Youth Mini Soccer League

Mini Soccer Leagues

What is Mini Soccer? It's soccer with less players. We play 4 vs 4 (including a goalie).

Why Mini Soccer? Very simply, soccer with less players is better. It's more fun for the kids because they get to play more soccer. They touch the ball more often, they get to play both offense and defense throughout the game and they get to be a part of the entire game. Plus, in addition to being more fun and engaging, players improve more at soccer simply because they get to play more soccer each game. Their ball skills improve through more touches and they develop a better understanding of the game since they're playing both offense and defense.

Like most of the rest of world, we believe kids should play in small-sided games until they have the skill level and basic understanding of the game to be able to play with more players.

Why Field Borders? (see pictures) The field borders are a must for the kids for the same reasons Mini Soccer is great - everybody gets to play more soccer. With the borders, the ball stays in bounds the entire game.  Players stay active and engaged the whole game since they don't have to stop for throw-ins, corner kicks and goal kicks.

We believe field borders and small-sided games are what make soccer for young kids and new players what it should be - a fun game! Until players have the skill level to play without borders and/or with more players, they all should play mini-soccer!

Start Dates:

Divisions:

- 4 & 5 year olds coed, players born between April 2004 and March 2006

- 6 & 7 year olds coed, players born between April 2002 and March 2004

Format:

- Game times are Saturday mornings 8:30am-10:30am.
- Season is 7 weeks long.
- All games are played at Telegraph Field.
- All ability levels are welcome and every kid is given equal playing time.
- All leagues are all recreational, and only fun, positive encouragement is allowed!

How to register:

• To register for:
  
  
• March
  4 & 5 y.o.'s, Coed Mini Soccer, Click Here
  6 & 7 y.o.'s, Coed Mini Soccer, Click Here

• June
• 4 & 5 y.o.'s, Coed Mini Soccer, Click Here
  6 & 7 y.o.'s, Coed Mini Soccer, Click Here
• Sign up for your league
  

  Choose your child's division. Decide if you are registering, as a) a new team b) as an individual to be put on a team, or c) as in individual on a team that has already been registered.

• If signing up a new team:
  • the next step is to have all of your players go the website and sign up for your team.
• If signing up as in individual:
  • we will try to put you on a team.
• About two weeks before the season starts, we will email the team coach/captain further information, including game times.
• All schedules and standings are online.
• Feel free to call or e-mail us at: (415) 640-0021 or contact Trishan at trishan@soctots.com.
  
  

Rules:

Duration Two 15 minute halves for 5 year old leagues, two 20 minute halves for 6 and 7 year old leagues.

Substitutions  All children should play equally. Substitutions can be made on the fly.

Role of the Coaches: The head coaches from each team will referee the games. The coaches should work cooperatively to help explain any infractions.  In the first half, one head coach should be on the field overseeing the game.  The other head coach should oversee the second half. Coaches should decide on one person to keep the time for both games.

Referee: Coaches serve this role. See “Basic Rules of the 4 V 4 Game”.

Goals: Goals are provided for each game.

Start and End Times:  Please start and end all games on time.

Balls: Both teams must bring a ball to the game.

Uniform: Shin guards must be worn. Flats or sneakers are OK. No jewelry, necklaces, bands (rubber, plastic, cloth, etc.) and earrings can be worn.

Basic Rules of the 3 V 3 and 4 V 4 Game

• No offsides
• When the ball goes out of bounds over the sidelines (touchline), it is put back into play by a kick-in from the spot it went out of bounds.  The kick-in cannot be shot directly into the goal.
• When the ball goes over the end line, it is a goal kick or corner kick.  
• After a goal has been scored, play shall begin by a restart at mid-field.
• A coach from either team serves as referee. Referee starts and ends games on time, checks for shin guards and unholds proper play during the game (regulates aggresive play etc).
• Referee makes sure players AND parents act respectfully (proper language, positive).
• Players can score from anywhere on the field.
• All fouls are penalized by a direct free kick.  The opponent must be 3 yards away from the ball at the time of the kick.
• No slide tackles are allowed.
• No penalty kicks are awarded.
• Substitutions are made on the fly.
• Equal time shall be allowed for all players.
  
• We will be in touch via email with all team coaches about game schedules and league rules.
• Mixed teams must have at least one girl player in the game at any given time. If they do not, they must take one boy off and play short a player.

Sportsmanship:  All players, all coaches and all parents should shake hands at the conclusion of the match.

Score:  Scores and stats are kept online. Coaches are responsible for updating their own scores.

Parents: There are bleachers at the field and a sideline for sitting and watching. Please allow the referee to make the calls during the games. Parents may not say anything to the referee during the game. Only a coach may talk to the referee.

Field Director: There will be a field director at the games, helping organize play.

We will not make a long list of prohibitions for rules of conduct.  We expect all players and spectators to act with the highest degree of sportsmanship.