Coaches' Corner
Notes From Grant: Chapel Hill United Modified Rules
In order to promote good play, learning, and sportsmanship, Chapel Hill United modifies the rules of soccer in the following ways, similar to that of many youth development programs (including Triangle United YDA).
  • The non-kicking team pulls back to midfield on the opponent's goalkicks.
  • The refs are instructed to blow an early whistle on all goalkeeper possessions. We need to protect the goalkeepers, especially on the ground. Instruct your players to play longer rebounds, but not to challenge or charge goalkeepers in or near possession. We need everyone to support disallowing goals and shots that result from challenged goalkeeper possessions.
  • No penalty kicks under any circumstances. Anything inside the box will come outside box and proceed as indirect. Refs have been instructed. We advise no walls for safety reasons, plus it's actually an advantage to let the goalkeeper have an unobstructed view of the play. Defensive players should "man-up" and challenge the player with ball after the first touch is taken--but in a safe manner as instructed by coaches. In other words, play soccer but do not make a wall.
  • All free kicks, except corner kicks, are indirect and must touch another player (except the goalkeeper) before scoring.
  • A goalkeeper punt that is first touched in the opponent's penalty box is a goalkeeper possession or an indirect kick from the top of the box going the other way. This will help the goalkeepers and players to learn to distribute and play from the back. Punts to the opponent's penalty box will be played, essentially, as if they were offside, if they enter the penalty box untouched.

Notes From Grant: Balanced Matches
Coaches, part of our job in Chapel Hill United is to "manage" the results of the matches so that no one team dominates another with a lopsided score. The ideal score in a youth development league like ours is probably a 3-3 tie. We have found that some balancing techniques work, while others are ineffective. Putting restrictions on players this age such as "five touches before going to goal" or "play keep-away only" does not work and can serve as further embarassment to an opponent.

However, we have had some success with the options below. The coaches from both teams should work together to balance the matches, applying each of the options below as needed. A good rule of thumb is that if one side goes ahead by three or more goals, especially in the first half, then the coaches should modify the match for balance.

  1. Stronger team pulls one player--this team would now have GK plus four field players.
  2. Weaker team adds player--this team would now have GK plus six field players.
  3. Dominating team sits stronger players more than normally would. (Be careful here, of course, in terms of appropriate/equal playing time. But this can be done when explained to player thoughtfully, and it can turn into positive sportsmanship lesson and a chance for team leaders to encourage others).
  4. Organize the stronger team into its least effective attacking line-up. This is a good opportunity to then prompt the less experienced line-up to improve attacking capabilities.

As coaches, one of our primary responsibilities is to help teach the players to appreciate and respect the game. Lopsided games are really no fun for anyone, and are counter to our primary aims.

Resources
US Soccer publishes a very nice overview of "Best Practices" (PDF format) for coaching youth soccer. It's a quick read, nice refresher, and effective key-note for a new season. CLICK HERE (PDF format) for a link to the document. The first twenty or so pages are appropriate for our age group. This document puts in writing many of the points I tried to make in our pre-season coaching clinics.