Happy New Year - Some Quick Reminders

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that Soccer Registration has been on last Saturday and is on again this Saturday from 10am till 2pm up at the Montview clubhouse. Michelle my wife has volunteered to be the HHSC Soccer Secretary this year, and she spent 4 hours last Saturday taking registrations.

I'm signing up for coach again this year (with Luke) - so hopefully I might be coaching your child this year again.

There are some big changes this year to the way soccer is run. The KDSA is taking Small Sided games - the same standards as Brazil, Argentina, Japan, England,
Ireland, The Netherlands, Scotland, Germany, France, Korea and USA, to
name a few. The idea of SSG is not new.

What this means for our Under 9's is this :

Only 7 players a side
Goalies (only starts from age 9 now)
25 minute halves
40m x 30m fields - which is the same size as last year.
No official recording of tables, results, finals and statistics.

You'll probably get lots of information about all of this soon - but just wanted to let you know - as I personally think it's a much better way for the kids.

What are small-sided games?
They are football games with fewer players competing on a smaller-sized
field. They are fun games that encourage players to have more contact with
the ball because fewer players are playing in a smaller playing area. SSG
have a definite developmental impact on younger football players.

Why change to small-sided games?

It makes the game of football a better experience for children. More touches
on the ball, more opportunities to make decisions, more actual play. Players
will be more active due to playing both attacking and defensive roles within
a match and will understand the importance of team-mates and playing and
working together.

Do other countries play small-sided games?
SSG are played and endorsed throughout Brazil, Argentina, Japan, England,
Ireland, The Netherlands, Scotland, Germany, France, Korea and USA, to
name a few. The idea of SSG is not new.

Benefits of small-sided games for your child
A significant amount of research has been conducted in countries where
SSG are prevalent, which overwhelmingly highlight the following benefits:
• more touches of the ball by all players throughout all areas of the pitch
• more shots on goal
• more efficient use of facilities, given there can be multiple games on one
standard-size field
• repeated decision-making experience
• the ball is in play far more often
• the emphasis is on player development rather than winning or losing
• better success rate leads to improved quality of play, self-esteem and player
retention
• the game is easier to understand
• freedom of expression – no positions in early stages
• less perceived stress on the players
• less perceived pressure from coaches and parents
• parents more likely to volunteer for SSG game leader roles
• children enjoy the progressive and sequential game formats

What’s changing?
A summary of the SSG formats to be implemented under the direction of Member Federation, zones and associations at your club can be seen below;
How will children learn to play 11 v 11?
Progressing from 4 v 4, 5 v 5, 7 v 7 and 9 v 9 BEFORE 11 v 11 is a
sound educational method and process. The progression helps players
discover the differences in the size of the field and size of the goal, and the
benefits of having more space, learn to use different and better developed
techniques to play a more tactical game, and learn the role of different
positions and determine what best suits them.

Why no goalkeepers until under 9s?
The role of the goalkeeper in football is uniquely specialised and typically
players develop as keepers at a later age. In the youngest age groups,
keepers can be uninvolved in the game for long periods, which can be
uninteresting and means they are not part of the team for long periods of
the game. Most goalkeepers have played for many years as field players
before deciding to become goalkeepers.
Moving the focus away from winning or losing
The emphasis of SSG is on participation and enjoyment, and an associated
removal of the current emphasis on the importance of winning. Children
are much more likely to enjoy their football playing experience, will be keen
to play more often and are less likely to drop out of the game.
Clubs, coaches, team supervisors and parents play the most important
role in creating the right environment for SSG and need to stress and
adhere to the following SSG playing conditions;

Under 6 - 10
No official recording of tables, results, finals
and statistics. Games focus on participation,
enjoyment and skill development.

Under 11 and 12
Recording of tables, results, finals and statistics
is optional. Games focus on participation,
enjoyment and skill development.
Role of game leader and instructing referee
The game leader is encouraged to be a junior player or parent. The role
of the game leader is to keep the game moving fluently with little to no
stoppages to play.
The instructing referee can be a junior player, parent, beginning or
official referee. The role of the instructing referee is to keep the game
moving fluently and instruct the players during the game on rules and
how to behave, at the same time minimising stoppages to play.
Role of coach / parent helper
The major role of the coach / parent helper is to make the football
experience of every player and their families as enjoyable as
possible. This person will provide the best environment for
children to learn and enjoy the game through organising fun
game-based practices. Having good personal and organisational
skills are most important for coaches and parent helpers working
with children in this age group, to allow them to learn through
playing the game with minimal instruction and a focus on player
development.
From 2008, FFA and Member Federations, in conjunction with zones, associations
and clubs will lead a staged implementation of SSG throughout Australia.
The implementation will start with some or all age groups, associations and
clubs in each Member Federation in 2008 and will continue over several years
to progress throughout all age groups, associations and clubs in each Member
Federation in a staged approach.


regards,
Mark

Rain go away, Gala Day coming

Hey everyone - what a soggy Thursday! What a shame our last training had to be cancelled.

Just wanted to provide some more info regarding Gala Day (lets hope it's not cancelled).

First - the location - It's near Reserve Road Atarmon, so need to allow plenty of time to get there. I recommend leaving before 9am - to give us time to get there and setup.

Here is a map of where Thompson Park is :

Here are the rules for Gala Day :

1. Regular competition rules apply with the following exceptions
2. Teams will be awarded 5 points for a win on goals or forfeit, 3 points for a win on corners, 2 points for a score draw (goals and corners equal), 1 point for a scoreless draw (0 goals and corners) or 0 points for a loss.
3. Corners and goals to count in all games.
4. Games will be ten minutes each way, i.e. game duration is twenty minutes. There will be no
half time period. Teams will change around at half time. There will be no injury time allowance.
5. A player may only compete in one team in the tournament.
6. Goals and corners will be recorded by the referee. If goals are equal at the end of the
game, the side scoring the most corners will be the winner.
7. Substitutions/Interchange : Under 6-18, complete inter-change. ­
8. Protests and disputes will be decided by the ground manager with the help of the referee. The ground manager is the final arbitrator for all disputes. There shall be no appeal against the decision of any ground manager.
9. The ground manager will be appointed by the club who dresses the ground. They will be wearing a "ground manager" jacket/bib. They are responsible for resolving disputes.
10. The pool manager is the manager of the first team printed in that pool (bold in the draw). Each pool will have a pool manager. The pool manager is responsible for endorsing/verifying results, ensuring that the winning team of each pool procedes to their next game and acting as the ground manager if required.
11. Misreading the draw does not constitute grounds for appeal.
12. The manager of the winning and runner up teams must report to the Gala Day recorder at the relevant Finals Oval to record the results prior to trophy presentation, at the nominated time. The team must accompany the manager to the presentation area.
13. A player given a red card during a match is not eligible to play in that teams next match and the ground manager may refer the matter to the PDDC. If a player is sent off for abuse of an official, that player will not participate further and will be subject to a PDDC hearing.

ELIMINATION PROCEDURE
1. Pool Games: If two or more teams are equal on points after all matches have been played in pools the following will apply to determine the winning pool team – in order of priority:
a) highest goal difference (GD)
b) highest corner difference (CD)
c) U6-9 (toss of coin) or U10-U18 (penalty kicks)
2. Semi Finals U6-U9: If teams are drawn (goals & corners) in semi finals, the winning team will be determined by:
a) 5 minutes extra time each way - golden goal (corners awarded – if no goal scored winner will be determined on corners scored during the extra time)
b) If equal at end of extra time, toss of a coin
3. Semi Finals U10-U18: If teams are drawn (goals & corners) in semi finals the winning team will be determined by:
a) 5 minutes extra time each way - golden goal (corners awarded – if no goal scored winner will be determined on corners scored during the extra time)
b) If equal at end of extra time, Penalty Shootout

Penalty Shootout Rules: A winning team (U10-U18) will be selected by a penalty shootout if a semi final or final game is still drawn after extra time. 5 kicks by each team, taken by a different player, as per F.I.F.A. laws.
a) One kick per player alternately from each team as laid down in the laws of the game. If still equal after five kicks each, one kick each will continue until one team gains a lead with an equal number of kicks.
b) If more than two teams are equal in a pool, the ground manager is to select by ballot the order for taking penalty kicks. Teams will take turns by rotation, and goalkeepers will also change after each kick is taken. Goalkeepers are to face the same opposition team throughout the penalty shootout.

FINALS PROCEDURE
1. In Under 6, 7, 8, 9 age groups, if scores are equal at the conclusion of a game (goals and corners), both teams will be declared joint winners (no extra time).

2. In the age groups Under 10 to Under 18, if scores are equal (goals and corners) at the conclusion of the game there will be 5 min each way golden goal (corners awarded as per Semi-Final), if still drawn winners will be decided by the taking of penalty kicks, as per F.I.F.A Laws detailed above.

Early Game Tomorrow

A reminder on tomorrow's game :

Location : Mt St Bernard
Time : 8:30am - please be there by 8:10am
Against : S H Pymble 8C




We will be missing : Michael



Please allow some time to get to the field :





Regards,
Mark
HHSC 8D Coach
http://hhsc8d.blogspot.com

Tomorrow's Game and the Rest of the Season

Hey everyone, just a quick update on tomorrow and the rest of the season :

Date : Saturday 11th August 2007
Time : 9:20am (please be there at 9am)
Location : Montview 3
Against : Asquith 8B

I know Luke can't make it tomorrow (band camp), but as far as I know everyone else will be. Did miss Thomas, Talyor and Noah at practice - hope they are well.

Then then next weekend's details are :

Date : Saturday 18th August 2007
Time : 8:30m (please be there at 8:10am)
Location : Mt St Bernard
Against : Asquith 8B

Then the next weekend is the Gala Day

Date : Saturday 25th August 2007
Time : probably 9am - 2-3pm
Location : Not sure yet, Montview or Blackman
Against : a variety of teams in a knockout style comp


Then the next weekend is the Presentation Day

Date : Saturday 1st September 2007
Time : probably 11am - 3pm
Location : Montview
Activities : Games, Sausage Sizzle, Jumping Castle, Trophies Presentation


Debbie and I spoke about some extra individual rewards for the kids. There should be no cost to you.

Did you all get the soccer photos? If no - check the room next to the canteen on Saturday.

regards,
Mark
HHSC 8D Coach
http://hhsc8d.blogspot.com

9:20am Kickoff on Saturday

Sorry to those parents I said it was a 10am game - too many numbers today ;-)

Location : Commenara 2
Date : Saturday 28th July 2007
Time : 9:20am Kick Off (be there at 9am please)
Against : Kissing Point 8D



Regards,
Mark
HHSC 8D Coach
http://hhsc8d.blogspot.com/

Details for Tomorrows game

Here are the details for tomorrow's game :

Date : Sat 14th July 2007
Kickoff time : 9:20am (9am arrival please)
Location : Warrina St (usual Berowra field)
Against : Berowra 8E

This is that team we beat at the same place 3-2 - That come back game - 2nd of the season. They have had a couple of losses - so doing quite well.

I know we are missing a few players tomorrow (my son included) so we won't have reserves probably. Make sure the kids get some breakfast.

If it rains hard tonight - need to check KDSA website : http://www.kdsa.asn.au/washout.html after 7am

regards,
Mark
HHSC 8D Coach

No training tomorrow 12th July

Hope everyone is having a great school holidays.

All the fields are closed tonight, we'll only have half a team and I've got work commitments - so I'm not going to be able to train tomorrow.

We have a game on Saturday - 9:20 kickoff at Berowra - and I'm not sure how many players will be missing - even my son Luke may not be able to make it - so it's important that everyone try their best.

We also need to make sure the shirts turn up.

I'll send another email on friday night with details of the game.

Regards,
Mark
HHSC8D Coach