This section will be used to provide information regarding the various Intown programs. 

U-6 Program Information

U-8 Program Information

U-10 Program Information

Referees

Other Information

U-6 Program

Rudimentary soccer skills are the objective of the U-6 program.  It is a program designed to work with the very young, to get them started with the play of the game of soccer.

The game format is very small field, using small nets.  The games are played with each team fielding 3 or 4 players along with their coaches.  No Goalies are used.  Coaches are encouraged to move players in and out of the game often.  Coaches are also encouraged to keep the game flowing, minimizing stoppages.  The idea is to have the players get as many touches on the ball as possible while on the field of play.

MHYSA Intown shirt are available and must be purchased from Bolio's Sporting Goods.  These shirts are reversible, Red and Black.  The number is not important.

Shinguards are REQUIRED.  Shinguards must be worn underneath the socks.  Socks should be sized to make sure they completely cover the shinguard.

Cleats are not required.  If you are going to purchase, no metal cleats are allowed.  Please make sure you purchase soccer cleats and not football/baseball turf shoes.

One team will be in red, the other in black - check with your coaches for the color of the game.  (see note below)

U-6 games/practices are held each Saturday morning during the season.  They start at 7:45 AM (or possibly 8:45 AM) on Woodland Field in Milford and last for 1 hour.  The first half hour is for instruction and practice with the rest used for the game. 

The correct ball size for this age group is a #3 soccer ball.

U-8 Program

MHYSA Intown shirt are available and must be purchased from Bolio's Sporting Goods.  These shirts are reversible, Red and Black.  The number is not important.

Shinguards are REQUIRED.  Shinguards must be worn underneath the socks.  Socks should be sized to make sure they completely cover the shinguard.

Cleats are not required.  If you are going to purchase, no metal cleats are allowed.  Please make sure you purchase soccer cleats and not football/baseball turf shoes.

Games are played on a small field, 6 players a side.  One team will be in red, the other in black - check with your coaches for the color of the game.  (see note below)

Run time for U-8 Intown games 45 minutes.  The game is broken up into 4 quarters, each quarter being 10 minutes long. After 2 quarters, a 5 minute halftime is allowed.

U-8 games are held each Saturday at Woodland Field in Milford.  Start times for U-8 games vary each week between 8:00am and 3:00pm. 

Typically, there is one practice per week (held on a weeknight) for this age group.  Please note however, that practices are held at the discretion of the volunteer coach based on his/her availability/work schedule, etc.

The correct ball size for this age group is a #4 soccer ball.

U-10 Program

MHYSA Intown shirt are available and must be purchased from Bolio's Sporting Goods.  These shirts are reversible, Red and Black.  The number is not important.

Shinguards are REQUIRED.  Shinguards must be worn underneath the socks.  Socks should be sized to make sure they completely cover the shinguard.

Cleats are not required.  If you are going to purchase, no metal cleats are allowed.  Please make sure you purchase soccer cleats and not football/baseball turf shoes.

Games are played on a small field, 6 players a side.  One team will be in red, the other in black - check with your coaches for the color of the game.  (see note below)

Run time for U-10 Intown games 45 minutes.  The game is broken up into 2 halves, each half being 20 minutes long.  A 5 minute halftime is allowed.

U-10 games are held each Saturday at Woodland Field in Milford.  Start times for U-10 games vary each week between 9:00am and 3:00pm. 

Typically, there is one practice per week (held on a weeknight) for this age group.  Please note however, that practices are held at the discretion of the volunteer coach based on his/her availability/work schedule,

The correct ball size for this age group is a #4 soccer ball.

Referees

Referees are assigned to manage the U-8 and U-10 games.  (U-6 games do not use referees.)

Referees assigned to the Intown games are newly certified USSF Referees at Grade 9 and Grade 8 levels.  MHYSA employs new referees for Intown games to help them develop their on field skills and game management.  Most are young people who enjoy the game of soccer, play on MHYSA, club and school teams.

Referees are there to make sure that games are played according to the Laws of the Game, including BAYS and MHYSA modified rules.

If you have any questions about our officials, you are encouraged to contact the appropriate Referee Assignor listed on the Board page.  Also, if you are interested in finding out more about Refereeing, please feel free to check out our Referee website as well as the BAYS and MassRef websites listed on our links page.

Other Information

Parents and Team

Parents, family and spectators are requested to be on the opposite side of the field from the teams.  This helps with the control of the game.

Player Substitutions

Player substitutions can be made at several points during the game:

• Either or both teams before a Goal Kick.
• Prior to a Throw-in - they can also now be done on either side's Throw-in as long as the Throw-in team makes a substitution and players are ready. If the Throw-in team does not make a substitution, then the other team cannot.
• After a goal has been awarded and before the play re-starts.
• As per the Laws Of The Game, allowing a substitution is at the discretion of the Referee.

Halfway Kicks

For all small-sided games (6 v 6), the Goalkeeper cannot place the ball over halfway line of the field in the air from a Goal kicks, Throws, Punts or Drop kicks. If the ball goes over halfway under these circumstances, play is stopped and re-started with the ball placed at halfway with an Indirect Freekick for the opposing team.

Coaching Behind The Goals

This is not allowed by anyone, team coaches or parents. No one should be standing behind the goals - teams, coaches, parents and spectators should be on the sidelines.

If a Referee points this out, you are requested to move away to the appropriate sideline.  If this does not resolve the situation, the coach will be asked to help.  The game will be stopped but the clock will keep running and the players will loose game time. 

7v7 Play, Intown Only

Some Intown teams have a lot of players. It is always an option to allow coaches to decide if they wish to play 7v7 (6 field players and a goal keeper) instead of the traditional 6v6 (5 field players and a goal keeper).

This is a decision that both coaches need to agree before the game starts. The referee should abide by the coaches decision.  6v6 match rules apply.