Since parents of kids at this level are most often first time participants in the game of soccer, here are some hints about how most coaches handle practices and games.

* Every player who attends at least one practice during the week will be allowed to play at least half of the game.
* Parents must be at least 3 yards from the touch line (sideline). Home team selects which side to sit on. No one can be at the ends of the fields.
* We play two 8 minute quarters per half with a 1 minute break between quarters and a 5 minute half-time break.
* We field a maximum of 6 players and must field a minimum of 5 players. (The league is considering setting the maximum number of players to 5 to give the kids more playing time and more direct coaching with smaller teams.)
* The field is normally 70-40 yards long by 50-35 yards wide. The goal area is 5-6 yards wide and 6 feet high.
* There are no penalty kicks, no direct free kicks, and offsides will not be enforced.
* A throw-in can, at the discretion of the referee, be taken a second time by the same team if it is done improperly (not thrown in over the head or if the kid picks up his or her feet).
* Scores are reported but standings are not kept.

* No slide tackling by any player. Kids will get yellow card for minor violations, red card for major violations. If given a red card, the player is out of the game.

* Basic knowledge to be learned at this age level is the shape of the field, the touchlines and the direction of play. Basic skills to be learned are warm-ups and stretching, dribbling, basic ball control, use of inside of foot, passing and sharing of the ball, team play, positions and areas of responsibility.

* The major goal at this age, as well as Under 7 and 8, is to allow the kids to have fun playing soccer.  That means no running up of the score on a weaker team. Parents should support a coaches decision to pull players or to move stronger players from offense to defense or even to remove the very strong player for a while to allow the other team to experience the fun and excitement of scoring.  You can also allow the other team to add extra players.

Any time a team is leading by 4 points, adjustments should be made to allow the other team a chance to experience success as soccer players.