INTERMEDIATES (3RD-5TH GRADE)

3rd-5th grade teams are created by school(s) for Boys/Girls (coed) or Girls Only.

The Intermediate 7v7 games are organized during the fall and spring seasons at the Summit Middle School Soccer Field.



Training sessions

The training sessions start the week after Labor Day or After Spring Break at your child's school. You will have to bring your child to the field after school is done for the day and dress him/her in comfortable clothing, and soccer shoes/shin guards to be able to train. Please bring a soccer ball and water.

As long as the field is playable and the weather is ok the training session will be held. The volunteer parent coach will connect with you if a session is cancelled/rescheduled.

Please have your child participate in as many training sessions as possible. We encourage parents to play soccer with their child whenever possible throughout the week!

Equipment/ Uniform

All NEW players will receive a HCSA ball, a string bag, shorts and socks just before their first game of the season.

Returning players who did not receive a ball in the past year may receive a new one if the ball is not in good condition. If your child's shorts and socks are too small you may exchange them at the bins near the HCSA tent at the Summit Middle School soccer field.

The game jerseys will be distributed by the COACH before the first game and must be turned in after the last game of each season.

7v7 Games

The Intermediate team play seven games per season on Saturdays, plus one game per season during the week each game lasts 2x35 minutes plus a 5 minute halftime. The games are 7 against 7, with 1 goalkeeper and 6 field players. The players are learning to stay in their position on the field. The player on the ball is free to choose what to do. At this age, players need to learn what is expected of them when they have the ball: learn to control the ball and look for options to either: 1. score, 2. find a teammate who can score (give an assist), 3. play the ball forward or 4. keep possession by dribbling in space or passing the ball backwards.  Teammates need to learn to support the player on the ball by making runs in space or be available for a pass. When the opponent has the ball players need to learn to prevent goals from being scored, disrupt the build up and steal the ball.

The coaches and parents/fans will not tell players what to do... when to pass, shoot or dribble or where to move! 

Game time is play time for the players!  Only positive encouraging remarks should be heard from fans AFTER a player makes an action! We believe in players making their own decisions and learning from them!

One or two Summit Strikers FC players are officiating the games, so please do not say anything to these young referees who are learning their tasks. A parent/coach who (verbally) abuses a referee will immediately be asked to leave the field and the actions of the adult may result in charges being filed! 

Be patient as it takes time for the players to learn the rules (especially offside). Each team has 10-14 players, so there are moments where your child will be subbed off and should sit near the middle line by his/her teammates. Each player must play about equal time during each game.

Each coach must complete the Risk management requirements; pass the background check, SafeSport course and concussion training. Many of the coaches have completed the U.S Soccer 7v7 Grass Roots coaching course.