What to Expect During Practice

NGS Juniors Second Grade

Our framework incorporates the developmental goals, needs, and abilities of children under 8. Even children of the same age will differ greatly in maturity, socio-emotional skills, and behavior. In addition, some of the players may be brand new to soccer this season, some may have played in other soccer programs, and some may have grown up playing alongside older siblings. Our aim is to create a FUN and safe opportunity for all children to increase their comfort with the ball. We emphasize exploration, experimentation, and ball mastery in game-like situations. Dribbling, turning, receiving, and striking the ball are taught through dynamic activities.

What to Expect on Game Day

Coaching Team

 
If your team’s roster does not list a head coach and an assistant coach, please consider getting involved!

Team Assignments

J2 players are assigned to grade-level teams with parent coaches. To the extent possible, we place players on teams with at least one schoolmate.

Fall teams are announced in late August. Spring teams are announced in late March. Rosters are uploaded to TeamSnap and include contact information for coaches and players.

Team Size

NGS has an open roster policy — everyone who registers on time is placed on a team. One of our most challenging tasks is dividing the total number of registered players into teams that have sufficient numbers for practice and games but are small enough to maximize playing time. To address this issue and create the best learning and playing environment for our girls, NGS has established minimum and maximum roster sizes for each age group that are in line with US Youth Soccer guidelines. Exceptions may only be made with approval from the Juniors Program Committee. Coaches do not decide how many players are placed on their teams.

Matches

The game format is 5v5 with goalkeepers. Games are played in 4 x 12 min quarters with a 2-minute break at each intermission.

The “home team” wears ORANGE and supplies the size 3 game ball. The “away team” wears WHITE.

The weekly match schedule – which teams are playing against each other – field assignments, and jersey colors are posted in TeamSnap just before the season starts. Check the schedule each week for any changes.

Spectators stand or sit on the sideline opposite to the players. The role of the observer is to let the kids play, make independent decisions, and learn from mistakes. Please model good sportsmanship by staying positive, cheering encouragingly for both teams, and respecting the coaches.

NGS has partnered with TeamSnap to provide all of our coaches and families with a top-rated team management app for communication, attendance, scheduling and more! TeamSnap can be used from a web browser or with mobile apps for iOS or Android. An invitation to join a team is sent to the primary email provided during registration. This person should accept their invitation, setup or log into an existing TeamSnap account, and then add email addresses for any other contacts who should receive team updates. To login to your TeamSnap account, click on the icon above.

What Does Your Player Need?

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NGS Safety Policy

Players may not wear jewelry during practices or games. This includes, but is not limited to bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings, beads, barrettes and other hard or sharp items. Newly pierced ears may not be taped. Earrings must be removed. (Tip: Remove all jewelry at home so that it does not get lost on the field.) Players may not participate with casts or splints of any kind. If a player refuses or is unable to remove a prohibited item upon request by a coach or referee, she will be asked to sit on the sidelines and may not participate in the soccer activity. There are no exceptions to this rule for the safety of all our players. Please do not put coaches and referees in an uncomfortable position at the field by asking for special permission.

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Game Location

J2 matches are held at Brown / Oak Hill Field. Field numbers are posted on sideline signs.

Weather Cancellations & Field Closures

The decision to open or close fields is made by the City of Newton’s Parks & Recreation Department, in consultation with Newton Girls Soccer and Newton Youth Soccer officials.  Field status is posted on the NGS home page, Facebook, and X (follow @NewtonFields). Every effort is made to update our social media, as needed, by 3:00 PM on weekdays, 7:00 AM on Saturdays, and 11:00 AM on Sundays. Be sure to check the status just before heading to the field as conditions sometimes change.