Rules & Regulations

General

WHAT TYPE OF EQUIPMENT DO I NEED TO COACH?

At the bare minimum, you need some disc cones (20 or 30 is ideal) and some pinnies. Players can bring their own soccer ball. However, most coaches will accumulate additional equipment over time that can come in very handy. Optional equipment includes: · A coach's first aid kit · Pinnies · Pop up goals or even portable full size goals like GOLME · A dry erase clipboard with a soccer field stenciled on it. Handy for keeping papers together and drawing out things you may try to explain · A stopwatch - handy for keeping track of time during matches · A small ball pump · A colorful keeper jersey and gloves · Extra balls are always nice. It helps keep the practice moving so you don't have to chase balls all the time For older players - training aids like an agility ladder, hurdles, ball hoops, poles, etc. You'll notice one item that's not on the list - a whistle. Most experienced coaches won't use a whistle and instead teach the players to listen to what they say.



HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE TO COACH?

This will depend on the type of team and age level of the team you are coaching. Recreational teams will often practice 1-2 times a week and play once a week. So you can expect a commitment of about 3-5 hours total including setup, picking up, etc. Add in an additional hour or so for preparation (practice plans, paperwork, etc.) Regardless of the age of your team or level, you should recruit a team manager to handle all the league paperwork, snack and make-up schedules, etc. It can be a huge help. A good recreational team schedule to follow is: • U4 - once or twice a week for 30-45 minutes each session • U6-U8 - once or twice a week for 45-60 minutes each session • U9-U12 - twice a week for 60-90 minutes each session • U13 and up- twice a week for 90 minutes each session



WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO BECOME A COACH?

All coaches and assistant coaches need to be registered and have an approved background check. You need to register using the coach's form at registration. If you are selected to be a coach, you will automatically be sent an email with your GotSoccer coach account login information. The background check access is on your GotSoccer coach account in the gray bar. Thanks so much for volunteering with WSA.



CAN WE HAVE A SPONSOR PURCHASE OUR TEAM UNIFORMS?

Yes you can purchase your own uniform. The uniforms can be paid for by the parents or by a sponsor. However your registration cost will not be reduced. Your team will be required to have the WSA logo put on the uniform at the team's expense. If you have a sponsor, they can have their name put on the uniform. This requires board approval before the name can be applied to the uniform.



I DO NOT WANT MY CHILD TO HAVE THE SAME COACH AS LAST YEAR. WHAT CAN I DO?

On the registration form, just indicate that you do not want to be on the same team by checking and initializing the box "request off core” and your child will be removed as a core player from that team. Your child will be placed in the Player Pool for random assignment to a new team. NTSSA rules require that children be assigned to teams in a fair manner.



I LIKED MY CHILD'S COACH FROM LAST YEAR, BUT I DON'T WANT HIM/HER TO PLAY WITH THE SAME KIDS. WHAT CAN I DO?

You cannot request the same coach but with different players. You do have the option to request your child not play on the same team and be placed back in the Player Pool for random assignment.



I WOULD LIKE MY SON/DAUGHTER TO PLAY ON A FRIEND'S TEAM OR FOR A SPECIFIC COACH?

In the U4 - U-8 divisions, the NTSSA "Buddy system may be used. Only a new player may be placed on the same team assuming that there is room on the team's roster. If there is not a place, both players may request to be placed on a team that has two open roster positions. The new Buddy must be new to soccer (has not played with a NTSSA member association). Coaches may NOT request that you play for their team. This is a serious violation of the recruiting rules.



WILL MY CHILD BE PLACED ON THE SAME TEAM?

If your child is a returning player, as long as the coach and team are returning and you have not requested that your child be assigned to a new team and you have registered on time. Please keep in mind that it's WSA policy to place additional players on teams with the shortest roster and without going over state-regulated roster size.



I WANT MY SON/DAUGHTER TO PLAY IN A HIGHER AGE BRACKET. IS THIS POSSIBLE?

The decision to have your child "play-up" is something that requires careful consideration. Such a request is generally made when a player demonstrates a skill level above his/her age of play and when there is a team available. Such a request should be made to the appropriate league representative or on your child's registration form. The request requires approval from the Team Formation Committee. Your child may only play up one age bracket.



IS JEWELRY PERMITTED TO BE WORN?

No jewelry is allowed to be worn by the players during the game except for medical or religious purposes - in this case they must be taped to the body. Jewelry can cause injury to the player and/or other players during the match. Earrings of all types, necklaces, and bracelets (including Live Well type bands) cannot be worn during games. Band-Aids/tape cannot be placed over newly pierced ears during games.



CAN I BRING MY PET TO THE FIELD?

All pets are strictly prohibited at our complexes (exception will be service animals). We have experienced children injured by small, well behaved pets on a leash. We have also experienced animals injured by running children and soccer balls. We will enforce this prohibition. Games will not be started or continued until animals are removed from the complex.



MY CHILD HAS A CAST ON HIS/HER ARM AND THE DOCTOR SAYS THEY CAN PLAY SOCCER. IS THIS PERMITTED?

A child with any type of cast may only practice or participate in games if it is covered with foam padding. Bubble wrap is not acceptable. The player may be eligible for a refund for the season – check our website for more information. How the cast is covered and whether or not it is acceptable for play is still up to the referee of the match. It is best to check with the referee before the match to allow for any modifications that must be made.



WHAT SHOULD I DO IF THE REFEREE MAKES A BAD CALL?

You should respect the difficult job that referees have and recognize that the referee, according to the FIFA Laws of the Game, is the ultimate authority on the field. Whether a coach, spectator, player or parent, you should not vocally dispute a referee call (or even call out for an explanation) during the game.

The coach may speak privately with an adult referee at halftime or after the game to seek an explanation. Youth referees should NOT be approached at half time or after the game to discuss calls. If you have a question, it may be directed to the youth referee through the Referee Assignor or Director of Referees.

At no point in time, in the history of soccer, has a referee's decision been reversed. You must consider this when deciding if you want to "argue" with the referee about a call or seek "clarification" as to why a call was made. In the end, you still may not agree with the call, but you will at least know why the referee made the call.

Many of our referees are young. They are some of the best kids around and have played soccer and respect adults. Do not take advantage of that respect by "bullying" them after they have made a call. It teaches your players bad sportsmanship and may get you removed from the game and/or coaching.

Many of our referees are also coaches. This means they have been subjected to "bad calls" from other referees. Understand that the referee cannot see everything and what they do see, they may see differently than you. This is a part of the game and you must teach your players to adapt and overcome any obstacles to perceive are out there.



ARE SHIN GUARDS REQUIRED?

All players must wear age appropriate shin guards worn under the socks.



IT'S COLD OUTSIDE, CAN MY CHILD WEAR A COAT?

Long sleeve shirts, sweat-shirts, or coats must be worn under the jersey. Gloves/mittens, scarves, hats, and ear warmers are permitted.



WHAT SIZE BALL SHOULD MY CHILD BE USING?

Soccer balls used in youth leagues come in sizes 3, 4, and 5. • 3-7 Years Old (U4-U8): Size 3 • 8-12 Years Old (U9-U12): Size 4 • 13 on up (U13-U18): Size 5



ITS RAINING, ARE WE STILL PLAYING GAMES TODAY?

Check the WSA website (www.weatherfordsoccer.org) or our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/WeatherfordSoccer/).

As long as there is no lightning and the fields are okay, we will play.



WHEN AND WHERE ARE PRACTICES OR GAMES?

The coach chooses the practice night(s) that best fits his/her schedule. WSA does not dictate when or where a coach practices his/her team. Because of the number of teams we have, WSA also does not have a master schedule of practices or locations teams practice at. Coaches set the practice times, but generally begin between 5:30-6:30pm depending on the time of the year. They tend to last around 1-2 hours depending on the age group (practices are shorter for younger age groups, longer for older age groups). Each coach sets their practice schedule. WSA policy limits you to two practices/training sessions each week (Monday - Sunday). The first week available for practice is mid to late February for the spring season, and mid to late August for the fall season. For the U4-U8 age groups, all games are played in Weatherford at Cartwright park. U9 and above age groups play in North Central Soccer Alliance (NCSA). Half of the games will be played in Weatherford at Cartwright park, the other half will be played in the other NCSA associations towns. Game times depend on the age group. Regular season Saturday games start around 8:30 am and are slotted all day long. Each game lasts roughly 45 - 90 minutes (younger ages play shorter games). Weeknight evening games start after 6:00 pm.



Frequently Asked Questions