SECOND AND THIRD GRADE GUIDELINES
Pre-game
The field should be set up by the coaches/adults at the first set of games. The first group of coaches should be at the fields a good 15 minutes before start time. One never knows what one will or won't find from week to week, and often a fair bit of goal-moving (Forte) and/or re-coning (Brown) needs to be done each time.
Size 4 balls should be used for 2nd & 3rd grade games.
Refs will inspect the players prior to the start of the game.
Before the game, please make sure that coaches and their team are on one side of the field and parents/spectators are on the other side of the field. This ensures that coaches can coach the game and players are not distracted by parents/spectators.
During the game
Game length:
· 2nd Grade: four 10 minute quarters with a two minute break after quarters 1 and 3, and a 5 minute break at the half
· 3rd Grade: four 12 minute quarters with a two minute break after quarters 1 and 3, and a 5 minute break at the half
· Teams change ends only at the half
Game format:
2nd grade: The games are 4x4 with no goalies. The fields will not have lines. The coaches will have disks and cones to mark the boundaries. The refs will use their best judgment (and don’t worry about being exact) to determine where the center line and goal line are.
3rd grade: The games are 5x5 (one goalie with four field players) on a more ‘regular’ field. Keeper can handle the ball from sideline to sideline within about 10 yards of the goal line. This boundary may or may not be marked.
Substitutions:
Any stoppage of play when the ball has left the field. This means a coach can request a substitution before any goal kick, throw in, kickoff or corner kick. The coach must first get the ref’s permission!! In case of an injury stoppage, any injured player may be subbed for. No subbing on free kick restarts resulting from a foul. The players must get used to restarting the game promptly after a foul has been called!
Kick offs:
The ball must go forward and the kicker may not touch it twice (the ball must be touched by another player before the kicker can touch it again). If the ball does not go forward, the kick will need to be redone. If the kicker touches the ball twice in a row, the other team will be gives an indirect free kick.
Goalies:
Goalies should not handle the ball outside of what the ref has decided is the penalty area. The ref can use their discretion to give a verbal warning, but can also blow their whistle and give a direct kick to the other team for handling. Goalies should not hold the ball too long (more than about 6 seconds). When the goalie has possession of the ball, all play on the ball must stop. If there is any attempt to go after the ball when the goalie has possession then the ref should give a direct kick to the goalie's team.
Handling:
It is okay for balls that accidentally hit arms during the course of play or arms that are crossed over the chest. Handling is called for deliberate handling of the ball and results in a direct kick for the other team.
Goal kicks (second grade):
Because the fields are not marked the ref will become the 'crossing line' for goal kicks. The ref should position themselves about 5 yards away from the goal and indicate that the ball must pass them before anyone else can touch it
Free Kicks:
Pushing and tripping are fouls. The ref will blow their whistle and give a direct kick to the non-offending team. Fouls in the younger games are almost always accidental but still need to be recognized. No penalty kicks at this age -- no free kicks closer than five yards from the goal at second grade; maybe 10 yards at grade 3.
Drop Balls:
The ref will use a drop ball to restart a game that stopped because of injury, dog on the field, baby on the field, etc.
Throw-ins:
Throw-ins should be redone if the throw is really bad. The ref should explain why the throw needs to be redone. Refs should not unduly hold games up for bad throw-ins. One retake at most, then usually let it go, trying to explain what was wrong with it. If the same player keeps doing it poorly, the ref can blow their whistle and give the throw to the other team.
Lopsided games:
This should be largely the responsibility of the coaches who should use common sense in having games be as fair and fun as possible. If a game is lopsided, the coach of the team that is scoring should try to make it more challenging for their players – e.g. kick with their weaker foot, have a number of passes before scoring, move the stronger scoring players into defense, etc
Post Game
Teams should cheer for opposition and the refs and they should participate in a post-game handshake/slap
Zero Tolerance Policy
All individuals responsible for a team and all spectators shall support the referee. Failure to do so will undermine the referee’s authority and has the potential of creating a hostile environment for the players, the referee and all the other participants and spectators
No-one, except the players can talk to the referee. Exceptions: Coaches may ask questions before the game, call for substitutions and point out emergencies during the games, or respond to the referee if addressed
Absolutely no disputing calls, during or after the game, no remarks o the referee to watch certain players or attend to rough play. NO YELLING at the referee, EVER, and no criticism, sarcasm, harassment, intimidation, or feedback of any kind during or after the game.
Violators may be ejected and subject to disciplinary action by NGS.
If coaches of spectators have questions regarding particular calls, rules or a referee, or wish to give feedback regarding a referee, please contact one of the ref coordinators – Jeff Brenner, or Ioannis Kyratzoglou.