volunteering with the league.  There are may ways to do it.  We are always on the lookout for coaches, both for the in-town leagues and for the travel teams for the older kids.  No soccer experience AT ALL is required to be an in-town coach.  We also have several board positions to fill, including a treasurer.  If you have financial / accounting experience, please consider stepping up for this.

Banquet Tickets on Sale this Sunday
The U7 Banquet is this coming Tuesday (June 14).  It is at Anthony's on Canal St. in Malden.  Doors will open at 6:00 PM and the banquet will go until 8:00.

Pre purchased tickets will be available during the first session (9:00 -10:30) of tomorrow's game.  I will close the booth at 10:30 when my U7 team starts, so please time accordingly.

Prices if purchased in advanced tomorrow are:

  • Free for players and coaches
  • Adult tickets are $12 
  • Sibling tickets are $10

You can also purchase at the door, but the prices are higher: $15 for Adults and $12 for siblings

Don't Forget to Register early for the fall
http://www.maldenyouthsoccer.org/register.html


Finally...  The fields...






Friday, June 3, 2016

Week 8 + Banquet + We play next week too!

UPDATE 7:10 AM - It looks like these sprinkles will clear up, but either way Soccer is ON today, we will play as usual.

Another update is that I will be handing out and selling banquet tickets for June 14 after the first session.  Today and next Sunday will be the only time to pre-purchase tickets.
  • Coaches and players get a complementary ticket
  • Adult tickets cost 12 today, or can be purchased for 15 at the door
  • Sibling tickets cost 10 today, or can be purchased for 12 at the door
  • Players must be accompanied by an adult and accompanying tickets must be purchased when picking up the children's tickets


Some important notes:

The U7 Banquet will be Tuesday, June 14 this year at Anthony's in Malden.  Dinner and trophies!  Doors will open at 6:00.  Ticket prices and instructions will be released soon, but please save the date.

Also, please note that we U7 WILL play next week, June 12.  It will be our last game of the spring season.  I would love to hear how your season went.

Registration for Fall soccer has opened.  Fall is the season where age groups change so good luck to the kids who are moving up!

Here are the field assignments this week...


Sunday, May 22, 2016

No U7 Soccer over Memorial Day weekend

There will be no soccer on the Sunday (5/29) before Memorial Day. Enjoy your BBQs!

We will resume on June 5.

Thank you to all who have served.




Saturday, May 21, 2016

Week 7 - May 22 + PICTURE DAY!!!

PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF YOUR PICTURE TIME!!!!

Some teams must arrive at the field early!

You can download your picture form here.



Saturday, May 14, 2016

Week 6 + photo schedule for NEXT week

We are back at Pine Banks park this week, and back to our normal 9:00 and 10:30 schedule.


U7's picture day is happening Next week, May 22.  There will be some interruption the normal games, and some teams are required to stay a little late or arrive a little early.  Please be careful to note your photo time properly.

PHOTO SCHEDULE: (THIS IS HAPPENING NEXT WEEK, NOT THIS WEEK!!!!!)
TeamGame TimePhoto TimeImpact on team
DC United0900 A9:00Arrive 15 minutes before game time
Portland Timbers0900 A9:15during normal game time
Colorado Rapids0900 B9:30during normal game time
LA Galaxy0900 B9:45during normal game time
Chicago Fire1030 A10:00Arrive 30 minutes before game time
Columbus Crew1030 A10:15Arrive 15 minutes before game time
Montreal Impact1030 B10:30Arrive 10 minutes before game time
Toronto1030 B10:45during normal game time
Houston Dynamo0900 C11:00Stay Late 30 mins (continue playing until it is time)
New York City0900 C11:15Stay Late 45 mins (continue playing until it is time)


Here is the game schedule for THIS week: