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Monday, February 6
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions!
What do the East London Members want to know! In an effort to answer questions that I have received throughout the years we have posted our answers to the following questions:
If your question is not answered on this site, please feel free to contact your coach, convenor or drop us an e-mail, we would be happy to address your question!
What is Micro Soccer?
Micro Soccer is introductory soccer for Ages 5-6. Our goal is to develop interest in soccer from an early age. Therefore we are very particular in all basic aspects of the sport spectrum, such as proper running technique, balance, flexibility and co-ordination. All these components are important and not just soccer specific.
Teamwork and enjoying the game is emphasized. Pug goals are introduced for the Micro session but no goalkeepers, Goalkeepers are introduced for the minis.
Teams consist of 8 players maximum.
All games are 5 versus 5.
Field Size 30 x 50 (approximately)
Goal Size: Pug Goals
Ball Size: 3
What Is Mini Soccer?
Mini soccer is the bridge between micro and full field soccer. It is designed to continue development through maximizing playing time and players touch on the ball.
Field size 35 x 70
Goal size: 5 x 6
7 and 8 year olds- modified rules (ie no offsides)
9 and 10 year olds full rules (Size 4 Ball)
Why do we need to register so early every year? What is the process?
The committee meets to discuss field costs and uniform costs early in December of every year. In the second week of January we send out our registration forms by Third Class Mail. If you do not receive it, other options available to you include our website www.eteamz.com/elsc and to watch for the sign outside of Home Hardware on Dundas Street. Our sponsor graciously allows East London to place the sign outside the store the second week in January for an entire month notifying the residents of East London the date and time of general registration. By March 1, the committee signs the contract for city field time, so we start putting limits on the spaces available at that time. We also need to order our uniforms by March 5, every year to ensure that they will be ready for the start of the season.
So if you want to play, Register early!
My child is advanced in their soccer skills. Can they play an age group "up"?
If your child is truly advanced in their soccer skills we recommend that they try out for a competitive soccer program. A competitive program does require a higher level of commitment from both parent and player, however if you are wanting more of a challenge for your child you will be pleased to make that commitment.
Our foundation recreational program is a non-competitive program. We strongly discourage "playing up". We are in agreement with the Canadian Soccer Association, which advises that "play-ups for players younger than ten is often the parents desire for their child to be placed in a more competitive environment. Rarely will a child request to play outside his/her peer group. Youth sports for players all age groups is as much a social activity as an athletic one- if not more!
Can my child play in an age group below theirs?
ELSC policy is that no player will "play down". Playing down puts other teams at an unfair advantage and will not be allowed.
Why dont we have more practices in our mini soccer program?
My answer is always the same, we at East London concentrate on total enjoyment from soccer.
When players are motivated practicing their sport, they'll learn more from it, and therefore, become a better soccer player. So our aim is to get as much pleasure from soccer as possible. From soccer training the most enjoyment can be gained in situations where players can score as much as possible and also have to defend (ie playing games).
Therefore we consider playing games a fantastic way to build young soccer players, while remembering the most important thing
. FUN
We havent won a game yet!!
No big deal! Most of the time, its the adults that remember the losses, not the players.
The questions we ask are:
1. At the end of the year, did your child enjoy playing soccer?
2. Did they enjoy their coach?
(remember this is your childs opinion, not yours)
Why are trades made at the U10 level
Is this competitive?
No, East London is not a competitive club. We do, however, care about your childs development in soccer and self-esteem. We make trades for the following key reasons.
1. To allow for confidence and self-esteem to bloom in our youth athletes (we dont want our players to feel they have lost the game before they hit the field)
2. To allow more competitive play (no blowouts)
3. To allow for our youth athletes to grow at the same level
(you become a better soccer player if you have to work harder for goals)
Let me stress, East London is not a competitive club, but the competitive clubs in the city of London count on house league organizations such as ourselves to try and build enjoyment of the game and self confidence in our players (key needs of the competitive player) After all, their competitive players come from all house league or recreational programs at some point!
Why Reduced Numbers or Small-Sided Games?
by Tammy Eskildsen
As the appointed President of East London Soccer, experienced sports administrator and mother of two children, who used to be little soccer players, I have thought long and hard about the answer to the question, "
"Why Small-Sided Games?"
To clarify the term of "Small-Sided Games". These are soccer games with fewer players competing on a smaller sized field. These are fun games that involve the players more because one ball is being shared by fewer players.
All ages can play "Small Sided Games", but it has a definite developmental impact on our younger soccer players. East Londons recommendations for "number of players" at the various age groups are as follows:
U6 4 against 4 micro field
U8 7 against 7 mini field
U10 7 against 7 mini field
Here are some of the reasons why I believe we, as soccer coaches, administrators and parents must guarantee that our young soccer players play small-sided games:
1. Because we want our young soccer players to touch the soccer ball more often and become more skillful with it! (Individual technical development)
2. Because we want our young soccer players to make more, less-complicated decisions during the game! (Tactical development)
3. Because we want our young soccer players to be more physically efficient in the field space they are playing in! (Reduced field size)
4. Because we want our young soccer players to have more individual teaching time with the coach! Less players on the field and less players on the team will guarantee this! (Need to feel worthy...need to feel important)
5. Because we want our young soccer players to have more, involved playing time in the game! (More opportunity to solve problems that only the game presents)
6. Because we want our young soccer players to have more opportunity to play on both sides of the ball! (More exposure to attacking and defending situations)
7. Because we want our young soccer players to have more opportunities to score goals! (Pure excitement!)
These are the reasons why we adults must foster "Small-Sided Games" in our youth soccer programs. The "Small-Sided" environment is a developmentally appropriate environment for our young soccer players. It's a FUN environment that focuses on the young soccer player.
It just makes sense...doesn't it?
Frequently Asked Question's Change to U10 to Small Sided Play
Why make the change from 9 vs 9 to 7vs 7?
East London was one of the last hold outs for 11 vs 11. We attempted for 4 years to try a 'modified' small sided game to combine both the old and new with limited success. The first ones through the 9 vs 9 program are physically fit and can run forever!!!! They developed at the same rate due to the reduced age group to two years from the three year span. However, it was felt that they didn't develop at a rate that comparable or better with the other leagues in the city. So we have moved to the Canadian Soccer Recommendation for U10 to do the following.
7 vs 7 on 35 x 70 field.
It makes the game of soccer a better experience for children. More touches on the ball, more opportunities to make decisions, more actual play. Energetic workouts due to playing both attacking and defensive roles. While learning both offense and defense, a player will become more complete and will understand more readily the roles and importance of teammates.
Whose idea was this?
Many Competitive and Foundation clubs in Europe and the US are a proponent of small sided games since the 1980's. Small sided games are endorsed by our national coaching committee, the US State Directors of Coaching, US National Team Coaches for Men & Women, including many international soccer organizations: England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, France, Korea to name a few!
Why can't they play 11v11 like "real" soccer?
The 11v11 format is the adult version of the game. Using an adult size field and goals makes little sense for children under the age of ten.
Other sports don't alter their game- why does soccer?
It's not a good comparison with football or baseball- neither has the element of transition that soccer does. Look at basketball- how many kids play basketball 5 on 5? Most basketball is played 1v1, 2v1 or 2v2 in a driveway! Kids don't wait until they have nine friends to have a game! Playing on a small field is a more efficient use of space, it takes less time to advance for a shot on goal, and children are more actively involved for a longer period of time.
I didn't grow up playing this way!
True! Whether you grew up in Ontario or another country, soccer was traditionally played 11v11 for all age groups. This isn't true any longer- small sided game formats are in use all over the world- not just in Canada.
How will they learn to play 11v11?
Progressing from 4 vs 4 to 7v7, BEFORE 11v11 is a sound educational method. The problem is that young players were forced into 11v11 before their bodies were physically developed to play the adult version of the game. Any notion that players will be less prepared to play 11v11 is not justified.
This will never work!
Sure it will! A number of organizations have been playing small sided soccer successfully for more than a dozen years! Adopting 7v 7 for under 10's is the fastest growing trend in youth soccer.
Where do I find rules?
Our soccer website posts the East London Club rules at the beginning of each season. www.eteamz.com/elsc
How many players on a roster?
If playing 4 vs 4 no more than eight, 7v7 no more than thirteen. Since participation is a priority, every player should play at least 50% of each game.
Again.. any questions we would be happy to try and answer for you! Please send them in.
Thursday, May 25
Newsletters
Thursday, May 25
Fitting Your Child in Soccer Gear
Soccer Shorts--The Great Debate!
There are many different kinds of shorts that a soccer player can wear during a soccer game or practice, but clearly the best kinds of shorts are soccer shorts shorts that are made specifically for the game of soccer.
Soccer-specific shorts are a part of the game. Soccer shorts help a player make the best impression on both his or her teammates and on selectors during a tryout. Of course, soccer shorts do not just make a soccer player look good. They are also durable and can withstand the rough and tumbles of a soccer game (and there can be plenty of tumbles, tumbles that would rip other shorts or leave them grass-stained). Soccer shorts are also made to be comfortable so that a player can focus on the ball at hand (or, rather, at foot) instead of on his soccer clothing.
Soccer Shorts are made from polyester, but there are two different types to decide between, knit and woven. Woven soccer shorts tend to be more durable and tear-resistant than woven soccer shorts. This quality may be very important to very rough players, or soccer players who spend a lot of time down on the field!
Fit is always important, just as it is in regular clothes. If your shorts dont fit, you arent going to be very comfortable which may make it harder to concentrate on the game. Also, improperly fitting soccer shorts may not allow the same sort of freedom of movement that properly fitting shorts would.
To know if you have the right fit, measure the inseam (which is from the crotch to the bottom of the soccer shorts). If you are of average size, your inseam should generally measure 5 inches for adult sizes and just 3 to 4 inches for youth sizes. Consider a drawstring and an elastic waist to ensure a proper fit.
Before you go ahead and buy your shorts, you want to think of what potential problems you could have. You dont want to find them out when youre already out on the soccer field. Make sure that the waistband is neither too tight nor too loose. You also want to check out the seams and the waist band to see if they may potentially irritate your skin. Just rub your fingers along the seams to check them out.
And remember: just because baggy shorts may be in, it does not mean that they are the best short for the game improperly fitting shorts can hamper mobility. Its better to look good because of your soccer skills than because of your fashionable soccer shorts.
Once youve found the soccer shorts that you think are just right for you, you want to wear them to a practice or two before you test them out on the field, just to make sure that they are just as comfortable as you imagined. And if it turns out that you really like this style and brand, stick to it. Why try out different soccer shorts if you already have the perfect pair?
This article is written by well know author Anne Clarke who writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, sports, and home decor.
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