OSL offers several different age groups of play, to best fit your situation.The leagues have volunteer coaches and referees.Teams are mixes of players of different abilities.Players should get to play at least one-half of the game.In the 4-5 year old age division there is one coach from each team on the field with the players, there is no ref. In the 6 & above age divisions many refs and coaches are students or volunteers. More emphasis is given to developing soccer skills, and improving play.
As of now, the age divisions are co-ed 4-5 year olds, 6-7 year old boys, 6-7 year old girls, 8-9 year old boys, 8-9 year old girls, 10-11 year old boys, 10-11 year old girls, 12-13 girls, & 12-13 boys. The 8 & above age groups are subject to change, if enough older kids register.
Coaches should call players to let them know. If you have not heard from your child’s coach by September 15, please call the OSL commissioner at 573-718-0959. Leave a name & number on the answer machine, if no one answers.
Each team gets three (3) picks, the rest of the players are passed out as equally as possible by the OSL board.
The OSL phone hotline is updated to let you know whether fields are closed for games only. Coaches will be responsible for practice cancellations.Players or their families are responsible for calling. The hotline is updated by 4:30 pm on weekdays, and as early as possible on weekends prior to the games.
The OSL staff goes and physically checks the fields, and several weather forecasts.If the fields are to wet to be playable, or it is heavily raining or lightning (or a high probability of these two in the near future based on the weather forecast), then the practices or games are cancelled.Our first concern is safety of the players, and also of the fields.The fields are our prime resource, and can be easily ruined by play when the fields are too wet.Please do not play on the fields, even informally, if the fields are closed.
OSL has a smaller sided format to follow the national and state youth soccer guidelines (references, US Youth Soccer guidelines). Smaller sided games offer more action for players, more touches on the ball, more play on both offensive and defense sides, more scoring, and in general more of a “soccer” experience.
We stopped having goalies because this is recommended by the state and national youth soccer organizations, whose guidelines we try to follow. Players playing goalie at such young ages are not learning useful skills, do not get as much exercise, and often receive a little too much encouragement or direction from parents. Also, by not having goalies many more kids get to have the wonderful feeling of scoring, and the emphasis is more on succeeding at scoring goals than the overall score.
Different leagues have different fees and expenses. One of the goals of the OSL board was to accurately establish an accounting of OSL expenses, and to begin making projected budgets. Primarily, your fees goes towards fields (maintaining, renting, staffing), equipment, uniforms, and operational expenses (personnel).
Shirts & socks will be supplied by OSL. Your child will need shin guards and tennis shoes. Most coaches will ask the players to wear black shorts. Soccer cleats are nice, but not a must at this level of competition. A soccer ball to practice with at home and to use at practice would be a better investment, but still not a must.