Sunday, March 20, 2016

Time to get ready for Spring Soccer!


We're gearing up for the start of the spring season, just 3 weeks away now.

The season starts Sunday, April 10.  We will run for 10 weeks until our last game on June 12.  We will plan to not play on May 29 due to Memorial day, but may choose to use it as 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 Sunday, March 27.  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


If you are interested in coaching, please contact me.  I still need several!

The Season

We will have an 9 game season this Spring.  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 Memorial Day Weekend, May 29.  The last game will be June 12, 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 earrings 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 5v5 plus 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 4/10/20169:00 AMToronto FCColumbus CrewField 1&2
Week 19:00 AMDC UnitedLA GalaxyField 3&4
9:00 AMNew York CityColorado RapidsField 5&6
Second Session10:30 AMPortland TimbersMontreal ImpactField 1&2
10:30 AMHouston DynamoChicago FireField 3&4
Sun 4/17/20169:00 AMLA GalaxyColumbus CrewField 1&2
Week 29:00 AMColorado RapidsDC UnitedField 3&4
9:00 AMMontreal ImpactNew York CityField 5&6
Second Session10:30 AMChicago FireToronto FCField 1&2
10:30 AMHouston DynamoPortland TimbersField 3&4
Sun 4/24/20169:00 AMToronto FCColorado RapidsField 1&2
Week 39:00 AMPortland TimbersChicago FireField 3&4
9:00 AMMontreal ImpactHouston DynamoField 5&6
Second Session10:30 AMNew York CityLA GalaxyField 1&2
10:30 AMDC UnitedColumbus CrewField 3&4
Sun 5/1/20169:00 AMHouston DynamoDC UnitedField 1&2
Week 49:00 AMChicago FireMontreal ImpactField 3&4
9:00 AMLA GalaxyToronto FCField 5&6
Second Session10:30 AMColumbus CrewColorado RapidsField 1&2
10:30 AMPortland TimbersNew York CityField 3&4
Sun 5/8/20169:00 AMLA GalaxyChicago FireField 1&2
Week 59:00 AMDC UnitedNew York CityField 3&4
9:00 AMColumbus CrewMontreal ImpactField 5&6
Second Session10:30 AMColorado RapidsHouston DynamoField 1&2
10:30 AMToronto FCPortland TimbersField 3&4
Sun 5/15/20169:00 AMChicago FireDC UnitedField 1&2
Week 69:00 AMHouston DynamoToronto FCField 3&4
9:00 AMNew York CityColumbus CrewField 5&6
Second Session10:30 AMMontreal ImpactLA GalaxyField 1&2
10:30 AMColorado RapidsPortland TimbersField 3&4
Sun 5/22/20169:00 AMDC UnitedPortland TimbersField 1&2
Week 79:00 AMLA GalaxyColorado RapidsField 3&4
9:00 AMNew York CityHouston DynamoField 5&6
Second Session10:30 AMColumbus CrewChicago FireField 1&2
10:30 AMToronto FCMontreal ImpactField 3&4
No Soccer 5/29/2015 due to Memorial Day weekend
Sun 6/5/20169:00 AMPortland TimbersLA GalaxyField 1&2
Week 89:00 AMMontreal ImpactDC UnitedField 3&4
9:00 AMHouston DynamoColumbus CrewField 5&6
Second Session10:30 AMNew York CityToronto FCField 1&2
10:30 AMColorado RapidsChicago FireField 3&4
Sun 6/12/20169:00 AMToronto FCColumbus CrewField 1&2
Week 99:00 AMDC UnitedLA GalaxyField 3&4
9:00 AMNew York CityColorado RapidsField 5&6
Second Session10:30 AMPortland TimbersMontreal ImpactField 1&2
10:30 AMHouston DynamoChicago 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.






Sunday, March 13, 2016

Week 10 - Last week of winter soccer!

Today is the last day of the winter session.

I hope you enjoyed the season.  Please come back for our spring season by registering here.

I would love to hear how your season went - Both the good things and the areas we can improve...  drop me a comment on this blog post or send me an email by responding to one I have sent you.


Saturday, March 5, 2016

Week 9

Welcome to week 9.  The last day of the winter session is March 13...  that means it is time to register for the spring season.

http://www.maldenyouthsoccer.org/register.html

Here are the field assignments.