• Whenever a ball goes OUT OF PLAY or a GOAL IS SCORED, a coach announces "New Ball!" and rolls another ball into play.  
• NO KICK OFFS after a Goal! 
• NO KICK-INS! 
• NO GOAL KICKS! 
• NO CORNER KICKS!
• There is no referee. The coaches are responsible for controlling the game
• Substitutions are done "on the fly" like hockey.  When a player gets tired or the coach wants to make a substitution, the player runs off the field and a new player runs on.  No stoppage.
• U5/U6 games consist of four, (8)-minute quarters, with a (2) minute break between quarters, and a (5) minute break at the half.

Tips for Success:

• Several balls are required for this method.  Use a regular "kick-off" to start each half.
• The two coaches assign themselves each to half of the field and carry one or two balls in their arms. 
• If the ball goes slightly out of play, but the player dribbles the ball back in, that’s ok - let them play on!
• The ‘new ball’ should be rolled to neutral space or toward the disadvantaged team.
• Coaches control the pace of the game.  You may need to pause for a few seconds before distributing a new ball, especially after a goal.  Give the players several seconds to re-set and rest after a goal.  Roll the new ball in near the center of the field toward the team that was scored against.
• DO NOT bounce the ‘new ball’ as it is difficult for these players to judge a bouncing ball at this age
• Favor the team on the wrong end of a one sided game
• Favor individual players who are not becoming involved in the game
• Have parents retrieve lost balls and return them to the coach who just rolled the new ball in so he/she now has 2 balls once more!

YouTube Video

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Why use the New Ball Method?
• More touches on the ball:  This method doubled or tripled the number of touches by each player in a study conducted in 2001/2002 by the Richmond Hill SA in Georgia.  More touches means faster skill development and increased enjoyment of the game.
• More playing time: Indiana Youth Soccer studied the effect of the New Ball Method and found that in 7 minute quarter, the ball was in play for 4 minutes using traditional rules, and about 6 minutes and 30 seconds using the New Ball Method
• This method will speed up the game, produce more goals and more excitement, while at the same time de-emphasizing the importance of scoring and emphasizing play and fun.
• This method can be used to get non-assertive players involved by rolling the new ball to those players; and can be used to even the playing field in a lopsided game.  At this age, score is not kept, there is no win/loss record, and the emphasis is on playing, having fun and sportsmanship, not winning.
• Unlike at the higher levels, at this age, goal kicks, corner kicks, and kick-ins do not provide the tactical advantage for the kicking team, and can often be a disadvantage.  Consequently, re-starts substantially slow the game with no benefit to the player or spectator.
• The New Ball Method has proven to be a great success with clubs around the country that have adopted it.

• Since there is no referee who calls the fouls?
• Fouls at this age are almost always innocent, and result from lack of coordination rather than malicious intent, so fouls should almost never be called--a player can be substituted and instructed on the rules of play when that player comes off the field.  
• Players are rarely hurt (other than hurt feelings) by a foul at this age, and since score is not kept and records are not important, any tactical advantage obtained by a foul is meaningless, and can be corrected with the next "new ball."
• If necessary, one coach can be assigned to each half of the game to call only the most blatant fouls.

• Who keeps time? 
• The coaches keep time (alternating quarters), or a volunteer parent can keep time.
• Time limits must be adhered to in order to prevent delays of all the games later that day.
• Coaches should familiarize themselves with the rules of play for this age group
• Note that the rules of play are much simpler with the New Ball Method

Master_of_the_Ball_Presentation

Master_of_the_Ball_Presentation