Monterey Bay Soccer Club (MBSC) Recreational Soccer Program Details and Season Calendar www.mbsl.us Description of Program As parents and fans, you should enjoy your players activities and encourage them to do their very best. The MBSC board has established these guidelines to set a high standard for parents and fans. You can help make our sport a positive experience for everyone involved. Recreational soccer program includes two one hour weekly practices and games on Saturday. This program was developed and designed specifically for young athletes who are new to the sports and or those who wish to improve their skills to advanced to the competitive/travel level. Age Groups/Birth Years MBCS offers soccer program for boys and girls ages 4 through 12, the club conducts two full seasons per calendar year. Generally the Spring Season begins in mid March and the Fall Season in mid August of each year. Groups may be co-ed or all boys and girls depending on the numbers each season. Age Groups and Birth Year requirements since March 15, 2017 are as follows: U5 (2012 2013) 4 and 5 year olds U7 (2010 2011 6 and 7 year olds U9 (2008 2009) 8 and 9 year olds U11 (2006 2007) 10 and 11 year olds Option to play up in age at a maximum of 2 years can be considered depending on the players playing history and at the discretion of MBSC s tournament directors. What the program includes Practices: Two practices per week are offered for each time. This is subject to coaches availability Games: 9 games per season are included in this program and are all conducted on Saturday. Uniforms: jersey, shorts, and a pair of socks Practice equipment: Soccer balls, cones, and basic practice equipment is provided to all volunteer coaches. Parents do have the option to bring their own soccer balls to practice. (MBSC is not responsible for lost or stolen balls that are not its property) Pictures: Player will have photo day during the season. Team and individual photos are taken an a small package that may include a team photo is given to all players who attend picture day. 1
Additional photos can be ordered. Schedule and ordering forms are usually announced and distributed a week prior to this day. Awards: A trophy is awarded to every player at the end of each season during the award ceremony. PARENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PURCHASE CLEATS AND SHINGUARDS. Games and practices are conducted on natural turf/grass fields; therefore, purchase your child s equipment accordingly with field condition. Team Assignments Teams are put together by Board members after online signups. Generally, after the majority of late signups are in, the player lists for each age group is then posted on our website and emailed to all parents (for those that provided an email for contact) Coaches are also assigned to each team based on their availability and requests are considered for coach/friend/or team if indicated in registration form or online registration. The only way players are purposely together on the same team and with the same coach is when requests are made to have a coach and an assistant coach working together. THIS MUST BE INDICATED BEFORE ROSTERS ARE FINALIZED. ANY REQUESTS AFTER ROSTERS HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED WILL BE CONSIDERED ONLY BY ACCOMODATION. Practices Practices are required if the players are to learn the skills necessary to enjoy the game. You, as parents, must make every attempt to get the players to scheduled practice on time and pick them up when scheduled. Carpooling is encouraged as long as the coaches know in advance. Practice uniforms are to include shin guards, socks, and shoes. Game uniforms are not required for practice. The children should dress appropriately for the weather. Even if weather is poor, bring the players to practice, just in case the coach is proceeding. The players should not be practicing in dangerous conditions like lightning and high winds. Use your judgment and consider the safety of all players. Game Day On game days, have the players on the field at the designated time the coach requests before the game. The players and the coaches need time to get organized and develop a pre-game routine. The players become familiar with the routine once they go through it once or twice, but they are dependent on you to be there on time. 2
Sportsmanship Remember that your child is playing soccer to have fun. Encourage them to do their personal best and set a positive example of good sportsmanship. Your conduct at practices and at games will be the example they follow. Cheer on the players and the team. Enjoy well-played soccer by both teams, and recognize all good play. We must remember that recreational soccer is played against teams that are from your community, against friends, neighbors, and players classmates or best friends. Attendance Please contact your coach if your player is not going to make it to practice or a game for any reason. It is easier for the coaches to plan for fewer players at the game or practices. It also allows the coach some peace of mind about the child s whereabouts when they are not at a scheduled event. On game days where there is bad weather, please come to the field if you have not been contacted about a weather cancellation. (Check www.mbsl.us or visit the Monterey Bay Soccer Club Facebook page) The referee will make game time decisions about weather cancellations if the club has not made a general decision. Concerns If you have concerns, first discuss them with your child s coach. If issues remain, you are welcome to contact the Youth Director - John Licea johnlicea@mbsl.us or any MBSC Board member or Staff. All discussions are treated discreetly and anonymously if at all possible. Volunteering The coaches are volunteering their time and effort to help run our program for your child. Your involvement is encouraged throughout the year. Volunteers are needed in all areas specially coaching. Referrals must be directed to the Coaching and Youth Directors. 3
Field Locations: Fields for practice and games vary by availability each season. Locations used by MBSC for practice and games include: York School, CSUMB Complex, Monterey High School, Marshal Elementary School, Dual Language Academy (DLAMP), and Monte Vista Elementary School. All games and practices for recreational soccer teams are conducted in the Monterey/Seaside areas and traveling out of the county is not REQUIRED Equipment: Continued Practice: soccer cleats or tennis shoes, shin guards, water bottle with name on it, soccer ball with name on it (if you are bringing your own soccer ball(s) to the field) U5/U6 size 3 ball U7/U8 size 3 ball U9/U10 size 4 ball Game: Game uniform, soccer cleats or tennis shoes, shin guards, water bottle with name on it. Small-sided Soccer Summary Most of you should be familiar with small-sided soccer, as the club has been using the format for younger players for several years now. There are many reasons we use it, but the core principle is the same: more touches of the ball. In a small-sided game, players must play the ball more. The more they play the ball, the more they develop. Some may say this is not real soccer. But, it is. If you watch a full 11 v. 11 match, what you will notice is that the full-sided game is really a combination of 3 v. 3 or 4 v. 4 plays. It is as real as soccer gets. In its basic essence, soccer is about the 1 v. 1 match up and how you create it. The following is a summary of the small-sided program as provided by US Youth Soccer. Additional information on specific rule modifications may be found at the youthsoccer.org website, in the Coaches section. 4
U5/6 Numbers: 3 v. 3 no goalkeepers Field: 25-30y x 20y Goals: 4' x 6' - We use portable PUGG Goals. Roster: 6 players. U7/8 Numbers: 4 v 4 no goalkeepers Field: 35-40y x 25y Goals: 4' x 6' to 6 x 12 Roster: 6-8 players U9/10 Numbers: 6 v 6, including a goalkeeper Field: 50-70y x 35-50y Goals: 6' x 18' Roster: 10-12 players 5