Mustang Soccer is pleased to announce a new approach to the youngest ages of play in the league. 2015 saw the launch of a new program called New Ball soccer. It is a program designed to provide players with maximum touches and continual play ensuring maximum interaction with the ball for the players. This program keeps kids fully engaged in the game environment while providing an excellent development environment to make every player comfortable with the ball. In line with the expectations of the US Soccer curriculum designed for maximum development and enjoyment for players, New Ball creates an environment that all grass roots programs should strive to achieve. As quoted by former National team player and coach, Manny Schellscheit,
“I don’t believe skill was, or ever will be, the result of coaches. It is a result
of a love affair between the child and the ball”
New Ball helps to achieve this end. New Ball is made up of players playing 4v4 on a 30 yard by 38 yard pitch. There are no more throw ins, free kicks or stoppages of play. If a ball goes out of bounds over a sideline, a new ball is immediately introduced by the coach on the sidelines. The continual play means kids are constantly engaged and only rest when they are subbed to the sidelines. If a ball goes over the endline, it starts with the goalkeeper. There is no goalkeeper punting so players are forced to start play by throwing or rolling the ball to one of their teammates to restart play immediately. These changes will come about in the U6 ponies and U7-U8 recreational level of play. This is already employed in the U8 academy for players participating in that program. U6 will play without goalkeepers. U7-U8 will play 4v4 with goalkeepers added for 5v5 and futsal sized goals. We are very excited by this new direction for our youngest players. This enhancement is sure to create a next generation of players who develop a passion for the game while learning to play the game in a much more engaged and interactive way. Below you can see an outline of the rules and on the left side of this page you can see videos demonstrating the game played in this format.
Mustang Soccer
New Ball for U6-U8 Recreational Play
Game Format
1) U6 4v4 with no goal keeper, U7-U8 5v5 including a goal keeper
2) U6 teams will have 10-12 players, U7-U8 teams will have 12-14 players
3) Field Dimensions 40x35
5) Futsal sized goals or comparable sized club-owned goals (Range of 6' x 9' - 7' x 12')
6) Ball size is Size 3
7) No Referee or Parent Official. This is managed by the coaches
1) Playing Format: Four 8-minute quarters (one single game)
2) No goalkeeper. When a ball goes into the goal, there will be a kickoff.
3) No Corner Kicks - When a ball goes out of play over the endline, the coach plays it back into an area on the field based on match needs.
4) No free kicks Coach(es) will start play after a foul is called with a new ball
5) No Player Throw-Ins - When a ball goes out of play over the sideline, the coach throws in a new ball
6) Field Markings will be a 40x35 yard box
- Must be appropriately sized with no shared sidelines
- 5 yards between fields when games are played side by side
8) Two Simultaneous games will be played side by side with Coaches and teams between the two fields; parents/fans on opposite touchline
- Coaches are allowed on field to help direct play and work cooperatively with opposing coach
- One coach is in charge of re-introducing the ball for one half of the game and may call serious fouls then the coaches switch
1) Playing Format: Four 10-minute quarters (one single game)
2) No Goal keeper punting or goal kicks. A goalie ball starts in the hands of the GK (futsal style). If a goal is scored, there will be a kickoff.
3) No Corner Kicks - When a ball goes out of play over the endline, the coach gives ball to GK or plays it to area based on match needs
4) No free kicks Coach(es) will start play after a foul is called with a new ball
5) No Player Throw-Ins - When a ball goes out of play over the sideline, the coach throws in a new ball
6) Field Markings will be a 40x35 yard box
- Must be appropriately sized with no shared sidelines
- 10 yards between fields
8) Two Simultaneous games will be played side by side with Coaches and teams between the two fields; parents/fans on opposite touchline
- Coaches are allowed on field to help direct play and work cooperatively with opposing coach
- One coach is in charge of re-introducing the ball for one half of the game and may call serious fouls then the coaches switch
