MOUNTAIN HOME�PARKS & RECREATION�SOCCER RULES

MISSION STATEMENT

Fundamentals

&

Sportsmanship

​

COACHING GOALS

• Teach the “FUNdamentals”
• Teach them sports can be FUN! This is not a competitive league
• Lead by Example
• Demand Good Sportsmanship always
• Give the players the best experience you possibly can
• Please reinforce no alcohol or tobacco use during the practices and games to parents and spectators

​

COACHING RESPONSIBILITY

• Ensure all coaching application forms have been completed and given to Parks and Recreation staff.
• We are doing away with the NAYS Training and we will go over the key points in this presentation.
• Call all kids on your roster(s) by Friday, August 29th. Give them your contact and practice information
• Determining if practice is cancelled due to weather conditions or other reasons is up to the coach. Please contact players in a timely manner. This decision is up to you and not Parks and Recreation. They only time we will tell you not to have practice is if there is lightning outside

​

COACHING RESPONSIBILITY CONT.

​

• Do not meet (practice & games) more than 3 times per week (no more than an hour each time).
• Do not add any players to your team who are not on your roster. This is a liability for the City, Please respect this.
• Do not leave any children unattended. If you have a player who is consistently left at practices/games and speaking to their parent or guardian is not effective, please direct those issues to our office and we will take care of them.

FIELD LAYOUTS

PRACTICE FIELD RESERVATIONS

• Coaches are responsible for scheduling team practices. Please sign up for your practice dates and times at your soonest convenience via the “Practice Sign-Up” document in the Google Drive.
• During your parent meeting, please encourage your parents to drive slow through the parking lot. A lot of children are running around during practice & game days; we do not want anyone to get hurt.

​

COACHES

From this point on we will not allow any schedule or team changes… no matter what the circumstances are. If you need someone to help, please find a parent or one of our staff would be more than happy to assist you during that time.

​

PARKS & RECREATION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide support needed throughout the season
• Ensure each participant has a safe and memorable experience
• Deal with concerns from officials, coaches, players and parents (please avoid all altercations and direct concerns to our Dept. staff)
• Ensure coaches receive as much assistance with their team(s) as possible
• Will monitor league play and practices

BASIC LEAGUE INFORMATION

• First day of practice can begin Monday, September 1st.
• All games are played on Fridays/Saturdays
• Each player will get equal opportunity to play throughout the season regardless of their skill level and practice attendance. Each player will play at least 2 different positions throughout each game.
• Teams will sit on opposite sides of the field and games will start on time to keep on schedule. Spectators are asked to practice physical distancing. Please remind parents about sportsmanship & that they are not allowed on the goal end of the field.
• Never approach an opposing teams Coaches or players. Communicate through the referee if necessary or contact our office.
• Substitutions will be made during game play while clock is running. For 6-12 yrs officials will wave subs in at midfield line. For 4-5 subs they can be made by coach at anytime during game play.

​

GENERAL LEAGUE INFO.

• Team shirts must be worn and displayed during all games by all players and coaches. It must be a Parks and Recreation shirt with the proper sponsor on the back.
• Shin guards must be covered by socks and/or sweats and cleats should not be baseball cleats (no top cleat)
• No jewelry will be allowed to be worn. It needs to be removed by parents.
• Emphasize field positions with players
• Stress proper throw-ins and taking a knee when players are injured
• One Time out will be allowed per half

4 & 5-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

• Duration of the game: 10-minute halves; substitutions will be made every 5 minutes. 5-minute break at halftime.
• Play 4 v 4 no goalie
• Sideline coaching: 4 & 5 League coaches are allowed on the field and no referees are provided only a timekeeper; coaches are the officials.
• In this league, work on teamwork and field position
• Set goals attainable by kids at this age
• Field Size: 100 by 75 feet.

​

​

6 & 7-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

• Duration of the game: Two-20-minute halves, 5-minute halftime
• 6 v 6, a total of 12 kids on the field during games.
• Sideline coaching:1st and 2nd games 1 coach may be on the field
• The minimum number of kids you can play with is 5 per team; must play same number of players as opponent
• Stress working on team play, field positions, and goalie work. This is a NO Heading League!
• This league encourages knowledge and fun for the kids.
• Field Size: 150 by 112.5 feet.

8 & 9 AND 10-12 LEAGUE

• Duration of the game: Two 25-minute halves, 5-minute halftime
• 8 v 8, a total of 16 kids on the field during games.
• Sideline coaching: Only players and officials are allowed on the field.
• The minimum number of kids you can play with is 6 per team
• In this league, officials will call offside. *please refer to the NEW offside rule sheet!*
• This is a NO Heading league.
• Field size 200ft x 150ft

EQUIPMENT CHECK OUT

• Please keep track of your equipment and return it promptly after the season.

​

• Bag should include:
• 6 balls
• 6 cones
• 2 goalie gloves & shirt/jersey
• First aid kit
• Extra shin guards
• 1 bag
• 4/5 will receive one pop up goal to be used for practices and during games
• 4/5 will not receive goalie gloves or shirt/jersey

PHOTOGRAPHY

• Picture packets are not set up by Mountain Home Parks and Rec.

​

• As a coach, you need to set up for team pictures if you want them.

​

• Be specific and let the parents know when and where picture day is. Don’t wait until the last minute.

​

• Call parents the evening before to remind them of picture day.

​

• Pictures are at the expense of the parents, please make sure your parents understand this.

END OF SEASON TASKS

• Turn all equipment in promptly. We will have an equipment pick up location at Legacy Park at the final games of the season.

​

THANK YOU FOR COACHING!!

WE APPRECIATE YOU!

​