This guide covers what coaches need to know for game days, with specific information for 6U-8U divisions.
Division Snapshot
| Division | Division Group | Game Length | Players on the Field | Ball Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6U | Friendly | 32 min | All | 3 | Coaches are on the field Kick-ins only |
| 7U | Friendly | 40 min | All | 3 | Coaches are on the field through September Throw-ins introduced |
| 8U | Friendly | 40 min | All | 3 | Coaches are off the field |
| 10U | Lower | 50 min | 7 | 4 | Introduces goalkeepers, build outline |
| 12U | Lower | 60 min | 9 | 4 | |
| 14U | Lower | 70 min | 11 | 5 | Heading is allowed |
| 16U | Upper | 80 min | 11 | 5 | 2x practices per week Games on Sunday |
| 19U | Upper | 80 min | 11 | 5 | 2x practices per week Games on Sunday |
Before the Game
Preparation
- Check your game time and field at schedule.ayso13.org
- Review your roster and know who’s attending–follow up with families if needed
- If you need coverage for a coach being absent, reach out to your DCA (ideally a week before)
- If you need coverage for a referee being absent, first reach out to the opposing coach and see if their referees can cover your slot, if not then reach out to the DRA
- Bring completed game cards on cardstock (10U+)
- Bring equipment: medical releases, balls, first aid kit, pinnies
- Arrive 15-20 minutes early
6U-8U: Split Your Team
In 6U-8U, each team splits in half and plays on two fields simultaneously:
- Balance skill levels across both groups
- Assign one coach to each field
- After halftime, home teams switch fields
During the Game
6U-8U Format
- No goalkeepers
- All players play the entire game
- Focus on getting players engaged: “get the ball and kick it”
- Repeatedly clarify which goal to attack vs. defend, and how to do restarts
- Use simple language with young players
- If teams are very unbalanced, at a water break of halftime, work with the other coach and mix your two teams up to balance them–use pinnies to clarify the new teams
- Don’t track the score
10U-14U Format
- Manage substitutions to ensure equal playing time (in Region 13 Core, all players play at least 3/4 of every game, unless a team is overloaded on players, then all players play at leath half of the game
- Complete game cards on card stock
- Support referees — accept their calls
Managing Young Players (6U-8U)
- Establish supportive team culture through team circles
- Use simplified language (“put your foot on it” rather than technical terms)
- Build peer connections to help hesitant players gain confidence
- Focus on participation over technique
- Celebrate effort and improvement
Sideline Behavior
- Model good sportsmanship
- Don’t go on the field unless the referee calls you on (Note: Parents should never go on the field)
- Speak respectfully to referees
- Keep families informed but focused on cheering, not coaching
- Remember: Referees ref, Coaches coach, Players play, Parents cheer
After the Game
- Team huddle: celebrate the game, win or lose, keep talks brief
- Thank referees and opposing coaches and players
- Address any issues through proper channels (feedback and incident forms)
Game Cards
For 10U+ divisions, bring completed game cards to each match:
- Pre-fill: team name, coaches, roster, location, date, time
- List players in jersey number order–list all players on the team. Tell the referee during check-in if any players are absent and if it is due to injury.
- Do no prefill positions/substitutions; things can change
- Referees use cards for tracking scores, infractions, and behavior
See Game Cards for details. The Coach App prints a card with your roster already filled in.
Related Pages
- Game Schedule — Game times and fields
- Game Cards — Game card instructions
- Practice Resources — Planning practices
- PIE Philosophy — Positive coaching approach
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