OVERVIEW:
Starting at 3rd Grade our teams play through the Heartland Soccer Association (HSA) which provides us with the opportunity to play with other soccer clubs that are members of HSA. The 3rd Grade program introduces the game of soccer to children entering 3rd Grade, their parents, and coaches. Teams are formed by gender and play 8 players vs. 8 players including the goalkeeper. Teams are allowed to start practicing twice a week with their coach and players are assigned based upon the neighborhood school they attend. Practices continue to build upon the basics of the game while introducing team concepts. The intent is to improve each player’s awareness and decision making on the field. The position of the Assistant Referee is introduced as well as introducing direct kicks and player cards.
SEASON:
The 3rd Grade program is held during fall (August through mid-November) and spring (March through early June) soccer seasons. Each season consists of an eight game schedule with the goal of playing eight games over approximately 13-14 weekends. Games canceled due to inclement weather will be rescheduled until the end of the season.
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RULES:
Parents and Coaches should go to HSA website, www.heartlandsoccer.net, to view where teams are placed, their game schedules, team standings, and game rules. Some of the changes from the 2nd Grade Program are:
Assistant Referee is introduced for the first time
Direct kicks are introduced for the first time
Goal Kicks are taken from the goalkeeper box within the penalty box
Teams are assigned to brackets for the fall season and seeded into Divisions for the spring season. A division will range from 5 to 9 teams. The numbers of divisions are based upon the number of teams playing through HSA for that season with Division 1 being the highest division.
Standings are kept. Standings for the fall season are used for team placement “seeding” for the spring soccer season.
Player, Coach, and Manager Cards are issued
Substitutions are taken at the Center Line
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GAMES:
3rd Grade games are scheduled by Heartland Soccer Association (HSA) for Saturday and Sunday (8:00 am to 6:00 pm), consisting of approximately 1 hour time slot.
Teams are formed by gender and will play 8 vs. 8 (7 players plus a goalkeeper) on a 70 by 45 or an 80 by 55 yard field.
There will be two 25 minute halves with a continuous running clock and a halftime of 5 minutes. Teams must change directions at halftime. The referee will signal start and stoppage of each half.
The first team listed on the schedule is the home team and must change their jerseys in the event of a color conflict. Scrimmage vests are allowed.
Each player must have an official USYSA Player Card, with a color photo and the players’ signature on it for the specified soccer year. Cards are presented to the referee prior to the start of the game and will be kept in their possession until the end of the game. It is the responsibility of the coach or their designated appointee to retrieve player’s cards after the game. These cards are effective for the fall and spring season provided the player remains on the same team.
The goalkeeper position should be selected based upon the players’ interest level. Goalkeepers must wear a contrasting jersey (scrimmage vests are fine). Goalkeepers may only use their hands in the marked goal area, once outside the area; the goalkeeper becomes a field player.
Substitutions should take place approximately every 6-12 minutes or as needed, giving everyone as many touches on the ball as possible.
All substitutions must be made from the center line.
All players should take an active part in game play. All players should play approximately 50% minimum playing time during each half, if the team size allows. The maximum team size is normally 16.
Coaches are to stay in the marked coaching area and may not come on to the field without the permission of the referee. All coaching staff on the team side of the field must have an official Coaching card with a picture and a disclosure form on file with the Club.
Parents sit on the opposite side of the field from players and coaches.
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PRACTICES:
3rd Grade coaches can start holding two practices a week at this age level. They are expected to organize and conduct a team practice after school (4:30 pm – 7:30 pm) during the weekday (Monday - Friday) for approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours. These practices will begin approximately 2-4 weeks before the start of the first scheduled game and continue through the end of the season.
Use of the BVSC 3rd Grade coaching manual which is obtained by attending the coaching clinics would be beneficial is teaching basic soccer techniques for this age group.
These practices are held on outdoor fields primarily within the Blue Valley School District (BVSD) at a school, park, or at the Blue Valley Recreation Commission (BVRC) Sports Complex. Field availability is dictated to BVSC by the BVSD, BVRC, and the City of Overland Park from whom we rent permits. Availability of these fields may be influenced by outside group usage, weather, and field conditions.
Those coaches who desire a practice field assigned by BVSC must review the, “Practice Field Schedule” to determine availability and submit an email: rmiller@bvsoccer.org after the pre-season coaches meeting identifying when, where, and at what time slot they would like to practice for the season. Normally, teams will retain their prior season practice field, day of the week, and practice time, if permitted to BVSC. If the prior season practice field is not permitted, these teams will have to request a new practice location on a first-come-first-served basis.
The team may opt to hire a Club approved team trainer to work with their team. They should contact BVSC for more information about this program.
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EQUIPMENT:
EQUIPMENT:
The following equipment is provided to the Head Coach in the fall or newly formed teams in the spring:
Two – Size #4 Game Balls
One – Ball Bag
Twelve – Vests
It is the parent’s responsibility to purchase their child uniform. The following equipment is provided by the player:
Shin Guards (mandatory cannot participate without wearing them)
Size #4 soccer ball (name and telephone number should be written on the ball)
Team Uniform (Jersey, Shorts, & Soccer socks)
Cleats are recommended
Water bottle (name and telephone number should be written on the bottle)
Players should be advised to dress appropriately for the weather.
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PHOTOS & AWARDS:
PHOTOS & AWARDS:
Photos are only taken during the fall soccer season. The Club provides team photos for Pre-Kindergarten through 2nd Grade recreational teams. 3rd Grade and older teams can have team photos taken are at their (parent) expense. Those teams who choose to participate in team photos must contact BVSC official photographer to schedule an appointment. Photos are mailed to the Head Coach prior to the end of season and are normally scheduled to be taken on the last Saturday in August prior to Labor Day.
Near the conclusion of the fall season the HSA provides Head Coaches with participation awards (medals) for those players who are rostered to the team. In the spring, only divisional winners will receive awards (i.e. trophies). At the discretion of the coach, players will receive their awards by the last game or end of season party.
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REGISTRATION
Select, “Registration Button”, regarding the cost, how to register, how teams are formed and how players are assigned to teams.
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COACHING
If you are interested in volunteering to be a head coach, assistant coach, or team manager, please read the roles, responsibilities, and commitment for these volunteer positions by selecting the “Coaching Corner” button on the BVSC website.