Split field/Continuous Play Format

Weekend Games:  2 teams play 2-simultaneous mini-games with no goalkeepers on parallel fields. 

• K:  3 v 3 
• 1st: 4 v 4.  
• Note:  When rosters are large, the format may shift to 4 v 4 for K and 5 v 5 for 1st.  There may be games with one 3 v 3 and one 4 v 4 field (K); or one 4 v 4 and one 5 v 5 field (1st).  

Game Time:  4 x 10 minute quarters (40 minutes total), with 3 minute breaks of between each period.

Field of Play:  K: 15 X 25 yards; 1st:  20 X 30 yards; with a 4-yard “crease” in front of each goal that no player may stand in or enter.

Coaching:  A coach from one team and an assistant coach from the other team run one mini-game and the other coach and assistant coach run the second game.  Coaches remain off the playing field, and primarily coordinate substitutions and help keep the ball in play.  Coaching the players should be kept to a minimum.

Continuous Play:  Coaches should have 4-5 balls available at each mini-game.  When a ball goes out of bounds, a new ball is immediately rolled into play.  When a goal is scored, a new ball is immediately rolled into play.  No throw-ins, no corner kicks, no goal kicks, and no kick-offs.  Just roll a new ball into play and keep the kids “playing the game.”  

Scoring:  No score is kept or recorded.  Cheer for a goal, but get a new ball into play quickly.

Referees:  None.  If a serious foul occurs, (kicking, pushing, hitting, handling the ball) which is quite rare, the coach should award an indirect free kick from the spot of the foul, but focus on keeping play constant.

Substitutions:  “On the fly,” meaning kids can come out and go in at any time, even during active play.  The goal is to keep the flow of the game moving.  Kids coming out from one game should get a quick rest, a drink of water, and then go back in to the EITHER game.

Parent involvement:  Parents remain off the field, and they cannot be on the Coach/Player sideline.  Parents should cheer and encourage both teams.  Parents can assist the coaches by retrieving stray balls.  No direction should be given, only enthusiastic support.

WHY this format?:  The entire program is designed to keep the game moving, keep kids involved, minimize or eliminate stoppages, and emphasize activity and effort, not the score.  Too often, kids of this age are hampered by throw-ins, are penalized by the inability to do an effective goal kick, and lose focus when one child or team dominates a game to the exclusion of others.  By constantly moving kids in and out, and mixing the rosters between the two simultaneous mini-games, the diversity and complexity offered places a greater emphasis on the flow and play, rather than the score.  Coaches can even roll a new ball in to the advantage of a team that needs a little help, offering encouragement to some and a greater challenge to others.  Without the stoppage to celebrate each goal, or dwell on every mistake, kids are swept up in the action and focus less on the results.  Touches, activity, and learning are greatly increased, and everyone can celebrate in the joy of watching our children play this beautiful game.