YMCA of Georgia Piedmont

Brad Akins Branch

U8 Soccer

Parent Packet

Your Responsibility

And the YMCA Commitment

Thank you for enrolling your child into our sports program. We believe everyone’s involvement is critical for the success in this program and character development of each child involved.

YMCA Commitment

1. Use sports to teach Christian values, character development and skill development.

2. Provide coaches with age appropriate materials.

4. Provide a safe and clean environment.

5. Screen all volunteer coaches with background checks.

Player’s Responsibility

1. Listen.

2. Be respectful.

3. Put forth best effort.

Coach’s Responsibility

1. Make every effort to improve their own knowledge of the sport they are coaching.

2. Encourage and instruct players in a positive manner.

3. Respond to situations in a positive way that reflects the mission and values of the YMCA.

4. Lead team in devotions during practice and prayer before games.

5. Teach the fundamentals of the game.

Parent Responsibility

1. Encourage your child to play sports and increase self-esteem.

2. Assist the coach with coaching, team parent or first aid whenever needed.

3. Help your child understand the valuable lessons sports can teach.

4. Get your child to every practice possible.

BRAD AKINS YMCA YOUTH SPORTS
Code of Conduct

Brad Akins YMCA seeks to instill positive character-building traits in our communities’ youth through the demonstration of good sportsmanship, respect for others, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship. We ask that parents and their guests attending YMCA sponsored events help us by reflecting these character traits at games.

When attending YMCA sponsored events, I therefore agree:

  • I will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event.
  • I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing,taunting or using profane language or gestures, etc.
  • I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and wellbeing of the athletes.
  • I will teach my child to play by the spirit of the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
  • I will demand that my child treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, sex, or ability.
  • I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participant for making a mistake or losing a competition.
  • I will respect the officials and their authority during games and will never question, discuss, or confront coaches or referees at the game field, and will take time to speak with coaches at an agreed upon time and place.
  • I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games and practices, unless I am one of the official coaches of the team.
  • I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others.

I also agree that if I fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, I will be subject to disciplinary action that could include, but is not limited to the following:

  • Verbal warning by official, head coach, and/or member of league organization
  • Written warning
  • Parental game suspension with written documentation of incident
  • Parental season suspension

The YMCA Soccer Philosophy

As parents of young soccer players we must have an overarching philosophy to guide what we do:

  • To teach Christian Values
  • To teach character development
  • To teach skill development

The YMCA’s overarching philosophy and mission is: “To put Christian principles into practice through programs that promote healthy spirit, mind and body for all.”

For the U8 age group, teams will have a combination of players who have never played soccer before and players who have a few seasons under their belts. With this in mind, the U8 age group coaches will work on both individual skill development as well as team development. At this age, players can begin to understand the flow of the game in terms of positions, attacking and defending. U8 soccer players can learn to dribble, pass and shoot with control and accuracy. A main focus of the U8 game should be to share the ball and work together.

U8 is where you begin to post a player forward, to receive a pass and make a run on goal; it is where you assign players to a sweeper position in the back to cut off goals from the other side. This is the beginning of introducing the kids to the idea that there are positions in soccer – but remember: it’s important to rotate all the kids in and out of the various positions, and the beauty of soccer – especially at this level – is that every player can learn and grow in any position.

U8 Game Play

The U8 game differs from the U6 game in that this is when both positional play and passing are first introduced. Also, a goal-keeper is used and some fouls may result in a direct free kick.

  • Field Size: GYSA recommended.
  • Ball Size: Size 3
  • Players on the Field: 6 v 6 INCLUDING goalkeepers.
  • Length of Game: Two 24 minute halves; subbing at 12 minutes.
  • Referee: 1 center referee
  • Offsides: No offsides

How the Game is Played:

1. Kickoff: the team with possession lines up on their side of the center (touch-line) line. The opposing team lines up on their side, approximately ten yards away. In addition, that first kick must be a pass to another teammate. In other words, the player initiating the kickoff can only touch it once until another player touches it. Therefore, the kicking player cannot take the ball and dribble forward. It is encouraged to give the player a few chances to get it right as a teaching method.

NOTE: no goals can be scored by simply pounding the kick-off forward into the goal. It must be passed forward and touched by another player before it can go in the goal and count. Strongly discourage all players from pounding the ball forward on kick-off.

2.If the ball goes out across the sidelines: this results in a throw-in. A legal throw requires the player to keep both feet on the ground at all times. They cannot lift a foot until the ball has left their hands. The ball must be held in both hands directly over and slightly behind the head. It must come across and over the head as it’s thrown. Again, it is encouraged to give the player more than one chance to get it right as a teaching method.

3.If the ball goes out across the line at the goal end: it depends on who kicked the ball out. If it was an offensive player, the result is a goal kick. The defense then receives the ball and one of their players MUST PASS it forward on a long kick. Once again, as in kick-off, they cannot simply take the ball forward on a dribble. Their opponents are required to stay outside of the box, and the ball must cross the goal box line before the ball can be touched by another player.

* NOTE: If it is a defensive player who kicks the ball out across the line behind their goal the result is a corner kick. Depending on which side of the goal the ball went out, the offensive team takes the ball to that corner and passes it diagonally towards the goal. The defense, once again, gives the kicker ten yards. The ball cannot curve out behind the goal line: it must stay in play to count.

4.If a player is assessed to have fouled another player – knocked them down, tripped them, pushed them, etc. – the result is a free kick. From the spot of the foul, a free kick is given to the fouled player. The other team gives the kicker ten yards. No goal can be scored from a free-kick unless it touches another player first, either by a pass or a deflection. This is referred to as an indirect kick.

5.Using the hands and/or arms anywhere on the field is considered a handball and results in a foul for that player, leading to an indirect free kick by the opposing team.

6.When a goal is scored, the game is restarted with a kick-off.

7.Substitutions are halfway thru each half at 12 minutes. Substitutions may be made on your throw in or any goal kick. No player should spend two quarters, back to back, sitting on the bench.

8.Keeper must have equal playing time on the field. If a player plays half of the game as keeper, then the player must play another position on the field for the second half.

9.The goal keeper can use his/her hands only within the designated goal box. Once the keeper has his/her hands on the ball it cannot be knocked loose by an attacking player.

NOTE: The only time a keeper CAN NOT use his/her hands is if the ball is passed back to him/her by one of his own players. He/she must use feet at that point. Failure to do so results in a foul and anindirect free kick.

10.The second half also starts with a kick-off, in this case by whichever team did not get the kick off to start the game.

11.When the game is over, both teams are encouraged to line up at midfield, facing each other and proceed forward to shake hands.

U8 Rules of Play (as sanctioned by GYSA and YMCA)

Field of Play (Law 1):

  • No one shall be allowed behind the end lines during the course of a match.
  • Coaches and players will be on opposite side of field from spectators.
  • Coaches and substitutes are to remain in the technical area during match play.

Ball Size (Law 2):

  • Size 3 ball shall be used.

Number of Players (Law 3):

  • Maximum number on the field – 6
  • Number to start match – 4
  • Number to finish match – 4
  • Keepers allowed

Substitutions (Law 4):

  • One quarter per half is the mandated playing time minimum per player.
  • There shall be three times to substitute – prior to kick off at beginning of match; at the 12 minute mark of each half, and at halftime.
  • Both teams shall substitute at the same time.
  • A team may substitute in case of an injured player. (Note: it is recommended that an injured player still receive his or her minimum playing time if able to return. An injured player may return to the match at any time with the permission of the match official.)

Player’s Equipment (Law 5):

  • Players shall wear only molded cleats or tennis shoes.
  • Players shall not play with a cast.
  • All players must wear shin guards covered entirelywith socks.
  • Jewelry and metal hair clips are not permitted.

Duration of Game (Law 6):

  • Two 24 minute halves. Subs at 12 minute mark of each half
  • Half-time shall last 5 minutes.

Start of Play (Law 7):

  • Opponents must be six yards from the center mark while a kick-off is in progress.
  • Goals maynot be scored directly from a kick-off.

Off-Side (Law 8):

  • There is no off-side.

Free Kick (Law 9):

  • Opponents shall be six yards away from all kicks.
  • No kicks shall be taken by the attacking team within six yards of the defenders’ goal.

Penalty Kick (Law 10):

  • No penalty kicks are to be taken during matches.

Throw In (Law 11):

  • A second throw in must be allowed if a player makes an improper throw in on the initial attempt. The second throw-in takes place by the same player after the match official explains the proper method.

Goal Kick (Law 12):

  • Opposing players may not play the ball until it clears the penalty area.
  • Goals maybe scored directly from goal kicks.

Corner Kick (Law 13):

  • Opponents must be six yards away from the ball.

Sportsmanship:

  • All persons in authority will conduct themselves in a manner that will not contribute to the delinquency of minors.
  • Offensive, insulting and abusive language will not be tolerated, either on field of play or on YMCA property.
  • Respect for the match officials must be shown by all.
  • Proper respect for opposing teams and spectators must be exhibited by all.
  • Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players, team officials and spectators.
  • Physical violence, foul and abusive language, or harassment of players or match officials WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
  • Any player or coach ejected from a game shall be automatically suspended from the next scheduled game. In the event a player or coach refuses to leave the premises after having been ejected by the match official, he shall be automatically suspended from the next 2 games. (Note: Since some coaches coach more than one team, game suspensions will apply to the team for which the coach received the ejection.)
  • Anyone not acting within the spirit of the above sportsmanship guidelines may be suspended by the YMCA Sports Director.

YMCA Sports Parent Tips

  • Respect the game. Learn the rules of play and respect the referees’ decisions. Attempt to be unbiased in your view of games.
  • Encourage all players. If we ask for our players to be good sports, we also expect parents to conduct themselves in a manner that aligns with our soccer philosophy. Cheer for a good play, do not “boo” at the other team, and lift players up when they fail.
  • Emphasize FUN. Players want to enjoy playing soccer with their friends and peers. Fun should be the first priority.
  • Volunteer. Help out your team’s coach by bringing team snacks, helping with communication and by being present at both practices and games. Remember, you are a team!

YMCA Mission: “To put Christian principles into practice through programs that promote healthy spirit, mind and body for all”