To all our soccer parents and players:
Please read this handbook. It holds the answers to many commonly-asked questions.
We especially encourage you to take the time to review the section on players' and parents' responsibilities and rights with your son or daughter. Players who are prepared are happier, safer players who will benefit the most from what our club has to offer.
Have an excellent season!
Santa Cruz City Youth Soccer Club Board
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
AFFILIATES
The SANTA CRUZ CITY YOUTH SOCCER CLUB (SCCYSC) is an affiliated club within
the SANTA CRUZ COUNTY YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE (SCCYSL), CALIFORNIA YOUTH SOCCER
ASSOCIATION (CYSA) and the UNITED STATES YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION (USYSA).
PURPOSE AND MISSION
Our mission is to instill in the players an appreciation of the game and a spirit
of good sportsmanship and to improve individual skills in the context of good
team play. We emphasize that the soccer program is for the players. It is our
expectation that all players, coaches, and parents will abide by the CYSA Code(s)
of Conduct.
PARENT SUPPORT AND RESOURCES
The Santa Cruz City Youth Soccer Club is a volunteer organization. Its success
is dependent upon the involvement of all participants. We encourage everyone
to volunteer in some capacity. Board members conduct the day-to-day business of the Club through meetings held
on the third Tuesday of each month, except December, usually at the Harvey West Club House. All those who have business they would
like to see placed before the Board are welcome to attend. Only Board members
are eligible to vote. Parents are encouraged to serve one year on the Board
during their child's soccer career.
IMPORTANT: The Club depends entirely on parent volunteers. WE STRONGLY REQUEST
THAT AT SOME TIME DURING YOUR CHILD'S PARTICIPATION IN THE SCCYSC, YOU FILL
A BOARD POSITION FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. VACANCIES ON THE BOARD MEAN NO SOCCER
SEASON! Please check in with the Club phone, or plan to attend the Annual General
Meeting in November.
Each school has a school coordinator, your player's coach will have the name
and phone number of that person, should you have questions or concerns during
the season. If the School Coordinator can't help you, he or she will refer you
to the appropriate Board member.
ELIGIBILITY
The SCCYSC primarily serves those youth residing within the area
encompassed by the Santa Cruz City School District, the Bonny Doon School District,
the Happy Valley School District, or the Pacific Elementary School District,
although players may come from outside these areas. A player must be at least 4 years of age on July 31 of the year s/he wishes to play.
REGISTRATION
Players who did not play the previous year in the SCCYSC Fall season must bring
a copy of their birth certificate with them to registration. All registration
forms and all requests to "play up" (to play in an older age group
than the one to which a player would normally be assigned) must be signed by
at least one parent or legal guardian. Eighteen-year old players may sign their
own registration forms. Competition (Class III) players must bring two copies
of an official birth certificate EACH YEAR OF PLAY. There are two walk-in registration opportunities in April preceding the season.
After that, registration is by mail-in only. Check the website for locations where forms can be picked up. BECAUSE OF SHORTAGES OF FIELDS, COACHES, AND SPONSORS, no one is guaranteed
a spot on a team. What we can guarantee is that we will always do our best to
place every child who registers on a team.
REGISTRATION FEES
Fees will be set by the Board of Directors depending upon current operating
expenses and financial reserves. The cost of the program is only partially covered
by the annual registration fee. The fees will be kept as low as possible; economic
considerations will not keep any interested player from participating.
REFUNDS
Requests for refunds MUST BE MADE IN WRITING. Please include your player's name,
age group, and school. Mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope to: SCCYSC,
P.O. Box 2039, Santa Cruz, CA 95063. Refunds will be made as follows:
Full refunds minus $20.00 (non-refundable CYSA fee) until first game of season.
NO REFUNDS AFTER FIRST GAME.
SPONSORSHIPS
Our registration fees do not cover all our costs. Sponsorships are CRITICAL
to the success of our program. We currently offer the following sponsorship
opportunities:
$250.00-Business Sponsorship (Business name on jerseys)
Business sponsors receive a thank you plaque
We encourage parents to sponsor their player's teams!
TEAM FORMATION
Our first priority is to form teams by school attendance areas. We strive to
balance teams by age and ability. A head coach and one assistant may request
a team assignment for their own children. In the interest of creating full but
not overfull teams, we may have to combine schools. If you have further questions
please call the Club phone.
LEVELS OF PLAY
The Club offers two levels of play within the CYSA framework:
Recreation (Division IV) - teams are developed without tryouts primarily on the
basis of residence and/or school attendance.
Advanced Soccer (Division III)- for U-9's and up, teams are developed on the basis
of mandatory tryouts and a draft. Teams may form based on the availability of
qualified and interested players and coaches. Teams may compete in Santa Cruz
County if enough Division III teams are formed to constitute a league on this side
of the hill. Otherwise, these teams play in leagues centered in Santa Clara
County (though one-half of the teams' games should be home games in Santa Cruz).
All Advanced level teams may play in tournaments and have other additional
costs not covered by the Club.
In addition, for players willing and ready to play at an even more advanced
level and who are willing and able to travel on a regular basis and play nearly
year-round, the Premier Futbol Club of Santa Cruz County (Division I) builds teams
on the basis of tryouts and selection by a particular coach. Call 425-1701 for
more information.
PLAYERS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Rights: Division IV (Rec) level players are entitled to play at least 1/2 of each game
for which they are present and ready to play.
Each player should have easy access to the coach. Each player shall have a complete
uniform, (jersey, socks, and shorts) and game schedule.
All games U-8 and older will have club-provided refs. CYSA provides local clinics to train
and license referees. Those interested should call the Club phone.
Responsibilities: Players should attend all practices prepared and ready to play unless prevented
by family requirements or illness and should call the coach when unable to attend.
Prepared and ready means dressed (practice-shinguards and cleats (recommended)
or sneakers; games-full uniforms, jerseys tucked in, shinguards and cleats (recommended)
or sneakers); no jewelry; in good health; and prepared to conduct themselves
as a soccer player. Players are expected to use good sportsmanship on and off the field. Players
may not use profanity. Players will not question referee calls, but will direct
questions to the coach after the game.
COACHES RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Coaches will have access to information regarding licensing and skills clinics.
CYSA provides free F & E license clinics. The club will provide coaches with
rosters, player passes, game cards, a copy of the CYSA manual, a goalkeeper (Division IV), jersey, 2 practice
balls and 1 game ball.
Players who are present and ready must play 1/2 of the game. The refs' decisions may not be challenged during or after a game. Questions
should be directed to the ref coordinator via the Club phone or email. ABUSIVE TREATMENT
OF PLAYERS, PARENTS, OR REFS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE !
Coaches must be accessible to players and parents. Coaches must adhere to practice schedules. The Club wishes to remind coaches
that practices are for direct coaching. Games are for the players, and are opportunities
for the coach to observe, relax and HAVE FUN! All Coaches and Assistant Coaches are required to attend at least one Positive Coaching Alliance Double-Goal Coach Workshop in the Fall. Currently there are three different workshops offered on varying aspects of coaching youth.
PARENTS RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Club will provide parents with game schedules. Parents will have open access
via the coach, school coordinator, Club phone, and the Club website. Parents are expected to ensure that players get to practices and games on time
and be prepared and ready to play. Parents are also expected to pick up children
on time after practice. As spectators, parents are encouraged to CHEER rather
than coach from the sidelines. Questions of the coach should be saved for after
the game. THE REFEREES' DECISIONS ARE FINAL! Parents are strongly encouraged to attend a Positive Coaching Alliance Parent Workshop, offered each Fall.
IMPORTANT: The Club depends entirely on parent volunteers. WE STRONGLY REQUEST
THAT AT SOME TIME DURING YOUR CHILD'S PARTICIPATION IN THE SCCYSC, YOU FILL
A BOARD POSITION FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. VACANCIES ON THE BOARD MEAN NO SOCCER
SEASON! Please check in with the Club phone, or plan to attend Annual General
Meeting in November.
SOCCER CONDUCT
The Club expects all participants to observe proper standards of conduct. For
players, coaches, and spectators alike, abusive treatment (including verbal
abuse) of other coaches, players and of referees is not acceptable. SCCYSC soccer games will be administered in accordance with the rules set forth
by CYSA, except as may be amended by the SCCYSC. Referees, provided and paid
for by the Club, are required to conduct all games, except for the U-6 age group.
While the referees' decisions may not always be agreeable to all participants
and spectators, their decisions are final. Please refrain from shouting disagreement
and/or derogatory remarks. The referee has the power to caution and eject players
and coaches and/or terminate the game if necessary. Conduct resulting in the
issuance of "red cards" and/or termination of the game will be reported
to the Club and will result in disciplinary action. Complaints regarding referee performance should not be directed to the referee
on the field either during or after the game, but should be directed to the
referee coordinator either by phone or email. In the event that no referee shows up for a game, coaches may still hold the
game with the following recommendation: that someone with knowledge of the game
acts as center referee; that either coach may call the game if soccer conduct
is not observed. Unexcused absences and/or disruptive behavior at practices and games is sufficient
cause for a coach to contact a player's parents and to discuss with the player
and parents the possibility of discipline or suspension from the team. Coaches
are responsible for team discipline and may sideline players and contact parents
when necessary.
The following penalties will be strictly enforced:
A player receiving one red card will automatically be suspended from the next
game (including play-off games). Additional suspension may be imposed, based
upon the severity of the offense, at the discretion of the Club or League disciplinary
committee.
A player receiving a yellow card during a game must be removed immediately from
the game for three minutes. A player who receives three yellow cards during
the course of the season will be suspended for the game following the issuance
of the third card.
Players and coaches are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times
and not to use profanity. Spectators are to remain at least three feet from
the sidelines and no one is allowed behind the goal line at any time during
the game. Coaches are to remain on the sideline near the middle of the field.
No one other than a player who has been admitted into the game by the referee,
in response to a proper request from the coach, may enter the playing field
at any time during the game. The one exception to this rule is a coach who has
come onto the field to assist an injured player when signaled to do
so by the referee.
The facilities we play on are provided by local schools and parks departments.
Players, coaches, and spectators have a responsibility to help ensure continued
availability of these facilities by seeing that the fields are undamaged and
free of litter when they leave. Abuse of the fields should be reported to the
Board.
PROCEDURE FOR GRIEVANCES
If, after speaking with the parties directly involved, players, coaches,
or parents do not feel an issue resolved, a complaint should be made in writing
and addressed to:
Grievance Committee, SCCYSC, P.O. Box 2039, Santa Cruz, CA 95063.
The Grievance
Committee will make a recommendation to the Board. The Board's decision will
be final. The Grievance Committee shall consist of two Board members and one
objective third party.
PRACTICE
AND SEASON PLAY
Team practices will usually be held on weekdays, after school, at practice
fields throughout the Club area. It is important that players attend all practices.
Practices will normally be held at the same time(s) each week.
Parents should make arrangements for players to get home safely immediately
after practices and games. This is not the coach's responsibility.
Recreational-level teams may not begin practicing until mid-August, after rosters
have been distributed at the Club's coaches meeting. The number of team practices
is set by the Board as follows:
U-6 and U-8 - two 1-hour practices a week
U-10 - two l-and-1/2 hour practices a week
U-12 - two 2-hour practices a week
Coaches may choose to practice less. Coaches who exceed the practice standards
set by the Board are subject to disciplinary action.
For U12 and up, seven players are required for the start of play for a scheduled
game. A team that cannot field seven players or does not have player passes
forfeits the game. A team that fields seven or more players but fewer than eleven
may play but should not expect the opposing team to play with fewer than the
appropriate number. (U8=7, U10=9)
The Club will provide a numbered shirt, shorts, and socks for each player. These
remain the property of the Club until the end of the season when, with the exception
of competition teams, they belong to the player. Players are responsible for
seeing that their uniforms are clean before each game. Players provide their
own shinguards, which are required for all games and practices, and soccer cleats
(recommended but not required).
The criteria for proper dress for games:
Each player must wear a team jersey, team shorts, and team socks over shinguards.
Players may not wear jewelry or hair ornaments of any kind or any object, including
a cast or splint, which could cause injury to him/herself or others.
Goalkeepers must wear a shirt clearly different from any other field players,
they may wear special goalkeeper's jerseys, gloves, pants and/or elbow and knee
pads.
Additional clothing such as shirts and long pants may not be worn over the uniform
in game play, though sweatshirts may be worn under the uniform in cold weather.
The Club will furnish the coach of each team with at least three soccer balls
and a goalkeeper's jersey. The coach is responsible for furnishing additional
balls, practice cones, and any other equipment deemed necessary for practice
and games. Each coach is urged to furnish a first-aid kit for his or her team.
It is recommended that each player have a soccer ball for home practice.
At games, the coach of the home team will be responsible for furnishing the
referee with a game ball. The coach of the home team should also provide a completed
game card to the coach of the visiting team sufficiently in advance of the scheduled
starting time to allow that coach to complete the visiting portion of the game
card. A photocopied player roster with jersey numbers can be used to be put
on the game card.
WEATHER,
CANCELLATIONS AND RESCHEDULING
Soccer games may be played regardless of the weather conditions. Games will
only be canceled if the fields are not in playable condition. The Club will
try to have the status of games and fields on the club phone (460-2549) after
8 a.m. on game day. To keep the phone lines open, coaches only
should call the club phone.
Games called for weather or any other reason will not be made up officially,
though coaches may decide to do so on their own.
INSURANCE
COVERAGE
Players in any athletic activity can suffer injury. CYSA provides insurance
coverage for registered players, coaches, and referees. THE CYSA POLICY IS A
SECONDARY INSURANCE POLICY THAT PAYS ANY CLAIM, OR PART OF A CLAIM, THAT IS
NOT PAID BY THE INJURED PLAYER'S NORMAL CARRIER. There is a deductible that
the CYSA policy does not cover. Coverage begins at registration and is in effect for practice and games for
the entire season, including and post-season league-sanctioned play. The CYSA
Team Manual provided to each coach includes an insurance claim form. If an injury
should occur, the claim form should be filled out, and the instructions included
with the kit should be followed. Copies of the form should be made for your
own records. COACHES SHOULD NEVER ALLOW PLAYERS TO PRACTICE WITH THEIR TEAM UNTIL THEY HAVE
BEEN PROPERLY REGISTERED AND ASSIGNED. THERE WILL BE NO CYSA COVERAGE UNTIL
THAT TIME.
SPECIAL
RULES FOR U-8
The emphasis at the U-8 level is FUN, TEAMSMANSHIP, and SKILL ACQUISITION. U-8's
play 7 on team (6 + goalie) on a smaller field with a smaller goal and #3 ball.
Substitutions are only at the l2 minute mark of each half with the clock running.
No direct penalty kicks; no "slide" tackling; and the offside rule
is not enforced as such. U-8 coaches are provided with a complete set of rules.
Referees are reminded to use calls as teaching opportunities. Bad throw-ins
can be repeated, with corrections, within reason.
SPECIAL RULES FOR U-10
U-10's play 9 per side; 8 + goalie. Ball is a #4 and the field and goals are
smaller. There are no direct penalty kicks. There is adherence to offside rules.