USEFUL APPS

OYSA has partnered with the MOJO Sports Coaching app. MOJO was developed with the purpose of aiding coaches in running practice effectively.  If you are new to coaching or want practice ideas, you can use MOJO to lay out an example practice with preset drills. Each drill in the app comes with a video and text tutorial showing how to run the drill. You can also add in your own drills and just use it to keep track of your practice plan. If you are looking to improve your coaching, we recommend you take a look and see if it helps.

Android App Link

iOS App Link

Mojo Tutorial Webinar

Subtime is another app that we also highly recommend and is used by many of our coaches. Coaches can use it to track each player's playing time, helping to make sure that each player gets the same amount. One of the most useful features is the ability to plan out sub rotations and lineups in advance, so coaches can focus more on the game. It also can keep track of lineup notes and stats if needed. We encourage you to at least give it a try and see if it helps.

Android App Link

iOS App Link

Coach Training:

We will be having a In-Person Coach Clinic on Saturday, March 15th at the Oak Hills Rec Field (across the street from Oak hills Elementary). We will meet by the big Oak tree at the North end of the field and it will start at 10 AM. The clinic is free for all to join.

Play-Practice-Play:

https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2018/02/five-things-to-know-about-playpracticeplay

https://www.mayouthsoccer.org/coaches/play-practice-play/

U.S. Soccer Grassroots Courses

There are 4 Online US Soccer Grassroots Courses, plus a mandatory Intro Course. These courses have a great deal of valuable information and instruction for coaches of all experience levels. Also, OHSC will cover the $25 for the online grassroots course*,  just submit your receipt to treasurer@ohsoccer.com. Links to the appropriate courses can be found in each grade level section.

Rules

For all grade levels, except K&C, there are two documents which establish the rules for our games. The first is the IFAB Laws of the Game. This is a general rules document which covers all levels of play. The second is the THJSL Rules of Play. The THJSL document is a modification of the IFAB Laws, so the THJSL document takes precedent.

Slide tackles are not allowed at any level. Players deemed to be sliding may get a warning or a card at the ref's discretion.

Headers are no longer allowed at any grade level, even 7/8.

Each grade level below also lists some further key rules and rule changes to be aware of for that level of play.

If you have any rules questions, please reach out to headcoach@ohsoccer.com.

Questions?

If you have any questions, problems, need help with practice plans, etc... please don't hesitate to reach out to headcoach@ohsoccer.com.

Micro Soccer plays 3v3 with the yellow pop-up goals.

Micro Soccer Coaches Page - Rules and other info

Key rules:

• No goalies
• Have fun

Grassroots Course:

4v4 Course - It's not quite the same format, but everything is easily tailored to 3v3 and it has a lot of useful information.

Example Practice Plans:

OYSA Practice Plans - Example Practices, will need to scroll to the middle of the page. 

OYSA U6 Best Practices

OYSA Coaching Resources - Find the U6 Lesson Plans and U6 Lesson Plans sections

US Soccer Lesson Plans - 6-and-Under section

2nd graders play 4v4 with the Blue pop-up goals. At this level, we play on a lined field with a more formal set of rules. You will also play teams on other THJSL clubs, not other OHSC teams.

Key Rules:

• No goalies.
• No offsides rule but cherry picking (leaving a player up near the goal) is not allowed.
• On goal kicks, defenders must retreat quickly to midfield line. They cannot cross the line until either a) the first touch after the ball is put in play or b) the ball crosses midfield, whichever comes first.
• All free kicks are indirect, meaning the touch that puts the ball into play cannot count as a goal. On a free kick, defending players must remain 10 yards away from the ball (or be on the goal line).

Grassroots Course:

4v4 Course

Example Practice Plans:

MA Youth Soccer U8 - Example practices over a 12 week schedule

OYSA U7/8 Best Practices

OYSA Coaching Resources - Find the U7 Lesson Plans section

US Soccer Lesson Plans - 8-and-Under section

3rd & 4th grade play 7v7. At this level, we play with actual in-ground goals and a stricter set of rules, such as offsides.

Key Rules:

• Goalies are allowed starting at this level. The goalie must have gloves (provided) and a special shirt or pinnie to designate them.
• Goalies may use their hands but not when they are outside of the Penalty Box, which will be the larger rectangle marked around the goal, see this diagram for an example (dimensions will be different).
• Goalies can only hold the ball for 6 seconds. Goalies may also NOT pick up a ball that has been kicked to them by a teammate.
• Goalies are highly protected and committing and players who run into or kick the goalie may be subject to a harsher penalty. Also, once the goalie has their hand on the ball, the ball may no longer be kicked.
• Goalies may not punt or drop-kick the ball.
• Build-Out Line: In 3/4, a line is marked halfway between the top of the penalty box and the midfield line (it is possible this may not be marked on your practice fields but it will be for games. On either a goal kick or when the goalie picks up the ball, the defending team must retreat quickly behind the build-out line. Rule Change: The ball is considered live and players may cross the build-out line as soon as the ball is put into play. Players no longer need to wait for a second touch before crossing the line. If the goalie/player does not wait for players to retreat to the build-out line, the ball is still considered live.
• All free/penalty kicks are indirect. On a free kick, defending players must remain 10 yards away from the ball (or be on the goal line).
• Offsides is enforced starting at this level. See this page for an explanation of offside.

Grassroots Course:

7v7 Course

Example Practice Plans:

MA Youth Soccer U10 - Example practices, each with a main focus area

OYSA U9/10 Best Practices

OYSA Coaching Resources - Find the U10 Lesson Plans section

US Soccer Lesson Plans - 10-and-Under section

5th & 6th grade play 9v9. At this level, we start playing other Leagues, not just THJSL. This means you may have some games outside of the THPRD area. There are also bigger goals and some significant rule changes: direct free kicks/penalty kicks, no build-out line.

Key Rules:

• Offside rule
• No build-out line. Defending players only need to be outside of the penalty box during goal kicks or when the goalie has the ball in hand.
• Goalies are now allowed to drop kick the ball.
• Refs may now award direct free kicks and penalty kicks. That means that some free kicks are now allowed to be taken as a shot. Direct free kicks are usually awarded for fouls caused by excessive roughness or handballs outside the penalty box. Penalty kicks are awarded for a foul inside the penalty box by the defending team.
• On a free kick, defending players must remain 10 yards away from the ball (or be on the goal line).
• On a penalty kick, all players except the goalie and the player taking the kick must be outside of the penalty box.

Grassroots Course:

9v9 Course

Example Practice Plans:

MA Youth Soccer U12 - Example practices, each with a main focus area

OYSA U11/12 Best Practices

OYSA Coaching Resources - Find the U12 Lesson Plans section

US Soccer Lesson Plans - 12-and-Under section

7th & 8th grade play 11v11. The most significant changes at this level from 5/6 are a bigger field/goals and usually a more physical level of play.

Key Rules:

• Offside rule
• Headers are no longer allowed.
• On a free kick, defending players must remain 10 yards away from the ball (or be on the goal line).
• On a penalty kick, all players except the goalie and the player taking the kick must be outside of the penalty box.

Grassroots Course:

11v11 Course

Example Practice Plans:

MA Youth Soccer U14 - Example practices, each with a main focus area

OYSA U13/14 Best Practices

US Soccer Lesson Plans - 14-and-Under section

US YOUTH SOCCER COACHING VIDEOS

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL805D77038B88D895&feature=plcp

Positive Coaching Alliance

PCA Development Zone - The PCA Development Zone has resources for coaches, parents and athletes on building a positive experience through soccer.

OYSA COACH HELP

OYSA Coaches Page - Links to coaching clinics, US Soccer learning materials and other resources

OYSA Coach Resources - Example drills and practice plans for each age group, plus other information and instruction on how to get the most out of coaching.