Our primary goal for the U6 age group is to encourage the kids to have FUN, while learning the bare basics of how to play soccer (dribble, shot). At this age, you typically will have 1-2 kids on the field that will know how to dribble, while the rest chase the ball and “beehive”. Most will not stay in a position or know how to pass to a teammate. Encourage passing or “sharing” but this is more of a U8+ concept. Games can be complete chaos and the end goal is to usually keep the kids on the field and the ball within the field lines. Keep expectations in check with this age group. 

Practices - Keep practices fun. This is the time the kids usually enjoy the most, getting to play and hangout with their friends. Keep lines short or run drills where all kids can participate at once. Use a mix of very basic skill based drills and games to improve. See the practice section for drill/game ideas. 

Positive encouragement is a must. Find even basic things to compliment or encourage your players. High fives can be your best friend. Goal scored, high five. Made a pass, high five. Showing up to practice, high five.

Try to find some sort of a stuffed animal or team mascot that goes along with your team name. Our stuffed animal usually gives the kids a bop on the head at the end of games/practices and leads our team cheer. 

6U Guidelines

Practices:
Practices are held usually 1-2 times a week and recommended for 45 minutes to a max of 60 minutes. 

The Ball:
A size 3 ball is used for 6U games.

The Players: 
Numbers: Four per team on field; No goalkeepers. Six minimum on roster - Maximum Eight.
Substitutions: Between periods, at halftime and for injuries.
Playing Time: Minimum of two periods per game and no player should play four periods until everyone has played three.                                                                   

 Player Equipment:
Shoes and shinguards, covered by the socks are mandatory at all practice and game activities. Soccer shoes, tennis shoes, or similar type athletic shoes are recommended. The type and condition of cleated shoes must be inspected for safety before use.

Game:
Four seven and a half minute periods. Half time break of 5 minutes. Quarter break and half time can be longer on hot days if needed so players can get water and cool down.

Substitutions:
Make sure you are sitting players as needed but everyone is getting equal playing time. If eight players show up, play 1-4 in Quarter 1 and 5-8 in quarter 2. Repeat for Qtr 3 and 4. If 6 players show up, Qtr 1 - play 1-4 (sit 5&6), Qtr 2 - play 3-6 (sit 1&2), Qtr 3 - play 1,2,5,6 (sit 3&4), Qtr 4 - play 1-4 (sit5&6 and start them next game) or sub for a different player if someone would like to sit twice. 

Official:
There is no need for fully qualified referees to manage 6U games. One or both of the coaches should "officiate". The games are intended to be an opportunity for our players to experience the fun of playing. The barest of minimum rules are needed and should be applied with a generous amount of flexibility. Let the players have the freedom to play with minimum interruption. Blow your whistle when a goal is scored, a ball goes out of bounds, or a player is injured.

The Start of Play:
The game should be started with a kick-off in the middle of the field. Either have the visiting team start the game with the kickoff and the home team starts at the second half, or have the one kid from each team or the coaches play a game of rock, paper, scissors to determine who starts with the kickoff.

The Kick-off:
The kickoff is taken from the center of the field with each team in their own half. The team kicking off may be inside of the circle on their half. The defending team should be outside of the circle on their half. Blow your whistle to start play. The player starting the kickoff should get 1 touch to pass to a friend or kick the ball. 

Ball In and Out of Play:
The ball is out of play in all age group games when it completely crosses the touch line (sideline) or goal line (end line), either on the ground or in the air. When the ball is out of bounds, blow your whistle so the kids stop play. 
Goal kick - If a ball goes out of bounds on the goal line and was last touched by the attacking team, the defensive team gets the ball. Set the ball down on the white line that is part of the box in front of the goal. Have one of the defensive players kick the ball to a teammate or up the field. 
Corner kick - If a ball goes out of bounds on the goal line and was last touched by the defending team, the attacking team gets the ball. Set the ball down on the corner that is the same side the ball went out of bounds on (left side of goal = left corner). Have one of the attacking players kick the ball to a teammate or towards the goal. Defensive players must be a reasonable distance away. 
Sideline - We typically don’t do “throw in’s” for U6. Whichever team the ball went out on or last touched it, the other team will get the ball. Set the ball down on the white sideline and have a player kick it to a teammate or somewhere onto the field to restart play.
*Some players may take a while to restart a ball after it goes out of bounds. If a player is having a hard time making a decision, usually a 3 second countdown helps them start play.

Method of Scoring:
A goal, in all age groups, is awarded when the ball completely crosses the goal line into the goal. Goals should be celebrated enthusiastically by everyone in 6U, but goals are not recorded to determine who wins. Everyone wins in 6U games. I personally do not keep track of the score at this level. If the kids ask me what the score is, I tell them I am bad at math.

Fouls:
Deliberate fouls should be rare in 6U games. Kicking, tripping, handling the ball and dangerous play may occur. There should be few, if any, additional reasons to stop play in 6U games. If a player is 'not playing well with others' or if play must be stopped for any reason (injury, substitution, confusion, or to watch a passing train, butterfly or frog), refocus the players and begin again with a free kick or pass in as appropriate. Award the start to whichever team deserves it. Exercise common sense, stand back and let them play.

Misconduct:
Misconduct should be rare in 6U games. There is no need for the public cautioning and sending off of young players (leave the red and yellow cards at home). If a player is being belligerent or purposely hurting players, send them off the field for a time out and see if their play improves. 

Free Kicks:
Play may have to be stopped occasionally to 'sort things out' in 6U games. A player may pick up the ball and start running with it or want to keep it away from the other players, or perhaps there is a pile of kids on the ground kicking at both the ball and each other. Stop play, quickly correct the situation and restart with a kick to a deserving player. All free kicks in 6U are indirect kicks. Opponents must be at least ten feet from the ball or on the goal line between the goal posts during free kicks. Free kicks awarded to the attacking team inside the defending teams goal area are to be taken from the nearest point on the goal area line parallel to the goal line.

Offside:
No offside.

Throw-In:
Throw-ins are replaced with kick-ins or dribble-ins at 6U. Opponents should be ten feet from the ball.

Goal Kick:
A goal kick is awarded to the opposing team, in 6U and older, when the attacking team is last to touch the ball before it crosses the goal line but without scoring a goal. The goal kick may be taken from any point inside the goal area. The opposing team must be at least ten feet away from the ball when the goal kick is taken in 6U games.

Corner Kick:
A corner kick is awarded to the opposing team, in 6U and older, when the defending team is last to touch the ball before it crosses the goal line but not scoring a goal. The opposing team must be at least ten feet from the ball when the corner kick is taken in 6U games.

Hand Ball:
A hand ball infraction occurs when a player handles the ball deliberately. The 'hand' includes the entire arm up to the top of the shoulder. Instinctive, self-protective reactions are not penalized at this young age. Accidental contact (ball striking hand or arm with no intent by the player) is not an offense and should not be penalized.

No Heading:
Consistent with the US Soccer mandates on heading the ball, heading is banned for all division 12U and below and below in both practices and matches. An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team if a player deliberately touches the ball with his/her head during a match (taken where the player touched the ball with his/her head).