U5 Coed League
Focus at this introductory level is on foot skills and ball control. Weekday session will be comprised of skills and practice games followed by a small sided 3 v 3 game against players of a similar competency, Saturday games will be played in same format as but as a team. Games will be played simultaneously to increase playing time for each participant. No restarts are used (no goal kick, corner kick, throw-in), the ball is returned to play by the coach and there are no goal keepers. Players should wear their uniform shirt, shorts, socks, shin gaurds (worn under socks) and soccer cleats. Players should bring a water bottle and a size 3 soccer ball to each session.
U6 Coed League
Focus at this introductory level is on foot skills and ball control. Weekday session will be comprised of skills and practice games followed by a small sided 3 v 3 game against players of a similar competency, Saturday games will be played in same format as but as a team. Games will be played simultaneously to increase playing time for each participant. No restarts are used (no goal kick, corner kick, throw-in), the ball is returned to play by the coach and there are no goal keepers. Players should wear their uniform shirt, shorts, socks, shin gaurds (worn under socks) and soccer cleats. Players should bring a water bottle and a size 3 soccer ball to each session.
U8 Boys & U8 Girls (NON CO-ED)
Focus of this age group will be to continue the development of foot skills, with a introduction to small sided games. The weeknight practice will continue as an academy style training session. The weekend game will consist of a 5v5 format including goalies on a slightly larger field with modified small sided game rules. The weekend game will also be team vs team where players will continue to play with the same teams week to week bringing back a much needed team spirit aspect to this age group.
Small sided game rules are as follows:
1. (4) field players and 1 goalie on each side
2. Throw ins, goal kicks, corner kicks but NO punts or Direct penalty kicks!
3. All four players should have opportunities to score no matter what position they play (No
Strikers Allowed)
4. No full time goalies, No player may play more than ½ of any game in goal
5. No full time positions, Players must be moved into all areas of the field.
5. (4) 12 minute quarters and a half time. This will allow for coaches to have a brief coaching
moment and help to avoid lopsided scores
6. Positions will consist of 2 Defense and 2 Midfield (NO OFFENSE ONLY PLAYERS)
7. Substitutions will be on the fly (no stoping for subs, 1 off 1 on)
8. Slowly push to a 5 second ball play rule. (team has 5 seconds to play the ball in when it is played
out of bounds).
9. Referees may be present for some games as a introduction to referees.
10.Winning is not the objective, an introduction to a larger sport and team spirit are the goal.
11. Coaches should remain on the sidelines as much as possible (that said this is a teaching age and it would be expected that 1-2 times a week a coach could stop play for a teaching point)
12. Players will have a 15 minute warmup session prior to start of game.
U10 Girls and Boys Intercommunity League
This is the first opportunity for the players to play against teams outside of our club. Games are played on Saturdays against surrounding area clubs such as North Hills, Fox Chapel, Hampton. Most travel is within a 30 minute drive of Shaler. Offside is introduced at the U10 level. .
Ball Sizes
U10 - U12 Size 4 Ball
U13 & up Size 5 Ball
Playing Format
U10 - 7 v7
U12 - 9 v 9
U13 & up - 11 v 11
TOPSoccer
Please see our TOPSoccer page for more information.
Questions regarding age groups breakdowns can be sent to Bryan Crider at [email protected]