LaGrange Soccer Club U5/U6 Micro Soccer Guidelines

Sessions are 75 minutes long -- roughly 30 minutes for practice, a 5 minute transition, and then a 40 minute game.

Each team starts by practicing on "their own" field for about 30 minutes. At game time, 1/2 of each team moves to the adjacent field with a coach.

Games are 40 minutes long, with two 20 minute halves, running time. Since there are nominally 8 from each team on each field, teams play 4 on 4 for 5 minutes then switch in the waiting group of 4 for their 5 minutes, repeat again with both groups for the 20 minutes. A short half time break and then repeat for the second half. Referees should be asked to give a 30 second warning before each 5 minute "period", so that the coaches can have the next group of 5 ready to go.

Play is 4 on 4 -- 1 defender, 2 midfielders and 1 offensive player. Try to have the defender and the offensive player stay in their half of the field. Rotate the kids through each position in each of their 5 minute periods so at the end of the game, they've played each in each of the 4 positions for 5 minutes. Try to maintain the level of skills on each field in balance -- shift kids between fields as necessary to maintain a healthy competitive level.

Coaches permitted on the field for the first 3 weeks, with primary mission to insure proper player positioning. There should be one coach per field with one floating from field to field -- probably the most experienced soccer person. If you can eliminate the on-field coach sooner, great!

U6: Start introducing goalie concepts in practice and evaluate with your opposing coach for game sessions during the remainder of the fall. Goalies to be used in the spring season. With a goalie, there would be an offensive player, one midfielder, one defender and the goalie.

Substitutions (If needed) : (1) With possession on throw in; (2) either team's goal kick; (3) goal;