Important Notes:

• U5-U8 only does kick-ins, no throw-ins
• U5-U8 will have 4x10min quarters
• U10 will be using build out lines and explanation of this can be found here.

Offsides (U9+)

What is it?

The rule states that an attacking player is in an offside position if any part of their body, with the exception of their hands and arms, is in the half of the opposing team and there isn't another player from the opposing team between them and the goalkeeper before the ball is played forward

U9-U10 Offsides 

In U11+ the line for offsides is the half way line, however in U9-U10 the build out line serves as the Offsides line. 

Heading

U5 - U12 heading is NOT ALLOWED. The reason for this is the incidence of concussions when doing it. 

Slide Tackling

Defined as a type of tackle in which a player slides along the ground with one leg stretched. This is also not allowed and our referees should be calling it if they see it. Younger kids sometimes do it unintentionally but we should encourage them to stay on their feet.

All players should get equal play time regardless of ability level.

It is recommended that there is a subbing stratgey going into game day. We understand things change and that's totally fine. 

Common issues around equal play time:

• A player doesn't want to go in
  • Do your best to encourage them to play or sub them in for whatever amount of time they can doing your best to get them in as much as possible.
• A player is just standing on the field
  • This is okay, they're in the game!
• A player is sitting on the field
  • If the player with encouragment will not stand-up and the referee has not stopped the game, please ask them to and remove the player from the field of play. A player who is sitting is likely to get hurt. 

When you arrive

• If you are the home team, pick-up the bag of pinnies from the concession stand. There is a new bag of clean pinnies for each game.
• If you are the first game of the day, grab a ball for your team as well
  • U5-U8: Size 3
  • U9-U12: Size 4
  • U13+: Size 5
• Warm-up your team! 

During the game

• Please stay off the fields while giving instruction. We understand setting up for the beginning of play can be difficult for our younger ages, but do your best to do it with verbal instructions. Our referees should be helping our youngest players out as well.
• Please use positive instructions!
• If there is a large disparity in play and one team is otherwise "blowing out" the other there are a couple of options:
  • Play down a player
  • Mix players up a bit. This is one of the reasons we use the pinnies. We've had a lot of success with this over the years to keep play even and keeping the kids engaged in otherwise difficult games.
  • Given the age group is able, institute a pass rule before going to score a goal
• Please do not yell or otherwise interact negatively with our referees. Most are kids themselves who are learning how to ref. If you have any issues with a game, reach out to girlsrec@casasoccer.org, rec@casasoccer.org or boysrec@casasoccer.org

After the game

• If you are the home team, please return the pinnies to the concession stand
• If you are the last game of the day, please return the ball to the concession stand
• Once everyone has departed, please check that there is nothing left behind.

• If the weather is particularly hot or cold if both coaches agree, games can be shortened or additional breaks can be accomodated. 
• For our youngest age groups there are times where the attention spans are note quite there for a 4x10min quarters and if both coaches agree games can be shortened to 8min quarters.
• Formats are recommendations and changes can be made if both teams agree. An example would be if a team has a lower number of players that would result in 0 or small number of subs that's not feasible for the format, a smaller format can be followed. 
• It is recommended that teams arrive 15-30min early. This gives time for them to warm-up and address any game play changes that might be required due to absences or weather.
• U5-U8
  • No sweeper keepers:  A sweeper keeper is when a defender is parked in front of the goal acting like a goalie that is not ab le to use their hands. We ask that you make sure your players are moving up the field of play. If you have a defender they should be moving up with the play and be there to collect prior to the ball getting to the end line.
  • Game Start: For game start, kick-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks. The player kicking the ball may not touch the ball once they kicked it until another player has touched it. This can sometimes be a challenge, but working on kicks during
    practice is a great way to help combat this.
• U10
  • Throw Ins: Working on these in practice will go a long way in games. Encourage your players to verify their feet placement and to keep their feet down.
  • Buildout Line: When the goalie has the ball or a goal kick call is made, all players from the opposing team must retreat (or attempt to retreat) behind the break out
    line
  • Building out of the back: The break out line exists to help with this skill. When getting the ball out of the back, encourage your team to head to the sides of the field and avoid the center
  • Offsides: A player is offsides if they are beyond the opposing team’s breakout line and also nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last
    opponent.
• U12
  • Throw Ins: Working on these in practice will go a long way in games. Encourage your players to verify their feet placement and to keep their feet down.
  • Offsides: A player is offsides if they are beyond the opposing team’s breakout line and also nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last
    opponent.

• Coaches are responsible for paying the refs with funds provided by the club. 
• Home games will follow the same game day procedures with the exception that if the away team is a non-CASA team, pinnies will not be required. 
• Field directions will be provided at the beginning of the season
• Format is 8v8 and rules will be provided at the beginning of the season as they do change a bit from season to season.