General 12U Information

12U is the last of the age groups to play small sided soccer. The number of players on the field and the field size continue to increase. The game should continue to look more like real soccer. Players should begin to show fully cooperative play and single player domination should not happen. Teams will have 1 to 2 practices per week, generally between an hour and an hour and a half. The 12U age group will participate in the East Central Soccer Recreation league. This league plays 10 games. The girls group plays on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Requirements!

Soccer Shoes(no cleat on toe)
Shin Guards, worn under socks that completely cover the shin guards
Athletic Shorts/Pants or Sweat Pants – no zippers, snaps, or metal
NO Hair Pins, hard casts, NO modifying of uniforms
NO Earrings, or other Jewelry (exception Medical Alert bracelets or necklaces, must be securely taped to player with medical tape)
Size 4 Soccer Ball
Bring Water bottle

12U Schedule

Schedules will be available in April

Away Game Locations

USA Youth Complex 13N & 14N – 3300 E. Evergreen Drive, Appleton

Sunset Park West – 800 W. Kimberly Ave, Kimberly

Menasha Area Soccer Club Complex #3– 1251 Earl St, Menasha

Field is located at the intersection of Airport Rd and Earl St.

Verhagen Park 01 – 870 W. Third St, Kimberly

Neenah Memorial Park 3E & 3W – 1121 Tullar Road, Neenah

Actual field will be on Gay Dr. Turn into a parking lot on the left and your field will be to your right. It’s the second field. First one is 3E

What should kids learn in 12U?

In 12U, children should continue progressing with dribbling skills, showing the ability to do fakes and changes of direction. The 10U players should begin showing the ability, but it should continue to improve through 12U. Understanding of positions and passing skills should dramatically improve during this time. For the first time, children may begin to specialize in a single position.

12U Game rules

Game format – 9 vs. 9 Goal keeper included
Referee – 1 center referee, 2 assistant referees
Duration of game – 2 halves, 30 minutes each.
Teams must be at the game 15 minutes before scheduled kickoff
Offsides begins to be enforced (the most difficult rule in soccer – see below)
Penalty Kicks – yes for fouls occurring inside the penalty box.
Throw-in – a single throw in is given for balls over the touch line (the longer line). Any errors made on a throw-in result in loss of possession.
Free Kicks – Standard Free Kick Rules apply. Indirect kicks must touch another player before a goal is made, Direct kicks may go directly into the goal.
Opponents must be 8 yards from the ball on a free kick
Ball Size – Size 4
Slide Tackling – not allowed. Players should keep their feet at all times
Field Size – Rectangular with a 70-80 yard length by 45-55 yard width
Goal Size – 6 feet by 18 feet or 7 feet by 21 feet
Roster Size – 8 – 16 players
Minimum playing time – 50% for each player

What the heck is offsides?

According to the FIFA’s official laws of the game there are 2 major parts to the offside rule. The first part is if a player is in an offsides position.

A player is in an offside position if he or she is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second to last opponent. (note, the goalie is one of the oppenents).

The second part of the rule involves when the penalty is called. The penalty is called if a player is:

In an offsides position at the moment the ball touches or is played by one their teammates
AND the player is actively involved in the play
- by receiving the ball
- Interfering with the play
- Interfering with an opponent
- or the team gains advantage by the player being in the position

Still confused, try searching for soccer offsides on You Tube to watch some video examples.