JUNIOR KICKER RULES – revised August 2009

Field Assignments & Player Counts

·         Divisions that include Kindergarten and 1st Grade Players shall play on a small sized field

·         The number of players for each match will be eight (8) - this can be reduced by mutual agreement if one team does not have enough players

·         Coaches can move the goals closer in the event of lesser numbers.

Game duration

·         All Junior Kickers games are 45 minutes in length to ensure field availability for the next game

·         Breaks and half-times are at the coach’s discretion. Please ensure that you do swap sides of the field at half-time

·         A horn or whistle will sound to indicate the end of your allotted time. Please line the kids up and have them do high fives before they go off the field for snacks.

Balls

·         Size 3 balls should be used in all games

Coaches & Spectators

·         The coaches will occupy one side of the field and the parents will occupy the other. This is to ensure that the players are not playing in a hostile environment with voices surrounding every angle of the field. You can have your assistant and team parent on your sideline to assist with substitutions and shoe tying!

Verbal abuse by coaches or parents to anyone will not be tolerated!

Substitutions

·         Substitutions can be made "on the fly." Please do not stop the game every time you make a substitution - just call the player(s) off, send your players in and continue the game. Substitutions can of course also be made at breaks or half-time

Equipment

·         Shin guards must be worn by all players and socks must be worn over shin guards

·         No baseball cleats are allowed

·         NO medical casts are allowed

·         Every team will have a team color - please ensure players wear these to all games (they can wear them over some warmer clothing in colder weather)

·         Shorts or long pants can be worn

Infractions

The focus of the Junior Kickers program shall be on learning and safety of the players.

·         No offside will be called, however coaches shall not allow their players to deliberately take an offside position by "hanging" in front of the opposing goal. Blatant violations such as these should be addressed by both coaches

·          Goal kicks may be taken at the top of the penalty box (semi-circle)

·         If a ball is kicked by the defense back to the goalie, the goalie may not use their hands - they must kick the ball (however please do not punish the kids for doing so - simply instruct them what they should do next time)

·         On illegal throw-ins explain the infraction and give the player second and even a third chance

 Other notes

·         Please get into the habit of arriving at the field thirty (30) minutes before your scheduled game time, and encourage the parents to arrive at this time also to warm up and take part in some pre-game drills

·         Poll your parents for the following game weekends and if you do not have a lot of kids available please reach out to me at least one week in advance:

o   Halloween (October 31)

o   NJ Teacher’s Conference weekend (November 7)

As discussed previously, the Kindergarten and 1st grade Junior Kickers program is the foundation level of Somerset Hills Soccer Club - it is your responsibility as a volunteer on the program to try your best to ensure that every child has a safe, enjoyable and educational soccer experience. I will be on hand to assist you with anything you need so please reach out to me at any time.

Alan McClintock
Junior Kickers Coordinator
732 563 2532
jrkickers@shsc.net