ford county youth soccer club
Welcome to the Ford County Youth Soccer Club (FCYSC).
This program is designed for youth from age 3 through 8th grade. All coaches and assistant coaches, as well as the members of the Board of Directors are volunteers. The Board of Directors and coaches plan the program and policies.
This Parent Handbook is to familiarize parents/guardians with the practices and policies that are used at FCYSC. Please be sure to read it thoroughly, as the manual explains many facets of the program not ordinarily discussed.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact a member of the Board of Directors.
Thank you for joining the Ford County Youth Soccer Club. We look forward to working with you and your child(ren).
Respectfully,
FCYSC Board of Directors
The Ford County Youth Soccer Club and its coaches promote Good Sportsmanship first and foremost in working with our kids.
MEMBERSHIP
REGISTRATION
Registration is open to any child ages 3 through the 8th grade.
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the team rosters in a division are filled, we can no longer accept registrations for that division. There is a limit on the number of youth placed on a team. This is so we can allow each child to be able to play at least 50% of each game.
Registration will be held in July each year. A random player draft will be held approximately two weeks prior to the season opening day. Each year all participants must re-register.
There are two forms required per child; a Registration Form and an Emergency Medical Release and Liability Waiver. Completion of both of these forms is required before a youth may participate in practice or games. All injuries should be reported immediately to the coach in charge. The coach shall file an accident report with the President of the Club.
FEES
Spring Soccer
$40.00 per child.
Head Coaches get one free registration for one of their children.
Fall Soccer
$30 per child if he/she played soccer the previous spring.
$40 per child if he/she did not play spring soccer.
Fees are subject to change.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Because some youth are unable to participate due to economic hardship, FCYSC provides scholarships to reduce or waive certain fees. Applications for scholarships must be made to the Board of Directors.
UNIFORMS
Uniform tops must always be worn outside of any other clothing.
Youth below the 7th and 8th grade traveling team(s) will be required to purchase a club jersey. These jerseys are reversible blue and red. Home teams will wear red, while away teams will wear blue during games.
The jersey may be used each soccer season until you feel it needs to be replaced. The FCYSC will hold an annual swap day during registration each year, as well as having new jerseys available.
The cost of a new jersey is $20.
Youth in the 7th and 8th grade traveling teams will wear club jerseys. Each youth will receive a numbered jersey at the start of the season and will be responsible for returning that jersey at the end of the same season.
SHIN GUARDS
All youth are required to wear shin guards during practices and games. These shin guards must have a hard front and must be covered completely by socks.
SHOES
Soccer cleats are NOT a requirement for FCYSC however they are recomended.
No metal cleats are allowed and no toe cleats are allowed in soccer.
General League Rules
All games will follow FIFA Laws of the Game, the following exceptions:
Under 6:
Under 8:
Under 11:
(Due to fluctuations in numbers, these divisions are subject to change.)
U6: Major Skills: Passing, Dribbling and Shooting
" Learn to pass the ball 15 feet to a teammate.
" Learn to dribble the ball 25 feet and back.
" Be able to shoot the ball from the penalty spot.
" Learn throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks.
" Learn how to trap the ball.
" Learn how to use both feet for passing and shooting.
U8: Major Skills: Passing, Dribbling and Shooting
" Know the 4 positions: Goalkeeper, Defense, Midfield, Forwards and where they are located.
" Learn to pass the ball 25 feet to a teammate.
" Learn basic passing fundamentals and strategies.
" Dribble the ball through cones and shoot into the net.
" Learn how to trap the ball.
" Know corner kicks, goal kicks and penalty kicks.
" Practice going one on one with another player.
" Practice using both feet for passing and shooting.
" Goalkeeper should continue to learn to catch, kick and throw the ball.
" Introduction to heading the ball.
U11: Skills: Passing, Dribbling, Shooting, Control and Heading
" Know the meaning of yellow and red cards.
" Know the meaning of indirect and direct kicks.
" Know positions.
" Do throw-ins correctly.
" Pass the ball using 2 and 3 players from mid-field to the goal.
" Learn how to trap the ball using the body and how to control the ball to shoot.
" Introduction to offsides.
" Practice using both feet for passing and shooting.
" Goalkeeper should know how to catch, kick, throw the ball and know when he/she can't pick the ball up.
U14: Skills: Passing, Dribbling, Shooting, Control and Heading
" Know the meaning of yellow and red cards.
" Know the meaning of indirect and direct kicks.
" Know positions and play them
" Practice passing the ball up the field from position to position.
" Learn how to trap the ball and then shoot it.
" Know what offsides is.
" Practice pinpoint passing and passing ahead of a teammate.
" Learn to put spin on the ball.
" Practice kicking the ball with both feet.
" Introduction to tackling the ball (coaches' discretion)
CODE OF CONDUCT
INTRODUCTION
Soccer is a competitive sport, but the emphasis of the Youth Recreational league is on participation, development and just plain fun. This obviously applies to the players, but in many cases applies to the coaches, fans and referees as well; many of whom are youth themselves, or new to the game of soccer. The Recreational league serves as a training ground for the future of soccer and it is essential that everyone have a positive experience.
PURPOSE
The Ford County Youth Soccer Club seeks to provide a great soccer experience for its players, coaches, referees, and spectators. We believe that a quality organization is measured by its conduct and attitude both on and off the field. We feel that how the game is played is even more important than winning itself. FCYSC wants to ensure that games are fair, positive and enjoyable experiences for all of the children and adults involved. A soccer game should be friendly and unifying--a spirited social and athletic occasion for players, coaches, referees, and spectators. In pursuit of this goal, we have adopted this Code of Conduct for our parents, coaches, and players.
PARENTS CONDUCT
You are not only a supporter of your child, but also a role model. Your actions reflect upon your child, his/her team, and FCYSC. You are expected:
" To exhibit good sportsmanship and provide encouragement to players, referees, and coaches of both teams.
" To remember that the game is for your child-not for you.
" To encourage and support your child in meeting his or her responsibilities.
" To set a good example by your conduct and sportsmanship.
" To avoid inappropriate behavior during practices, games, team or club sponsored events and/or tournaments.
" To refrain from directing the play of the game.
" To recognize and praise skillful play by both teams.
" To give positive reinforcement and not to yell or ridicule.
" To appreciate the fact that the coach is a volunteer.
" Not to argue with or criticize a referee or linesperson. Simply stated, if you haven't got something nice to say, don't say it.
" Not to enter the field of play at any time.
" Not to encroach into the assistant referee (linesperson) area (1 yard along touch line).
" Refer all comments and questions to the coach.
" To conform to the rules and established by FCYSC.**
COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT
For the sake of brevity, we have omitted the Coaches Code of Conduct from this Handbook. However, the following excerpt is included because we feel it is extremely important.
We stress two points:
Referees, especially young and inexperienced ones, are like the players and yourself, in that they need time to develop. You can play an important role in helping them to improve by letting them concentrate on the game. You can help by encouraging them, by accepting their inevitable, occasional mistakes, and by offering constructive post-game comments. On the other hand, you could discourage and demoralize the referees by criticizing their decisions, by verbally abusing them and inciting, or even accepting, your own players' overly aggressive behavior.
Your example is powerful, for better or worse. If you insist on fair play, if you concentrate on your players' enjoyment of the game and their overall, long term development, and if you support the referee, your players and parents will notice. If you allow your players to play outside the rules, if you're overly concerned about the results, and if you criticize the referee harshly, your players and parents will also notice.
PLAYERS CODE OF CONDUCT
You are part of a team and a club and your actions reflect on your teammates and the FCYSC. You are expected:
" To exhibit good sportsmanship and behavior at all times to players, referees, coaches and fans of both teams.
" To play the game for the game's sake-for the fun of it.
" To treat your coach, teammates, and opponents with respect.
" Not to argue with or criticize the referee or linesperson.
" To avoid inappropriate behavior during practices, games, team or club sponsored events and/or tournaments.
" To control your emotions.
" To attend practices and games.
" To attempt to win through your skill, effort and tactics; to be fair always, no matter what the cost.
" To take victory modestly and defeat graciously.
" To adhere to the laws of the game.*
" To conform to the rules established by FCYSC.**
The consumption of alcoholic beverages, use of tobacco, and drug abuse have been determined to be detrimental to good health and well-being and, in most instances, is in violation of the law. In that theft, vandalism, and/or the destruction of FCYSC or private property reflects poorly on the image of the Club, and its member, the following codes of conduct are submitted as infractions of FCYSC policy:
" The consumption of and/or possession of alcohol.
" The attendance of or participation in any party or gathering where alcohol or drugs are involved. Extenuating circumstances, such as existing family or religious traditions, may be given consideration.
" Smoking or the use of smokeless tobacco.
" Unauthorized use or abuse of drugs and/or controlled substances, along with the possession of and/or delivery of substances. This also includes drug paraphernalia.
" Theft, vandalism and/or destruction of FCYSC or private property.
" Any act of misconduct deemed by the coach or FCYSC Board member to be serious enough to warrant disciplinary action can result in a suspension from games and practices.
VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
Minor violations to the Code of Conduct should be resolved by the coaches and/or division coordinators. Serious or unresolved violations to the Code of Conduct should be reported to the Club's Head Referee. The Head Referee or his designee will conduct an appropriate review of the situation and present the finding and resolution to the Board of Directors. Serious misconduct can result in suspension from the Club.
Conduct infractions will result in suspension from games commencing on the date the infraction occurs or the coach learns of the violation. The parents will receive a letter notifying them of the infraction that occurred, the date the suspension will begin, and of the date the suspension period will end.
Extenuating circumstances may be considered by the Board of Directors when administrating the following penalties.
FIRST INFRACTION:
For a first infraction, suspension will occur for at least two (2) of the season's scheduled games, including all known tournament contests. If a rule is violated over the "off season", or should the infraction occur at the end of the season, the suspension will commence on the day of the first contest of the next season the player should elect to participate in.
Any player who voluntarily admits guilt to the coach may have their suspension for a first infraction reduced to one (1) game. In addition, any player who is discovered lying to avoid punishment will receive additional suspension time. The purpose of this is to promote honesty, not to circumvent punishment, and each case will be considered individually.
SECOND INFRACTION:
Suspension for a second infraction will be for one entire season (either fall or spring), and will commence on the day the violation occurs. This suspension period could be reduced to 50% of the games they otherwise would have been allowed to participate in, if the player attends and completes, at his or her family's own expense, a drug/alcohol/tobacco treatment center approved by the Club for a duration to also be determined by the Club.
THIRD INFRACTION:
Suspension for any third infraction will be for the remainder of the youth's FCYSC eligibility.
MISCELLANEOUS
During a player's suspension period for a first infraction, he or she will be required to practice with the team, travel to and from contests, and sit with or near the team, though not in uniform.
Any player who commits an offense and who remains within the limits of the code for two seasons (one full year) from the date of the infraction will have his/her record cleared.
Voluntary admission of a first infraction by a player wishing to seek help with a chronic alcohol and or drug problem will not result in suspension from games, but will count as a first offense. Players are urged to seek help with a coach, counselor, teacher, or parent if such a problem exists.
A player is required to complete all requirements of a season in order for a suspension to be fulfilled during said season. Otherwise, the player will be required to serve the entire suspension during his or her next season.
APPEALS
An appeals committee will be comprised of the Club President, Head Referee, Head Coach, and two non-involved coaches, one of which will be chosen by the President and the other to be chosen by the player in question. The committee will consider and handle all appeals that may arise regarding the policies contained within the Code of Conduct.
The purpose of the Appeals Committee will be to:
" Determine if there has been an infraction of the Code of Conduct.
" Determine if the Code was appropriately enforced.
" The Appeals Committee will not have the authority to modify the contents of the Code.
In the case of rule violation appeals, the committee will hear all appeals requested by the player and his or her parents that are submitted in writing within seven (7) days of any suspension from games. The decision of the Appeals Committee will be final.
* - Laws of the Game are international standards set by FIFA.
** - Rules are additional or modified standards established by IYSA and FCYSC.