Space Coast United Soccer Club 4v4

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 4v4 Soccer?

4v4 was created here at SCUSC from the beginning for the players to continue playing during the off season.  The common factor that was occurring in past 4v4 seasons was some teams would come in much stronger then others. While it was fun for the teams winning it was less fun for the teams struggling. This new format allows the games to be more evenly matched through out the six weeks of play.

No practice will be scheduled for the players. The whole idea of the 4v4 league is to allow our children to play the game in the off season with as little adult input as possible.  Players will be encouraged to learn from other players.

What is the format for game-day play?

Five games per day on each Saturday (with make ups on Sunday) for six weeks. Players will play in the 4v4 format unless there are an odd number of players that show for that day. Then the format may change to 3v3 or 5v5 depending on the needs.

How many games will be incorporated into the 4v4?

The Space Coast United 4v4 will not have fixed rosters for the season. Players will be grouped into time slots based on age with the intention of providing competitive games. On game-days, players will pick out color poker chips (red or White). The chip will have a number which will tell the player what field they will be playing on. If their chip is red they will just wear the red t-shirt that will be given at the start of the season. If white they will put on a pennie that will be placed in the middle of the field. The time keeper will have a blow horn or whistle that will sound when games start. They will play for 12 minutes. The time keeper will sound the blow horn or whistle when the 12 minutes are up. The players with the pennies will leave them on the fields. Players will regroup and choose another chip. This will continue until their 5 games have been played.

What will the 4v4 game-days look like?

The players will be under a time keeper and volunteer field marshals that will oversee the games.

Who facilitates the 4v4 Winter Season?

Who is eligible to participate in the 4v4 Winter Season?

All U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, and U16 players who played in the fall season under FYSA. Regardless what club.

The 4v4 format allows players to set up with length, width, and depth. The same principles applied to the 11v11. With this style, it allows them to adapt to different players in their own age group in a player a centered environment.

Is there any practice scheduled for the players?

What times do the games start?

The games will be set up by age groups. All age groups will start at the same time 9:30am. Please be at the field by 9am to help assist setting up goals and for the field marshal to get a proper head count of the players. This will help starting on time.

All games will be played at the Viera Fields.

Where will the 4v4 Winter Season take place?

Field Marshals are critical to making the 4v4 winter season a success for the children. They will work with the time keeper and 4v4 coordinator to insure games are going smoothly by helping to organize the players and keeping an eye on the fields that no games get out of hand. Each Field Marshal will be responsible for a field area that may consist of 1 or 3 fields (depending on the age group). It cannot be stressed enough how critical the Field Marshal and overall volunteerism will be for the 4v4 winter season players.

Prior to each game, a volunteer Field Marshal will be assigned to a field area. The Field Marshal will work under the direction of the time keeper and 4v4 coordinator. They will help organize the players. There is very little, if any active instruction is required from the Field Marshal. It is all about the players.

The time keeper will be in charge of keeping track of time and in charge of a field area.

Who helps facilitate the games for the players?

What does it mean to be a Field Marshal?

This is done randomly. So there may be cases that scores may be lop-sided. There will be five games being played, so there is opportunities for players to be on both sides of lop sided scoring games. Also this means great opportunities for highly competitive games.

What happens if the scores are lop-sided?

Uniforms?

Uniforms will be very simple. All players will receive one red 4v4 T-shirt at the beginning of the season.

Why this style???


What is so good about doing this 4v4?

I had the great opportunity to grow up in third world countries (throughout South America); in those countries as most, soccer is a way of life. Most of the kids do not have a club or trainers. They just get together on a clay dirt field or a basketball court. They may not even have goals with nets. They played with whoever showed up whether they knew them or not. Skill was not gained in tournaments, working with trainers, or clubs. It was gained by just playing. The more they played the better they were. They would learn skills from each other. If they saw a certain move they liked, they would try to do it themselves until they succeeded.
 
The point I am trying to make, is that most of us do not live in an environment where our kids can just run out to a field and play soccer with other kids. They don't have the opportunity to pick up a soccer ball and play in their neighborhood. Yes there are pick up games around, but mostly played by older kids or adults. The 4v4 Street Soccer league is being created to make that environment. They know that each Saturday they will be able to show up on the field and play for the fun of it. Not have a coach or trainer over their shoulders. They will be able to throw it in or kick it in. There will be no off sides or half way line. There will be no penalty box that you have to worry about not touching the ball in. The fields will consist of a perimeter line for out of bounds and 2 goals. The rest is up to the kids to figure out the way they want to play. The players will play five 12 minute games picking players randomly. Some players they may know others they may not know. They will play along side or against players with higher and lower skills. Every one of the games will be different in this regard. They will not have to be concerned about stacked teams or have the pressure of a tournament to win. The whole idea is to keep our players playing so they can improve their skills and come back in the spring season without missing a beat.




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