Recreation Format and Philosophy of Play

MSI’s nationally recognized Recreational Program is designed to meet the needs of the majority of youth soccer players from grades K-12. It is an open program in which players of all abilities are invited to play and enjoy the game. Every child is guaranteed playing time in an environment that places participation, fun, and skill development above winning. Recreational teams are coached exclusively by volunteers. "Carded" players may not play on MSI Recreational teams.

Each age group provides its own challenges to the coach in terms of the pace and tactics of the game, the emotional and physical development of the players, and the proper manner for the coach to deal with the players. Skills and tactics that might be entirely appropriate for an 11 year old might be far too advanced for a 9 year old.  MSI is committed to helping our coaches organize their teams and provide the best possible coaching to the players. Before each fall season, we offer a series of age-appropriate coaching seminars, all coaches are encouraged to attend.

KINDERGARTEN

The MSI Kindergarten Program offers very young boys and girls an opportunity to orient themselves to the game of soccer. This program is geared towards fun rather than competition and provides a great atmosphere for learning!

• Meets 5 Saturdays in Fall (beginning in early September) and 5 Saturdays in Spring (beginning early April)
• MSI staff; coaches; lead each program, teaching fundamental skills of the game in small groups
• This schedule enables our youngest players to be introduced to the game in a little kindler/gentler way, with a shorter season that avoids the coldest part of the fall and hottest part of the spring.
• A brief Winter season is sometimes also available, and is presented in an indoor facility.

1st & 2nd GRADES

• Neighborhood teams are formed, and are led by a parent volunteer coach
• Practices are held on weekdays, with the time and location chosen by the parent volunteer coach
• Games are almost all on Saturdays, with perhaps a Sunday or two (depending on field shortages, inclement weather makeups, school calendar, etc)
• Games are played on a side-by-side pair of 4v4 fields that are approximately 30-35 yards long, 20-25 yards wide, with four 10-minute quarters
• Roster maximum is 13 players
• Format maximizes participation (8 players from each team at a time) while also maximizing touches on the ball and individual development (since there are only 4 players from each team involved in either game, they will share the ball much more often!) 

3rd thru 6th GRADES

• Neighborhood teams are formed, and are led by a parent volunteer coach
• Practices are held on weekdays, with the time and location chosen by the parent volunteer coach
• Games are more evenly divided between Saturday and Sunday  (depending on field shortages, inclement weather makeups, school calendar, etc)
• 3rd Grade plays 7v7 on a field that is approximately 60-75 yards long, 40-50 yards wide, with two 25-minute halves; roster maximum is 13 players
• 4th Grade plays 8v8 on a field that is approximately 60-75 yards long, 40-50 yards wide, with two 25-minute halves; roster maximum is 13 players
• 5th Grade plays 9v9 on a field that is approximately 80-90 yards long, 50-60 yards wide, with two 30-minute halves; roster maximum is 15 players
• 6th Grade plays 9v9 on a field that is approximately 80-90 yards long, 50-60 yards wide, with two 30-minute halves; roster maximum is 15 players
• Games are governed by FIFA rules of play, with certain modifications appropriate to youth play (see Recreation Program Manual)
• All players present at a game must play at least one half of that game 

7th thru 12th GRADES

• Neighborhood teams are formed, and are led by a parent volunteer coach
• Practices are held on weekdays, with the time and location chosen by the parent volunteer coach
• Games are scheduled on both Saturdays and Sundays each season; all teams should expect to play 2-4 Sunday games, in order to facilitate play on the excellent fields for all grades, deal with field shortages, and to avoid scheduling conflicts with SAT/ACT exams for the older kids)
• 7th thru 12 Grades play 11v11 on a field that is approximately 95-115 yards long, 55-75 yards wide
• 7th and 8th Grades play two 35-minute halves, with roster maximums of 18 players
• HS Grades play two 40-minute halves, with roster maximums of 20 players
• Games are governed by FIFA rules of play, with certain modifications appropriate to youth play (see Recreation Program Manual)
• All players present at a game must play at least one half of that game

Program Format:

Team Formations