Travel Soccer Primer for the Saline Stampede

Weather: We play in rain, heat and cold but not in visible lightning. Players may wear extra layers under their uniform shirt; consider an additional layer such as UnderArmour (can be purchased in local stores and on-line). Some referees will allow us to bend the rules and wear long pants when it’s particularly cold or miserable. Referees can only cancel the game on the field and only at or after kick-off time. Coaches can’t cancel a game for weather.

When to Arrive for Games: Please arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to the game start time for warm-ups, check-in and pre-game instructions unless asked to arrive earlier. The arrival time will always be posted on the web site.

What to Bring – Absolute Minimum:

· Enough to drink – this will probably be more than a standard water bottle

· Ball – we will warm up before the game

· Alternate color jersey (players should always wear black and be prepared to change into yellow.

Where Everyone Sits: Players and parents sit on the same side, everyone at least one yard behind the touch line (side line). Home team chooses the side on which to sit. Spectators should sit on the opposite half of the field as the players and keep the area around the center line clear (that’s where we substitute players). Some tournaments may require parents and spectators on the opposite side from players (both teams on the same side).

Check-In: The referee will check each player in individually against the roster and photo on the pass card. The team will cheer for each player as her name is called and you can too.

Positions: We will experiment with different positions during the season and players will settle into 2 or 3 positions as the season progresses.

Substitutions: The coaches will substitute players throughout the game. All of the following must occur before a player can be substituted:

§ Substitutes must be standing at the center line

§ It must be our throw-in, a goal kick (for anyone) or a restart for a scored goal (for anyone)

§ If it’s the opposing team’s ball and they substitute, we can substitute (WSSL-only rule)

§ Play has to stop and can’t have restarted (sometimes we aren’t quick enough)

§ The referee has to give us permission (sometimes they don’t know we have someone to substitute)

Referees will generally require an injured player to be substituted if play is stopped for a coach to enter the field.

Parents:

§ Allow the coaches to coach without issuing conflicting instructions

§ Be sportsman-like at all times, even when the other spectators are not (and they won’t be). Silence in the face of frustration or anger may sometimes be the best way to show sportsmanship.

§ Encourage our players!

§ Bring any and all concerns directly to the coaches (any time but during a game please) – we want this to be a positive and fun learning experience for your daughter and anything that detracts from that must be brought to our attention.

Injuries: Injuries, whether intentional or accidental, are emotionally charged situations that have frequently resulted in heated exchanges between parents, teams and referees; Saline is far from an exception. As a result, it is important that we allow the referee to maintain control of the field and who enters. Injury does not mean that the game must automatically stop; only the referee can stop the game. If the game is stopped, the coach will ask permission to enter the field and remove the player (and of course, request help as needed). If your child is injured, do not enter the field unless a coach requests you to. It is good sportsmanship for players and spectators to applaud an injured player as they leave the field.

Play Time: Two 30-minute halves (scrimmages and tournaments may have different times)

A Few Soccer Rule Concepts:

§ Offside (frequently misspoken as “offsides”): A player is offside when they are positioned behind the second-to-last defender (the goalkeeper is considered a defender) and become part of the active play. Being in an offside position is fine, as long as no one passes you the ball and you stay out of play.

§ Out of bounds: When the ball completely crosses the touch line (side line) or goal line (end line).

§ Direct kick: Does not have to touch another player before a goal can be scored.

§ Indirect kick: Must touch another player, on either team, before a goal is scored. Referee will signal an indirect kick by putting their arm straight up.

§ Referees: Players and coaches must comply with the center referee’s calls. The assistant referees are there to help the referee and do not make calls themselves. Players, coaches and spectators must show respect to the referee at all times (that’s why WSSL rules put us all on the same side) or risk being dismissed from the game.

Finally, even though we’re part of SASA, this is not SASA Rec League

§ The game rules are more strictly enforced.

§ The games are not coached to a tie, we play to win and so does our opponent.

§ Our opponents are from a variety of areas and we have little control over their behavior beyond WSSL rules and the soccer Laws of the Game.

References:

§ Saline Stampede web site (game schedules, maps): http://www.salinestampede.net

§ WSSL web site (WSSL rules, standings): http://www.wsslsoccer.org/

§ FIFA Laws of the Game (the official soccer rules): http://access.fifa.com/documents/static/regulations/LOTG2004_e.pdf