GSYSL EDP

Program Overview/Philosophy

 

Revised 9/04/09

 

 

 

GSYSL and EDP have now merged. GSYSL will now be the governing body of EDP.

EDP was established and will continue to work toward the development of young soccer players.

 

Mark Barnard will remain as administrator for the program with the assistance of Brian Goddu, Shawn Menard and Eric Winkler for the upcoming Fall 2009 –Spring 2010 seasons.  At the April 2010 AGM, a new position will be created, the position of VP-EDP will be held along with all other GSYSL elections.

EDP changes under GSYSL:

* EDP "teams" will be registered under their existing Clubs by the Club Registars.
* Registration fee will now be $85.00 per team per season paid to GSYSL.

* GSYSL will not be offering financial aid to EDP players. 
* EDP teams will continue to be listed in the same name format with the added
   designation of _EDP after the coaches initials. i.e. NH_Classics_G_U8_MB_EDP

* Coed Teams will list the team as i.e. NH_Classics_Coed_U8_MB_EDP
* All Coaches will need to register on the GSYSL Web Site as a User.
* All the teams need to be registered by Jan 30 (Spring) & Aug 10 (Fall) which is consistent
    with GSYSL team registration.

* All Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Team Managers and Trainers must be registered on Kid Safe which can be found on www.soccerNH.org

  • EDP will adhere to a 7-8 game Fall Schedule and 7-8 game Spring Schedule with all games being scheduled predominately on Sundays with some Saturday games as needed to make the schedule . Reschedules will continue to be managed by the individual EDP coaches as has been done in the past.   No reschedules will be posted on the web.  Coaches are encouraged to schedule as many scrimmages as wanted.
  • EDP divisions will be managed by the GSYSL designated Administrator(s) for  F2009-S2010 and thereafter by the elected VP (or Co-Directors) of EDP
  • Rosters will now be required for ALL EDP Teams. Player cards will be required for all EDP players. Coaches will be responsible for checking the player passes of opposing teams. Clubs are encouraged to mix up their teams if desired.  This hopefully will lead to more balanced games.  Coaches should contact each other to discuss the strength or weakness of their team.  It is better to cancel a lopsided contest and look for a different team to play. The purpose of the roster will be to ensure your players are registered with GSYSL and Insured through the state.  GSYSL will not be checking team rosters at games.
  • EDP Registration Fees will be paid to GSYSL
  • All NHSA Fees can be paid to GSYSL by separate check payable to NHSA or directly to NHSA.   NO Rosters will be approved until all fees (including NHSA) have been paid.  All fees MUST be paid prior to schedule release.
  • All clubs registering teams for EDP MUST ADHERE to the EDP Format for play listed on the web site Policies Page under EDP Playing Format.  Any team(s) which does not adhere to the EDP Playing Format will be subject to a Game Fine as listed below* and possible disciplinary action.
  • EDP coaches will be bound by GSYSL rules regarding the recruiting of players.
  • EDP coaches will fall under the GSYSL “Coaches Code of Conduct”.
  • The EDP Jamborees currently scheduled (Bedford – pre spring season) and Hampstead (Halloween fall season) will be continued as sanctioned under GSYSL.
  • Additional games or scrimmages will continue to be arranged by EDP coaches.  All additional games will follow the game format of play listed on the website Policies Page under EDP Playing Format.

 

 

 

 

 

EDP Format and Operating Rules:

 

1.    Game Times and Format of Play - All U8 and U9 time slots should be for ninety (90) minutes, to allow for alternative (small-sided) games.  All U8 and U9 matches must feature at least one small-sided game, either as a warm-up game or as the primary game format.  Teams will play 30 minutes in a 4V4 format with the option of stopping at 15 minutes to change teams up, 5 minute break and set up to play 2- 15 minute halves of 6v6 with a 5 minute half time or 1 30 minute period.  Coaches should discuss the game format prior to the game via phone or e-mail.  4V4 play is mandatory, not a suggestion. 6v6 play is optional not mandatory.  Coaches should discuss game format before the game begins. All coaches need to follow these guidelines as part of the GSYSL EDP rules of play.

 

 

2.    Referees – (optional) the home team is solely responsible to arrange and pay for referees – either paid or volunteer.  Most clubs look to get young people involved with becoming refs and this format may give them the chance to get acclimated.  Please remind your coaches, players and parents that they are learning and that no harassment of the ref for making a bad call or not will not be allowed.  It is the club’s responsibility to make sure these refs-in-training are prepared and know the basics of the game.  For EDP they should allow minor infractions (lifting of a foot on a throw in) or stop the play, explain the correct procedure then resume.  This should not be a reason to stop play constantly, just a few reminders.  The goal is to teach but ultimately we want the players playing.

3.    Substitutions – For all games, substitutions will be allowed on any throw-in, goal kick or after a goal.   Players must be called on by the ref in the center line of the field. 

4.    Ball Size:  Size 3 for U-7 and U-8 and Size 4 for U-9. 

5.    Game Format:  4v4 matches will be played with 4 field players and no goalies.  The game is played until one team passes the ball through the goal.  Restart of the game from the center of the field/grid. The focus of 4v4 matches are to get as many players playing as possible so two games (assuming a team has at least 8 players) should be played simultaneously with minimum stoppage.  Substitutions should be made “on the fly” from either end line at the discretion of the coaches.  The purpose of 4v4 matches is to increase the amount of touches/time each player is given in a game.  4v4 focuses on quick action/decision making under pressure and for that reason stoppages should be minimum.  There are no throw-ins for 4v4 matches, rather a ball played out of bounds should be played in by a foot pass.  If teams are reported for “Not Adhering to the EDP Format” GSYSL may impose a game fine.

6.    Suggested Field Size should be a minimum of 60 X 40 for 6V6 and 20X30 (half of the 6v6 field)

7.    Goal size for 6v6 matches should be a maximum of 10’X6’ recommended.  For 4v4 no goals will be required whereas the focus of 4v4 is to develop good foot/ball skills.  Two cones centrally placed 6’ apart are sufficient and a goal is scored by passing the ball through the cones.  Coaches may also use Pugg pop up goals or Coerver upright goals if they desire.

8.    All EDP Coaches must contact their opposing coach the week prior to the scheduled match to confirm game time, location and format of play.

 

 

 

 

Why an Early Development Program?

 

1.  There are no tactics without technique.

You need skill to play (well) and we will use Coerver (fast footwork) and small side games to accomplish this. At the young ages, we need to focus on skill development so each player has the tools to go forward.  Dribbling, passing, receiving, shooting and a high comfort level with the ball are a prerequisite to tactical play.  It makes no sense to work on a corner play (tactic) with runs, screens, and precision timing to get a player open who can't dribble or shoot the ball (skill).   Good soccer coaching focuses on sound fundamental skills and then onto more advanced play and tactics.  The fact of the matter is you can always play the game of soccer; you just can't play it well without skill, especially at a more competitive level.

 

2.  The ball has no lungs - let the ball do the work - play feet to feet.

If you can pass and receive the ball comfortably, confidently and quickly, moving it around the field from player to player then the ball is doing the work (rather than the legs) moving quickly 5 to 50 yards at a time from teammate to teammate.  This means that the players are doing less of the work in exchange for providing skill and thinking.  Successfully passing and receiving under pressure is a great skill and we will expect to see this from our teams. In basketball or baseball we teach our kids to pass/throw and receive/catch as the basics of moving the ball quickly and efficiently.  Soccer players must play smart, not just hard.  Playing smart and hard makes the game easy and more enjoyable.

 

3.  The ball is gold (or it's always our ball).

Don't give the ball away.  We will work toward each playing having a high comfort level with the ball so they can shield, dribble, or pass to escape away from pressure and keep the ball for their team.  Just "booting" the ball as far as you can in the general direction of the goal is rewarded far too much.  Most of the time the player is just giving the ball away or kicking it because they are not confident in their ability to keep it under pressure.  If your son or daughter was a basketball player, and every time they got the ball they "heaved" it as far as they could toward the basket the were trying to score at, it highly likely that this action would not be well received although it is typically cheered in youth soccer.  Parents shouting “boot it!” or “kick it!” are missing the point of possession.

 

4.  The game is the greatest teacher - have a feel for the game.

Small-sided games and many touches on the ball will be promoted.  Long lines waiting your turn or drills and non-game like activities that involve a lot of cones or no ball are not great teachers.  Some kids develop good skills and athleticism but they have no feel for the game.  If you play enough, you can sense where the next run or pass will go.  Players need to play enough so they know "how" but importantly "when" and have a real feel for the game. We refer to this as “Game Sense”.  Many coaches fail to teach this and the players are left to sort things out themselves.  EDP coaches practice a technique of stopping play, showing the correct position or play, demonstrating what should have happened and asking the player to identify the breakdown and then replay from this spot; also known as Stop – Show – Demo – Go. 

Parents feel that travel soccer should be focused around driving town to town when in reality; this does nothing for the player’s development. Additionally, spending more time in the car to get to far off games versus time on the field playing does not make for a better player.  We don't need to take a 7 year old for a two-hour round-trip ride and a one-hour game (of which they might just play half).  There are plenty of good games to be played much closer than that.  EDP games are 90 minutes long with minimal stoppages for substitutions. In the past, leagues were set up to play four 12-minute periods of which far too much time was expended for substitution and stoppage of play. Kids should be able to play for longer periods of time without a sub unless there is an injury.  By playing longer, kids will sort the game out and learn to pace themselves, learning when to run and when to rest. 

 

5.  Play to the talent level rather than age level.

We will try to pair up players and teams, but talent to challenge each other.  In the past, leagues have forced teams and players into age groups. One advanced set of players has been allowed to pummel another set of players because they were in the same age group.  This program is flexible and can adjust to create parity and competition.  Scores will be monitored and evaluated to guarantee parity by the coaches. 

 

 

6.  Enjoy the competition and the game within the game.

Parents and players will learn to enjoy the game.  We all understand the score but many times that does not reflect the game (how it was played) within the game (the end result).  At times the best team playing with great style, skill and pace goes unrewarded when it comes to the final result.  At the youngest ages, it is easy to take a few of the biggest fastest kids and pound the ball down the middle for wins.  While this works at a younger age, these teams and players struggle later as they have not developed good possession skills and cannot compete with teams that have focused training on possession.  Good possession play means good passing, ball handling and strong teamwork.  We need to enjoy the competition and see the game within the game that promotes style of play and skill so that when the players get older, they will be skilled enough to get the desired result.