Nano Division
Game Rationale
The Nano league is made of mixed sex team comprised of players from kindy to year 1. Games will be based on skills development – ie kicking the ball, keeping to the field markings, simple passes. Opportunity will be given to repeat/retake set piece play.
The emphasis of the nano league is essentially training and allowing the players to develop simple skills as kicking the ball and reading basic game dynamics
Contact
All enquiries or concerns related to the Nano division should be directed to the Little League Coordinator.
League Structure
Team size: 5 - 7 players
Fielded Players: 5 vs 5 (maximum players on field)
Pitch Size: 20m x 35m
Penalty Area: None
Ball Size: Size 4
Game Time: 2x 15 minute half (10 minute preceding game time) 5m Interval/Half time break
Leader:
- Training - nominated Senior Team, assisted by team coach
- Game - on field team coach
Goalkeeper: None - no goalkeeper to encourage players to shoot at goal. Coached to discourage players from permanently standing in front of goal.
Application
To ensure that small sided soccer is played in the correct spirit of the game and gives all players the best possible chance to develop, it is recommended that no points table and the playing of finals be done. Research seems to suggest that the pressures associated with competition and win at all cost mentality at grass root level can lead to shortcuts in player development.
Some practical recommendations that may be considered:
- All players should get an equal amount of playing time.
- When an individual player completely dominates the game and has already scored three goals, and their team is winning by a three goal margin, he/she can only score another goal when their team mate/s has scored a goal. This is to encourage good players to include other members and to force them to create opportunities for others.
League Rules
Attire:
All players must wear training shoes or soccer boots, black socks and shin pads. Only goalkeepers may wear caps. Players may be interchanged at any time. Interchanging is not to be governed by ability but rather is encouraged to provide all players equal game time.
Start of play/restart:
Pass ball forward to team mate from the middle of the halfway line. Opponents must be minimum of 5m way. The ball must touch a team mate before a goal can be scored.
Ball in or out of play:
The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the touch line on the ground or in the air, or when play has been stopped by the referee.
Ball crossing the touch line:
There is no throw in. A player from the opposing team will place the ball on the touch line and pass the ball to a teammate. Opponents must be minimum of 5m way. The ball must touch a team mate before a goal can be scored.
Ball crossing the goal line after touching the attacking or defending team last:
There is no corner kick. Regardless of which team last touched the ball, a player from the team whose goal line the ball has crossed will place the ball anywhere along the goal line and pass or dribble it into play. Opponents must be minimum of 5m way. The ball must touch a team mate before a goal can be scored.
Method of scoring:
A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line between the goalposts and under the crossbar.
Offside:
No Offside. Team coaches should strongly discourage children from permanently and persistently standing in blatant offside positions. Players should be made aware of the offside rule and be encouraged to adopt this philosophy. Referees should direct players that permanently and persistently standing in blatant offside positions to move to an onside position.
Fouls and misconduct:
Fouls and misconduct are:
- Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
- Trips or attempts to trip an opponent
- Jumps at an opponent
- Charges an opponent
- Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
- Pushes an opponent
- Takes an opponent from behind to gain possession
- Making contact with an opponent before touching the ball
- Holds an opponent
- Spits at an opponent
- Handles the ball deliberately
- Plays in a dangerous manner
- Impeded the progress of a player
Indirect free kicks are awarded for all acts of handball, fouls or misconduct. Opponents must be minimum of 5m way. The ball must touch a team mate before a goal can be scored.
Most acts of handball or fouls at this level is caused by lack of coordination, with no intent. In this case, try and give the advantage to the attacking team and continue play. If the referee decides the act was deliberate, they must explain to the player that they should not do this again.