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Everyone
Plays
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Every registered player
will play at least three of the four quarters of each regular league season game in which
they play. (Players arriving late to a game may not play three
quarters.) Players playing goal keeper will play at least one quarter
out on the field.
AYSO National Rules and
regulations specify each child is guaranteed
to play one half of each game.
In Region 83, we feel it
is important to stress the value of participation regardless of ability
thus our local program guarantees each child playing three
quarters (3/4) of each game during the regular league season (to the
extent mathematically possible). In addition, coaches are
required to play a child on the field at least one quarter in each game
- no child will play in the goal the whole time they are in the game.
Players arriving late to
games play 1/2 if they arrive in the first half of the game.
Players arriving in the third quarter will be played in the fourth
quarter.
Coaches have many
challenges, including players who irregularly attend practices or are
disruptive. The players still have the 3/4 guarantee. It is
our philosophy that the child will not be punished for parents who do
not or cannot have the child at each practice. However, after
provisions may be made if the child is disruptive and
disrespectful. The coach will work with the parents, the division
coordinator to solve any issues.
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Balanced
Teams
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Every effort is made at
the time teams are formed to form teams of equal skill. Players have
more fun playing soccer when games are competitive. Training is offered
to and required of all of our coaches in an attempt to assure a high
quality of coaching for every team.
We balance our teams for
skills ensuring balanced competition. In theory each team
has an equal chance of winning or loosing.
How? All players are rated
by their coach. The rating is then compared at a coaches meeting
by all he coaches in that division. When a new season starts,
returning players have these ratings. New players are given a
rating at registration.
A computer program forms
teams based on age and ratings. Each team has a like average
rating with other teams in the division. Prior to team handout,
coaches review the teams, review the players ratings and make
adjustments. Adjustments based on growth, on mistaken ratings, on
All Star participation, etc.
Why? Teams that are formed
by draft, by neighborhood, by school, by family affiliation do not
balance well. Personal issues get involved and favoritism seeps
into the process. This is not consistent with AYSO philosophy.
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Open
Registration
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Any player meeting the
age requirements for AYSO soccer, and timely paying a registration fee
and completing registration paperwork is given the same opportunity to
be placed on a team. The number of players and teams we are able to
field is dependent on the number of volunteers we have to coach and
referee.
Here in the 5 Cities
program we have early registration in April and May. This enables
us to plan the season. Uniforms, fields, budget, coaches,
instructional clinics, etc.
We however keep the
process as open as possible, meaning we accept players until we have no
more coaches to coach teams, no more referees to referee games, and no
more space to play on. Normally the waiting list is emptied
before the third week of play.
Open registration also
means that all kids no matter size, color, sex, economics, skill, etc.,
are accepted into our program. We take them all. We are an
inclusive organization focused on Fun, Fair, Safe and Positive soccer,
not WIN, WIN, WIN.
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Positive
Coaching
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teach our coaches to keep it positive. Player have more fun when they
aren't being over-coached, and are being encouraged. Soccer is a
player's game, and players need to develop the ability to think and act
on their own on the field.
An important philosophy,
little understood, difficult to do, yet makes the biggest impact on our
children. Below are some examples of statements by players,
coaches and parents.
Positive Coaching
Positive coaching is
focusing on what players do right and encouraging them to it again,
encouraging them with positives to be better. Instruction to help
them make better decisions on their own.
Great job!
I loved how you did that, do it again!
Nice kick!
Great teamwork!
Keep up the hard work! You'll get it next time!
Next time relax, and make the pass to space, and that'll be great!
Wonderful effort!
Knowing when to kick is hard, you made a great try, I'm sure you'll do
it next time!
You two sure have been playing well!
I liked how you made that pass! See if you can pass it here next time!
Directive Coaching
Directives
are okay occasionally. Yet they can interfere with a child
recognizing what is right and wrong on their own. Please, they
are not remote controlled cars, put that joystick away!
Kick the
Ball!
Stop!
Pass it, pass it!
Go to your left, now go right!
Move up!
Throw it in here!
Go faster! Run!
Turn the ball!
SHOOT! SHOOT! SHOOT THE BALL!
Negative Coaching
Negative
coaching is not tolerated, and should not be allowed by coaches,
parents, referees, players. Expectations are always hard to meet,
especially when perfection is one of them. Just let the kids
play. They need to make mistakes to learn. They need to
know what is right. They pretty much know when they have done
wrong. Fear of wrong, fear of negative comments, especially loud,
public comments yelled across the field or in front of their friends
suppresses trying. It suppresses excellence in action and
attitude. Be a good positive role model! You can do it, you'll bring
joy and excellence to their play!
Why did you
do that!!!
Stop kicking the ball so hard!
Stop playing like a wimp!
If you don't play harder, you'll loose!
I can't believe you did that!!!?
What do you think you are doing?!!
That's the last time I'll let you play forward!
Can't you kick it harder???
Aren't you listening to me?
Get him! Get him!
That was stupid!
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Good
Sportsmanship
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We teach our players good
sportsmanship. Winning teams are not winning teams without an opponent.
And, when the score is not in your favor, winners behave with
grace. Our five goal rule (which applies to all divisions) helps
to teach players respect for their opponents, and that being a winner
means not running up the score.
Teams
(including coaches) shaking hands after a game
Teams (including coaches) shaking hands before the game
Giving the other team a cheer
Parents cheering all good play, even for the other team
Players telling the other team "good play" during the game
Players helping other players up from the ground
Players accepting the referee's call without a frown
Parents accepting the referee's call without dissent
Coaches accepting the referee's calls
Coaches playing all their players equally
Coaches instructing players within the rules (not cheating)
Players playing within the rules (not cheating, not hurting
intentionally)
Teams adjusting their play to keep the game fun
Clapping when an injured player gets up (and taking a knee until they
do)
Thanking the referees
Bad sporting behavior
Parents,
coaches, players, refusing to shake hands
Parents, coaches, players, cheering when a foul is called
Parents, coaches, players, refusing to thank the referees
Parents, coaches, players, yelling at the referees
Parents talking down to the other players
Coaches talking down, bad about the other team
Players talking negatively about the other team
Players talking negatively to the other players, parents, coach.
Making excuses
Kicking the ball away when the other team is awarded a throw in or free
kick
Cheating (handling the ball when no one is looking)
Winning 10-0, 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4 - more than five points more than
the other team.
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Arroyo Grande
