General 10U Information

10U is the first age group that begins to look like a game of soccer. The players will begin to play specific positions, the goal keeper is introduced, play goes to halves (instead of quarters). Teams will have 1 practice per week on Wednesday, generally between an hour and an hour and a half and then a game on Monday starting at 5:30 p.m or 6:45 p.m. At 10U, children should begin to show more cooperative team play, including making a number of passes between teammates. The emphasis should still be on fun! An good individual player can have an impact on the game, though this become less of an issue than at the 6U and 8U level, as cooperative play can slow down the good player. Team work starts to become a bigger indicator of success than individual players.

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

10U Schedule

Practice Schedule: 10u-Practice-Schedule.pdf

Game Schedule: 10u-Game-Schedule.pdf

What should kids learn in 10U?

Through the 10U age level, children should begin to learn some of the basics of all the positions. Their dribbling skills should improve, as well as passing skills. Additionally, they should be showing some skill controlling the ball as they receive it from passes or in open play. Players who are developing exceptionally well may show ability using both feet and not just the dominant foot (though this is rare). Further, players should begin to show signs of exercising judgement on ball placement, rather than just kicking it as far as they can.

10U Game rules

Game format – 7 vs. 7 Goal keeper included
Referee – 1 center referee, 2 assistant referees
Duration of game – 2 halves, 25 minutes each.
Offisdes begins to be enforced ( the most difficult rule in soccer – see below)
Goalies cannot throw or kick ball to opponents penalty box – results in an indirect kick at midfield
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
Opponents must move behind the build out line when the there is a goal kick or the goal keeper has the ball. The goalkeeper can then pass, throw or roll the ball to a teammate. Punting the ball is not allowed. After the ball is put into play, the opposing team can then cross the build out line and play can resume as normal.
Ball Size – Size 4
Slide Tackling – not allowed. Players should keep their feet at all times
Field Size – Rectangular with a 47 yard length by 30 yard width
Goal Size – 6.5 feet by 18.5 feet
Roster Size – 7 – 12 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.