Welcome! This soccer guide is intended for parents and coaches new to the Alamo Heights-Fort Sam Houston Youth Soccer, San Antonio, Texas. It is designed to answer questions that board members repeatedly have to answer. It covers the basics of soccer, our league, and expectations of parent’s and coaches’ conduct at games and practices.
Many of the ideas and words in this guide have been taken, borrowed, lifted, stolen, copied directly or indirectly from many other writers dedicated to youth soccer. The words herein are also a compilation of the various board members I have had the pleasure to work with over the years. I simply have taken the time to put their ideas and statements down on paper. I thank these individuals and extend my appreciation for their contributions to our league. Because the contents of this guide are in the service of youth playing soccer, anyone considering producing a similar document for their own league may use this work freely. I only ask that because the words herein are based on many hours of volunteer time from many individuals, you distribute the derivative works free of charge.
The following are examples of sources of information that were used to write this guide: US Youth Soccer Parent's Guide, Cochise County Junior Soccer League Season Handbook, and the AHFSH Commissioner's Handbook.
Kurt Steuck
Aug 1996
© 1996 Alamo Heights - Fort Sam Houston Soccer League
Revised continually as needed
Coaches: When should I hear from my coach? • What if I haven’t heard from my coach? • Are there coaching clinics? • What are the requirements for being a coach? • Are coaches responsible for the conduct of the parents during a game? • What about safety?
Equipment: What equipment do we need? • Do I need a first aid kit? • What size ball does my child need? • Should I buy a large ball to grow into? • Does my child need eye glasses or a mouth guard? • Who supplies the uniforms? • Can my team buy their own jerseys? • Is there any required equipment for goalies? • What about lost equipment?
Games: When are games? • Where are games? • Where do I park? • How long is each game? • How much can we coach during a game? • Can my son’s/daughter’s coach be ejected from a game? • What if the referee doesn’t show? • What happens if the score gets out of hand? • What should we do after the game? • What if my child is injured during the game? • What if I can’t make game? • What if we can’t get enough people to play a game?
Goals: What are the goals of the league? • What are the "Player's Rights"? • What about the million dollar contract? • What does the league expect of parents during games and practices? • How competitive is the league? • What about competition for the older players?
Learn more about soccer: Where can I learn more about soccer? • What kind of soccer clinics exist? • Does watching other games help? • Can I learn to play myself? • What are some good soccer web sites?
More about the AHFSH Soccer League: When is registration? • What do I need to register my child? • When does the season begin and end? • Do you keep scores and standings? • Are there tournaments? • Who runs the league? • What do the registration fees go for? • Do you have a concession stand? • Do some ugly things happen in our league?
Organization: Organization chart (showing the heirarchy and relationships of soccer organizations)
Practices: When are practices? • Where can I practice? • Can I practice on the game fields? • As a parent, am I expected to attend all practices? • Can we scrimmage other teams before or during the season? • Other points about practices?
Referees: What is the league’s policy about referees? • Are the referees trained? • Can we yell at the referees? • What will the referee do when an infraction occurs?
Rules of Soccer: What are the rules of soccer? • When can I substitute? • How big are the fields and goals? • When can the goalie use his/her hands? • What are the rules about kick-offs? • When is the ball in and out of play? • When is a goal scored? • How are throw-ins supposed to be done? • What are indirect kicks? • What is a goal kick? • What is a corner kick? • Can a player kick the ball to his/her goalie? • What is off-sides and when is it called? • What are the fouls and type of kicks given? • What are assistant referees (formerly called linesmen)? • What are yellow and red cards?
Teams: In what age level does my child belong? • How many on a team, on the field? • How much should my child be playing in a game? • How are teams formed? • Can I bring in a whole team? • Are teams balanced? • How serious is the team formation policy? • How are teams placed in brackets (within age levels)? • Who will be my coach? • Who will be on my son’s/daughter’s team? • Do older kids play? • Why can’t my 3 year old play? • Are there competitive and recreational teams? • What are blue, red, and gold teams? • How are competitive teams formed? • How are players selected for the older competitive teams? • How are competitive team coaches selected?
Weather: Do you play soccer in the rain? • Why are games canceled? • Who decides if the field is good or the weather is suitable? • Can I cancel a game? • How do you know if the game is canceled? • Will the games be rescheduled? • What about the heat?
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