Under 6 Micro Soccer Program
The Montclair Soccer Club's Under 6 program is a developmental soccer program, where kids begin to learn soccer by playing on a much smaller field with far fewer players than in full-size regulation play. The main emphasis of the program is FUN, and learning the basic skills of soccer (dribbling, passing, shooting). To promote the joy of the sport without worry of winning or losing, no scores or team standings are kept.
For our U6 program, the Montclair Soccer Club uses a Micro Soccer format of 3 v 3 players, (contrasted with the 11 v 11 format used by U12+ to adult soccer). We successfully piloted this U6 Micro Soccer program in partnership with the Rockridge Soccer Club in 2005-2006. Originally established with co-ed teams, in Fall 2006, due to the high level of interest, we expanded the program into a U6 Girls division and a U6 Boys division.
Space in the program for Fall is limited. This fun soccer program is very popular. Our soccer program is run by volunteers, parents just like you. Priority is given to volunteers in placement in the U6 program. For a list of volunteer positions, see here.
FALL 2009 Game Schedules are now available!
All games will be played at Shepherd Canyon.
For U6 Boys: http://www.sportability.com/spx/leagues/schedule.asp?LgID=20613
For U6 Girls: http://www.sportability.com/spx/leagues/schedule.asp?LgID=20612
Fall 2009 Announcement about NEW PARENTS NIGHTS
New Parents Night #2 – Thursday, 9/10/2009, 7-9pm - http://www.sportability.com/spx/Leagues/League.asp?LgID=22474
New Parents Nights will be held at Bishop O'Dowd High School. Register and you'll automatically be emailed directions to the campus.
New Parents Nights provide orientation for parents to learn about MSC and the U6 & U8 soccer programs, participate in a Positive Coaching (PCA) workshop, and meet other parents. This is THE EVENT to learn all about your child's soccer program. Attendance at a New Parents Night is required by one parent from every family of new players. You need only attend one New Parents Night (not both).
New? If your child is a new U6 or new U8 player and you have not yet attended a New Parents Night in the past, you are required to attend one of the New Parents Nights.
Returning? If you are a returning parent (regardless of age division) and have not yet attended a PCA workshop, you must attend for your child to be eligible for our soccer program. If you attended a PCA Workshop in the past, you are not required to attend again.
Coaches - if you attended Coaches Day (and nearly all of you did) you are not required (but certainly are welcome) to attend New Parents Night.
About Micro Soccer
The benefits of Micro Soccer are widely recognized as more and more clubs nationwide adopt it. Micro Soccer is played with fewer players on the field than traditional formats. The U6 division plays with three players from each team on the field at a time (3 v. 3) rather than the 7 v. 7 formats used in U8 programs. Benefits include:
-
With fewer players on the field, each child has more opportunities to touch the ball and improve their soccer skills.
-
With fewer players on the field, the "pack" of wildly kicking players surrounding the ball is less likely to form. There is less "bunchball" and more soccer.
-
The extra space encourages players to spread out, supporting each other and making team play more possible.
-
For the Under 6 division, the way coaches split their teams into 3 v. 3 squads encourages the more timid players to get involved. Virtually all kids show dramatic improvement over the course of the season.
On each U6 teams, there are generally about ten players. U6 teams meet for one hour each week; the first half-hour is devoted to a team "practice," directed by the coach. In the second half-hour, games are played against another U6 team. These games are intended to be low-key and fun, with no score kept and lots of positive cheering. The kids play, coaches coach, parents cheer, and referees are human.
Our U6 program generally runs on Sundays (usually in the afternoons). Coaches will receive final confirmation of the times / location, once the Club obtains the necessary field permit (from either Oakland Parks & Rec, or from OUSD, if we are using a school field). This could come as late as the week before the scheduled start of the season.
Before each game, coaches split his/her team into two squads. Each squad plays a 10 minute 3 vs 3 game (without goalkeepers) against a squad from the other team. Teams are split according to guidelines in order to achieve specific developmental goals. Substitutes are rotated into games "on the fly" every two minutes, so everyone gets to play the same amount. These two games occur simultaneously on adjacent fields. After a short break, two more 3 vs 3 games will be played. Teams play two 3 vs 3 games each week.
Since two 3 vs 3 games are played simultaneously, the team's coach cannot supervise both games. In Micro Soccer, each 3 vs 3 game is supervised by a Game Monitor from each team. The Game Monitor is on the field, primarily responsible for putting the ball in play when it goes out of bounds. To learn more about being a Game Monitor, read over the Game Monitor Guide below.
Game Monitors can be parents or soccer-experienced siblings. Since the rules of Micro Soccer are relatively simple, being a Game Monitor requires no more experience than having watched youth soccer games. For Micro Soccer to work, each team must provide at least one (and optionally two) Game Monitors each week.
Our Under 6 program is NOT "Drop and Roll"! A parent or designated adult is required to be present with each child for the entire session (no exceptions).
Parent Resources
The following are guides that parents should read prior to the first game:
U6 Parents Guide
This guide tells you everything you need to know about the U6 program including volunteer requirements for your team, where to buy soccer shoes, game etiquette, and helping prepare your child to play soccer. It is a must read. (Word Version)
U6 Game Monitor Guide
This guide is for parents who volunteer as monitors. It explains the rules and guidelines for micro soccer. Since most parents are asked to monitor games at one time or another, it is a good idea for everyone to learn the game.
Coach Information
The following information should be reviewed by all U6 coaches:
Team Rosters
Age Group Coordinators work over the summer to form teams after the close of Registration (usually in early June). Coaches are contacted by the U6 Age Coordinator with their Team Rosters, usually in early-mid August. Coaches should contact their team families NO LATER THAN late August. Coaches are encouraged to hold a Team Meeting with parents (and possibly players) sometime prior to the start of the season.
Practices/Games
Practices are held 30 minutes prior to games on Sundays. The schedule for the season is available the first week in September.
Training
Coaches and assistant coaches are required to attend Coaches Day in August. On-field training is provided.
U6 Coaches Guide
This is a guide for coaches which details everything needed to know about coaching micro soccer. (Word version)
All Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Game Monitors and Team Managers are invited to attend a "Dress Rehearsal" on the Sunday one week prior to the start of the season. This 45 minute session will walk coaches through practice and game field set up. (Note: the Dress Rehearsal may not be held each year; it depends upon whether we have a U6 practice demo during Coaches Day. For example, at the August 17, 2008 Coaches Day all U6 coaches were present and there was space to conduct a small field demo. As a result, no U6 Dress Rehearsal is scheduled for Fall 2008.)
Program Summary
Registration: See the Registration section for info about Fall registration. Fall registration usually occurs in early Spring, and usually closed by June 1. Fall 2009 registration is now closed. Registration information for our Spring 2010 season will be available in late February or early March. Please check back at that time.
Age Eligibility: Players must be at least 5 years of age by 7/31. Players must be in Kindergarten (or first grade). No preschoolers. With our under 6 program, there are no exceptions to the age requirement.
Season Dates: Season begins after Labor Day, and runs 10 weeks (early-mid November).
Practices/Games: The U6 season runs for 10 weeks. Practices are held for 30 minutes prior to games. The Fall schedule will be published in early September. Although this is subject to change based upon field availability, we hope U6 games will be held on Sundays for the Fall season. Game and practice times will be posted right before the start of the season.
Game Locations: Game locations are determined in late August. In the past they have been at either Shepherd Canyon or Merritt College. For Fall 2009, all U6 games will be at Shepherd Canyon.
Equipment: The Club provides every player with a uniform jersey (top), shorts, and socks. The shorts and socks are for your child to keep. The jersey should be returned to the Club after your child has outgrown it, and exchanged for one that fits.
Players should come to all practices/games equipped with the following (for more details, see U6 Parents' Guide):
Snacks: Post-game snack is an important aspect of soccer at this age level, providing a relaxing opportunity for the players (and families) to form a bond. Each family should sign up at least once to bring game snacks (oranges at half time, and a light snack and drink for after the game, are recommended). As the season gets underway, check with your Team Manager and/or Coach for sign ups.
Parent Participation: Parents must be present for practices & games (no drop & roll). Parents also must actively participate in organizing and running the team. Our youth soccer club is run entirely by parent volunteers. Each family is also expected to volunteer at the Club level.
SAY Soccer
Volunteers
Volunteer positions can be found on the U6 Volunteer Opportunities page.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am a coach. Should I be a Game Monitor too?
No. During games players need their coach to make substitutions and coach the game. Each week every team needs one parent referee (called a Game Monitor) who referees one of the two micro games. Having at least two parent referees makes sense in case one is absent. Coaches Day includes on-field training for coaches and parent referees.
I am a parent. Are there any meetings I need to attend?
Yes. Prior to the start of the season MSC hosts a New Parents Night for U6 and U8 parents. At this orientation parents will have an opportunity to meet other parents, learn about the upcoming season and Montclair Soccer.