In a growing effort to help provide a better environment for all players and listening to many parents suggestions for improvement, the club has decided to change its format for the In Town Soccer Division, previously know as Recreational (Rec) Soccer. As a result, all divisions within the In Town Soccer Division will be restructured. The purpose of this restructuring is to provide a better playing environment and promote more touches on the ball. The new In Town Soccer Format is to align closer with other clubs, and more importantly, match the development recommendations encouraged by United States Youth Soccer philosophy of maximizing touches for players on the ball.
The new structure will be as follows:
- Shrimps – Pre K (4 year olds), No Changes - instructional games/scrimmages. Traditional each team will just have one practice session per week.
- Munchkins – Kindergarten, 3v3 or 4v4 on smaller fields with pug nets. Each team will have one practice session per week and play 3v3 or 4v4 style games on small fields with pug nets. The coaches will serve as referees and help guide the players. Coaches may be on the field with the players.
- Juniors – 1st & 2nd Grade, 5v5 including a goalie on smaller field (slightly larger than Munchkin field). This is a change and will promote more touches on the ball and more scoring for this age group. Teams will practice at least once a week and play games on the weekends. There will be an official referee for these games, and coaches may not be on the field.
- Intermediates – 3rd to 5th Grade, 8v8 on small sided fields (formally Junior size fields)
- Seniors / 3M League (Middlesex, Mercer and Monmouth Counties League) – 6th to 12th grade broken in Junior 3M and Senior 3M - part of 3M Recreational League – play full sided 11v11 games. Teams will play against teams from other towns in the area. Most games are played on Saturdays.
Currently, game days will not switch for the spring, but after the survey results are tallied, there may be some changes to the schedule in the fall.
Recap of the Overall Club Structure
In Town Soccer Program, previously known as Recreational Soccer – A traditional style of program, where all coaching and training is carried out by volunteer coaches. The program is specifically designed to be as low cost as possible. Games are all local with the exception of the Seniors who play in the 3M Rec League. They traditionally will play half games at home and other at locations like East Brunswick, Manalapan, Old Bridge, and East Windsor. Our recreational program at Monroe is aimed at players aged 4 years old through 17 years of age and is open to any player.
Divisions are broken down as follows:
- Shrimps – Pre K, instructional games/scrimmages
- Munchkins – Kindergarten, 3v3 or 4v4 on small fields with pug nets. No referees, coaches may be on the field.
- Juniors – 1st & 2nd Grade, 5v5 including a goalie on smaller field. Referees will be used, and coaches may not be on the field.
- Intermediates – 3rd to 5th Grade, 8v8 on small sided fields with referees.
- Seniors / 3M (Middlesex, Mercer and Monmouth Counties League) – 6th to 12th grade broken in Junior 3M and Senior 3M - part of 3M Recreational League – play full sided 11v11 games.
Club Division Program, previously known as Travel Program – A program for more competitive players within the soccer club which starts at U8 and goes through to U19. Travel programs are typically slightly more expensive as they include tournaments, higher referee fees, and professional trainers.
Player Training Academy Program (PTA) – This is a new training division of Monroe Township Soccer Club. For players aged 3-14 years, who want more soccer-related education. Program follows a curriculum matrix designed to focus on the individual player. All training is carried out by a professional trainer.
- PTA Little Kickers – Program for 3-5 year old players (Recreation).
- PTA Juniors – Program for 6-7 year old players (Recreation).
- PTA Small Sided – Program for Small Sided 7-10 year old players (Travel)
- PTA Large Sided – Program for Large Sided 10-14 year old player (Travel).
- PTA Futsal – Unique winter training program.
Why Small-Sided Games?
From US Youth Soccer Association
US Youth Soccer has thought long and hard about the answer to the question, "Why Small-Sided Games?"
What does "Small-Sided Games" mean? These are soccer games with fewer players competing on a smaller sized field. These are fun games that involve the players more because fewer players are sharing one ball.
Here are some of the reasons why we believe, as soccer coaches, administrators and parents must guarantee that our young soccer players play small-sided games:
1. Because we want our young soccer players to touch the soccer ball more often and become more skillful with it! (Individual technical development)
2. Because we want our young soccer players to make more, less-complicated decisions during the game! (Tactical development)
3. Because we want our young soccer players to be more physically efficient in the field space they are playing in! (Reduced field size)
4. Because we want our young soccer players to have more individual teaching time with the coach! Less players on the field and less players on the team will guarantee this! (Need to feel worthy and need to feel important)
5. Because we want our young soccer players to have more, involved playing time in the game! (More opportunity to solve problems that only the game presents)
6. Because we want our young soccer players to have more opportunity to play on both sides of the ball! (More exposure to attacking and defending situations)
7. Because we want our young soccer players to have more opportunities to score goals! (Pure excitement)
These are the reasons why we adults must foster "Small-Sided Games" in our youth soccer programs. The "Small-Sided" environment is a developmentally appropriate environment for our young soccer players. It’s a FUN environment that focuses on the young soccer player.
It just makes sense doesn’t it?
