It’s time to play!
Scrimmage Guidelines
Directions:
Split the group into equal teams. We recommend no more than 6 players per side.
If possible have 2 scrimmages running at the same time with Coach and Assistant Coach leading one scrimmage.
Have 1 team wear pinnies.
Kick-Off- Begin the game with the Rock, Paper, Scissors-Winning team will start with the ball at the Centerline. Both teams will start on their side of the field.
Recommended Length of games: 8-10 minutes
Scrimmage Focus- Side coach the team focusing on that week’s soccer skill. Praise students who use the skills practiced or who are good teammates
Recommended Rules:
Restarts-
Free Kick- The opposing team starts with the ball in the same place that the play was stopped. Players move back a safe distance and play resumes. Play a freekick when a player touches the ball with their hands, does a header play a free kick, or fouls another player.
Goal Kick-If the ball goes out of bounds past the end line the goalie kicks the ball to their team once the opposing team is behind the safety line.
Corner Kick- when the defending team kicks the ball out of play behind their own end line, gameplay stops, and one player of the opposing team can kick the ball in from the closest corner to the goal.
Sideline Throw-In- when a player from either team kicks the ball out of play past the sideline, gameplay stops, and one player from the opposite team throws in the ball from the line to resume play. Both feet must stay on the ground when the ball is thrown in (note: players can kick the ball back in if playing indoors or in a tight/restricted space).
Kick-Off-Rock, Paper, Scissors at the center line, the winning team starts with the ball at the center line.
No Hands- If a player touches the ball with their hands, stop play and remind them not to use their hands, the ball can then be played as a free kick.
Rotate Goalies- Every 5-10 minutes we recommend rotating goalies
No headers- According to the US Soccer Federation this can be dangerous for players younger than age 11. If a player does a header stop play and resume with a Free Kick.
Day 3 Scrimmage-Captains
Captains should be building their skills through out the season to run the Scrimmage. Give them the Captain Day 3 Scrimmage Sheet to help support them. They should start by running warm-ups and gradually add on other Day 3 activities.
They will:
1. Have the team vote on what warm-up they would like to do
2. Help you split the teams for scrimmage
3. Choose a scrimmage focus so the team can work on a specific skill together
4. Run the Team Circle at the end of practice
