- Set a positive example by showing respect, dignity and good sportsmanship at all times. Avoid becoming emotionally charged and overly involved in what is happening on the field.
- Offer only applause and cheers of encouragement for either team following a good play or individual effort, otherwise KEEP QUIET. Negative comments directed at coaches, players, referees, or other spectators are NOT ACCEPTABLE. Obscene and/or disrespectful gestures will also not be tolerated.
- Avoid coaching from the sidelines. Leave all aspects of coaching to the coaches since it causes undue confusion and erodes a players confidence. If you are not pleased with a coach for any reason, please address and discuss with a CSC representative. Remember that most of our coaches are volunteers. If you think you can do a better job coaching please offer to volunteer yourself!
- Never question referees decisions. Referees are not perfect and will make mistakes. Referees calls should NEVER be argued by anyone. Accept all referee decisions as final and move on. Please direct concerns or constructive criticism to our club representatives and/or our referee coordinators.
- Encourage players to focus on their development and performance, not on game results! Discourage excessive celebrating following goals or victories and remind players about being respectful to the losing team.
- Avoid post-game analysis and do not scrutinize your childs performance following games. Motivate through confidence by identifying a positive result from every game or practice. Your childs sense of achievement is the greatest motivator and confidence-builder.
- Respect the facilities both home and away. Always cleanup after yourself and others after watching a game or practice.
- Failure to support this Code of Conduct through irresponsible and/or disrespectful behavior can and will result in penalties including: removal from the fields, member suspensions, team forfeits or even permanent removal from the club. Please do not let your actions affect your childs enjoyment of soccer with Cheshire Soccer Club!
- Games are played on small fields (approx. 41 yards by 31 yards.
- Each team plays five (5) field players (2 defense and 3 offense). No Goalkeepers. Coaches discretion to play four (4) field players if short players (2 defense and 2 offense).
- Goals must be scored on the offensive side of the field to prevent players from booting the ball from their defensive side of the field and defensive players should not goal hog meaning always standing in front of the goal to prevent the other team from scoring.
- Game consists of two (2) 25-minute halves. Time is kept by the referee.
- All free kicks awarded for a foul shall be INDIRECT and must touch another player before entering the goal for a score.
- The Off-side rule is NOT used at U-8!
- On any free-kick (including goal kicks and kick-ins) opponents must be at least 7 yards from the ball. Encourage players to give this space.
- Throw-ins will NOT be taken at U-8! Instead the ball will be placed on the touchline where the ball exited the field and will be kicked back into play. The kick-in will be treated as a free kick. Opponents must be at least 7 yards from the ball. Encourage players to give this space. A kick-in is an indirect free kick and must touch another player before entering the goal for a score.
- Substitutions may be made at any stoppage of play ONLY after requesting and receiving the permission of the referee.
- Coaches and/or parents must stand along the touchline and MAY NOT stand behind the goal.
- Coaches and/or parents may NOT enter the field of play without the permissions of the referee.
- Except for reason of injury or discipline EACH PLAYER ON THE TEAM MUST PLAY AT LEAST HALF OF EVERY GAME!
- Whenever any team goes ahead of an opponent by FIVE goals the team must remove their goalkeeper (and play without one) unless or until the score narrows to four goals or less.
- The game is played on a field approximately 60 yards long by 50 yards wide.
- Each team plays seven (7) field players PLUS a goalkeeper. (8 v 8).
- The game consists of two (2) 35-minute halves. Time is kept by the referee.
- The "Off-side" rule IS in effect at U-10!
- On any "free kick" (including "goal kicks") opponents must be at least 7 yards from the ball.
- Substitutions are unlimited at any stoppage of the game at the referees discretion. (only after requesting and receiving the permission of the referee)
- Coaches and/or parents must stand along the touchline and MAY NOT stand behind the goal.
- Coaches and/or parents may NOT enter the field of play without the permissions of the referee.
- Except for reason of injury or discipline EACH PLAYER ON THE TEAM MUST PLAY AT LEAST HALF OF EVERY GAME!
- Whenever any team goes ahead of an opponent by five goals the team must remove one player (and play a player short). If they go ahead by 6 goals they will remove another player (and play 2 players short) etc.. If the opponent scores to narrow the score a player may be returned to the field.
- DON'T shout instructions to the player with the ball. Why.
- DON'T use phrases such as Boot the ball, Kick it, Send it, Belt the ball etc. Why.
- DON'T try to control the game from the sidelines. Why.
- DON'T try to teach aggressiveness. Why.
- DON'T abuse game officials or show disrespect for your opponent. Why.
- DO offer suggestions to players not currently involved in what is happening on the field. Why.
- DO encourage players to use the skills they are being taught. Why.
- DO teach the players to coach themselves on the field. Why.
- DO encourage them to hold the ball long enough to make good decisions about what to do next. Why.
- Shinguards
- Knee-high socks
- Soccer ball (size #4 for U8 and U10)
- Shorts (prefer black)
- Sweats (must be worn under the uniform)
- Shoes (either cleats or sneakers)
- Water Bottle
It is the practice of the Cheshire Soccer Club to allow, and encourage, a limited number of U-8 players of demonstrated ability and maturity to participate as guest players in the clubs U-10 program. To be eligible as a guest player, however, a U-8 player must FIRST meet ALL commitments to their U-8 team.
As a guest player the U-8 player will be assigned to a U-10 team by the U-10 division coordinator and will be encouraged to participate in all U-10 practices and games. From time to time a U-8 player may be assigned to as a guest player on an emergency basis when it is determined that a U-10 team may be short players for a particular game. U-10 coaches anticipating being short players for a particular game should contact their division coordinator who will make arrangements for a U-8 player to fill in as an emergency.
Although it is often the case that a U-8 guest player may be more talented than one or more of the U-10 players on the teams roster, the club does not desire or expect that U-8 players will take playing opportunities away from ANY U-10 player. Emergency U-8 players should not be requested for games when the coach expects a full compliment of U-10 players. Under NO circumstances should a U-8 player start a U-10 game if there is a U-10 player available. Otherwise any U-8 guest player, either permanently assigned or playing in an emergency, shall be treated as a full member of the U-10 team and must be given the opportunity to play at least of each game to which the player is invited.
Some exceptional U-8 players will be assigned as guest players from the start of the season. Others may be given the opportunity part way through as they become identified. Coaches of all U-8 teams who feel they have a player who ought to be considered as a guest player should contact Dave Loura, U-8 / U-10 Director.
It is each coachs responsibility to be sure that at least one parent from each team helps in the snack bar on the date(s) assigned to their team. THANK YOU in advance for volunteering during your teams assigned date(s)!
On your teams scheduled day, at least one person will need to report to the snack bar 15 minutes before game-time until after the games are completed. Only one team is assigned for each time slot so if no one shows up there is no back up.
Snack Bar coverage is a perfect opportunity for teens or young adults to volunteer to help with. Your assigned coach has the Snack Bar Schedule along with your teams oranges schedule. If you have any questions/comments about the Snack Bar, please contact Dave Loura.
The transition from a U10 player to a U11 player marks a milestone in your child's development as a soccer player and engagement with the game. All children U11 and older participate on one of our travel teams. These teams play games against teams of the same age from surrounding towns. Our teams compete in the South Central District which encompasses towns from Shelton to Clinton and Southington to New Haven.
Program Details
- Teams train with a professional coach who has extensive playing and coaching experience.
- Teams train twice a week at Quinnipiac Recreational Area.
- Games are played on Saturdays and Sundays, usually one game per week.
- Players are provided with a jersey, shorts and socks.
Player Evaluation
Depending on the number of players who register, the Club may enter more than one team at each age level. To make the rosters for the teams, the Club will hold an evaluation of all registered players in June. Players will be placed on teams based on their technical skills, athleticism, knowledge of the game and overall enthusiasm for playing soccer. The evaluation will be conducted by our Director of Coaching, DJ Pereira, along with our coaching staff. The coaching staff assigns players to teams that will best facilitate their development.
It is each coachs responsibility to be sure that at least one parent from each team helps in the snack bar on the date(s) assigned to their team. THANK YOU in advance for volunteering during your teams assigned date(s)!
On your teams scheduled day, at least one person will need to report to the snack bar 15 minutes before game-time until after the games are completed. Only one team is assigned for each time slot so if no one shows up there is no back up.
Snack Bar coverage is a perfect opportunity for teens or young adults to volunteer to help with. Your assigned coach has the Snack Bar Schedule along with your teams oranges schedule. If you have any questions/comments about the Snack Bar, please contact
Dave Loura.