Procedure at the games.
All games must start and finish on time. No allowances are made for stoppage time due to injury etc. 5th and 6th grade will have a 10-minute warm up period followed by 2 x 15-minute games. 7th and 8th grade will have a 10-minute warm up period followed by 2 x 20-minute games.
Game 2 Start
5th and 6th
8.00
8.10
8.30
7th and 8th
8.50
9.00
9.25
Grounds setup and equipment
The fields will be set up every Saturday morning ready for you to get straight out and play. 8th grade teams are responsible for making sure that the goals from the fields they play their second game on are returned to the container at the end of the fence line.
Team Sizes
Young players must enjoy their participation in the game in order to develop their skills. Fewer numbers of players involved in any game leads to more touches of the ball and consequently earlier development of ball skills for players at an early age. Most teams have more than the required number of players however it is important to maintain the correct number of players involved in the game at any time. 5th and 6th Grade- Teams consist of 4 players with no goalkeeper 7th and 8th Grade- Teams consist of 5 players per team with no goalkeeper.
Field Roster
This will be up on the club website the Wednesday before the first game of the season. There will also be a hard copy available to view outside the control room on the noticeboard.
Cancellations
Any decisions to cancel games are made by Albany United and usually based on restrictions that the council may put on the fields. A message will be on the club answerphone AFTER 6:30am on a Saturday morning if games are cancelled. For coaches that have supplied cell phone numbers, cancellation information will be sent to them via text message.
Safety
All players must wear shin pads at all times when playing and ensure that they are covered entirely by their socks. Players should not wear any jewellery or watches. The goal posts are designed solely for the purpose of goals. There are obvious safety issues involved with the use of moveable goals and children MUST NOT swing on them.
Substitutions
Rolling substitutes are used in midget soccer and any number of changes can be made. Changes should be made during a stoppage in play. Coaches should ensure that every child enjoys the maximum available playing time in each game.
Coaching
For 5th through 7th grade team’s one coach per team is allowed, but not required, to be on the field to instruct the children. The coach should stay clear of the area of play and ensure that the game flows as much as possible. In 8th grade the coach is required to stay on the sideline and not enter the field of play. Coaching and encouragement from parents and spectators should be done from the outside lines of a normal field. No spectators should be behind the goal during a game.
Refereeing This should be undertaken by one of the coaches from each team taking control of one half of the game each. Where possible it is encouraged to use an older player to referee the game and allow the coaches to concentrate on assisting their teams. Refereeing decision should be based on allowing the game to flow and the children having fun.
Field sizes 5th through 8th Grade play on a reduced field approx 30 metres long by 20metres wide.