Soccer Modifications

Kindergarten-Second Suggested Modifications

		Keep practice and games to one session per week
		Limit the weekly session to no more than one hour
		Use fun and games to teach skills instead of drills
		Make sure all players have a ball and are involved in every activity
		Play small-sided games, and use subs as outlet pass receivers on the sidelines
		in the offensive third of the field to keep them involved
		Limit the season to 3 months
		Do not keep scores or league standings (1)

Third-Fifth Grade Suggested Modifications

		Separate the games from practice
		Hold one practice and one game per week
		Limit practice and games to one hour
		Limit roster to 8 players
		Play 6 v 6 during games
		Use subs as outlet pass receivers during games
		Let the players take turns keeping score
		Limit the season to 3 months
		Do not keep league standings or have playoffs (1)

Sixth-Eighth Grade Suggested Modifications

		Play small sided games of 8 v 8
		Limit the roster to 12 players
		Allow all players to have equal playing time in all positions
		Extend the length of the game to 70 minutes
		Play 12 games over the course of 3 months
		Hold no more than two 90-minute practices per week
		Playoffs are OK, but use a round-robin style
		Let the players keep score
		De-emphasized league standings are OK (1)

Other Information on Rule Modifications

The US Youth Soccer Association has made rule modifications all the way up to the U12 age group in an effort to make the game more developmentally appropriate.
Modifications include decreasing the number of players on the field as well as
decreasing the size of the field. This allows for more players to get involved in the
action and helps to prevent some players from being left out. Check out all of the
rule changes at US Youth Soccer

A Modified Soccer Program that Works

An example of a modified program that has been successful comes from
Washington, D.C. Founded by a former administrator of a traditional organized
soccer program, this soccer program focuses on developing friendship, self-esteem,
physical skills, creativity and independent decision making in a child-centered manner.

This program employs no formal competition or league standings. It has no awards
ceremonies or all-star teams. What it does have is a lot of fun and a lot of soccer.
For 10 weeks each fall and 8 weeks each spring, play groups get together with an
adult leader. The play groups tend to be formed from families in the same
neighborhood, and parents are allowed to play with their kids instead of just looking
on from the sideline. During their play time the trained leaders conduct games
involving one or more skills essential to the game of soccer. These games focus on
getting all participants involved and allowing them to have a maximum number of
touches with the ball. The program philosophy is “let the game be the teacher.” At
the end of the practice there is the option to participate in a 7 v 7 competitive game
so that participants can come together and display their skills while working on a
common goal. Both parent and player satisfaction in this league is high (2).

References

(1) Bigelow, B., Moroney, T. & Hall, L. (2001). Just Let the Kids Play: How to Stop
Other Adults from Ruining Your Child’s Fun and Success in Youth Sports. Deerfield
Beach, FL: Health Communications, Inc.

(2) Green, R. C. (2001). Action research in youth soccer: Assessing the acceptability
of an alternative program. In A. Yiannakis & M. J. Melnick (Eds.), Contemporary
Issues of Sociology of Sport (pp. 79-90). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.