Region 870
Team Parents serve as the direct communication link between our region and members. Team Parents serve a crucial role as they help make phone calls for coaches, coordinate snack schedules, and distribute the weekly Touchline newsletter to parents. Watch this space for news and information especially for Team Parents.
Thank you for your help,
Tina Gahagan
tpc@albanyayso.org
AYSO Region 870 Team Parent Coordinator
Uniforms and coach supplies will be distributed to Team Parents at the Timber-Linn Park clubhouse on Wednesday, Sept. 5 and Thursday, Sept. 6 from 6:00-8:00pm. Coaches may pick up the uniforms and supplies in lieu of Team Parents.
Presented by AYSO Region 870
Since most of us did not grow up watching and playing soccer, we hope this brief summary of some of the AYSO philosophy and the laws of the game the rest of the world calls "football" will add to your enjoyment as you watch your child play.
The goals of Region 870 and the AYSO organization are to encourage the growth of soccer and to promote positive child development. Although everyone engaged in sporting competition should have a desire to win, this desire should not be pursued to the exclusion of good sportsmanship, fair play and participation. AYSO is a parent-based voluntary organization providing a soccer program for all children regardless of experience or skill level. Registration of your child in our program implies responsibility to the team and adherence to the five principles of AYSO:
Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, Positive Coaching, Open Registration and Good Sportsmanship.
AYSO is a national nonprofit organization established in 1964 to teach the game of soccer and develop positive character traits in children through their participation in a quality sports program. Our local region administers this program strictly through the efforts of volunteers. In order to provide the quality program our kids deserve, we need YOU! Following is a list of opportunities for you to consider. All volunteers will receive instructions for selected jobs.
Remember: No Previous Experience is Necessary!
COACH: One of the most rewarding opportunities. First time AYSO coaches must attend a clinic and then there are additional instructional meetings held periodically.
ASSISTANT COACH: Assists the team coach during practices. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. You will learn a lot about soccer and coaching, and enjoy working with the players. As the assistant, you are encouraged to attend clinics and meetings.
REFEREE: NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. Must attend Referee Training Class. Uniform provided by the Region. Contact the Regional Referee Administrator if you're interested. You will learn the rules of soccer, how to conduct the game, and enjoy participating with the players.
ASSISTANT REFEREE: Assists the referee, calling the ball in and out of play, and offside. Must attend Referee Training Class. Uniform provided by the Region. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.
TEAM PARENT: Administrative assistant to the coach. The Team Parent is the primary communicator between the coach and the parents. Oversees and coordinates other parents in several areas: Refreshments, Parties, Newsletter articles, Banner making, Telephoning information, and anything else that pertains to the specific team. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. Regional Team Parent Meeting provides pertinent information necessary to perform duties. Coaches greatly appreciate a committed volunteer to fill this position.
GAME DAY REFRESHMENTS: Generally, each family is assigned a specific game to bring refreshments. Also, coaches and referees appreciate being offered refreshments, so please bring a little extra. Usually the coach's family is exempt from bringing refreshments.
Region 870 needs volunteers to work for the entire region in addition to individual teams. The Board of Directors ( Regional Commissioner, Assistant RC, Safety Administrator, Referee Administrator, Coach Administrator, Registrar and Treasurer ) are all volunteer positions and all need assistance. In addition, new regional positions of Division Directors ( responsible for the referees and coaches for each age level ), Team Formation Night Committee, HotLine agent, Fields assistants and many more. You can help -- and remember: NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.
OTHER POSITIONS AVAILABLE. IF INTERESTED, SEE THE REGIONAL COMMISSIONER TO VOLUNTEER. YOUR PARTICIPATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!
Soccer is a simple game. Two teams on a playing field trying to kick a ball into a net. The referee is there to make sure that things are kept FAIR, FUN and SAFE for all the players. The referee's job also is to keep the game moving. This is why play does not stop for every foul and why play does not stop every time a player falls down.
An important concept to keep play moving is "advantage." The referee applies the advantage and does not call a foul if the offending defensive team would gain an advantage from play being stopped.
Finally, remember perspective, both physical and mental. The referee will not see everything that happens on the field. In addition, because of training and experience, and because he or she is impartial, the referee will perceive things differently than the parent or coach of a player.
FOULS: Most fouls in soccer require deliberate conduct which is careless, reckless, or involves disproportionate force. For example, just because the ball hits a player's hand or arm does not mean it is a foul. The player must have deliberately, intentionally, handled the ball. Remember also that if a player handles the ball and it goes to a player on the other team, the referee may apply "advantage" and ignore the foul and call out, "Play on!" The same goes for a situation where two opposing players are fouling each other in a nonviolent manner (one is pushing, the other is pulling). On which player would the foul be called?
In fact, much of what looks like "pushing" is actually "charging" and is legal in soccer. Shoulder-to-shoulder contact in jockeying for position is not a foul.
One foul that does not require contact is "dangerous play," which is any conduct which the referee determines is dangerous to another player (or even the offending player).
Most fouls result in a free-kick. Fouls committed in the penalty area can result in a penalty kick. Penalty kicks are not called in U6 or U8 games.
OFFSIDE: Offside is not called in U6 or U8 games. A player is in an off-side position if he or she is in the opponent's half of the field and nearer to the opponent's goal-line than the ball, unless there are at least 2 defending players (counting the goalkeeper) even with or between the player and the goal-line. However, just being in an off-side position does not make a player "off-side." The player must be involved in the active play, in the opinion of the referee or assistant referee.
Off-side is judged when the ball is last played by the player's teammate, not when it is received. A player may look off-side when the ball arrives, but may not have been off-side when it was played by his or her teammate.
THROW-IN: A team is entitled to a throw-in when the ball completely crosses one of the touch-lines (on the ground or in the air) and was last touched by an opponent. When making a throw-in, the player must deliver the ball evenly with both hands from behind and over the head. When the ball is released, some part of both feet must be in contact with the ground on or behind the touch-line.
GOAL-KICK: Free-kick awarded to the defending team when the ball completely crosses the goal-line (outside of the goal) and was last touched by a member of the attacking team. The ball may be placed anywhere within the goal-area.
CORNER-KICK: Free-kick awarded to the attacking team when the ball completely crosses the goal-line (outside of the goal) and was last touched by a member of the defending team. The ball is placed within the nearest corner-arc.
These are the "Laws Of The Game." The following additions are to help make our experiences with AYSO the best they possibly can be.
Rule 1: THE GAME IS FOR CHILDREN, NOT ADULTS.
Rule 2: Please be on time for games, which means arrive at least a half hour before game time. We have a limited number of fields on which to hold a large number of games. The games MUST start exactly when designated or everyone is affected. The referees have been instructed to shorted games to get things back on schedule, if necessary.
Rule 3: For your own safety and that of the players and referees, please remain behind the parent line, if there is one; and otherwise at least 5 feet from the touch-line. Being a few feet from the action will not interfere with your enjoyment of the game if everyone observes this rule. No one is allowed behind the goal line -- this distracts the goalkeeper and, because it potentially impacts the play on the field, is not allowed.
Rule 4: It is the policy of AYSO that each player participate in at least half of each match (50% Rule). The 50% Rule is a minimum requirement, not a maximum limit. We encourage coaches to give all players equal playing time and, especially in the younger divisions, to give players a chance to play different positions. Players should be routinely rotated through the field positions.
Rule 5: STAY OFF THE FIELD UNLESS YOU ARE INVITED BY THE REFEREE. Players have been instructed to stay on the ground if they are injured. It is the referee's responsibility to determine whether play should be stopped immediately. The most common injury in youth soccer is damage to a player's pride. Nobody likes to fall down, even if it was someone else's fault, and especially if it is one's own fault. If you do not think the referee has noticed an injured player, yell "Player down!"
Rule 6: Unlike other sports, loud criticism of the officials is not part of soccer. Not only does it teach the players improper values, 9 times out of 10 the criticism is the result of a misunderstanding of the rules or the different perspective that an impartial referee in the middle of play has from a parent standing on the touch-line 20 or more yards away. Spectators can be sent off if violating this concept.
Rule 7: AYSO philosophy encourages positive comments and coaching. Think twice about criticism of players actions. Turn critical comments into positive comments. Remember, while there only one way to say "don't," there are more than one hundred ways to say "Great Job!"
Rule 8: During the practice and regular seasons, matches can end in a tie. No team standings are kept. Only during tournament play will there be overtime and, if necessary, a shoot-out.
Rule 9: All players have been issued AYSO uniforms, including shirts (which are to be tucked in), shorts and socks. Non-AYSO provided shorts with advertising logos are not permitted. A player will not be allowed to participate in a match unless the player is wearing his or her uniform. Other articles of clothing, such as sweats, must be worn under the uniform. Shin guards MUST be worn under the socks. Putting the shin guards over the socks and pulling the socks over the shin guards is not acceptable, except in U6 where the children are small enough to do so and completely cover the shin guards. While soccer shoes are not required, they do give additional control on our soccer pitches -- especially during the wet weather.
Rule 10: Unlike baseball, soccer matches are not stopped on account of rain. Only if there is lightning in the area may games be canceled. The kids enjoy playing in the rain and sliding in the mud.
Rule 11: If you have a problem with a referee, a coach, a parent or a player, do not start a yelling match in front of the children. Remember, we are supposed to be POSITIVE role models for them. So, submit a summary of the problem, in writing, to a regional director. All directors have folders in the front of the Coaches Box at the Information Booth. The grievance committee will investigate as per our regional guidelines.
Rule 12: None of the officers, referees, or coaches is paid for his or her time and they all have other responsibilities, both business and personal. Please be patient if a coach or referee is a little late. Better yet, get involved and volunteer to help. There are never enough volunteers to do all of the jobs. We do need your help to make your children's' experiences the best they can be.
As a parent, you can help your child's coach by introducing yourself and thanking them for their interest in coaching a team. Support the coach's request that your child be on time for practices and games. If you do not stay for the entire practice session, pick up your child promptly at the end of practice. Be positive with your comments. Offer help at practices. Remember that coaches volunteer their time and energy to instruct and help your child, and they need your cooperation and support.
AYSO Referees are entitled to the highest respect from coaches, players and spectators. The referee's mistakes (and there will be mistakes) shall be accepted without complaint. Many of the referees have no children playing in our Region and all of them gladly give their time to help us. Please show them the respect they deserve - they are volunteers, and express your appreciation for their commitment to our soccer program. The region is always in need of referees and we cannot have matches without trained and certified referees. If you are interested, contact the Regional Referee Administrator and enjoy the game from another angle.
THE REGION AND THE CHILDREN NEED YOUR PARTICIPATION. Attend practices and games. PARENTAL SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL. Learn about the rules of the game by reading, "The Rules of Soccer: Simplified" available at the Albany Public Library. Above all, show tolerance of the players' mistakes and weaknesses. When attending games, cheer for all players on both teams as well as your own child. Every parent is requested to volunteer in some area of the program and there are various jobs available. Be there to volunteer!
AYSO soccer encourages positive self-esteem, discipline, personal responsibility, teamwork, acceptance of and learning from disappointment and success, as well as perseverance. It is also an enjoyable game to watch as well as to play. We believe that quality soccer can and should be developed, and that it can and should be fun. Therefore, the emphasis of our program is not on who wins but how the players and teams develop, and most importantly, did they have fun in doing so? We want all participants to reach their full, age-appropriate potential and to enjoy themselves in the process.
As spectators, we must realize that the players are trying their very best and deserve our very best in the way of support and encouragement. Negative comments have no place on the field or on the sidelines. We need to recognize that the effort of each player is 100% well-intended and encourage each player to maintain that effort. It is also important to recognize all good play being demonstrated, regardless of which team the player is on.
The area off the field that the spectators occupy is on your own team's side, no closer than two yards from the touchline, and between the penalty areas. Under no circumstances will anyone be allowed behind the goal lines. Familiarize yourself with these field markings and remain within the area defined.
Allow the coach to be the sole source of coaching during the match, communicating tactical or technical adjustments to the players. As a coach, be sure that your coaching during the match is limited to positive, instructional or encouraging comments. Giving play by play instructions to all players thwarts their ability to put into effect the lessons you have stressed in practices and disallows them the opportunity to think on their feet. Build play or position-thinking abilities during practice so that you can enjoy the match as another spectator.
The area off the field that the coaches occupy is called the "technical area" and is on your own team's side, no closer than one yard from the touchline, an up to ten yards from either side of the halfway line. The "technical area" is limited to the head coach and one assistant coach for that team. Not only are these to be the only persons occupying the "technical area," they are the only persons who may coach (give tactical or technical information) during the course of the match.
An important aspect of the AYSO program is Sportsmanship. Our children need to experience:
One of the major ways in which our children can learn and continue to have these experiences is by our demonstration of good sideline behavior. Our children learn by watching, and imitating our conduct. Keep a positive outlook and demonstrate it by supporting the coaches, players and referees, in spite of any mistakes they may make, during the course of a match.
The Board of Region 870 hopes that this Guide helps you to not only understand the game of soccer, but to remember the most important part of the game - the kids. If you have any questions, look for the RED SHIRTS of the Regional Directors.