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Rec Under 9 Age Group
What is U9 Soccer?
Under 9 Soccer (or U9) is about kids having fun while continuing to develop their technical soccer skills and learning how to play as part of a team. At the U9 level, kids play small-sided soccer in a 6v6 format emphasizing ball control and passing, teamwork and player positioning. In U9, teams are formed for both the girls division and the boys division and are limited to a maximum of nine players per team. The U9 teams in each gender division play in the MARS League. Each child plays every position on the field (forwards, mids, backs and goalkeeper) and each child plays at least half of every game. Scores are kept in U9 soccer.
Who can participate?
Boys and girls whose birthdates fall within the specified time periods are eligible to play U9 soccer. To verify your child’s eligibility to play U9 soccer, click here to return to the Age Group Chart.
When do the kids play?
The U9 season is a ten (10) week season. The spring season begins in late February and ends in the middle of May. The fall season starts at the beginning of September and continues through the middle of November. Both the boys teams and the girls teams have two practices a week. One practice is a team practice led by the coach. The second practice is a skills session for all U9 girl and boy soccer players coordinated and led by the Club's professional soccer coaches. The focus of the skill sessions is for the players to learn basic soccer skills, such as dribbling, passing, shooting and ball control.
Where do the kids play?
Players in the U9 age group may elect on their registration form to play on a Liberty Park team or a Central team. Liberty Park teams practice and have skills sessions at the Vestavia Hills Sports Complex at Liberty Park. Central teams practice and have skills sessions at the soccer field adjacent to the Vestavia Hills Elementary Central. All U9 teams will play their games on Friday evenings or on Saturdays. Home games will be played at Liberty Park, while away games will be played at fields located throughout the Birmingham metro area. The U9 teams may also choose to play in local recreational team tournaments.
What equipment is needed to play?
All recreational players will purchase new team jerseys as dictated by club...
- Cost for set of jerseys (2), black shorts (1), black socks (1): runs around $30-40.
- Shinguards are required but not included in above price and must be purchased separately.
How much does it cost to participate?
Please click here - Registration Costs
How do I sign up to play?
For information on the registration process, click on the Register to Play button at the top of the page.
How can I help with U9 Soccer?
Adult volunteers are always needed for the U9 Age Group! If you are interested in being a head coach or an assistant coach, please so indicate on your registration form or contact the U9 Age Group Commissioner. No previous soccer coaching experience or soccer knowledge is required. After the teams are formed and coaches assigned, each team will need a Team Parent to assist the team coaches with administrative duties, including the preparation of a snack schedule, indicating whose turn it is to bring team snacks and planning the team’s end of the season trophy party. If you are willing to serve as a Team Parent, please so indicate on the registration form or let your coach know of your willingness to help out.