Lake City Soccer Club
Mod Soccer Handbook
Lake City Soccer Club
RULES OF THE GAME
U8
https://lkcitysoccer.org/program/rules/u8-rules-and-guidelines/
U9
https://lkcitysoccer.org/program/rules/u9-mod-rules/
U10
https://lkcitysoccer.org/program/rules/u10-small-sided-rules/
U11
https://lkcitysoccer.org/program/rules/u11-small-sided-rules/
MOD Guidelines
Age
Ball
Players
Game
Offsides Penalty
Duration
Kicks
Keeper*
U-8
3
4v4
2x25m
NO
NO
Y
6’ x 12’ Goal
U-9
4
5v5
2 x 25m
NO
NO
Y
6’ x 12’ Goal
U-10
4
6v6
2 x 25m
YES
YES
Y
6’ x 18’ Goal
U-11
4
9v9
2 x 25m
YES
YES
Y
8’ x 24’ Goal
*Goal sizes may vary
Lake City Soccer Club
Substitutions:
Substitutions may be made, with consent of the referee during any stoppage of play. U8 and
above, substitutions must stand at the half line and wait for referee to admit players into the
game. The number of substitutes shall be unlimited. Each player will play a minimum of 50%
of the total playing time. Substitutions will be allowed in order to give an opportunity for all
players to get equal playing time and to balance rather than to run up the score.
Players, coaches and spectators not on the field of play must remain two (2) yards behind the
touchline and not within the distance of the goal area for the particular age from the corner
of the field.
In the event of an ejection, that player may not re-enter the game, but the position can be
replaced so that an equal number of players are still on the field U5 to U11. An ejected player
will be allowed to play in the team's next LCSC game as long as the player is properly counseled
by coach and the Mod Coordinator has been notified.
Safety
A player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another
player (including any kind of jewelry).
All players must wear shin guards covered by socks at practices and games.
For U8 and above, the coach should not enter the field of play without the permission of the
referee. Coaches should "maintain order" from the sidelines.
Goal Safety
All goals must have one or more sand bags on the goal frame to anchor the goal. Please check
the goals on the field before each practice or game. Please keep players from climbing on or
hanging from the goals!
Lake City Soccer Club
Protecting Your Kids: Risk Management
Your team includes more than just the players. The real “Team” includes the players, coaches
and families. Your role as a coach is to organize and involve the parents as much as possible in
team activities. This will benefit not only the players and the team but also will help make
coaching much easier.
Each Coach, Assistant Coach and any Volunteers with direct contact with minors must complete
the Risk Management Application RMA and be approved.
Please direct these individuals to www.lkcitysoccer.org/programs to register and to have a
background check completed.
Would you let one of your U5 players go to the restroom unescorted?
Children should not go to the restroom unescorted.
What would you do to supervise the other players on your team when a player is injured and
needs medical attention?
Someone needs to care for the rest of the team when medical attention is required by one of
your players.
Should you leave a player waiting at the field for a ride home?
Players should be supervised from the time they arrive until the time they are picked up. A
coach should be aware of who is allowed to pick up a player.
Should you wait by yourself with a player who is waiting on a ride?
A parent should always be present at practice to assist with tasks that require supervision.
Remember, “Protect your Kids” … because when you’re the coach, they’re all your kids!
Lake City Soccer Club
Player’s Equipment
(a) ALL PLAYERS SHALL WEAR SHIN GUARDS. Socks must be worn up and over the shin guards.
(b) All players shall be in uniform to play. A minimum “official” uniform is the standard league
shirt (with a number). Goalkeepers shall wear shirt colors that distinguish them from other
players.
(c) All players shall wear footwear. A player may not play in their bare feet and baseball cleats
are not allowed (with a cleat at the front of the shoe).
(d) A player shall not wear anything that may be dangerous to other players or to themselves.
(e) All or any member(s) of a team may wear extra protective clothing against the cold,
including gloves without dangerous, protruding or hard objects, provided that:
(1) The proper team uniform is worn outermost; and
(2) Any hat should be without peak, bill or dangling or protruding object of any kind; however,
the goalkeeper may wear a soft-billed hat; and
(3) Referee discretion may be used to determine if an item of protective clothing is considered
to go beyond the purpose of providing a means of retaining body heat.
Referees
Policy for Behavior toward Referees
It is the responsibility of ALL adults participating in our program, including coaches, parents,
and spectators, to realize that our program cannot continue without the dedication and
commitment of our referees. With this in mind, it is the stated policy of LCSC to protect our
referees from abuse or misconduct of any kind.
PLEASE NOTE: A Referee can issue a SEND OFF to a Coach or Parent without any prior
warnings.
Most Likely: ANY disrespectful behavior toward a referee during a game could result in the
following:
• First offense in a season will be handled as a WARNING, and will result in a discussion
regarding the type of behavior that is expected and the type of behavior that is not allowed.
• Second instance of misconduct in a season during any LCSC sanctioned event will result in a
CAUTION being issued to the offender by the league with the expectation the disrespectful
behavior will immediately stop.
• Third instance of misconduct in a season will result in the offender being issued a SEND
OFF. Any coach, parent, or spectator receiving this major violation will be immediately asked to
leave the vicinity of all games; furthermore, the offender will be restricted from any
participation during the following weekend.
Referee doing a great job? Thank the referee for his or her efforts at the end of the game.
Lake City Soccer Club
Referee need a little more work? Then contact the Mod Coordinator with your specific
concerns.
EXPECTATIONS OF COACHES:
 Always set a good example for players and parents to follow, exemplifying high moral
and ethical behavior.
 Instruct players in proper sportsmanship and practice responsibilities and demand that
they make sportsmanship and teamwork their #1 and #2 priorities.
 Respect judgment of referees, abide by rules of the game and display no behavior that
could incite players or parents (ex. questioning calls, gestures, etc).
 Treat opposing coach, players and fans and with respect. Shake hands with officials and
opposing coach before and after each game.
 Develop and enforce penalties/ramifications for players who do not abide by
sportsmanship and practice standards.
 Develop each player to his fullest potential, giving candid feedback on strengths as well
as opportunities to improve.
 Develop creative, structured and FUN practice sessions.
 Keep parents informed of behavioral issues, practices, games, directions, etc.
 Uphold ideals of LCSC recreational league guidelines, ie. everyone plays, noncompetitive environments, good sportsmanship, positive coaching.
TEACHING TIPS
 Be patient. Remember the players are just children wanting to kick the ball.
 The only thing that matters is participating in competition, in a positive environment.
 In many cases, this is the players’ first experience in organized sports. Keep this in
perspective. We are here because of them, for them.
 Work on ONE technique per practice. Focus on the fundamentals...dribbling, passing,
striking a ball, receiving, running with the ball.
 Keep your activities moving? Try to minimize putting kids in lines and waiting for their
turn. Keep everybody involved.
 Treat each player as an individual. Do not compare players to each other nor hold
contests where someone may feel inferior. Within the proper environment you can
make your weakest players feel they are important, because they are.
 Allow and encourage the players to make mistakes. This is where the actual learning and
development exists. We need to keep challenging ourselves and get out of our comfort
zones.
 Always be positive with the children. They are not out there to fail or embarrass anyone.
 This has to be FUN! The practices have to be fun for you as well as the kids.
Enjoy your time with them.
Lake City Soccer Club
Coaching Resources
ONLINE COACHING MODULES
Online coaching modules make coaching education easy by using visual demonstrations via video
or animation, combined with printable exercises and one page practices sessions. We offer a
comprehensive learning process that makes it simpler for a coach to see, read and implement the
individual exercises and age appropriate development for U6, U8, U10 & U12 coaches in your own
time and in the comfort of your home
http://www.washingtonyouthsoccer.org/technical_zone/coaching_education/online_courses/
AGE APPROPRIATE TRAINING SESSIONS
Age Appropriate training sessions which are 8 weeks’ worth of pre-planned training sessions for age
groups U6, U8, U10 and U12. Each week includes four different activities and is specifically
designed to provide training based on the needs of that age-group. Additionally, each activity is in
print and video format – coaches can see the training exercises in action with the videos and then
print the diagrams out to bring to the field.
http://www.washingtonyouthsoccer.org/technical_zone/coaching_tools/age_appropriate_training_ses
sions/
SYSA Guidelines
http://www.sysa.org/home.php?layout=1025
Coaches Handbook
http://www.sysa.org/doclib/Handbook2010.pdf
http://www.washingtonyouthsoccer.org/technical_zone/
http://www.soccerhelp.com/