Beekman Youth Soccer Club

In-House Program

The In-House program is the basis of the Beekman Youth Soccer Club. The objective of the program most closely resembles the objective of the club, which is to provide a fun and rewarding soccer environment and experience for as many Beekman players as we can so that they want to play the game and be involved with soccer for a long time.

Make sure you've read the Fall 2005 information sheet to make the most of your child's soccer experience this season.

All it takes to play in-house soccer in the club is to fill out a form and pay a registration fee. However, as a member of the club (which also entitles the player to benefits of the East Hudson Youth Soccer League, the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association, and the US Youth Soccer Association) there are fundamental requirements for the player to play. Coaches, referees, directors will not let you play unless these basic (safety) requirements are met. They are:

• Jewelry of any kind is not permitted to be worn by players during a game or practice.
• Shin guards must be worn during practice and games
• Shin guards must be worn inside socks, and completely covered by socks (shin guards can scratch or cut).
• No hooded or zippered jackets/pullovers/etc are permitted during games or practice (zippers can cut, hoods can get caught).

See below for more information about the proper attire for players.

In-house games, especially U7 and below are less formal. For any age though, if you want to know the precise rules of the game, they are the same as that published by FIFA, with modifications typically for field size, the ball, duration of the game, number of players, and how substitutions are made. See more details below.

Under 5 (U5)

• Game duration may be 4 7.5 minute quarters
• Games are played 3 vs 3 (micro soccer) with no goalkeeper

Under 6 (U6)

• Game duration is 4 7.5 minute quarters
• Games are played 3 vs 3 (micro soccer) with no goalkeeper

Under 7 (U7)

• Game duration is 4 7.5 minute quarters
• Games are played 4 vs 4 (one player on each team is a goalkeeper)

Under 8 (U8)

• Use #4 size soccer ball (like EHYSL bylaw XII.B for U8 travel)
• Game duration is 4 10 minute quarters
• Games are played 7 vs 7 or 8 v 8 based on player availability and field size. It is agreed to between the coaches and the referee on game day (one player on each team is a goalkeeper)
• Games are officiated by a FIFA certified referee

Under 9/10 (U9/U10)

• Game duration is 4 12.5 minute quarters
• Games are played 8 vs 8 (one player on each team is a goalkeeper)
• Use #4 size soccer ball (like EHYSL bylaw XII.B)

• Games are officiated by a FIFA certified referee

Practices are typically once per week at the coach's discretion. Games are on Saturdays.

Game Cancellation: Regarding the weather and the cancellation of games, there are some fundamental considerations:

• Soccer is played even in the rain, at all ages.
• It is never played during thunder or lightning.
• We must care for our fields, so games will be cancelled if playing on the fields would damage them, or if the fields are unplayable because they are too wet.

Lightning, thunder and certain field conditions will result in the club president cancelling all Saturday in-house games and leaving a message on the club hotline (223-2840) early Saturday morning that everyone can call. But in addition, in-house soccer should be fun and a positive experience, which is interpreted differently by age and team. 4-year olds have a different tolerance for being cold and wet than 9-year olds (and, let's admit it, parents watching need a certain level of comfort too!) Therefore, in the case of heavy rain and/or severe temperature, it's up to the two coaches scheduled to play an in-house game to determine whether they want to play or not, and communicate directly between themselves and their teams on a Saturday whether or not they want to play in heavy rain, or snow, or severe cold.

The Beekman Youth Soccer Club In-house games follow the same rules of soccer followed by everyone else in the world, which are those of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in Switzerland, and authorized by the International Football Association Board. The rules of soccer are actually called Laws, and there are 17 of them. Now you say, "but wait, my U8 team only plays 10 minute quarters but Law 7- the Duration of the Match, states that a 'match lasts two equal periods of 45 minutes', so how can we be following FIFA rules?". The FIFA rules, under Notes, states that the 'Laws may be modified . . . for players under 16 years of age". This is why you'll see rules for a division, or a particular game, or a tournament, almost always starting with the phrase 'FIFA rules with the following modifications . . .'

Proper Soccer Attire

• Non-metal cleats are preferred. Sneakers are not recommended.
• A knit or nylon head/ear covering is acceptable. Absolutely no ball caps are to be worn.
• No hooded or zippered jackets/pullovers/etc are permitted during games or practice.
• No jewelry of any kind is to be worn.
• No jeans or non-athletic pants are to be worn
• On game day, sweat pants are permitted, but must be worn under shorts
• On game day, long sleave shirts are permitted, but must be worn under jersey
• Jersey is to be tucked into shorts.