Recreational Soccer

The purpose of Recreational (Division IV) youth soccer in SASC is the development of the soccer playing ability of the child. Safety, fun, excitement, and player skill development are the primary focus of the program. Regardless of the ability of a child, everyone deserves an equal chance to play and to learn in a safe, positive, and supportive environment.

Team Assignment

Team assignments within an age division are done by honoring player preference, sorting by school and finally by geographic distribution according to sex.  Upon completion of registration, the pool of players will be organized based on the date of registration with preference going to the earliest registrations received.  As many full teams as possible are formed from this pool of players.  "Full teams" are defined in "Typical Team Size" column in the table below.  The openings on teams are filled on a "first come, first served" basis, however no one is guaranteed a place on a specific team.  Age Group Coordinators and the SASC board may make changes to any team rosters to balance and improve fair play across an age division.

Age Divisions

Teams will be formed based on age divisions to be established by SASC prior to the beginning of each seasonal year. Only those players whose birth dates fall within the age divisions as established by the Board of Directors shall be eligible to participate. All players shall provide proof of age. Age divisions may be combined at the discretion of the registrar.

All players will be required to play on teams within their age division. At the time of registration a player may request to "play up" in an older age division and indicate which age division they wish to play in.

Players are not allowed to "play down" in a younger age division.

Registration of a player in the wrong division as a result of misinformation on the registration form may result in the player not being assigned to any team. If the error is found early enough, attempts will be made to place the child on a team,

Refunds

All request for refunds must be in writing and submitted to the League Registrar. Request can only be made before the official start of the season which is marked by the first game. The Registrar must act on requests for refunds within two (2) weeks of the receipt of the request. Refunds are in the amount of registration minus any processing fees that may include CYSA membership dues.

Rainy Days and Game Cancellation

SASC contracts with the city of Sunnyvale for the use of its fields for practice and games. The city of Sunnyvale may close the fields if they feel that the conditions are not suitable for use, forcing the club to cancel practice or games. If fields are closed we must honor the decision, or risk losing our access to and use of the fields.

A message on the club's phone KICKline 733-KICK will announce game cancellations.  You can also check field status at city parks with the City of Sunnyvale Parks and Recreation Turf hotline at 730-7585.  If you do not confirm a cancellation you should go to the field for your game at the scheduled time.  If conditions deteriorate prior to or during the game, it is the referee's responsibility to suspend and/or terminate the game.  The decision to suspend or terminate the game will be based on an evaluation of the conditions, the danger to the players or potential for damage to the field.  DO NOT attempt to play games on days when cancellations have been announced.

Due to the difficulties of rescheduling games and in conformance with our policy of not guaranteeing a set number of games, the Club will not schedule makeup games due to cancellations of any nature. We do encourage coaches to make arrangements with their opponents to play during the week in lieu of one of their scheduled practices.

MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES ALL PARTIES TO THE REGISTRATION PROCESS AGREE TO ABIDE BY THE RULES OF THE Sunnyvale Alliance Soccer Club (SASC), California Youth Soccer Association (CYSA) AND THE United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA).

Objectionable conduct or behavior, including foul or abusive language by parents, players, or coaches during any soccer activity, including registration, will not be tolerated and may preclude players, parents, or coaches from participation in any activity sponsored by SASC.

Anyone found giving knowingly false information to the Club Registrar or any other club official will be subject to disciplinary action which could result in immediate dismissal and revocation of his/her status as a member in good standing.

SASC reserves the right to make adjustments or modifications to the registration policy as it deems necessary to the best interest of the Club.

Recreational Coaches

All SASC Coaches, Assistant Coaches and club volunteers must complete, sign and have on file with the registrar a Disclosure Form.

Team Roster

• All coaches must attend the mandatory pre-season "Coaches Meeting."
• Coaches may be handed an "Unofficial" team roster. You will receive your official roster known as a "GOLDEN ROD" when all player and coach forms have been completely processed. The club or district registrar will notify you when it is ready.
• Contact all players within one week of receiving a roster. Identify yourself, give contact information and provide first and season practice information. This is also a good time to recruit volunteers by stating your team's needs.
• Keep your golden rods with you at all times both at practices and games. This form contains the necessary authorization for medical treatment.
• In the Fall you will receive player ID card. Please get your ID cards laminated. Keep them with you until the end of the season then you can pass them out to the children. Their use is for insurance ID and tournament play. Kinko’s laminate cheaply. ID cards must be laminated for their official use in Tournament Registration.

Rules of Fair Play and Sportsmanship

In addition to the modifications to FIFA rules, SASC has the following requirements on the recreational game.

1. Every player must play at least half of each game he/she attends.
2. The Coach should strive to make each child a “starter” for at lease 50% of the games in a season.
3. The Coach should strive to put each player in a position to score (i.e., forward or attacking mid-fielder) at least 50% of the time over the length of the season. Players should NOT be limited to, or pigeonholed into positions, even though they themselves may have their initial preferences. Players should be challenged to experience the “total” game of soccer.
4. Every player who wants to must have the opportunity to play as goal keeper at least ½ a game during the season.
5. Coaches are expected to make adjustments when team is leading by 3 goals. Adjustments include:
   1. Moving players that have little chance to score into scoring positions, i.e. swapping dominating player with goalkeeper, swapping forwards with fullbacks, etc.
   2. Play more ball possession / defense rather than high pressure attacking.
      • Focus on passing, switching side of field
      • Perhaps 2 touch only, or try 10 passes in a row
      • Focus on using weaker foot
      • Perhaps send no more than ~2-3 attacking players across the halfway line
   3. When all else fails with young, overzealous goal scorers, and your team is leading with 5 goals play 1-2 players short for the remainder of the game.

Comments: The purpose of the above rules is so that players should NOT be limited to, or pigeonholed into positions, even though they themselves may have their initial preferences.

Players should be challenged to experience the “total” game of soccer.

In addition opposing coaches, parents and players should congratulate each other after the game and a “Thank you” offered to the referees.

Equipment

Team Equipment:

SASC supplies:

• Balls
• Medical Kit
• Cones
• A bag to carry all

We also suggest:

• Pinnies or vests
• Mini (Pugg) goals
• Whistle
• Watch
• Goal keeper gloves

Game Equipment:

1. Nets and flags are at the field. They are in the Club containers placed and locked right at the fields where the club teams play.
2. If your team gets a late start on Saturday morning your game will be cut short to maintain the schedule for the remainder of the day.
3. Home team of the first pair of teams in each age group U-6, U-8, U-10 and U-12 to play is responsible for nets up.
4. Home team of the last pair of teams in each age group U-6, U-8, U-10 and U-12 to play is responsible for nets down.

Child’s Equipment Rules:

• Must wear shin guards
• Must wear long tall socks covering shin guards
• Must NOT wear any kind of jewelry items
• Soccer shoes not required but STRONGLY recommended
• Baseball shoes can be substituted however the front toe cleat must be removed, and the area left smooth