Recreational Soccer in West Deptford

Micro-Mini

West Deptford Micro-Mini Soccer is a recreational soccer program for children ages 5 to 8. Through Micro-Mini, the children learn how to play the game as well as good sportsmanship. For U7 and U8 players, the game is played on a smaller field with smaller nets with 6 players on each team (5 field players and a goalie). The object is not winning or losing, but having fun learning the game. All the rules of the big game apply except that there is no offside, and there are no direct or penalty kicks.

We have implemented a new program for the U5 and U6 players with the help of TSA.  Games will be 3v3 to encourage more players to touch the ball and each player to get more touches.  Following are some rules for the 3v3:

U5/6 MICRO MINI 3V3 RULES

Length of Game: 4 six-minute periods with a quick, one-minute break between periods.

Field Dimensions: 20 yards wide x 30 yards long

Player equipment: ALL players must wear shin guards. Soccer cleats are highly recommended.

Ball size: Size 3

Goalies: No goalie.

Goal size: Pug nets.

Player number: 3 v 3

Jewelry: The United States Soccer Association prohibits wearing any jewelry, including earrings and necklaces, when playing soccer. Jewelry creates a danger to both the wearer and other players. For example, there have been occurrences of an earring getting caught on the sleeve of another player resulting in the ear being torn as the earring is ripped from the ear. If the ears have just been pierced and the earring cannot be removed, both the front and back of the earring MUST be covered with tape or a band-aid. This rule also applies to soccer practices and should be followed for any sporting event.

Substitutions: Unlimited, on-the fly substitutions. The player leaving the field must be off of the playing area before the new player steps onto the field.

Restart from sideline: There are no throw-ins. Ball restarts from where it left the field. Restart can be by pass or by dribbling into the field of play. Opponent players cannot be within 5 yards of the player bringing the ball back into play. The idea is to get the play moving again as quickly as possible with space created for the restart.

Restart after offensive team kicks ball over goal line (e.g. "6" kick) - There are no "6" kicks. Opponent players must retreat into their half of the playing field before the restart. Ball restarts from where it left the field. Restart can be by pass or by dribbling into the field of play. The idea is to get the play moving again as quickly as possible with space created for the restart.

Restart after defensive team kicks ball over goal line (e.g. "Corner Kick"). There are no "Corner Kicks". Ball is moved to the sideline, approximately 5 yards from the corner. Restart can be by pass or by dribbling into the field of play. Opponent players cannot be within 5 yards of the player bringing the ball back into play. The idea is to get the play moving again as quickly as possible with space created for the restart.

Offside: There is no offside.

Fouls: All fouls will be treated as "indirect" kicks - you cannot score on a restart. Restart can be by pass or by dribbling into the field of play. Opponent players cannot be within 10 yards of the player putting the ball back into play. The idea is to get the play moving again as quickly as possible with space created for the restart.

Micro-Mini is played on Saturdays at 9am, 10am, and 11am in the fall, and on Sundays at 11am, 12pm and 1pm in the spring. There are also several weeknight games at 6pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for a total of ten games. Teams are formed in August and March and practices begin soon after. Late registrations are accepted only until the teams fill up, and only before the first game is played. Registration information is available on the "What's New" page.

Age of players: Micro-Mini is split up into two age groups, U5 & U6, and U7 & U8. To determine your child's age group, click here. Players considered U5 are only permitted to play if they turn 5 before the end of the season and one of their parents is willing to assist the coach. Players are never permitted to "play down," that is to play in an age group younger than they are. U8 players who do not want to play micro are eligible to tryout for traveling or play intramural with their parents' permission. All teams are co-ed and are divided up to make every team as evenly matched as possible so the game is fun for all the players.

Referees: We use youth referees for Micro-Mini games that are playing U12-U14 soccer. These players get to see the game from the referee's perspective and they help the little ones set up corner kicks, goal kicks and throw-ins. They are also not as intimidating to the Micro-Mini players as an adult referee would be.
Rules for Micro-Mini Referees

The most important goal of Micro-Mini soccer is teaching good sportsmanship and introducing the children to a game that we hope they will come to love. There are no scores kept, no stats, and no standings. It is purely for fun. Please be an example of good sportsmanship at the games by cheering for all of the players on both teams and being respectful to the coaches and the referees.

Intramural

Intramural Soccer is for boys and girls in the U9 and U10 age groups. To determine your child's age group, click here. U8 players can play intramural with their parents' permission. All games are held in West Deptford. Intramural is a good option for players who want an introduction to the game or who do not want the commitment required on a traveling team.

Intramural is played with 8 players on each team on a regulation 8v8 field. A licensed referee is used. All of the teams are co-ed. Games are two 25 minute halves.

Intramural is played on Saturday mornings in the fall and Sunday mornings in the spring plus one or two weeknight games each week for a total of approximately 10 games. Teams are formed in August and March and practices begin soon after. Late registrations are accepted only until the teams fill up, and only before the first game is played. Registration information is available on the "What's New" page.

As with Micro-Mini, the most important goal is teaching good sportsmanship and introducing the children to a game that we hope they will come to love. There are no scores kept, no stats, and no standings. It is purely for fun. Please be an example of good sportsmanship at the games by cheering for all of the players on both teams and being respectful to the coaches and the referees.