Hartford Soccer Club Recreational Soccer Program

The Hartford Soccer Club offers youths the opportunity to play soccer at several different age groups. Beginning at the U-6 level and continuing through the U-14 level, the recreational soccer program teaches the basic fundamentals of soccer while placing the main focus on having fun, fitness, and fair play. The recreational program teams play games in the Kettle Moraine Soccer League (KMSL). Games are played on Saturdays, anytime between 8:00am and 2:00pm, and last about one hour (except for U-6 games which are played on Friday evenings). Practices are scheduled on weekday evenings. Recreational teams are required to hold a minimum of one but no more than two practice sessions per week with a maximum of 3 hours of practice time (an optional third weekly practice session is allowed during the two weeks prior to the season). A player who consistently attends and effectively participates in practice will play at least half of the game.  Registration occurs either on-line or in-person - in April/May each spring.  Details can be obtained by checking this website or contacting the Director of Registration.

What Are The Different Age Groups?

U-6: Children in the Hartford Soccer Club begin playing soccer in the U-6 age group. Children in this age group are 6 years or younger. Small-sided 3v3 games are played using small lined fields and pug goals. All games are played Friday evenings at Independence Park against teams within the Hartford Soccer Club.

U-7 and U-8: Players in these age groups are 7 or 8 years or younger. At this next level games are played in a 4v4 format using small lined fields and small goals. Small-sided games provide everyone with an equal opportunity for playing time and the ability to better improve their soccer skills. This style of play will increase the amount of touches each player has on the soccer ball. Games are played in the Kettle Moraine Soccer League (KMSL) against teams from outside Hartford. Approximately half of the games will be played away from Hartford.

U-10: Players 9 and 10 years old now play in an 6v6 format using a goalie and 5 field players. The offside rule does not apply. Games are played in the Kettle Moraine Soccer League (KMSL) against teams from outside Hartford. Approximately half of the games will be played away from Hartford.

U-12: Teams in these groups are 11 and 12 years old playing in an 8v8 format with a keeper and 7 field players. The offside rule is used. Substution rules are liberal to encourage frequent subbing. Games are  played in the Kettle Moraine Soccer League (KMSL) against teams from outside Hartford. Approximately half of the games will be played away from Hartford.

U-14: Teams in these groups are 13 and 14 years old playing in an 11v11 format on full-size fields. Games are  played in the Kettle Moraine Soccer League (KMSL) against teams from outside Hartford. Approximately half of the games will be played away from Hartford.

Gender Divisions:

The Hartford Soccer Club has both Coed and Girls divisions for the U-10 thru U-14 age groups. Boys are automatically registered to play in the Coed division. Girls have a choice whether they would like to play Coed with the boys, or in a Girls-only division. Typically, the U-8 and younger age groups will have a mixture of boys and girls, whereas the girls tend to switch to the girls-only divisions as they get older.

Coaching Selection Process:

Any person who is interested in coaching a recreational team in the Hartford Soccer Club should contact Joe Kohler - Team and Coaches Coordinator at 262-673-4637. Coaches do not get paid and are mostly parents of players who are on the team. All recreation coaches, from U-9 up, are required to have either a USSF or NSCAA license for that particular age group.  See the coach training plan for more details. Clinics and schools are paid for by the club and should be preapproved.  Anyone who wishes to volunteer, but not take on the responsibility of coaching, can help out by becoming an assistant coach or team director. The player registration form has a place where parents or others can indicate their desire to volunteer as a coach, assistant coach, or team director.  If you are seeking additional information regarding coach training or player development, please contact Jack De Selm - Developmental Coordinator at 262-224-5052.

Team Formation:

Teams are formed by the Director of Coaching and coaches late in the summer. Teams are assigned schedules and locations through their coach. The Hartford Soccer Club holds a coaches meeting in mid to late-August to kick off the new season. The rosters, schedules, and other information is made available at this meeting. 

Player Notification:

Players are notified of their team assignments and practice schedules by their coach or team manager, usually within a week or two following the mid-August coaches meeting. Practices will also commence at that time. Team information along with practice and game schedules are distributed at the first practice.

Uniforms and Equipment:

Uniforms are included as part of player registration. Your child will receive a uniform consisting of a shirt and shorts. The uniform will be distributed to the players through the team's coach and/or manager. Parents will need to provide the children with shin guards, black socks, and a soccer ball. Soccer shoes are recommended, but are not mandatory.

Parent Participation:

At all of these age levels parents play a major role in the success of the program and the enjoyment that their child gets out of playing soccer. The effort and time that you, as a parent or guardian, put into your child’s soccer team has a substantial affect on their enjoyment of their time playing. Volunteers are needed for everything from coaching to setting up fields prior to the games. All families will be required to participate by volunteering ten hours of their time in some form.

Laws of the Game:

See the coach resources page.