Play-Practice-Play Methodology:
The concept of Play-Practice-Play is to allow young players to experience the game and game-like situations as much as possible. This approach differs from traditional practices that may have children standing in lines, running laps and participating in drills that don’t resemble the game of soccer.
https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2018/02/five-things-to-know-about-playpracticeplay
Small-Sided Play:
In August of 2017, US Soccer introduced new Player Development Initiatives (PDIs) that changed the standards of play for small-sided games.
https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2017/08/five-things-to-know-how-smallsided-standards-will-change-youth-soccer
Pre-K & K Exercises:
pre-k k exercises.pdf
7v7 Coaching Guide:
7v7_coach_guide.docx
U8/U9 Build Out Line (Rec Seniors & Travel):
Build out line Instructional Video: Build Out Line Video
- The spirit of this rule is to encourage the U9 and U10 teams to learn how to play the ball forward from the first third. Traditionally keepers have been able to just punt the ball across the midway line which was a detriment to the players learning how to progress the ball forward from defense to mid field to the attackers.
- When the goalkeeper (Team O) has the ball in his/her hands during play, the opposing team (Team X) must move behind the build-out line until the ball is released from the goalkeeper's possession.
- Once the opposing team is behind the build-out line, the goalkeeper can release the ball by passing (NOT dribbling), throwing, or rolling the ball to a teammate who is on his/her side of the build-out line or beyond the build-out line.
- Section 1R has clarified that the goalkeeper may roll (not bounce) the ball and then pass the ball to a teammate on their side of the build out line.
- PUNTS and DROP KICKS are not allowed from the keeper. If the keeper punts the ball, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team.
- After the ball is released from the goalkeeper's possession, the opposing team may cross the build-out line and play resumes as normal.
- The goalkeeper releasing the ball from possession or the player taking the goal kick does not have to wait for the opposing players to move behind the build-out line.
- The play from the goalkeeper or from the goal kick can be played to a teammate beyond the build-out line.
OFFSIDE
- The build-out line shall be used as the line to determine offside. Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build-out line.
- Players can be penalized for an offside offense between the build-out line and goal line.
- ARs should position themselves with the build-out line, the second to last defender, or the ball, whichever is closest to the goal.
Guidance to Referees- Encourage the opponents to move quickly beyond the build-out line. Do not start the “6-sec clock” until all opponents have retreated behind the build-out line.
- The referee should position themselves on or very close to the build-out line and ask the players to stay behind until the ball is released.
- If a player insists on crossing over the line a couple of times without respecting the referee’s direction; you have an IFK for the goalkeeper’s team… location: on the build-out line, place closest to where the player crossed the line