SPL – Match Rules

1) First of all, the team selection. Any kid with 75% or more on their progression pathway on the app is eligible to play in the SPL. If you don’t have enough at this %, choose the next highest. All teams must have a minimum of 5 players, but we recommend registering at least 7, to allow for injuries and illness. A member of admin, or whoever you report back to needs a copy of your team, ideally at the start of each month, so they can contact parents and make them aware. As a VM, you can also keep on top of this by creating an SPL WhatsApp group chat for your venue, remember all fixture details are on the SPL website.

2) The pitch size is 25 strides by 22.

3) There are throw ins not kick ins.

4) Never let a team win by more than 2 goals, coach intervention such as going in goal, or telling the winning team they need to pass at least 5 times before scoring can help with this.

5) Corners are allowed, but don’t allow heading from them. Instead, promote short corner taking.

6) Matches are 4 lots of 5 minutes. That makes the games last 20 minutes overall. Use each end of a quarter as a chance to provide coaching tips to your players.

7) If you have more than 5 players for one team, make regular changes, ensuring all kids have a minimum of 15 minutes of game time.

8) Create a memorable experience for the kids, walk them out at the start of the game, get parents to clap and encourage, and really make it into an occasion for all to enjoy.

9) Provide all of your parents with the link to the SPL website, or tell them to find it on the tips and tricks section on their S4K app strikerspremierleague.leaguerepublic.com

10) Make sure to use all the mantras, control, look, pass & move to help our kids develop. Remember these are internal practice matches, and so non competitive, so above all make sure everyone is having fun and enjoying their S4K experience. 

Materials and Assets:

https://www.s4kleagues.co.uk/

Rule Sheet Dropbox; S4K Network Partner Resources > Products and Services > Skills Classes > SPL > SPL Rules.pdf

S4K University:

S4K Strikers Badge