5-A-Side is back!

5-a-side soccer is back for the spring season. This is a 5 vs. 5 (with goal keepers) tournament style soccer format that will be held on Sunday May, 2 2010. The games are 15 minutes long (2 seven minute halves and a 1 minute half time) and are played on a half sized field. All ages U8 and up are able to participate in 5-a-side.  Each team may have as few as 5 participants and one AYSO team (for example U14B Pilots) can form 2 separate 5-a-side teams. This day of soccer takes place throughout Sunday typically starting around 8:00am and ending around 4:00pm with each team having 4 games. The cost per team is $45 equating to about $6 per person. No scholarships are available(unless you develop your own scholarships within your team). We would require each team that registers to play to get a referee volunteer from their team to ref some games.

Scheduling of referees will be done the day after the game schedule is created and we will make sure to accommodate any request that made (ex: not refereeing during your child’s games). A referee for 5-a-side will typically referee 3-4 games back to back and then either be done or referee another block later in the day (if they volunteer to referee extra games).

When forming a team for 5-a-side, each team needs a volunteer coach registered through eAYSO. The coach for a team can be any of the following volunteers from the/a team…

• Coach
• Assistant Coach
• Team Parent
• Referee

We will need to line the soccer fields and set up for Sunday on Saturday after our regular soccer concludes. We will be asking team field volunteers to assist with this set up for about 1-2 hours on Saturday May 1, 2010.

Registration for 5-a-side will open on April, 10 2010 and will close on April 17, 2010. We are looking forward to a great spring 5-a-side this year!

Daniel Haak
5-A-Side Coordinator
Asst. Referee Admin

FORMAT:

Players will be from ONE AYSO team only. Everyone plays. Coaches are encouraged to invite all players to play and, if necessary, form 2 balanced teams in accordance with AYSO philosophy.

Referees: Only trained, skilled referees will be used. Referee’s skill level needs to be appropriate for the level of play. Safety of players is the first consideration. Referees will wear their regular AYSO referee uniform.

A central clock will be available at the shed so that coaches and referees can synchronize watches. A minimum of two air horns should be used to signal the start and stop of play.

A First-Aid station will be available at the Safety/Registration tent by the soccer shed.

Scoring: There will be no official scores kept.

RULES: This is an AYSO sanctioned event. Everybody plays. AYSO rules apply, except as noted:

• Fields: Fields are half-size. Average 42W X 50L. The penalty box is proportionately smaller. Full size goals.

• Game Length: Total 15 minutes (two 7.5 minute halves with one minute half-time).

• Game Play: The ball will be played at the center spot to start each half. Corner kicks WILL be taken. The restart after each goal will be by a goal kick.

• Central Timer: We will use a central timer. Teams must be ready to play on time or forfeit the game. The team kicking off can start at the sound of the horn, even if other team is not ready.

• Free Kicks: All free kicks, including the kickoff are indirect. Defending team must be 10 yards from the ball on all free kicks except for penalties occurring within the goal box.

• Violation: A ball started from a goal kick, punted or thrown by a goalkeeper must bounce (or be played by another player) on the defensive half of the field. A violation of this rule will result in a free kick at the mid-line. No offside will be called because there is only a center referee.

• Substitution: There is free substitution. Players must enter and leave the field at midfield and touch hands at the sideline. (Violation will result in a free kick at the mid-line.)

• Yellow and Red Cards: Players receiving a caution (yellow card) must be substituted, per Region 149 policy. In the event that a player receives a red card. He/she will be removed from the current game and sit out the next match.

EACH TEAM MUST PROVIDE 2 GAME BALLS

REMINDER: NO DOGS ALLOWED ON SOCCER FIELDS.

5-A-Side Referee Instructions

• Wear your regular AYSO Referee Uniform. In the event of poor weather, wear additional layers under your uniform. Remember your whistle, cards and badge.

• Review the AYSO 5-A-SIDE rules, as there are several special rules for this jamboree.

• Check your schedule, and allow additional time for parking. Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to your first match. Check the Referee Board at the shed for any last minute updates.

• Get to your field early, and make contact with the previous referee after the game finishes. Take this time to let each other know any special circumstances of the field, players, etc.

• Make sure that you have the game ball at the center spot well before the horn is scheduled to blow. (Announcing that the first team to deliver a game ball to you gets to kick off first half usually hastens the appearance of the ball). Make sure that at least one additional ball and person to shag loose balls is in place at each goal.

• If you have a direct line of sight to the timers with the air horns, let the players know when the game is about to begin.

• 5-A-Side games are quicker paced than most regular season games. Be prepared to call the appropriate fouls. Remember to keep the game Safe, Fair and Fun.

• Half-time is only one minute, so be prepared for the start of the second half.

• The special rule prohibiting the goalkeeper from punting or throwing the ball past the halfway line needs to be enforced. Remember that once the ball has left the goalkeepers hands, and has touched either the ground or is played by another player in the defensive half of the field, the ball is in play and can be legally kicked past the halfway line by the keeper. Regular rules prohibiting second touches by the goalkeeper are in force.

• CORNER KICKS WILL BE TAKEN in 5-A-Side. Remind the players and coaches before each match. The restart after a goal is scored is a goal kick. Goal kicks may cross the halfway line without touching the ground or being played by another player.

• All free kicks are indirect. Be sure to enforce that the defensive players are 10 yards from the ball, unless the free kick is being taken in the goal/penalty box.

• The penalty area is smaller than in regular games. It also doubles as the goal area. Be sure to enforce the area in which the goalkeeper can legally handle the ball.

• HAVE FUN!

Images provided by Cottondew SignatureGenerator and SignatureGenerator v2