Sports
soccer
The Upward Soccer season starts in late August and concludes at the end of October. Registration opens in July. Practices for the 2010 season begin the week of August 30, with the first game on Saturday, September 11. The registration cost is $65 and includes an Upward reversible jersey and matching socks. Optional matching shorts are available for $15. Registration is open for children age 4 through 6th grade. All divisions are co-ed.
practices and games
PRACTICES - All practices and games are held at Lawson Elementary School (5450 NW 62nd AVe, Johnston). Practices are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 6-7pm. When you attend one of the scheduled evaluations, you will fill out a practice availability form, informing us which days your child can practice. We do our best to accommodate busy schedules.
GAMES - All practices and games are held at Lawson Elementary School (5450 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston). Each team will have 8 games, starting on Saturday, September 11. Games are played on Saturdays between 9am - Noon and last approximately 60 minutes.
game format
Upward Soccer has adopted a 4v4, no goalie game format. The playing field is 100’ long x 60’ wide for the children age 4 through 2nd grade. The playing field is 120’ long x 70’ wide for 3rd-6th grade. There are no goalies in Upward Soccer. The goals are 2’ 6” high x 6’ wide. The goal box is a 6’ arc in diameter, from the center of the goal line. The game will consist of two 18-minute halves and a 8-minute halftime. Game clock stops every 6 minutes for a predetermined substitution. The referee will determine who is awarded the opening kickoff. The opposite team will be awarded the kickoff to start the second half. At half-time, a coach, referee, or parent will present a short Bible devotion to the players and fans.
4v4 player benefits
Players will touch the ball more often during a game, have more involved playing time during a game, have more opportunities to play on both sides of the ball, have more opportunities to score goals, and learn to play the game within the game (4v4 = soccer at its simplest form). Multiple case studies support these benefits as well as others not listed above.
rules
Goal Box: there is no ball contact allowed within the goal box. If the ball comes to a stop within the goal box, a goal kick is awarded to the defensive team regardless of who touched the ball last. Any part of the ball or player’s body on the line is considered in the goal box and is an extension of the box. Once the ball has broken the plane of the goal box and a defensive player touches the ball, a corner kick is awarded. If the attacking Player touches the ball inside the box, a goal kick is awarded. The plane of the goal box extends upward.
Goal Scoring: A goal may only be scored from a touch (attacking or defensive) within a team’s offensive half of the field. If a player in their defensive end kicks the ball across the midfield line and the ball hits another player (attacking or defensive) and the ball goes in the goal, a goal will be awarded. Each goal will be awarded one point. A goal is not scored if a player kicks or throws the ball into his or her own goal. If this occurs, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team.
Kick Off: Occurs to start each half of the game and after each goal scored. Kicks may be taken in any direction. The ball must touch another attacking player or defensive player before the initial kicker touches the ball again. All defensive players may not cross the midfield line or center-circle line until the ball clears the area.
Offside: Is not called in Upward Soccer because of the field size.
Slide Tackling: Players must stay upright and “on their feet” and may not make contact with an opposing player. This does not prevent player from sliding to stop/intercept a ball, but No contact may be made with opposing players.
player items
Below is this year’s uniforms. Each participate receives the following items:
Contact Information
Dave Rude
Upward League Director
515.865.6181
dave@desmoinesupward.org
Contact Us