Hello Coaches,

U6/U8 Division

This week I would like to remind coaches and parents that the soccer experience in the U6 and U8 divisions is for FUN.  The lower division's main purpose should be getting young players excited about soccer so that they continue to play within our region.  This is not World Cup soccer, although many spectators and coaches think it is.  There are no scores or standings kept in the lower divisions because it's not about the final score, it's about the EXPERIENCE.  We as coaches need to make sure we get this point across to our spectators.  This is why we cheer for both teams when a goal is scored.  Remember, we are there for all of the kids, not just those on our team.  We want to produce the strongest region possible and that starts in our lower divisions by getting the kids excited to play and enjoy the game of soccer.

If you have a player who is clearly more experienced or advanced than anyone else on either team, don't let this player dominate the game (which they can clearly do because they score 90% of the goals).  Challenge that player to get the other players on their team involved.  Reward passing and assists the same way you may reward goal scoring.  In the long term you may scoreless, but the long term effects of producing a better player and team far outweigh this.

As for defense in U6/U8 divisions, of course you can teach your team to play defense, as a defensive minded coach I strongly recommend it.  Just make sure that you do not position defensive players in the goal area.  Have players located at the top of the goal area and move them toward the halfway line as the ball progresses into the attacking half of the field.  As the ball transitions into the goal area the kids will naturally follow.  What we want to avoid is having players parked in the goal area the entire game, this teaches them nothing, and in fact it is counterproductive as these players don't feel connected with the game.  For corner kicks and other set plays near the goal, they are allowed to stand within the goal area because they need to understand the importance of protecting their goal in these situations.  If the other team has a player who stays back all the time, understand that some players are defensive minded and they naturally fall back to a defensive position.  Don't knock the teams' sportsmanship score down because they have a defensive minded player.  Remember, these are only 5 to 8 year olds (you may have the player on your team in the future and we all want good defensive players).  At the rest of your games this season I recommend you speak with the other coach and referee, if one is assigned, and make sure everyone is on the same page concerning the location of defensive players.

U10/U12 GOAL KEEPERS

Players in the U10 and U12 divisions can only play two quarters in goal keeper each game, and must play at least one quarter on the field.  In the U10 division this means if you have a player scheduled to sit two quarters for a particular game they can only play one quarter in goal and the other must be on the field.

U10 PLAYER POSITIONS

Coaches in the U10 division please make an effort to move your players around to different positions during the season.  At this age players are still discovering where they play and perform best and sticking a player at a particular position all the time may frustrate the player to point that they are not having fun.  Players will have plenty of time when they are older to specialize in a particular position, at this age we should be encouraging them to play a multitude of different positions.

ALL-STARS

U6/U8 Soccer Drill of the Week

Red Light, Green Light

Setup

• Create a starting line for each of the players, and the coach should move 15-20 yards away. 

Instructions

•  With the coaches back to the players, he yells GREEN LIGHT and the players try to dribble to the coach. When the coach yells RED LIGHT, he waits a moment and then turns to face the players. Anyone who is not stopped has to go back to the farthest person from the coach.

Variations

• Have the players dribble with only the right of left foot.

Coaching Points 

• Make sure the players keep the ball close so they can stop quickly.   

U10/U12 Soccer Drill of the Week

Diamond Passing Combination

Setup 

• Set up 4 cones in the shape of an elongated diamond.   
• Assign an all timer passer on each of the two cones where the points of the diamond are closest.   
• Rotate these passers every 3-5 minutes.  In our diagram, the passers are red.  

 Instructions

• Have the first player in line pass to one of the passers and overlap them.
• The passer that receives the first pass plays a first time ball into the other passer who then returns the ball to the player overlapping.
• The player then plays into the next player in line and the pattern repeats going the other direction.

Variations

• Play every pass 1-touch  
• Expand the distance between cones and play longer balls in the air.   

Coaching Points

• Focus on clean, crisp passing.
• Movement off the ball must be timed with the pass.
• The drill should flow with a continuous passing pattern.
• Focus on speeding up the combination play.

    

UKI Coach Training Program

 

Did you know that QH AYSO arranged for a Coach Training Program with UK International Soccer Camps this season?  Do you know what that means for our coaches and our players?

This means that we are providing additional training to our coaches so they can better train our players.  It is COACHING TRAINING to help coaches with practice session ideas, answer questions, and provide guidance on the field.  Each training session will be followed up with an email with additional training ideas.   This will be a great experience for both new coaches and the more veteran, experienced coaches, providing both with tools to enhance their practices and game skills/tactics.   

Each week the UKI Coach Training has a set schedule with reserved fields for the trainers.  Coaches may sign up to bring their team (or any number of their players) to an age appropriate session and take advantage of this additional resource by visiting our website and clicking on the "Sign Up - UKI Training Request" link.

Space is limited to only 2 teams at a time but any coach may come to any session and observe without their team. 

Coaches - don't miss this great opportunity to grow as a coach!

Players - ask your coach when your team will be attending one of the sessions!

BECOME A REFEREE: It is the best seat in the house!

For details on how to signup go to our website www.qhayso.org and click on referee information.  Questions?  Call Tim at 943-9377.

All teams in U10 thru U14, including our Extra teams, need to obtain at least 7 referee points just to be considered for post-season play.

A team can earn up to 2 points a week from any Referee who chooses to donate their referee points they earned for a:

U8 Referee: ½ point

U10-U19 Assistant Referee: ½ point

U10-U19 Referee: 1 point

Select Referee FAQ's

Q) Why should I referee?

A) AYSO is an all-volunteer organization and there are NO games at U10 or higher without referees.  Also, it is a fun way to be involved and the best "seat in the house" is in the middle of the field.  In addition, if you are considering having your child play year-round tournament soccer, the kids with referee parents often gain an edge in team selection.

Q) I do not know the rules of soccer - does it matter?

A) No.  The Regional Referee Class will teach you all you need to know about the Laws of the Game to function as a referee or assistant referee.

Q) Do I have to buy anything?

A) We provide you with a uniform and all the basics needed to referee.

Q) My weekend schedule is crazy busy - who assigns games to me?

A) You do!  After taking the Regional Referee Class, we will send you an invitation to join "Arbiter Sports".  This is a web-based program that will list all the games that you will be qualified to referee.  You pick and choose which games fit your schedule. We do not assign you to any games.

Q) Are there mentor referees available to help new referees learn the ropes?

A) Yes.  We are always short of referees, but where possible there are a few of us who will come out and help you on your first games - just ask!

It has taken five years with the Referee Points System as the catalyst, but for the first time since I have been involved in refereeing here in Quartz Hill, I believe that we had every single (regular season) game this week covered with three trained referees! By Saturday morning we had over 97 % of the ref slots self-assigned! The games are always so much better when we can have a full 3-ref team on a game.  I hope that we can maintain this high level of support - PLEASE THANK A REFEREE WHEN YOU SEE ONE!

Referee Contest 

Thank you, Josh Duncan

Please do not run on these tracks while wearing cleats!  This can cause severe and costly damage to the track which QH AYSO will be responsible for repairing.

As in previous years, Quartz Hill AYSO will continue this season to observe the No Pets Allowed policy.  Pets are not allowed at any practices or games at any field anytime, with the exception of service animals.  This rule is for the safety of our children, families, and pets.  Please make sure to let anyone know who is coming to support your player of our policy.  Anyone with a pet will be asked to leave the field and the game will be stopped until they have complied. 

If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact our Safety Director, Josh Duncan at 661-436-0180.