NYSA GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR
PEEWEE COACHES

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The PeeWee soccer league is a league run solely by Northbridge Youth Soccer Association. All games are scheduled by NYSA.

PeeWee Teams are co-ed soccer teams.
The PeeWee soccer league is a developmental league where the fundamentals of soccer are taught. There are no league standings.  Trophies or Certificates are awarded after the fall season and are funded by the league.  Spring season awards are optional and are the responsibility of each individual coach.

Generally, coaches at the PeeWee level are new to the game and are under development as well.  It's strongly recommended that all Pee Wee coaches have a G course certification.  Please see the PeeWee coordinator for additional details.

All games take place on the field behind Balmer School in the Spring and at the Riverdale field in the Fall.

Uniforms (shirt, socks, and shorts) are part of the registration fee and are given out prior to each season. 

A full season runs from Fall to Spring and only new players in the Spring will receive a new uniform.

During games, the coaches and players are placed opposite from parents and spectators.  All spectators must stay back a minimum of 6 feet from the field to give the teams room to play on the sideline.

The season consists of approximately 10 games played on Saturday mornings and if needed as a make-up on Sunday afternoons.

GAME INFORMATION:

A size (3) soccer ball is used for all games.
Games must start on time!!! There are games scheduled one right after the other in order to fit them into the schedule. Coaches must have their players arrive 15-30 minutes prior to the start time of the game. This time should be used to warm up players and get your starting lineup ready. That way, players can get to their starting positions as soon as the field is available.

Coaches must also arrive at the field early to inspect for potential dangers, field conditions, etc.
Games consist of (4) twelve-minute quarters, running time but may be adjusted prior to each game with the approval of both coaches and as long as the games ends on time.

There is a (5) minute break at halftime only. Teams switch ends at halftime only.
One coach per team will be allowed on the field at any one time.   Coaches should minimize yelling out during the game so the players can learn to play on their own.

No goalies at the Pee Wee level. No parents/spectators are allowed to stand behind the goal.
Substitutions can be made by either team at any time throughout the game .
In PeeWee games, there are three players per side (3v3) with no goalie. This format is recommended by Mass Youth Soccer to increase player ball touches and to promote fund goal scoring.

Two games will be played at the same time on two separate fields at the same location.  This ensures all players are getting the appropriate playing time through the season.

No throw-ins at this level
No referees at this level.  Coaches are required to assist if the ball goes out of the player area and should be instructed top try and keep the play of the game going if even the ball goes out of play a few feet.

No formal goal kicks, corner kicks, and indirect kicks are recommended at all stops of play.
Small pop-up goals are used at this level and each coach will be given a pair of nets prior to each season.  It is strongly recommended that coaches do not switch out the pop-up goals after each game but to just switch the bags to eliminate delays.

All communication, questions, or requests should be directed to the PeeWee coordinator, Craig Mahoney
All players should play at least 50% of each game.

REFEREE INFORMATION:

1. NYSA will not tolerate any abuse from players, parents, and coaches directed towards any referee. Referees at this level are usually young kids who have grown up playing soccer in town and are looking to learn how to referee. That is why we start them at this level. They need our support and encouragement no matter what happens.

2. Any coach that abuses a referee in any way, at this level, may be removed from coaching duties immediately.

3. Should any parent/spectator abuse the referee in any way, the abusing individual needs to be approached by one of the coaches immediately and told to please stop immediately. Should the abuse continue, then, one or both of the coaches need to suspend play until the individual leaves the field. If the abusing individual refuses to leave then the coaches can abandon the game for the sake of the players. 

4. Any abuse of an official needs to be reported to the Age Group Coordinator and the NYSA President for immediate action.

COACHING INFORMATION:

1. Since this is a developmental league, we do not keep score at the games and there are no standings, etc.  Should the kids ask about the score, tell them we do not keep score and that we are only concerned with how well they play. All the teams at this level are kids from our town and we do not want to embarrass anyone. Most of the kids, parents, and coaches will know what the score is anyway, but we want to downplay the importance at this level.

2. At this level all the coaches should be teaching are the fundamentals of the game, how to pass, shoot, trap, and play goalie properly. The tactics of the game (positioning and spacing) needs to have a little time spent on initially, but the game will come to them. When those concepts come to them they will need to have proper techniques in order to compete. It’s all about the fundamentals. FOOTWORK, FOOTWORK, FOOTWORK!!!!!

3. As a coach, you are responsible for the conduct of your parents’. If you are not aware of the MYSA’s Coaches and Spectator’s Code of Conduct, log onto www.mayouthsoccer.org and then click on coaching, then on coaches conduct. Codes of conduct for coaches can also be found at the Northbridge Soccer Association website: www.northbridgesoccer.com.

4. Should you have any questions (and we know things will come up), first call your Age Group Coordinator and if they cannot answer your question, then call the President of your organization.

5. Coaches should look to take a Coaches Clinic to start gaining some practical knowledge to use in practices and games. Contact your Coaches Education Director to schedule a course or contact MYSA (Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association). All the Coaches Clinics are run by MYSA and the cost for the course is paid for completely by NYSA.  Unless you already have a coaches’ license, you will need to take either the (4) hour “G” course or the (8) hour “F” course. You need to attain one of these levels before you can move to the next level and so on down the line. The coaches’ license levels in the state are G, F, E, and D. After attaining your “D” license thru MYSA, you can then move on to attain your C, B and A licenses thru the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA).
   

6. For more soccer information, visit our soccer links page and click on links, click on better soccer, more fun.
   

7. Please remember at all times that kids play soccer to have fun. If they are not having fun, they will not learn and will not want to play. Enjoy yourself, your child, and your team and remember to keep it fun.