Frequently Asked Questions from Coaches and Parents
As a coach in the Rockridge Soccer Club where should I get information?
One of the best places to get information is the Jack London Youth Soccer League website at www.jlysl.org. Check the Calendar for upcoming coaching classes and PCA workshops; look for rain out announcements on the Home page on stormy mornings.
Check the Rockridge Soccer Club website at www.rockridgesoccer.org for announcements specific to the Club like our annual coaches meetings and monthly board meetings. The Directory has contact info for Club volunteers. If you are a new coach in our Club, take time to explore BOTH websites thoroughly.
When and how will I get my practice field assignment?
Practice fields/times are selected at the annual coaches pre-season meeting via a lottery. Coaches can begin practicing sometime in mid-August, depending upon when field permits become available. Remember, fields are extremely difficult to procure and use of the fields is a privilege. Be sure to clean up all trash from fields when leaving and observe all posted rules on the field. Absolutely no dogs are allowed on fields for games or practices. Coaches are responsible for enforcing this rule with the families on their teams.
When and how will I get equipment and uniforms for my team?
Each team is provided with an equipment budget and an account at Jade Soccer. This budget is to be allocated by the coach based on the individual team’s equipment needs. In addition, each team is provided with a number of balls from the club at the annual coaches meeting.
Uniforms are purchased from Jade Soccer. There is a process for placing a team order for U6 and U8 teams which is fully explained. All older players may purchase their uniforms individually through Jade Soccer. STING players purchase their uniforms individually though the Soccer Post in Alameda. See the uniform/equipment section of the RSC website for more info.
When and how will I get my team’s game schedule and directions to fields?
The League Match Coordinators create the game schedules. Game schedules are available online before the season starts. Directions to fields may be found on the site on the RSC website. Depending on the age group the schedule may be on sportability.com or mysoccerleague.com.
What are flights and how will I know what flight my team will be?
Coaches are asked to designate a flight for their team based upon age and experience and skill of their players. Flights (from highest to lowest) are: Gold, Silver, Bronze, Red, White, Blue, Green, etc. Teams may not always be placed in their requested flights. Because each typically contains 8 teams, flights may not divide up easily into groups as requested. Teams may be placed in a flight near to the one they requested. After the first 3 games are played, teams may be re-flighted by the Match Secretaries based upon game results. Coaches are also allowed to provide feedback via email to the Age Coordinators and/or Match Coordinators if their games become consistently one-sided.
How do I know my team is in the right flight?
The purpose of flighting teams is to make sure that teams are appropriately matched during games. If your team lost all of its first 3 matches, your team may be moved to a lower flight. If your team won all of its first 3 matches, you may be moved to a higher flight. The goal is make sure that teams are challenged and having a good competitive experience. We all love to win, but a team that outmatches the majority of its opponents, or conversely is outmatched in the majority of matches, is not appropriately flighted. In general, teams are considered appropriately flighted if they win half their games in the season.
What do the Registration Age Coordinators do?
Each age division and gender (example: Under 10 girls) has an age coordinator(s). In early summer, the Age Coordinators are responsible for forming up the teams based upon information submitted by parents during registration.
Teams are formed by:
a. Player Requests a Coach
Players who have played before for a coach and request that coach for the next season are assigned to that team. Players may opt for new coach and team. However, the general rule for Class IV soccer (recreational) in our Club is that no coach can "cut" a player from his/her team. Players can specify their preferred coach on their registration form, or by contacting the Age Coordinator(s). Players may specify a new coach, one they haven't played with before. However, this request can be satisfied only if there is room on that coach's roster. In other words, returning players on a coach's roster from the previous Fall season have priority over players new to that coach's roster.
b. Player Requests to Play with Friends or Schoolmates
Players can specify friends they would like to play with, or simply specify that they'd like to play on a team with other children on their school. If there is room on that team's roster, that player will be assigned to the team with the friends or schoolmates they've specified. If a parent would like to request a different coach, then that parent should contact the Age Coordinators email to make the request. Parents can make requests on behalf of THEIR child, not on behalf of other children. If an individual player wants a different coach, then the Age Coordinator will likely move that player individually, assuming there is room on the requested team. Parents may request a specific coach, or request not to have a specific coach.
How can a player play up an Age Division on my team?
Players can request to play up an age division. Those requests will be considered as long as her/her coach is willing to state that that it is appropriate given the player's skills and maturity. A player requesting to play up an age division can be placed on a team if the player registered on time and:
- The coach supports having the player play up and feel it's appropriate for the child socially and given his/her skill level.
- There is room on the team.
- This placement does not displace another child who should be in the age division based upon their birth-date.
Parents should include a brief comment in their online registration form indicating that they are requesting that their child play up an age division. Coaches should separately send a note to the Age Coordinator listing the players from their fall roster who are requesting to play up, and indicate that it would be appropriate given the child's skill level and maturity for that child to play up.
We played a game this weekend, and there were some sportsmanship problems in the match. What should I do?
Coaches can report such incidents through www.jlysl.org (on the website see menu item ≥Report Problem≤). Coaches may also submit information about game incidents to the RSC Coaching Coordinator, Referee Coordinator or Club President Coordinators.
We played a game this weekend, and we were totally outmatched. What should I do?
In game instances in which the teams were unevenly matched, the coach should report this to the appropriate Match Secretary. The Match Secretaries use this information for reflighting.
What certifications do I need to coach a team?
Coaches for age groups U10 and above must have (or must obtain during their first coaching season) an "F" license from the California Youth Soccer Association (CYSA). Coaches are encouraged to pursue more advanced license levels as they move up the player age group levels adding tactics and advanced strategies to the skills they teach soccer players. Look on the Jack London Youth Soccer League site for a list of "F" clinics (www.jlysl.org), or you can go directly to the CYSA site to look for upcoming clinics:http://www.cysanorth.org/Coaching/courses.htm.
All Class IV teams (with the exception of the Under 6 and Under 8 coaches) need a coach with at least an F license, and all Assistant Coaches need to have this license in order to coach for the team if the head coach is unavailable (even in the event of a red card to the Head Coach).
Coaches of older teams are encouraged to get their E license. (All STING coaches must have an E of higher license)
Coaches may be asked by the referee to present a CYSA coach pass, which looks like a player pass and includes a picture of the coach. This coach pass is included in the team package containing the roster and player passes at the annual coaches meeting.
Separate and independent from the CYSA licensing, all new coaches (regardless of age division) are required to attend a Positive Coaching Alliance workshop. These PCA workshops are sponsored by the League and the member Clubs (OSC, MSC, PSC, GVSC, RSC, WOSC). Look for upcoming workshops in the PCA section at www.jlysl.org.
I participated in a PCA workshop in the past and really enjoyed the session I attended. Do I need to attend a PCA workshop again each year?
No. Once you’ve attended a PCA workshop, you’ve satisfied the PCA participation requirement.
I am a returning coach and I did not attend a PCA (Positive Coaching Alliance) workshop last year. Do I need to attend a PCA workshop this year?
All coaches are expected to attend a PCA workshop before or during their first season. Coaches must apply Positive Coaching techniques to all their interactions with players, parents and referees to make the player’s experience the best it can be. Returning coaches will be given an annual PCA refresher at the annual Fall coaches meeting. See the PCA section at www.jlysl.org for more info.
I’ve heard about an end of season tournament for U10 and above teams. When is it and how do we enter the tournament?
Each year Jack London organizes an end-of-season tournament in November for U10, U12 and U14 teams in Class IV. It’s fun and the majority of teams participate. To play in the tournament your team must have: 1) met its referee requirement (that is, have at least one person on your team be a licensed referee who has officiated at least 5 games during the season) and 2) met the Club’s PCA participation requirement.
Coaches typically receive an email from the Tournament Coordinator during the season about the tournament, along with information on how to register for the tournament via Sportability. Because considerable work goes into scheduling referees and fields for the tournament, teams intending to play in the tournament must register in advance with the Tournament Coordinator. The Tournament Coordinator for the League has traditionally been the League Vice President; see the Directory at www.jlysl.org for contact info.
The Jack London end-of-season tournament typically involves 3 games (2 on Saturday, 1 on Sunday) on the weekend before Thanksgiving. Players typically receive a medal for participating. Teams that win their flight are typically awarded trophies.
What is the referee requirement?
All U10+ teams must provide one fully licensed referee, or more, and referee at least half as many games as the team plays. This means that teams must have someone from their team who is a licensed referee who officiates at least 5 games a season. Teams must also be able to provide two assistant referees (linespersons) familiar with the Laws of the Game at the games.
To earn the required license (a United States Youth Soccer League "Grade 8" license) referees must successfully complete a course and examination including 18 class hours, usually spread over six evenings. There is also a “Grade 9” one day course that will allow a referee to officiate U12 and under recreational games.
How should I (the coach) deal with a referee who isn’t calling things correctly during a game?
You may contact the Match Secretary after the game. You may not, however, correct the referee during or immediately after the game. The League maintains a zero tolerance policy towards dissent with the game officials.
Coaches may submit incident reports through www.jlysl.org (on the website see menu item ≥Report Problem≤). Coaches may also submit information about game incidents to the Age Coordinators and the Match Secretaries. If appropriate, the Age Coordinators may notify the Club Coaching Coordinator, Club Referee Coordinators, and League Referee Coordinators.
Do I need Player Pass cards? What do I do with them?
For the fall season, each player must have a player pass, which is a photo ID, in order to play in a game in the fall. The Club Registrar will distribute player passes and other team documents at the coaches meetings in advance of the season. Coaches need to have the player passes signed by the players and then laminated. It a good idea to punch the player pass cards and put them all together on a key ring so that none get lost during a season.
Coaches must submit the player passes and coach pass for the team to the referee prior to the start of the game. No pass, no play. All players should be checked in before the game starts. If the team does not present the player passes to the referee by game end, then the team will be subject to forfeiture of the game. In addition to the player passes, coaches are required to have a medical release form signed by the player’s parent at each game in order for the player to participate in the match. The medical release form is the CYSA player form.
The player pass rules are designed to make sure that players do not play for more than one team and to ensure that players have a medical release signed in the event they need emergency medical care and their parents are not present. After the first three games, though, player pass cards are required for all players.
In the spring, things are less formal. However, coaches are required to have medical release forms in hand for every player for all games, both spring and fall.
What are Medical Release Forms and why are they needed?
All teams must have copies of Medical Release Forms at all games and practices. The referee may note on the game card if the team does not have these forms. Any team continually not having the forms will be subject to non-participation in League play. These Medical Release The player pass rules are designed to make sure that players do not play for more than one team and to ensure that players have a medical release signed in the event they need emergency medical care and their parents are not present. After the first three games player pass cards are required for all players.
We use Sportability for registration. In some instances parents indicated medical information (for example, if their child has asthma) online through sPortability, but did not indicate this on the Medical Release Form. All coaches should verify with parents that they have complete medical information on the Medical Release Form for each player.
Where can I find out more information on the Rules of Play for games?
We play under the Rules of Play for the Jack London Youth Soccer League and the Laws of the Game of FIFA. All coaches are expected to be familiar with these rules and the laws of the game. The Rules are available at www.jlysl.org.
When does the season start and end? How many games do we play?
Each Fall we typically have a ten-week schedule, followed by a League tournament for the U10, U12, and U14 age divisions the weekend before Thanksgiving. (See previous section for the referee and PCA requirement for the League tournament.) The younger age groups (U10, U12, U14) have a 3-week seeding schedule followed and then a seven-week regular season. League rain-outs are not typically rescheduled. However, if two teams agree to reschedule, that game will count in standings. Such games require a signed game card to be submitted.
What if we need to reschedule a game?
Under certain circumstances a team will be allowed to reschedule a game. A coach must inform the opposing coach at least one week before the scheduled game date of the need to reschedule. It is also the responsibility of the team requesting a reschedule to inform referee coordinators of the game cancellation. Games will not be rescheduled because one team does not have enough players that week. If a team must reschedule a game, it is the responsibility of the team requesting a reschedule to accommodate the other team’s schedule, find an available field and find referees.
What if our game doesn’t start on time?
All games may not start on time, but they should end on time. We do this so the schedule can get back on track. If there is a game in progress at the starting time of the next game, the coaches of the match in progress should end the game so that the next game can start on time. Once the schedule starts to get pushed back, it’s up to the teams in the next match to start on time to get the schedule back on track. Otherwise, the last game of the day may get pushed into evening darkness.
If a game is running into to start of the next game, the referee should notify the referee of the game in progress about the next game time. If the referee of the game in progress does not heed this signal, do not interfere with the game in progress but inform the Match Secretary of the situation. The teams should have one minute to leave the playing field. Any team not prepared to play within 5 minutes of the stated starting time may be subject to forfeiture of the game. Coaches should be prepared to check teams in with the referee on the sideline prior to game time so the game can start on time.
At games how do we tell if we are the Home or Visiting team? Who provides the game ball? What side should be taken by the Home versus Visiting team? In case uniform colors are the same or similar, who changes - the Home or Visiting team?
Home team is listed first (regardless of field) and provides the game ball and changes uniforms in case of color conflict. Typically the away team wears white.
What if the referee doesn’t show up at a game?
All games should be played even if a referee is not available. It is the responsibility of the coaches to provide a referee if no scheduled referee is available.
What is the 4 Goal Rule?
Good sportsmanship should be exhibited in all games. Any team leading by FOUR or more goals should take a player out for each goal over a THREE-goal lead. The referee should discretely remind the winning coach to so adjust. The winning team should also make any other adjustment to limit the mismatch. Although the rule calls for coaches to remove a player once his/her team is ahead by 4 goals, the objective is for the coach to take steps to even up the match. Removing one of the least skilled players would satisfy the rule nominally, but certainly would not be considered good sportsmanship. Good sportsmanship would involve taking steps to even up the match and try to make the game challenging to both teams.
Any coach not adjusting should receive a yellow card from the referee and a report should be submitted by the referee to the Match Secretary. Any team with a full complement of players will not be required to play short against a team that does not have a full complement. Especially for U10 play, good sportsmanship requires a team to adjust before the four-goal rule goes into effect. We encourage coaches of opposing teams to partner and work together to even up the match should it become one-sided.
Are there sportsmanship rules?
Yes. Good sportsmanship is exhibited by cheering good play by both teams, showing respect for the referee and his/her decisions, and in particular showing respect to our YOUTH REFEREES. The coach is responsible for the people on his/her sideline and is responsible for taking the lead in establishing a positive atmosphere at all games. The League maintains a zero tolerance policy to any harassment or bad behavior at our games. The Match Secretary is authorized to enforce this rule. Such enforcement can include removing games from competition and standings, withholding trophies, canceling games of the offending team and other actions that the Jack London Youth Soccer League feels are appropriate.
What if I have a question or dispute about a game?
Submit your question or email to your the League Match Secretary for your age division. All questions and disputes should be sent to the Match Secretary for the age division involved, who will forward them to the Match Secretary or to the League Referee Coordinator.
How do I report game scores? What are game cards?
In your coaches package you should receive blank game cards. These game cards should be filled out in advance of the game (some coaches bring pre-printed labels containing their roster lists and team IDs) and presented to the referee at the game.
All Game Cards should be mailed within 48 hours by the winning team, or home team for tie games, to the Match Secretary listed on the team schedule.
To report game scores via the web, go to www.mysoccerleague.com or www.mysoccerleague.com and follow the instructions there. Game results must be reported within one to two days after the game. Game cards need to be mailed in regardless of whether you report your scores online. In any game in which red cards are issued to players, or any cards to coaches, the Game Card, Game Report and Player/Coach card of any Player/Coach issued a red card will be mailed within 48 hours by the referee to the Match Secretary. The Referee should also email the League Match Secretary a report of the incident within 24 hours. Any member of the League can and should report any incident including unsafe or unsatisfactory conditions through the League website. All such reports are acted on.
It’s the start of the season and we have a game this weekend. I am missing a player from my roster. I don’t have her player registration form (a.k.a. medical release form) and player pass. What should I do?
During the first 3 games of the season referees are instructed to be lenient regarding player pass cards, but are required to inspect the medical release forms for all players. In the event you are awaiting a player pass from your Club registrar, you may have the parent of your player fill out and sign a medical release form / player registration form. Bring this to the game and hopefully it will satisfy the referee’s requirement during one of the first 3 games. If you have any correspondence from the Club registrar regarding this player, print it out and bring it with you. The rules are designed to make sure that players do not play for more than one team and to ensure that players have a medical release signed in the event they need emergency medical care and their parents are not present. After the first three games, though, player pass cards are required for all players.
In addition to providing a licensed referee, does my team have to fulfill any other volunteering requirement for the Club and/or League?
Yes. Each team is required to contribute 16 hours of volunteer time in addition to the referee requirement and team specific volunteer positions (like team manager). Examples of positions that would satisfy the volunteer requirement are field supervisors, age coordinators, Club officers and equipment managers. See www.rockridgesoccer.org for a full list of volunteer positions.
When is Photo Day?
Check the Rockridge Soccer website (www.rockridgesoccer.org) for announcements on Picture Day. It’s usually a few weeks into the start of the season on a Saturday. The Photo Day Coordinator assigns the picture times.
