Ocean Springs Soccer Organization
Meet you on the pitch!
Meet you on the pitch!
When are the games?
Where do we play?
Where and when are practices held?
When is the season?
Is there a soccer coaching class?
Why do I have to fill out a KidSafe form?
Are there special rules?
Training Sessions
Coach Coordinator
When are the games?
Saturdays. The U5 to U12 age groups play between 9AM & 4PM. U14 and U16 may play in the evening and on other days of the week.
Where do we play?
At the Jackson County Soccer Complex for U5 to U12. U14 and U16 may travel to surrounding communities. The complex is located on Hwy 90 east of Hwy 57. The field layout will be posted here and on the home page when it is available.
Where and when are practices held?
Most coaches practice at the Jackson County Soccer Complex. Teams may practice one or two days each week.
When is the season?
We have tentatively set the
first game for the first Saturday in November. We play through February,
taking off for holidays. Games are currently planned for the following
Saturdays:
November 1, 8, 15, 22
December 6, 13,20
January 10, 24, 31
For the U10 and U12 age groups there will be additional games February 7 & 14 and there will be a U10/U12 tournament in late February to determine which teams qualify to go on to the district tournament in April.
Is there a soccer coaching class?
Mississippi Soccer Association (MSA) provides an e-Coaching system for online coaching courses. Go to http://www.mississippisoccer.org/web/index.asp and select "Coaching" and "e-Coaching Login" from the buttons on the left side. Follow the directions to register and take the online course. Cost is $25. Once complete, you may attend a local field session listed under the "Level 1,2,3 Courses" button. Upon completion of the field session, you will receive a license certificate.
Why do I have to fill out a KidSafe form?
All volunteers are required to submit a KidSafe form each year. Submit on line by clicking here.
Are there special rules?
OSSO plays "small-sided soccer" for most age groups per USYSA. Each player must play at least half of the game (2 quarters). The Coaches Handbook is available on line. See page 2 for an age group rules matrix to use as a quick reference.
OSSO plays "small-sided soccer" for most age groups per USYSA. Each player must play at least half of the game (2 quarters).
Here is a basic matrix of the different age groups, ball size, players on field, etc:
| U5 | U6 | U8 | U10 | U12 | U14 | U16 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball Size | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Players on Field/Team | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 11 |
| Goalkeeper | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Duration of Quarter | 8 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 20 |
| Kick-In | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
| Throw-In | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Indirect Free Kick | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Direct Free Kick | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Penalty Kick | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Offsides | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Coach On Field | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
| Keep Score | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Pre-Season Training Sessions
Training sessions will be provided for coaches at the Jackson County Soccer Complex:
Three Mondays in October - U8 5:45-6:30 PM; U10 6:30-7:30 PM; U12 7:30-8:30 PM
Two Thursdays in October - U5/U6 6:00-7:30 PM
These sessions will cover Intro to Soccer, Rules of the Game and OSSO, and mini-training sessions.
Each coach is required to attend at least one session.