CONCEPT: FC Richmond plays small-sided games at this age to encourage each player to have more touches on the ball, involvement, and enjoyment in the game. Over the long term this approach enhances the individual development for each of our players. Coaches are encouraged to emphasize dribbling into attacking spaces as much as possible.

PLAYERS: Each team will have no more than 6 players per roster and will compete in a 3 vs 3 game format.

GAME LENGTH: Each game is divided into four quarters, 8 minutes in length. There is a 2-minute rest period between quarters and 5 minutes at halftime.

FIELD DIMENSIONS: The field is approximately 15 yards wide by 20 yards long

GOAL SIZE: 6 feet wide by 4 feet tall

BALL SIZE: #3

GOAL-KEEPERS: There are no goal-keepers for this age group

POSITIONING: Positions for this age group are challenging for such young players to understand as each player wants the ball and goes wherever necessary to get it. Teach players that they should all attack (look to go forward by dribbling and shooting) when their team is in possession and defend (get between the player with the ball and the goal) when their team is not in possession of the ball are the key concepts. 

PLAYING TIME: Each player should play at least 50% (2 quarters) of each game.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Substitutions should be made only between quarters unless a player has been injured. 

The reason we don’t sub within the 8-minute quarter is because as players tire out towards the end of the quarter, space begins to open up, and a real soccer game begins to happen! This is where the real learning starts. This rule also helps coaches manage 50% playing time for each player.

THROW INS: Throw Ins are taken when the opposing team kicks the ball across one of the touchlines (sidelines). The player taking the throw in must keep both feet on the ground when the ball is thrown and both hands must deliver the ball from behind and over his/her head in a continuous forward motion.

GOAL KICKS: Goal kicks are taken when the opposing team kicks the ball across the defending teams end-line. The opposing team must stand behind the halfway line while the kick is taken. The other players position themselves between the ball and the opponents so that they can be first to the ball.

CORNER KICKS: Corner kicks are taken by the attacking team when the ball crosses the end-line and is last touched by a member on the defending team.

FOULS: Fouls such as handballs, tripping and pushing will occasionally occur, most times unintentionally. If an obvious foul occurs (at the discretion of the referee) then an indirect free kick will be awarded. Opposing players must stand 5 yards away from where the free kick takes place. There are no penalty kicks in this age group.

OFF-SIDE: There is no offside calls in this age group.

HEADING: There is no heading for U11 and younger. If the ball strikes a player in the head, play is stopped.  The proper restart is an indirect free kick to the opposing team.  If this occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.  If the play by the head is deemed inadvertent, then the proper restart is a dropped ball.
 

REFEREES: Referees are often FC Richmond Youth Travel Soccer Players (Magic/Mystx). They have been instructed to teach the game of soccer to the younger children as they officiate. They may let somechildren throw the ball in two or three times in order to teach the proper technique. Coaches should remain on the sidelines opposite the parents, manage substitutions at the end of each quarter and give praise. Please understand that these are youth referees who are learning to manage the games. They will make mistakes just as you and your players will. Please be patient as they continue to learn and grow through these valuable leadership opportunities.

CONCEPT: FC Richmond plays small-sided games at this age to encourage each player to have more touches on the ball, involvement, and enjoyment in the game. Over the long term this approach enhances the individual development for each of our players. Coaches are encouraged to emphasize dribbling into attacking spaces as much as possible.

PLAYERS: Each team will have no more than 8 players per roster and will compete in a 4 vs 4 game format.

GAME LENGTH: Each game is divided into four quarters, 10 minutes in length. There is a 2-minute rest period between quarters and 5 minutes at halftime.

FIELD DIMENSIONS: The field is approximately 20 yards wide by 25 yards long

GOAL SIZE: 6 feet wide by 4 feet tall

BALL SIZE: #3

GOAL-KEEPERS: There are no goal-keepers for this age group

POSITIONING: We recommend using a 1-2-1 Diamond formation (1 Back, 2 Midfielders, 1 Forward) to begin teaching the concept of spacing (width and depth) and positions. Teach players that they should all attack (look to go forward by dribbling, passing, and shooting) when their team is in possession and defend (get between the player with the ball and the goal) when their team is not in possession of the ball are the key concepts. 

PLAYING TIME: Each player should play at least 50% (2 quarters) of each game.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Substitutions should be made only between quarters unless a player has been injured. The reason we don’t sub within the 10-minute quarter is because as players tire out towards the end of the quarter, space begins to open up, and a real soccer game begins to happen! This is where the real learning starts. This rule also helps coaches manage 50% playing time for each player.

DOTTED LINE RULE: Each 4 v 4 field will have a dotted line across the field between each end line and halfway line. This rule is meant to encourage players not to hang back in front of the goal and to move up with their team when they are attacking. Goals will not count if any player on the attacking team is behind the dotted line when the goal is scored. If this occurs, play should be restarted from a goal kick for the opposing team. *SCORING-All attacking players must be forward of the dotted line in their defensive half for a goal to count.

THROW INS: Throw ins are taken when the ball crosses over the touch line (side-line). Both hands hold the ball over the head while both feet are touching the ground as the ball is released.

GOAL KICKS: Goal kicks are taken when the opposing team kicks the ball across the defending teams end-line. The opposing team must stand behind the halfway line while the kick is taken. The other players position themselves between the ball and the opponents so that they can be first to the ball.

CORNER KICKS: Corner kicks are taken by the attacking team when the ball crosses the end-line and is last touched by a member on the defending team.

FOULS: Fouls such as handballs, tripping and pushing will occasionally occur, most times unintentionally. If an obvious foul occurs (at the discretion of the referee) then an indirect free kick will be awarded. Opposing players must stand 5 yards away from where the free kick takes place. There are no penalty kicks in this age group.

OFF-SIDE: There is no offside calls in this age group.

HEADING: There is no heading for U11 and younger. If the ball strikes a player in the head, play is stopped. The proper restart is an indirect free kick to the opposing team.  If this occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.  If the play by the head is deemed inadvertent, then the proper restart is a dropped ball.

REFEREES: Referees are often FC Richmond Youth Travel Soccer Players (Magic/Mystx). They have been instructed to teach the game of soccer to the younger children as they officiate. They may let some children throw the ball in two or three times in order to teach the proper technique. Coaches should remain on the sidelines opposite the parents, manage substitutions at the end of each quarter and give praise. Please understand that these are youth referees who are learning to manage the games. They will make mistakes just as you and your players will. Please be patient as they continue to learn and grow through these valuable leadership opportunities.

Click HERE for Cross Association Rules 

1) Players constantly touching the ball with all parts of their feet. (Inside, outside, sole, laces)

2) Promote dribbling into open spaces, passing to teammates and shooting rather than just kicking the ball.

3) Encourage players to use inside, outside, sole, top of foot, etc.

4) Encourage players to use other parts of their bodies in addition to their feet to control the ball. (Head, thigh, chest)

5) Promote good sportsmanship at all times.

These rules apply to all Recreational players between the ages of 4 and 18 years old (U-5 thru U-19).

1) Equipment required: Shin-guards must be worn under socks for all practices and games.

2) Players, coaches and spectators will display good sportsmanship at all times toward teammates, opposing players and referees.

3) During all games coaches are to remain on the sideline and not on the field of play or behind the goals.

4) Team jersey must be tucked in and team socks pulled up for all games (jersey and sockes are provided by FC Richmond)

5) Solid black soccer shorts must be worn by all players on game day (U5 -U9).

6) Soccer cleats (recommended) or rubber soled shoes must be worn to practices and games.

7) All players are required to bring a soccer ball (appropriate size) and water bottle to all practices and games.

8) Players may not wear jewelry, wire-rimmed glasses (wire in plastic frame is acceptible) or any other dangerous apparel.

9) Orthopedic casts will be judged on a case-by-case basis.

10) All players present at games and able to participate will play a minimum of half of a game (2 out of 4 quarters).

11) Substitutes are made between quarters and halftime during U5-U9 games, unless there is an injured player on the field.

12). At age group divisions U11 and younger- Whenever the ball strikes a player in the head, play is stopped.  The proper restart depends upon whether the player deliberately played the ball with his or her head.  If deliberate, the proper restart is an indirect free kick to the opposing team.  If this occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.  If the play by the head is deemed inadvertent, then the proper restart is a dropped ball.

It is essential that all referees who are assigned U11 and younger matches understand that per the change in the rules of the competitions play must be stopped any time the ball strikes the head.  This is NON-NEGOTIABLE AND MUST BE ENFORCED.

Thank you for helping to keep our young players safe.