WATERTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION
SOCCER PROGRAM
PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY FOR YOUTH SOCCER
1.
2.
3.
4.
The game of soccer belongs to the players.
The game of soccer is the teacher.
The game of soccer is to be fun.
The game of soccer is to be player fairly.
GUIDEBOOK FOR COACHERS
OF
3V3 MICRO SOCCER TEAMS
3v3 Coaching Manual
Portrait of a Player
For parents and coaches of Watertown Parks and Rec Micro Soccer Program players
A brief portrait of the kindergarten soccer
player:
In general, a kindergartner is greatly influenced
by his or her parent. The home and yard are the
most common play areas. A kindergartner’s
attention span is not very long. A child this age
often plays best alone (i/e/, cooperative play is
rare). Any ball used by this child will work well
as a soccer ball, even a ball as small as a tennis
ball. A wall or garage door makes a great
playmate because the ball always comes back!
However, a kindergartner is also is transition to
the school setting which provides more adult
influences, cooperative learning, and
playgrounds as safe play areas.
With these general premises in mind, the
kindergarten soccer player will benefit from a
soccer program that has small teams, parent
coaches and referees, short games and
practices, and no competitive pressure. A
kindergartener plays soccer because the game
of kicking a ball is fun.
Kindergartners learn best by “doing” rather
than being told what to do. At soccer practice,
the coach will play games of “pretend” that
include a soccer ball and soccer skills (imaginary
animals, movie themes and story ideas help the
players become fully involved). Players will
enjoy moving from activity to activity, but will
not enjoy standing in lines or listening to the
coach orate on all the technical and tactical
aspects of playing soccer.
Each player should have a ball at practice so
that hundreds of touches of the ball can occur.
This one factor greatly increases the
development of players. Large amounts or
praise and encouragement to explore will also
bring better results than criticism and negative
comments. Two words that should be used very
rarely on the field are “Don’t” and “Stop.”
A player, who learns the basic rules of micro
soccer, enjoys kicking the ball, and maybe
scores a few goals in the course of a season will
be back next season!
OUR PHILOSOPHY REGARDING YOUTH
SOCCER
1. The game of soccer belongs to the players.
2. The game of soccer is the teacher.
3. The game of soccer is to be fun.
4. The game of soccer is to be played fairly.
The Watertown Park and Rec soccer program is
designed more for the players than for the
adults. The fields are small, rules are simpler
and games are shorter. Kindergarten micro
soccer does not use goalkeepers. This allows all
the players to chase the ball and creates more
chances to score for more players.
Each child is expected to play at least half of
each game unless there are special
circumstances. No score is kept, meaning that
there is no published record of league wins and
losses. The best reply to a player who asks, “Did
we win?” is “Did you have fun?”
Some children will chase butterflies and watch
airplanes rather than play soccer at any given
moment. This is a developmental situation that
is quite normal, although frustrating for the
coach or parent. At practice time, be patient
and draw the child back to the activity with
appropriate invitations. (It may also be a signal
to change activities!) At game time, be patient
as well.
So…You’re the Coach
For parents and coaches of Watertown Parks and Rec Micro Soccer Program players
OKAY, SO YOU’RE THE COACH!
Thanks for volunteering your time and energies.
You’ll be glad that you did, and so will your
child.
Here’s what we expect of our 3v3 micro soccer
coaches:
1. Attend the coaches meeting.
2. Call all the players on your roster and invite
them to the first practice session. One nice
benefit of being the coach: You get to choose
the practice time! Everyone else has to adjust to
the times you are available. We’ve included a
calendar planner for September and October.
After settling on your times and dates, make
copies for distribution to your team.
3. Throughout the season, try to hold one or
two 45 minute practice sessions per week.
Schedule an hour block of time, but plan out
only a 45 minute practice session. The extra 15
minutes can be used to set up your practice
area, talk to players and parents, etc. Be sure to
call Watertown Parks and Rec. each week to
reserve a practice site. The Parks and Rec.
Phone number is 262-8080.
4. Your team will have a game each Saturday
during the season, unless there is a bye
scheduled. Make copies of the game schedule
to give to your players. Ask your team to arrive
15-20 minutes before the schedules starting
time of your game.
5. If you have time, try to attend an additional
coaching clinic which may be held during the
soccer season. You can talk to other coaches,
have concerns addressed, and get questions
answered.
6. Ask the families what is the best way to
contact them, email or text, when practices and
games are canceled.
THE GOALS OF OUR PROGRAM
1. Teach youngsters the skills of soccer. (We’ll
help you learn the skills at our clinics.)
2. Help kids have fun and enjoy playing soccer.
Smiles, laughs and good feelings are important
for our soccer children.
3. Teach teamwork and cooperation on and off
the field.
4. Develop positive attitudes about fair play.
Players learn to respect their teammates,
opponents, officials and themselves.
5. Stress the skill: Development over winning.
COACHING DEVELOPMENT INFO
Some micro soccer coaches may have an
interest in gaining additional knowledge about
coaching, especially if they anticipate their child
playing in the Watertown Soccer Club or at the
high school level.
The Watertown Public Library has a growing
collection of books and videos to help coaches
add to their knowledge.
Go to www.wysa.or or www.maysa.org to find
information about times and dates of coaching
clinics.
Micro Soccer Referee
For parents and coaches of Watertown Parks and Rec Micro Soccer Program players
THE ROLE OF THE MICRO
SOCCER REFEREE
Thanks for volunteering to be a micro soccer
referee. Your role is quite easy to summarize
and fairly simple to teach. Be sure to read the
rules in this guidebook and to attend an August
referee clinic. We’ll have demonstrations and
explanations right on the field to help you get
started
The role of the referee has two parts:
1. Make sure players are able to play in safety.
2. Help the players play the game fairly.
If these two things can occur consistently in a
soccer game, you will be adding a third
important element to your role as a referee –
the players will enjoy their game.
Before the game: make sure the players are
wearing shinguards and are not wearing
jewelry, watches, necklaces, etc.
During the game, the micro soccer referee is
more like a traffic controller than a rules
enforcer. Most of the calls deal with the ball
going out of bounds. Your job is to tell the
players which team gets the ball and how to
restart the game. In the Kindergarten division,
many of the players won’t have a clue as to
what comes next so don’t hesitate to set the
ball down where it belongs and say, “Blue team
has a corner kick,” or “Red team has a throwin.”
Halfway through the season, most players
will have enough understanding of the game
that they will know how to do throw-ins, kickoffs, goal kicks, etc. At this point, encourage the
players to deal with the ball themselves such as
placing it on the kick-off mark, or setting the
ball for a goal kick. The more we allow the
players to make their own decisions about the
game, the faster they will learn the rules and
how to lay the game.
Occasionally, the referee will have to
call fouls or unfair play. Most young players
won’t foul intentionally, but some players are
naturally aggressive or they have seen some
bad examples from older players. When fouls
occur, be sure to blow your whistle clearly and
loudly. Briefly explain the foul to the offending
player and then assist the offended team in
getting the ball back in play. Remember that
there are no direct free kicks in micro soccer. All
fouls are penalized with an indirect free kick,
which means the ball must be passed to a
teammate or touch any other player before a
goal can be scored.
Here are some other game management tips:
Bring a whistle and a stop watch to each game.

Only one referee is on the field at any time.

Trail behind the players as they make their
way up the field.

Many players will forget to stay five yards
away from the ball on free kicks, corner
kicks, kick-offs, etc. Once the ball is set in
place, quickly step off the distance and tell
the players they can go no farther until the
ball is played.

On kick-off, if the ball is not played forward
across the center line, blow your whistle
and have the same team retake the kick.

On a goal kick, if the ball does not leave the
goal kick area before someone touches it,
blow your whistle and have the same team
retake the kick.

Watch out for players who like to “fall
down” and obstruct the path to the ball.
This is a form of dangerous play. Blow the
whistle and give the other team in indirect
free kick from the spot where the foul
happened.
The Team Parent
For parents and coaches of Watertown Parks and Rec Micro Soccer Program players
THE ROLE OF THE TEAM PARENT
The team parent is a very welcome help for the
coach of a micro soccer team. Your volunteer
help will spread out some of the jobs that go
with a youth soccer team. Here are some ideas
of what a team parent can do to help:
1.
Make a list of the players with their
addresses and phone numbers to hand out
to the parents on your team. This will help
to arrange carpools when needed.
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
A team parent can also help in other ways such
as modeling behaviors at games that are
sporting and helpful to players.
For instance, suppose a well-meaning parent
from your child’s team is yelling out onto the
field. It might go something like this…
“Sarah, pass the ball to Michele now!”
Or
2. Call the team members when practices are
canceled or when special events are coming
up soon, such as pre-season meetings or
end-of-season parties. A great way to end
the season is to have a picnic and a parentchild game of soccer.
3. Coordinate the bringing of snacks and
drinks for the end of each game. This is
often the highlight of the game day for the
players. Experience has shown that
nutritious and not-too-sugary items are
better.
4. Announce a team picture day and arrange
for someone to grind a camera.
5. Help out at practice by keeping one group
busy while the coach is with another player
or group of players.
6. Bring your tennis shoes and play in the
scrimmage at practice. It’s fun and the
players can benefit from adults who keep
things
organized. You will also find out that some
parts of soccer are not as easy as they look.
Don’t worry if you catch the soccer fever.
It’s supposed to be contagious in all age
groups and is very good for your health!
7. Parents must sit on opposite side of the
players.
“Sidney, get back by the goal!”
Or
“C’mon, ref, call it both ways!”
Each of these instances involves a behavior that
is discouraged by the soccer community. Calling
players by name to get them to do something
sets the players up for failure.
In the first instance, Sarah will be too late with
her pass by the time she hears her parent yell
the instructions. If she passes anyway, the other
team will probably get the ball.
In the second instance, the coach may have
been encouraging the players to move away
from the goal so that more attacking play can
develop at midfield.
In the third instance, players may decide to
show dissent to the referee if the parents are
leading the way with unsporting comments.
As a team parent, you can help the coach by
talking in a “neighborly” way with the offending
parent. You can also model correct behaviors
such as cheering the players without instructing
them or praising them for sporting behavior
when shaking hands with the other team at the
end of the game.
Simplified Soccer Rules
For parents and coaches of Watertown Parks and Rec Micro Soccer Program players
Law 7 – The Length of the Game
Micro Soccer Rules for 3v3 Games
The game lasts two equal periods of 20 minutes. The
half-time interval shall be 5 minutes.
Law 1 - The Field
The 3v3 micro soccer field is 30 yards by 20 yards.
The coach will use lines, cones and flags to mark the
field.
Marker cones are places on the sidelines, six yards
out from the goal lines. These mark an imaginary line
forming the goal kick area. All goal kicks may be
taken from any spot within this area.
Goals can be scored from anywhere on the field.
Law 2 - The Ball
st
Kindergarten and 1 grade players use a size 3 ball
for 3v3 games.
Law 3 - The number of Players
Each team shall have no more than 6 players on the
roster. The maximum number of players on the field
for each team shall be nor more than 3. There are no
goalkeepers in 3v3 micro soccer.
Every five minutes, a brief substitution time-out will
be called so that three new players may replace the
players on the field. Each player must play at least
half of the game.
Law 4 - The Players’ Equipment
Each player must wear a jersey, shorts, shoes,
shinguards and socks. Shinguards are required for
practice sessions and games. Socks should cover the
shinguards. No jewelry or watches are permitted.
Law 5 - The Referee
The coach is the referee or appoints an assistant or a
parent.
Law 8 – The start of Play
A coin toss determines which team kicks off to start
the game. Note carefully: the loser of the coin toss
automatically kicks off in the first half. The winner of
the coin toss gets to choose which goal it will attack
in the first half of the game.
The team which wins the coin toss takes the kick-off
to start the second half of the game.
The kick-off is used at the beginning of each half and
after a goal is scored. The team that is scored against
gets to take the kick-off.
A kick-off properly taken when each team starts in
its own half of the field with the defensive team at
least five yards from the ball. After the referee blows
his whistle or gives some other signal, the ball is in
play when it is kicked and moves forward. If the ball
is kicked backwards, retake the kick.
The kicker may not touch the ball a second time until
it has touched another player. If this happens, the
other team gets a free kick from the spot where the
ball was touched a second time.
In 3v3 micro soccer, a goal cannot be scored directly
from a kick-off. The ball must touch another player
before it enters the goal.
Law 9 – The ball In and Out of Play
The ball is out of play when the whole ball crosses a
boundary whether on the ground or in the air. The
ball is also out of play when the game is stopped by
the referee.
The ball is in play at all other times.
Law 10 – The Method of Scoring
Law 6 - The Assistant Referee
There are no assistant referees for 3v3 micro soccer.
Only one referee is to be on the field.
A goal is scored when the whole ball passes over the
goal line between the goal posts.
Law 11 – Offside
The offside rule is not used in micro soccer.
Law 12 – Fouls
All fouls are dealt with by awarding an indirect free
kick, i.e. ball must be passed to a teammate or touch
any other player before a goal can be scored.
Fouls most often seen in micro soccer:
Pushing or Holding: even reaching out the putting a
hand on another player is considered a foul. Young
players are/can be intimidated by other player’s
slight push.
Kicking or Tripping: even when accidental, this foul
must be called for safety’s sake.
Handling the ball intentionally: when a player
intentionally strikes or catches a ball with any part of
his hand or arm (up to the shoulder), a hand ball foul
should be called. Unintentional contact with the ball
is not punished.
Jumping on or at another player is a foul. Such action
is dangerous and intimidating.
Dangerous play: kicking a ball over waist high near
an opponent’s face or kicking a ball while lying on
the ground when an opponent is trying to play the
ball is called dangerous play.
All opposing players must be at least five yards from
the ball on indirect free kicks, corner kicks, goal kicks
and kick offs. The referee may have to step off the
five yard distance since the players often have no
clue how far to go.
Micro soccer does not use the red and yellow card
system to deal with misconduct.
Law 13 – Free Kicks
All free kicks in micro soccer are indirect free kicks.
This means that when the ball is put into play it must
touch another player (teammate or opponent)
before a goal may be scored.
Law 14 – The Penalty Kick
There are no penalty kicks awarded in micro soccer.
Law 15 – The Throw-In
A throw-in is awarded when the whole ball crosses
the sideline and goes out of play. The throw-in is
taken within one step of where the ball went out of
play.
If an improper throw-in occurs, the referee explains
the correct method, and lets the offender retake the
throw-in. The referee can decide whether or not to
correct a second foul throw-in. Most of the time it is
best to keep the game flowing. The objective is to
get the ball into play quickly.
Law 16 – The Goal Kick
A goal kick is awarded when the whole of the ball,
having last touched a player of the attacking team,
crosses over the goal line outside of the goal flags.
The goal kick may be taken from any spot within the
goal kick area. Opponents must be outside the area
and at least five yards from the ball. They must
remain outside the area until the ball is played and
leaves the goal kick area.
The kicker may not touch the ball a second time until
it has touched another player. A free kick is awarded
to the other tea if there is a second touch infraction.
If the ball is kicked and does not leave the goal kick
area, the kick is retaken.
Law 17 – The Corner Kick
A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball,
having last touched a player of the defending team,
crosses over the goal line outside the goal flags.
The ball is placed one step from the corner flag. The
ball is in play when it is kicked and moves. Defensive
players must be at least five yards from the ball.
The kicker may not touch the ball a second time until
it has touched another player. A free kick is awarded
to the other team if there is a second touch
infraction.
THE MICRO SOCCER FIELD FOR 3V3 GAMES
6 yds.
20 yds
30 yds.
The goal is marked by two flags set nine feet apart.
The field is 30 yds. x 20 yds.
The goal kick area is 20 yds. x 6 yds.
Cones are used to mark the boundary lines.
Modified Rules for Each Division – Fall
Watertown Parks & Recreation Soccer Program
Field Size
Goal Area
Penalty Area
Goal Size
Ball Size
# of Players on Field
Maximum Roster Size
Min. # of Players to Start
Game Length
Off-Side Called
Fouls
Free Kick Distances
Penalty Kicks
Throw-In Attempts
Referees
Goalkeepers
Field Size
Goal Area
Penalty Area
Goal Size
Ball Size
# of Players on Field
Maximum Roster Size
Min. # of Players to Start
Game Length
Off-Side Called
Fouls
Free Kick Distances
Penalty Kicks
Throw-In Attempts
Referees
Goalkeepers
st
nd
Kinder Boys
30 x 20
6 x 20
None
9 ft.
3
3v3
6
3
2 x 20
No
ALL IFK
5 yds.
None
2
1 Boys
45 x 33
6 x 33
None
12 ft.
3
4v4
8
4
2 x 20
No
ALL IFK
5 yds.
None
2
2 Boys
50 x 40
7 x 40
None
15 ft.
3
5v5
10
4
2 x 20
No
ALL IFK
5 yds.
None
2
Coach or Parent
Coach or Parent
Coach or Parent
No
No
Yes
Kinder Girls
30 x 20
6 x 20
None
9 ft.
3
3v3
6
3
2 x 20
No
ALL IFK
5 yds.
None
2
1st/2nd Girls
45 x 33
6 x 33
None
12 ft.
3
5v5
10
4
2 x 20
No
ALL IFK
5 yds.
None
2
Coach or Parent
Coach or Parent
No
No
rd
th
3 /4 Boys
70 x 50
4 x 18
14 x 30
6.5’ x 18
4
7v7
14
5
2 x 25
Yes
FIFA
5 yds.
FIFA
FIFA
Yes
Yes
3rd/4th Girls
70 x 50
4 x 18
14 x 30
6’ x 12’
4
7v7
14
5
2 x 25
Yes
FIFA
5 yds.
FIFA
FIFA
Yes
Yes
Watertown Soccer Club
Striker
100 x 55
FIFA
FIFA
8’ x 24’
4
9v9
15
6
2 x 30
Yes
FIFA
FIFA
FIFA
FIFA
Yes
Yes
U-12
100 x 55
FIFA
FIFA
8’ x 24’
4
11v11
18
7
2 x 30
Yes
FIFA
FIFA
FIFA
FIFA
Yes
Yes
U-14
115 x 70
FIFA
FIFA
8’ x 24’
5
11v11
18
7
2 x 35
Yes
FIFA
FIFA
FIFA
FIFA
Yes
Yes
Sample Practice Session
For parents and coaches of Watertown Parks and Rec Micro Soccer Program players
AT HOME:
Decide what one skill you want to emphasize at practice. Spend 15-30 minutes jotting down ideas from your
coaching book and notes. Good plans rarely materialize in the car on the way to practice, so plan ahead, leave early,
and relax, play and have fun! Today let’s choose dribbling skills for our practice session.
5 MINUTE WARM-UPS:
Call your players together and introduce the practice theme. Make sure each player has a ball. “Today, team, we’re
going to practice stopping and starting with the ball at our feet. When I say, ‘Go! Start dribbling and then when I say
‘One,’
You stop with your foot on top of the ball. When I say ‘Two!’ you must stop with your knee on top of the ball. Now
off you go and start dribbling in this square. “One!...dribble some more…Two!...Knee.”
10 MINUTE 3v3 MICRO SOCCER GAME:
(Did you set up your field ahead of time?)
Tell the team to the side of the field, while you pick up the extra cones on the field. Choose sides for a 3v3 micro
soccer game and get it started as quickly as possible. Rolling a ball out and shouting, “Ball’s in play!” works great.
During the game, take note of players who make a nice dribbling play and compliment them. Also, help players who
are struggling. “Nice try, Anton! Try stopping before you go out of bounds. Put your foot on top, like this. There you
go!”
BREAKTIME:
(After 10 minutes, call out a drink break for the players, and set up the next phase while they are busy on the
sideline.)
12 MINUTE SKILLS PRACTICE (WITHIN A GAME):
“Okay, team, now we’re going to play BLACKHOLE (see Practice Games on the next page). Everyone has a ball? Good.
I’ll be Darth Vader. Jail’s over there. The black hole is over here. Ready? Dribble!
12 MINUTES 3v3 MICRO SOCCER GAME:
Be sure to play yourself and invite a parent to play on the other team. Rotate with the players so everyone gets a
chance to rest and watch.
5 MINUTE COOL-DOWN AND PRACTICE SUMMARY:
“Okay, everyone grab a cone (the coach does not pick up). Practice your dribbling at home. Be sure to take your ball
with you. Our game is on Saturday at 10 o’clock. Be there at 9:30.
Fun Games for Practice
For parents and coaches of Watertown Parks and Rec Micro Soccer Program players
ASTEROIDS
(Develops passing and shooting, & conditioning.)
Game Space: From end line to end line on the field.
Object: One player or coach is in the middle of the
field with all the soccer balls (asteroids). The rest of
the players (spaceships) start on one end line. When
the coach says, “Go!”, the spaceships run to the other
end line trying to avoid the balls that are kicked by the
middle person. If a spaceship is hit below the waist by
a ball before crossing the end line, he becomes a
kicker in the middle too.
Game Length Play until the spaceships are hit or until
there is one spaceship left. If that player can make it to
the end line one more time, he becomes the grand
champion.
BLACK HOLE
(Develops dribbling and conditioning)
Game Space: From end line to end line. Make a
square (the black hole) out of cones in the center of
the field. Make another square (jail) at the sideline at
mid-field.
Object: Similar to asteroids. Two players are in the
middle of the field. The rest of the players try to
dribble their ball to the opposite end line. If a player’s
ball is stolen by one of the “it” players and safely
dribbled into the black hole, that player must go to
jail. The only way to get out of jail is when a teammate
successfully dribbles his own ball and steals another
ball out of the black hole and dribbles safely to the
end line.
Game Length: Play until all the balls are in the black
hole or until the two players in the middle are tied out.
STAR WARS
(Develops passing and shooting skills.)
Game Space: From end line to end line on a narrow
part of the field. Use cones to mark a narrow lane.
Object: Similar to asteroids. One player (Darth Vader)
puts all the balls along the sidelines of the marked
lane. The rest of the players (Jedi Knights) try to run
from one end to the other without getting hit by a
kicked ball (Must be hit below the waist.) If hit, the
Jedi player joins the Dark Side and kicks balls from the
sidelines.
Game Length: Play until all the Jedi Knights are
destroyed or until one if left who successfully avoids
elimination one more time. The Force be with you.
SHOOTERS AND SCOOTERS
(Develops passing and shooting skills)
Game Space: Make a rectangle out of cones
approximately 5 X 15 yds.
Object: Two players (scooters) are inside the
rectangle. The rest of the players (shooters) are
outside the rectangle and try to hit the scooters
(below the waist) with a ball. If a scooter is hit, she
trades places with the shooter who nailed her.
Game Length: Play until you have looked at each
player’s kicking techniques or until you have had
enough fun.
FINDING NEMO #1
(Teaches dribbling, shielding, and awareness)
Game Space: In a rectangle about the side of the goal
area on the center circle.
Object: Each player has a ball at her feet. One player
or the coach is the chaser (Bruce, the shark!). If the
coach kicks a “clown fish’s” ball out of the area, that
“clownfish” loses one life. After a player loses three
lives, she must sit down outside the area. Last player
in the area wins. The coach starts the game by
shouting “Fish are friends, not food! We’re having fish
tonight!”
More Fun Games For Practice
KILL THE CONE
(Develops passing and shooting skills.)
Game Space: Ten yards on both sides of a center line.
Object: From ten yards away. Team A kicks their balls
and tries to knock down their cones at the center line
before Team B knocks their cones down
Game Length: Play until you have helped all players
and their kicking technique.
KILL THE CONES WITH THROW-INS
(Develops throw-in skills.)
Game Space: The players stand on the goal line facing
cones 10-15 feet away.
Object: See how long it takes the team to knock down
the cones using the throw-in technique. Count throws
or keep time. Only allow proper throw-in technique to
be used.
Game Length: Play until you have looked at each
player’s throw-in technique or until you have had
enough fun.
CIRCLE THROW-IN GAME
(Develops throw-in skills and shooting.)
Game Space: Use a center circle on a big field or make
a circle of cones 10 yards in diameter. Make four 9foot goals from cones at the top, bottom, and sides of
the circle.
Object: Make two even teams. A team can score in
any of the four goals. If a ball goes outside the circle,
restart with a throw-in.
Game Length: Play up to 8-10 goals or until the
players are tired.
SHUTTLE RUN:
(Develops dribbling skills.)
Game Space: Mark two lines ten yards apart. Each
player has a ball.
Object: Players dribble starting at one line and going
back and forth until they have touched each line twice.
You can time how long this takes and chart your
players’ progress throughout the season. As players
become better dribblers, times will decrease.
CLEAN UP YOUR SIDE
(Develops passing and free kick skills.)
Game Space: Use the entire field. Each player has a
ball. Divide into two teams.
Object: When the coach shouts “Go!”, each player
kicks a ball to the other team’s half of the field. The
object is to clean all the balls off your side onto the
other team’s side. No hands are allowed. Play the right
foot, or left foot, or both feet.
Game Length: Play for about 1 minute. Freeze
everyone and count how many balls are on each side.
The side with the fewest balls wins. The losing side
gets to do push-ups, sit-ups, or some kind of exercise
(but no laps, please).
SIMON SAYS
(Develops dribbling skills.)
Game Space: Use the middle of a micro soccer field
(excluding the goal areas).
Object: Players while dribbling continually within this
area must react to the coach’s commands. For
example, “dribble with the outside of the right foot,”
“change direction,” “go backward”. Although
commands are given verbally, players may only react
when the coach’s hand (which is held in a fist above
the coach’s head) is opened. This forces players to
keep their heads up as well as listen for commands.
Players making mistakes, reacting late, or reacting
when the hand is not open are eliminated and must go
outside the area and juggle.
Game Length: The last player remaining in the area
wins.
RELAY RACE
(Develops dribbling skills.)
Game Space: Divide players into equal teams of at
least three players. Each player has a ball at her feet.
Mark a starting line and a turn-around line.
Object: One player from each team races up and
back. The next player in line begins after the previous
player has passed the line. Players sit down after they
have dribbled. The first team to have all players finish,
wins. Teams are disqualified if a player kicks the ball
and runs rather than dribbling.
Sample Game Plan
For parents and coaches of Watertown Parks and Rec Micro Soccer Program players
Pre-Game Warm-Up:
Arrive 15-20 minutes early. Get out your lawn chair. Relax.
Have the team kick the ball into the goal a few times.
Check that everyone has shinguards but no jewelry, watches, etc.
0 to 5 minutes: Jill, Cathy, Angie
5 to 10 minutes: Andrea, Jenny, Erica
10 to 15 minutes: Jill, Cathy, Angie
Substitute! Get three off and put three on!
Substitute! Get the game restarted ASAP
Sub Time! Can you do it in 20 seconds?
5 Minute Half Time:
Get out the drinks and snacks! Praise, encourage, and reassure your tem. Ask them to do
one thing differently in the second half, such as “Let’s stop when the ref blows his whistle,” or “Let’s make good
throw-ins!”
20 to 25 minutes: Jill, Cathy, Erica
Substitution Time
25 to 30 minutes: Andrea, Jenny, Angie
Substitution Time
30 to 35 minutes: Jill, Cathy, Erica
Substitution Time
35 to 40 minutes: Andrea, Jenny, Angie
End of Game:
Cheer your team on over to the sideline.
Line them up to shake hands with the other team.
Pour on the compliments for a great effort.
Pick up your trash, too.
Soccer First Aid
For parents and coaches of Watertown Parks and Rec Micro Soccer Program players
SOCCER SAFETY & FIRST AID
Rarely are there any serious injuries or
dangerous safety situation in youth soccer, but still a
few minutes of preparation are necessary.
If a child gets kicked in the knee or blasted by a
ball in the stomach, calmly walk over and ask what
happened. This accomplishes two things: you get to
double-check that no serious injury has occurred and
the child gets to report what happened (for some
reason, this speeds the recovery process). Tell the child
to sit quietly off to the side until he/she is ready to play
again.
If the above scenario should happen in a game,
wait until the referee has stopped the game and
signaled for you to come onto the field before you
walk out there.
Scrapped knees and elbows, broken scabs, and
bloody noses will pop up from time to time. In the “old
days” the coach simply attended to the player. In these
days of blood-born diseases (not so much AIDS as
hepatitis), a different approach is necessary. You can
supply the band-aids and such, but let the child or the
child’s parent attend to any blood or body fluids. Your
first aid kit supplied by Watertown Parks and
Recreation should also contain a blood spill kit with
latex gloves in case you need to attend to a player
yourself.
Twisted ankles and swollen knees as well as
deep bruises require a specific but easy treatment plan
called RICE. Bring ice or cold paks to each practice and
game to help ease a player’s pain and also to hasten
the haling process.
The concession stand at Brandt/Quirk Park will
have first aid kits available each Saturday morning in
the fall season.
RICE…
…is an acronym for a four part treatment plan:
R = Rest:
Do not allow a player with a twisted ankle to “walk it
off.” Have the player sit down so that you can examine
the injury area yourself and determine if there is any
swelling or tenderness.
I = Ice
Apply ice packs or cold paks to areas where swelling
has occurred. The time formula is 20 minutes with ice
and 40 minutes without. Repeat often for a couple
days until the swelling and tenderness has subsided.
C = Compression:
Wrapping the injured area with an elastic “ace”
bandage so that it fits snugly without constricting helps
to keep fluids from accumulating in the injury area and
causing increased discomfort or further tissue damage.
E = Elevation:
Keep an injured limb raised so that the amount of
swelling around an injury is kept to a minimum.
Coaching Resources
For parents and coaches of Watertown Parks and Rec Micro Soccer Program players
RESOURCES AT THE
WATERTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY
OTHER RESOURCES
There are over 35 soccer coaching books on
the shelves. Here are a few of the titles:
Coaching Soccer Successfully
The Official USYSA Coaching Manual
Practice Games for Winning Soccer
Youth Soccer Drills
Coaching Girls’ Soccer
Soccer Fundamentals
Winning Soccer for Girls
SOCCER MAGAZINE FOR YOUTH PLAYERS &
COACHES:
Here are some of the videos at the library:
404 Great Goals
Individual Defending
Kicking (Vogelsinger Series)
Coaching Goalkeepers
SOCCER NOW
Published quarterly by the American Youth
Soccer Organization
Send check for $7.50 for annual
subscription
P.O. Box 5045
Hawthorne, CA 90251-5045
Or call (310) 643-6455
Free books by Tony Waiters that are online:
(Use a search engine for “Tony Waiters”)
Coaching Six, Seven and Eight Year Olds
Coaching Nine, Ten, and Eleven Year Olds
Coaching The Goalkeeper
Coaching the Team & Coaching the Team
Player
SOCCER JR.
Published bi-monthly by Triplepoint, Inc.
Send check for $16.97 for annual
subscription
27 Unquowa Road
Fairfield, CT 06430-5015
Or call (203) 259-5766
INTERNET SITES:
www.strongsoccer.com
www.successinsoccer.com
www.womensoccer.com
www.girlsoccerworld.com
www.soccerdivas.com
www.nscaa.com
www.saysoccer.com
www.usysa.org
www.us-soccer.com
www.soccer.org
www.wysa.org
www.maysa.org
Local Soccer Programs
For parents and coaches of Watertown Parks and Rec Micro Soccer Program Players
The Watertown area offers three separate but closely coordinated soccer programs for various ages of
players:
The first is the Parks and Rec Soccer Program which offers fall and spring leagues for the following group of
players:
Kindergarten Girls (3v3)
Kindergarten Boys (3v3)
1st/2nd Grade Girls (5v5)
1st Grade Boys (4v4)
3rd/4th Grade Girls (7v7)
2nd Grade Boys (5v5)
3rd/4th Grade Boys (7v7)
5th/6th Coed (9v9)
Teams are remixed each year in the fall and stay together for the spring season if possible. Teams play six games each
season
The second soccer program is organized by the Watertown Soccer Club. This is a group of parent volunteers who
organize the following groups of players for the Fall 2011 season:
U-11 Girls Rec Team (5th Gr.)
U-12 Boys Rec Team (5th/6th Gr.)
U-12 Girls Rec Team (5th Gr.)
U-14 Boys Rec Team (7th/8th Gr.)
th th
U-14 Girls Classic (6 /7 Gr.)
U-16 Girls Rec Team (9th/10th Gr.)
U-19 Girls Rec Team (11th/12th Gr.)
The Watertown Soccer Club (WSC) has experienced a growth spurt in the last 18 months and expects to organize up
to 12 teams per season in the neat future.
WSC teams play in the Madison Area Youth Soccer Association (MAYSA) leagues with 4 home games and 4 away
games each season. Recreational teams tend to play other teams in eastern Dane County while Classic-level teams
travel further to match up with more competitive teams.
The Watertown Soccer Club was formed so that local players could join traveling teams that participate in the MAYSA
leagues which have over 12,000 players. This means that local teams can find excellent competition at a variety of
levels ranging from recreational leagues to classic leagues for more competitive teams.
The WSC following the national model of player development from the United States Youth Soccer Association and
therefore believes that very young players should play locally. The WSC is a strong supporter of the Parks and Rec
program financially and philosophically, meaning that it waits until players are in the 5 th grade before introducing
players to competitive leagues and traveling leagues.
The WSC has an excellent program for the development of players, coaches and referees. The club even reimburses
volunteers for coaching and referee course expenses.
The third area soccer program is organized by the Watertown High School. The school offers teams at the freshman,
junior varsity and varsity levels. Boys play in fall and girls in the spring. In the off-season, many players participate in
MAYSA leagues through the Watertown Soccer Club or play indoor soccer.
All three soccer programs exist for the enjoyment of our youth as they grow up in our community.