In-Town Program Description
Our In-Town program is associated with Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association. We currently have over 800 players in our In-Town (recreation) program, which means coordinating about 85 teams. Each team has a head coach and an assistant coach, which any parent may volunteer to do. All adult volunteers must supply their date of birth on the player registration form, this is required for CORI checks to be done by MYSA.
The emphasis of the program is fun, sportsmanship, friendship, and the growth of knowledge and appreciation of the sport.
To enhance the experience for youths learning soccer, Mansfield Youth Soccer Intown soccer program is adopting the concept of small side games. As of the fall season 2005 the U7 age group will play 4 v 4. United States Youth Soccer Association has exhaustively studied and research youth soccer in terms of: enjoyment, physical safety, player development- physical, psychological, cognitive, technical, and tactical. These soccer guidelines follow child cognitive development used for education. The answer is the use of age appropriate small sided games! The implementation of small sided games is being carried out in state associations across the country. This is the direction to best develop our young soccer players and to ensure a positive, fun environment for them.
Uniforms/Equipment
MYS will supply each new player with a team shirt, shorts and socks. If the player is returning to play from a previous season, the player is to use his/her existing new style uniform. The new style uniform consists of a reversible green/white mesh shirt, black shorts with logo and black socks. Returning players in need of a new uniform will be able to purchase replacements for a nominal fee. All in-town players must supply their own soccer cleats and shin pads and they must be worn to all soccer activities. MYS highly recommends the use of mouth guards at all levels.
Ages (Fall 2008/Spring 2009)
MYS arranges players by age and not grade. Divisions may be mixed and is dependent upon how many players register in each age group.
| Division | Grade | Birth Dates |
| U-5 | Preschool | 8/1/03 - 2/1/04 (Fall 08)
8/1/03 - 7/31/04 (Spring 09) |
| U-6 | K | 8/1/02 - 7/31/03 |
| U-7 | 1st | 8/1/01 - 7/31/02 |
| U-8 | 2nd | 8/1/00 - 7/31/01 |
| U-9 | 3rd | 8/1/99 - 7/31/00 |
| U-10/U-11 | 4th , 5th | 8/1/97- 7/31/99 |
| U-14 | 6th, 7th, 8th | 8/1/94 - 7/31/97 |
The U14 age group is coed and plays against U14 coed teams from Foxboro. This league is known as the Border League. All other age groups have separate boys and girls’ teams except for the U5 age group, which is also coed.
The U5 - U6 age groups play 3v3 without goalies and U7-U8 age groups play 4 v 4 dual sided games without goalies. This approach is used to ensure that each player will get to play (or touch) the ball as frequently as possible. There are no referees for U5, U6, U7 and coaches are allowed to teach the game from on the field. U8 age group will have “friendly” referees to help players learn the basic rules as the coaches will coach from the side lines.
All other age groups play 6v6 that includes a goalkeeper. Referees, who are primarily older MYS players(U11 and above), are used for intown games.
In-Town Games
All games are played on Saturdays, usually starting the first Saturday in September (and the second in April for the spring session) for 10 weeks at the Plymouth Street fields.
U5 Games are 20 minutes long with a 30-minute practice first.
U6 Games are 30 minutes long with a 30 minute practice first.
U7 Games are 30 minutes long with a 40 minute practice first.
U8 Games are 50 minutes long with a 30 minute practice first.
The U5, U6, U7, U8 age groups play on a small field to help build skills. These are non-competitive games; therefore scores are not kept.
For the U9 age group and older, teams practice once on a weeknight and play 60 minute games, 25 minute halves.
In-Town Participation Awards
During the spring picnic every team is recognized and each in-town player receives a participation award/trophy. A Fall only player may attend the Spring picnic and receive an award too, please notify your coach.
