12U Division Information
Competitive Division
Meaning that we keep game scores, track wins and losses, and have a post season tournament. Teams may also be invited to the Area tournament playing teams from other regions in our area. The emphasis is still about having fun and developing skills.
All-Star Competition
We have all-star teams that compete against all-star teams from other regions. Teams are formed from players invited to be on the team at the conclusion of the regular season.
Fields and Goals 12U fields are slightly larger than 10U fields with slightly larger goals. Unlike 10U fields, there is no build-out line. 12U fields are also artificial turf fields where the ball moves much faster than on natural grass. Playing positions is very important. If kids try to chase the ball all around the
field, they will be very tired by the end of the game.
Relevant Laws of the Game
With few exceptions, 12U games are played following the FIFA Laws of the Game, including offside, fouls resulting in direct and indirect kicks, penalty kicks, and issuing of cautions and sendoffs (Yellow Cards and Red cards). Intentional heading of the ball is prohibited, but unlike
the 10U divisions, goalkeepers are allowed to punt the ball.
Jewelry
Positions
12U players will be learning to play specific positions (goalkeeper, center/outside back, center/outside mid, forward/striker) rather than just ‘offense’ or ‘defense’. Goalkeepers are very important to your 12U team. They anchor/direct the defense and start the offense. Playing specific
positions, maintaining proper spacing, and playing/moving as a team are important concepts that 12U players/teams should be learning. Teams that do those things well tend to do better.
9v9 / Substitutions
A minimum of 6 players are needed to field a team. The objective is to have the children play so if you have 5 or less players, teams can still scrimmage.
A maximum of 9 players from each team are on the field, 1 of whom is designated as the
Goalkeeper.
With 12 players on a team, each player plays 3/4 of the game. Three players will be out as substitutes each quarter.
With 11 players on a team, each player plays ¾ of the game and three players play the entire game.
If a player plays the entire game, he or she may not play the entire game again until all other players on the team have had the opportunity to play the entire game.
In case of injury, any substitute can replace the injured player.
A player can only play at most 2 quarters per game as Goalkeeper. If a Goalkeeper does play 2 quarters in a game, he/she cannot be subbed out 2 quarters in the same game.
Resources
Division Directors
Here to support you in coaching and team administration. If you have any questions, please ask your Div. Director. (S)he has likely been through this exact situation before.
Coach Mentor
Experienced coaches that can help with practices, advice.
AYSO Website
Internet
YouTube, etc.
Practice Plans
Your Division Director and Coach Coordinator can provide you with as many detailed practice plans as you want. You don't have to adhere to them, but please use them as a guideline. You can find your Division Director contact here.
Also, we have plenty of drills and practice samples here - Check them out!
Keep practices as fun and game-like as possible, while still teaching. You have very limited time during the season. Focus on the fundamentals and make sure they understand the basics. They won’t get everything - that's okay. In addition to basic technique and positions/responsibilities, work on understanding spacing and moving together as a team. Teams that are able to play positions, maintain spacing, and play as a team, typically do much better. Also, goalkeeping becomes more important at 12U. Spend time teaching goalkeeping basics including techniques and positioning. It will save your team many goals throughout the season.
Need more resources or some drill videos? You can find them on the Coaches page.
Team Roster Distribution
In order to receive your team uniforms, you must submit all the following:
- Head Coach must be Volunteer Credentialed
- Head coach must be 12U Coach certified or signed-up for a 12U Coach Certification course
Team Welcome Email
Once you receive your Team Roster, have your Team Manager send out a Welcome Email to introduce yourselves, set expectations, inform team of Practice Schedule, etc.
Template / Sample available here
Set Parent meeting to obtain volunteers (usually before or after first practice)
Team Referee is vital for games and playoffs; we recommend 2 per team.
Rosters are Not Final, there may be adjustments throughout the season
Team Managers
Team Managers play an important role in 12U. They are responsible for:
- Team administration (uniform distribution, managing volunteers, game cards, etc.)
- Liaison between Division Director and coach
- Liaison between coach and team. They should be involved in all communications.
- Must be present at all practices.
Please see the Team Manager page
Team Volunteers
Volunteers roles must be filled onto this Google Form
Every player should have a family member volunteering for the team. This is the expectation and is how AYSO can provide soccer for all.
Team Referees
Each team is required to provide at least one Team Referee. It is recommended to have 2 Team
Referees.
At each game, there are 3 Referees needed (1 Center Referee and 2 Assistant (Sideline) Referees). In order to qualify for post season tournaments, each team must earn 9 Referee Points. 1 Point is earned for each game in which the Team Referee participates as either Center Referee or Assistant Referee.
For a detailed explanation on how the points work, please see this page.
Practices
Submit Practice Requests to Practice Scheduler.
Games are played at Westlake Community Park (WCP), so it’s recommended to practice there as well. See this page for a map.
At least one certified volunteer, same sex as players, must be present at all practices.
Have all the Medical Release Forms printed and available - always with you!
Practice Equipment
Required equipment on every practice: water bottle, shin guards (under socks), soccer ball (size 4)
Optional: soccer cleats, sunscreen. NO JEWELRY.
- Head Coach must be fully volunteer credentialed including Fingerprinting, Background Check, Online Courses, and 12U Coach certified.
- Assistant Coach must be fully volunteer credentialed including Fingerprinting, Background Check, Online Courses, and 12U Coach certified.
- Team Manager must be fully volunteer credentialed including Fingerprinting, Background Check, and Online Courses.
- Team referee must be fully volunteer credentialed including Fingerprinting, Background Check,
and Online Courses. - Sponsor Form and physical check (not online)
- Note: Sponsor form and check can be brought to the Division Director when picking up uniforms.
- Team Volunteers must be identified and Google Form submitted
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Everyone should be checking their own status regarding the above requirements.
As an incentive, as soon as you fulfill these requirements, you will have the opportunity to choose your uniform color from what is available.
Pro-Scrimmage (Saturday Aug 16th)
Take advantage of the Pro-Scrimmage day, it’s a great opportunity to give your team some game experience
Games are usually 30 minutes
Practice game conditions against another team
Game Day Reminders
- NO jewelry
- No pets
- Trash bags - remind the Snack volunteer
- Have game cards properly completed (all players on the roster listed in numerical order prior to
arriving at the field) - Water breaks - players stay on the field, parents bring water
- Subs - show number to Assistant referee (AR) and then move away from field and touchline
- Coaches and Parents need to stay near centerline. Spectators are not allowed behind the
end-line. - Parents cannot 'coach'; only cheer. The kids get confused enough with what's going on. Having
a parent direct them only makes it worse - Referees are volunteers; without them, we would not have games
- The City of Westlake has the following requirements for the Westlake Community Park fields:
- No food or colored liquids are allowed on the Westlake Community Park (WCP) fields. Only
water is allowed on the fields. Snacks must be eaten off of the fields - Only chairs with sled type legs (i.e. beach chairs) are allowed on the WCP fields. All other
chairs must have padding placed under each leg - Pop-up canopies are not allowed on the fields. Umbrellas may be used if not resting on the
turf
- Let's all HAVE FUN
Westlake Community Park
NO FOOD on fields, ONLY water is allowed
NO chairs with Legs
This applies to both Practices and Game Days.
On Game Days, Kona Ice Food Truck will be in the parking lot.
Game Information
60 minute game, two 30 minute halves with 1 water/substitution break at roughly the midpoint of each half. The game clock continues to run during the water/substitution break.
Home and Away teams, the first team listed is the Home team. “H vs. A”, H is the Home team, A is the Away team. At Westlake Community Park, the Home team is on the West Side, the side closer to the parking lot. The Away team is on the east side, the side further away from the parking lot.
All parents must remain on their side of the field. This is important so you can bring water to your
child during quarter breaks.
Westlake Community Park - Parking
Remind parents that we share the parking lot with the YMCA and the softball/baseball fields on the west side of the property. The lot can be crowded on Saturdays. Arrive early to allow plenty of time to find a spot. Be careful when driving through the lot as there are many pedestrians going to and from their cars.
Playoffs Points
20 total points are required to qualify for Regional Post Season Tournaments.
9 referee points are required to qualify for Post Season Tournaments
9 points can be earned for Sportsmanship (one per game)
Game Points - 2 points per win, 1 point per tie, 0 per loss
Standings
Standings and Referee Points are usually posted by Week 5. Mostly to know whether your team has enough Referee points to qualify for Playoffs. See this page.
Important Dates - TBD
| Date | Event |
| July 20, 2024 | Coaches Meeting |
| July 27, 2024 | Team Distribution Rosters will be released once HC, AC, and TM are all volunteer certified
|
| August 5, 2024 | Practices Begin |
| August 5 - 9 | Parents Team Meeting |
| August 9, 2024 | Team Volunteer Positions Form Due |
| August 11, 2024 | Uniform Distribution |
| August 17, 2024 | Pro Scrimmage |
| August 24, 2024 | First Game |
| August 31, 2024 | No game Labor Day weekend |
| September 21, 2024 | Picture Day |
| October 5, 2024 | Brookside practices at 6pm will need to be moved due to daylight |
| October 12, 2024 | No games in observance of Yom Kippur |
| November 2, 2024 | Playoffs Begin |
| November 3, 2024 | Daylight Savings (5pm practices at Brookside will need to be moved to earlier time or field with lights (WCP or Valley View) |
Postseason - All Stars
All-Star coaches applications are due by October 1. Coaches will be selected by mid-October. Player participation in All-Stars is by invitation only. Player Ratings should be completed in late October. These are used to:
(1) help all-star coaches determine which players will be invited to All Stars, and
(2) for next year’s team formation. Rate players based on soccer ability (speed, ball handling, aggressiveness, and overall skills).
All Stars teams need to be balanced with players to cover all positions (i.e. not all the top goal scorers make the All Star team).
12U Meeting Slides
12ub coach meeting summary 8-6-24.docx
12ug coach meeting summary 8-7-24.docx