Guidelines for Springs Soccer

Equipment

Every player needs the following equipment:

  1. Team Shirt:
    • U6, U8 & U10 - Springs Soccer t-shirt for games (can be purchased at Baker's Design)
    • U12 & older - Team jersey will be provided for games
  2. Shin guards, must be completely covered by socks
  3. Tennis shoes or Soccer cleats (with no toe-cleat, football/baseball cleats are NOT allowed)
  4. Soccer Ball
    • Size 3 balls are used for U6 and U8 teams
    • Size 4 balls are used for U10 and U12 teams
    • Size 5 balls are used for U14 and older teams

Small-Sided Soccer Games in Wessington Springs

The WS Soccer Association believes in the small-sided game philosophy. Games will be played with fewer kids on each side on slightly smaller fields. What is great about the new small-sided games is that kids WILL GET TO PLAY MORE! Not as much standing on the sidelines waiting to sub! :-) Who will this benefit? The Kids, The Coaches, The Parents!

Benefits for kids

Age-appropriate sized fields allow players to rotate positions more easily during play.

  • Kids will increase skills as they will get more touches on the ball.
  • Kids will gain more control of the ball as the small-sized fields increase the need of control.
  • High energy games - where kids get to play a lot!

Benefits for coaches

Allows for more focus on skill development.

  • Helps kids be more involved.
  • Helps kids have fun!

Benefits for parents

Happy kids!

You may be asked to help a bit at game time. :-) (This will take no training!)

If we compare a 4 v. 4 games to an 8 v. 8 game:

  • 135% more passes
  • 260% more shots taken
  • 500% more goals scored

In an 11 v. 11 game, average of 22 touches in 60 minutes.

In a 4 v. 4 game, average of 205 touches in 48 minutes!

All Ages

  • Start Games according to schedule – Referees are in charge of game starts.

U6

  • 4 vs 4, No goalie
  • field size: 25 x 35 yards

U8

  • 4 vs 4, no goalie
  • field size: 25 x 35 yards

U10

  • 7 vs 7 (including goalie)
  • field size: 35 x 50 yards

U12

  • 9 vs 9, (including goalie)
  • field size: 50 x 80 yards

U14

  • 11 vs 11, (including goalie)
  • full size field

Options:

  1. 11 players per team (including goalie)
    • field size: 50 x 100 yards
  2. 8 players per team (including goalie)
    • field size: 50 x 80 yards