U9 Boys

U9 BOYS AND GIRLS Community - OUTDOOR 2019

For Who?

Players Born January 1, 2010 v Dec 31, 2011 (Gender Specific play)

Philosophy - "The Beginning of Us"

This is the "golden age of learning" when children become less self-centered and are more able to reflect on their actions and learn from their mistakes. This provides an optimal window for further development of individual skills.

The focus at this stage is on learning by doing, enhancing ball mastery, and learning the basic techniques and principles of play in a fun and challenging environment.

Players are beginning to become aware of how to interact with teammates. They can be introduced to the idea of thinking about their decisions and movement as being related to themselves and 1 (or at most 2) teammates and 1 or 2 opponents. 1v1, 2v1, 2v2.

Competition is a central element in a player's development, however, a competitive environment should not be a result-oriented environment. The differences must be made clear. A competitive environment at the youth level encourages decisions from player and coach alike that focus on performance rather than outcome (favoring ball skill and inventiveness as the means to find success within the rules and spirit of the game). The result is just one indicator of performance and at this age, not the most important one.

The sessions should be focused between fun practicing and the 7 v 7 games.  All players will have equal playing time and will have an opportunity to play all positions equally. The environment will be positive and the emphasis on fun and development.

Coaching

Volunteer coaches are appointed for the season, and are supported on a regular basis by the SPDSA Technical Department.  Head coaches will receive a $100 credit towards their child's registration, upon submission of required team information, a valid Criminal Record Check and equipment returned to the SPDSA by the specified deadlines.  Only one head coach per team is eligible for the credit.

In-service coaching workshops will be held before and during the season.

The best qualities of a coach for this stage of player are

1. Enthusiastic and encouraging
2. Demonstrates whilst facilitating practice
3. Stimulates ideas

Officials Cards

Only registered team officials and players are allowed on the field, benching area, change rooms or in the hallways. Parents not volunteering, will be able to enjoy the games from the stands only.  All team officials from U9 to U19 are required to have an SPDSA ID Card.  Cards are valid for a maximum of 3 years and are the responsibility of the card holder. A $20 fee will be charged for replacement of lost cards. Coaches/Managers without a card will not be allowed on the field or benching area during games. Please ensure you contact the SPDSA office, Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm about ID Cards.  For teams playing in EMSA either a EMSA card or SPDSA card is required.  There is no grace period for ID cards.  

Players Cards

All Players from U9 to U19 are required to have an SPDSA ID Card.  Cards are valid for a maximum of 3 years and are the responsibility of the card holder. A $20 fee will be charged for replacement of lost cards. Players without a card will not be allowed on the field or benching area during games and cannot participate in the games. Please ensure you contact the SPDSA office, Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm about ID Cards.  For teams playing in EMSA either a EMSA or SPDSA card is required to play.   There is no grace period for ID cards.  

Game management,

1. Scores and Standings are not kept at the U9 level.
2. Equal playing time for all players.
3. All players will have the opportunity to a variety of positions. Let the players experience different positions and the different challenges that these positions create.
4. Warm Up - all players with a ball, moving, ball mastery.
5. Manage the amount of coaching during the game. "Let them play". Encourage creativity. Don't punish mistakes. Don't referee. Encourage both teams play.
6. Promote soccer that is free flowing, is coach-guided but not coach directed, and demands that all players on the field, regardless of their specified position, participate in defending and attacking.

The SPDSA is committed to providing a fair and equally balanced recreational league for all participants.  Each year we get an increasing number of requests for player placements due to various reasons.  This has put an enormous number of tasks on our volunteers and staff.  Some of these requests put an imbalance in teams and some lopsided scores in games, which does not help anyone.  The Community League is for development, fun and of course competition, but to have fun and have games we need teams, and if players experience unpleasant conditions they do not want to come back.

 To achieve balanced teams, we have implemented the following team formation guidelines

Friend Requests

• We do not allow full or partial teams to register.
• One reciprocal friend request per player may be submitted upon registration.
• While we do our best to accommodate player requests, they are not guaranteed. The top priority at the start of the season is to create balanced teams for each age group. Requests that prevent this from being achieved will not be accommodated. 
• If more than one friend is requested, only the first name listed will be considered.
• Coaches cannot be requested by players. No exceptions.
• Volunteer coaches will have their own child on their team.
• We are unable to switch children to a different team once they are formed due to the many moving parts and large number of special requests received.
• Two coaches wishing to coach together will be permitted, however no friend requests will be honoured and the co coach request will be considered the player request.
• Friend Requests submitted after the Regular Registration deadline will not be honored. 

Commitment Level

The community program does not entail the same level of commitment as our Phoenix program; however, players that sign-up are expected to participate in most of games and practices. Team rosters are sized to maximize playing time; as a result, non-attendance will have an impact on the whole team.

Program Structure

Each session is 70 minutes in length

1 practice and 1 game per week

Match play 7v7 (6v6 plus goalkeepers) - 2x30 minute halves

Individual technical development will be focused upon in practice. Also, Small sided (4v4) game play is to be used, as this is an effective method of developing ball mastery and game awareness as it increases opportunities for players to have contact with the ball.

An example practice session is shown below,

Game management,

No scores or standings to be kept.

Equal playing time for all players. Substitution should be used to address injury, fatigue and lack of effort. It should not be used to punish a player for a soccer-related decision.

Don't focus on positions. All players should be encouraged to take part in attacking and defending. Players should learn the game based on principles of the game rather than positions on the field. Players' decisions on the field should be based on what makes sense to them in the game. Let the players experience different positions and the different challenges that these positions create.

Warm Up - all players with a ball, moving, ball mastery.

Manage the amount of coaching during the game. Let them play. Encourage creativity. Don't punish mistakes. Don't referee. Encourage both teams play.

Promote soccer that is free flowing, is coach-guided but not coach directed, and demands that all players on the field, regardless of their specified position, participate in defending and attacking.

The Season

Season Length - 9 weeks starting the week of April 29, 2019 and ending the week of June 24, 2019.

Week 1 is weather dependent and will not be rescheduled.  Remaining games that need to be rescheduled will follow the SPDSA Rescheduling Policy

Frequency - 2 x 70 minute sessions per week 

Special Events -

2019 Classic Tournament May 23-26

Days/Nights of Play

Monday and Wednesday evenings

5:45pm and 7:15pm start times

Game days and start times may be subject to change, pending field availability. 

Games may be played in Sherwood Park and Ardrossan.  Field location to be determined.  

Registration and Fees

$260 Early Bird.  Rate increase after March 1^st by $25.00 and again after March 19^th.   

Fee includes shorts, socks and jersey (Players are required to provide shin pads and footwear)

Classic Tournament on May 23 - May 26^th is included in fees.