Welcome to Saturday Morning Soccer

U8G

**Please consider volunteering as your child’s coach for this season ** 

Please note there may be program and time changes due to Covid restrictions.

SATURDAY MORNING:

Each player will be placed on a team with volunteer coaches.  Each week after the practice portion, they will participate in a game against another team from the same age group.

Teams have a brief practise/warm up followed by a game on the same day. Starting in 2018, the primary development for U8s was moved to Friday nights.  Friday night development is run by professional coach, Long Term Player Coordinator Erick Olazabal and his assistants. If you are only able to attend Saturday mornings, a player will receive the basics and a brief warm up before the game, and is able to participate and learn the fundamentals in a basic way.  Each Saturday, players will focus on  a rule of the week and will be given a handout to take home so parents can reinforce the rules and stay informed.

15 min – practice time/warm up – all players have a ball supplied for practice.

2 min – break for water

40 min – game – in accordance with Long Term Player Development U8 play 5v5 -meaning more playing time, more ‘touches’ for each player with the ball during a game atmosphere.   We do not keep scores – the games have Match Officials who introduce the players to the Laws of the Game.

Uniforms

Registration includes a full soccer uniform – team jersey, shorts and socks . Uniforms  will be handed out on the first day when players will meet their coaches and participate in an abbreviated program.

Equipment

Shin guards are mandatory equipment for your player. Please ensure that you have them with you each week – as your player will not be allowed to participate if they do not have them.  Running shoes are permitted but cleats are recommended.

Jewelry

For safety,  all jewelry, with the exception of medical alert bracelets and necklaces, must be removed prior to soccer, including piercings. Activity Trackers or ‘Fit Bits’ may not be worn.

FESTIVAL TEAMS

Festival Teams are U8 teams that are formed from house league, based on player interest.  Players interested in participating in festivals must attend development sessions If your player is interested in participating, please contact LTPD Coordinator Erick Olazabal ltpdcoordinator@rockwoodfc.com