Brooklyn AYSO Handbook
Introduction
Welcome to AYSO Region 0473, a participation experience to be enjoyed by the entire family. Brooklyn AYSO is an athletic program that focuses on youth development.
For our players this is an opportunity to make new friends, learn teamwork and discover soccer. For parents, this is an opportunity to become involved in an exciting program with your children. AYSO has no paid staff on the local level. All those involved contribute their time without monetary compensation. Literally, this program requires a minimum of one volunteer for every family registered. It is vital that you actively participate in supporting AYSO at all levels.
Keep an eye on our website for additional information and updates.
I hope you enjoy this year as part of the AYSO family.
Mitzi Flexer
Regional Commissioner
How to use this Handbook
This handbook is provided to all families participating in AYSO Region 0473 to provide you its rules and other important information. To make it as easy as possible for you to understand how AYSO works and what you need to know to participate, the handbook is divided into sections.
All parents should read the sections entitled "Principles of AYSO" and "Important Information for Parents". In addition, parents should take time (together with their children) to read the section "Important Information for Players". All families participating in Brooklyn AYSO should, at a minimum, read and comply with these sections of the handbook.
Other sections of the handbook are organized by job responsibility and as general reference material. You are encouraged to read the entire handbook. Coaches, Team Parents and Referees should be sure to read the appropriate sections of the handbook outlining their individual job responsibilities. Coaches and Referees should also read the section on Game Procedures.
Principles Of AYSO
Brooklyn Region 0473 is part of Area A within Section 3 of the American Youth Soccer Organization ("AYSO"). AYSO is a nationwide, nonprofit youth soccer program founded in 1964, whose mission is to develop and deliver quality youth soccer programs which promote a fun, family environment based on the following six philosophies:
Everyone Plays®
AYSO’s goal is for kids and adults to play soccer, so we mandate that every player on every team must play at least 50 percent of every game.
Balanced Teams
Each year we form new teams as evenly balanced as possible, providing a stronger learning experience for teams as they play teams comprised of similar ability. It also allows for each player to experience playing with a wide variety of teammates of different skill levels.
Open Registration
If you want to play soccer, AYSO welcomes you and gives all youth and adults the opportunity to register and play.
Positive Coaching
A coach can be one of the most influential people in a player’s life, so AYSO requires they create a positive experience for every player in AYSO. Additionally, encouraging player’s effort leads to greater enjoyment, improved skills and stronger motivation in players.
Good Sportsmanship
We strive to create a positive environment based on mutual respect rather than a win-at-all-costs attitude, and our programs are designed to instill good sportsmanship in every facet of AYSO.
Player Development
All players should be able to develop their soccer skills and knowledge to the best of their abilities, both individually and as members of a team, to maximize their enjoyment of the game.
More information on AYSO can be found on the AYSO Home Page.
Divisions
AYSO is open to all players from age 5 to 18. Players are divided into Divisions by age group, as follows:
6 years and under: 6U
8 years and under: 8U
10 years and under 10U
12 years and under 12U
14 years and under 14U
18 years and under High School
All players are placed in Divisions by birth date. Exceptions to this policy are increasingly rare and can only be made by the Regional Commissioner. Older children can never play in a younger division.
Kids Zone
Brooklyn AYSO participates in Kids Zone. Kids Zone is a program that encourages fans on the sidelines, and anyone else near the play or on the pitch, to use positive language, show sportsmanship in their attitude and behavior, and create a great experience for every player. It’s a reminder that the soccer fields are a kid’s zone – a friendly, happy, wholesome place for children of all ages to play.
Kids are No. 1.
Fun, not winning is everything.
Fans only cheer, and only coaches coach.
No yelling in anger.
Respect the volunteer referees.
No swearing or abusive behavior.
No alcohol, tobacco or drugs.
No weapons.
Leave no trash behind.
Set a proper example of sportsmanship.
When it comes down to it, Kids Zone is about supporting every child on the field - even those on the opposing team. It means supporting the players whether they win or lose. It means honoring the game – not the outcome of the game. Remember, respect starts with you!
Whom to contact
If you have questions or concerns about any area of AYSO operations, please contact the persons holding the positions noted below. The names and numbers of the volunteers filling these positions can be found on the Contacts Page.
Registration: Registrar
Financial: Treasurer
Divisions/Teams: Division Coordinator
Fields: Fields Set Up
Accident Reports: Safety Director
Safety Issues: Safety Director
Refereeing: Regional Referee Administrator
Coaching: Regional Coach Administrator
Team Assignments
Players are assigned to teams by the Division Coordinators prior to the start of the season. At that time, as much information as is available on player skills is used to provide evenly balanced teams for the season.
Players may not request to be placed on a particular team. Except for the following, AYSO Region 0473 will not guarantee placement:
Coaches will be placed on the same team as their children unless otherwise requested;
Siblings of the same sex within the same Division may be placed on the same team;
Placement for good cause shown
Following Team Assignments and before the first game of the season, a Parent Meeting should be organized by the Team Parent or Coach. The purpose of this meeting is to meet the Coaches and other parents, to ensure that all parents have a clear understanding of AYSO philosophy and parent expectations, and to discuss practice schedules and other details of the season. This is a good time to organize car pools, discuss refreshment schedules, etc.
Game Procedures
The following procedures will be followed for all games within Brooklyn Soccer:
Games in Brooklyn AYSO are played under FIFA Laws of the Game; as modified by AYSO National Rules and Regulations
Games will start on time. If the previous game is running late, the Referee will conduct team inspections and the coin toss off the field, so that the teams are ready to start as soon as the field is available. If the game starts late, the Referee is to subtract time from each quarter so that the game ends prior to the scheduled starting time of the next game.
The Referee will conduct a team inspection a few minutes prior to the scheduled game time. This is also an opportunity for players to ask questions on rules or enforcement. Following the inspection, team captains (as designated by the Coach for each game) will be introduced to each other and to the Referee. The coin toss will take place, with the winning team choosing which goal to defend for the first half. The losing team will kick off to start the game.
Teams should rapidly take positions on the field following the joint toss. The Referee will ask the goalkeepers to ensure the team is ready to play, and then blow the whistle to commence the game.
The Referee will stop the game briefly, at a time roughly midway through each half, for "quarter" substitutions. Quarter substitutions should be simple and quick! Coaches are asked to avoid complicated position changes at the quarter break, and if possible to avoid goalkeeper changes at this time. Coaches may not enter the field during the quarter break, unless invited by the Referee. Have the players entering the game ready to go, and make sure they know what position they will be playing. Referees have the right to continue to run the clock during quarter substitutions, in order to keep following games on time.
Halftime will be approximately 5 minutes in duration. Coaches and parents should ensure that all players get plenty of water during halftime. The Referee will blow the whistle to signal the players back to the field. Once the whistle is blown, players should promptly return to the field and take their positions to play the second half. During the game, players may come to the sidelines for attention (such as a drink of water, asthma inhalers, etc.) while game play continues in another part of the field. In such situations, the player should remain standing on the field and any person assisting the player should remain off the field.
The Referee will blow the whistle to signal the end of the game. Following the end of the game, each team will form a line to shake hands with the other team.
Players and parents are reminded that the authority of the Referee begins when he or she enters the field and continues following the end of the game, and players may receive a red card for offensive language or violent conduct even though the game has ended. Following the game, Coaches and parents are encouraged to discuss with Referees any questions on the game, unless the Referee makes any indication that such discussions are not welcomed at that time. The Referee has the option of refusing such discussion, and this decision is to be respected by all parents and Coaches. During the game, the Referee is responsible for keeping the game flowing and will usually defer any discussion on rulings until after the game.
Referees are given full authority with respect to conduct of the game, including determining playing time, disciplinary measures (yellow cards or red cards), and suspending the game for field conditions, spectator behavior, or any other reason that in the Referee's judgment warrants such suspension.
General Rules and Regulations
All players are required to play a minimum of 1/2 of each game (preferably 3/4 of each game), provided that player arrives on time, properly equipped, and is not under disciplinary suspension. A player that arrives during the first quarter must play at least two quarters, and a player that arrives during the second quarter or halftime must play at least one quarter. If a player is recovering from illness or injury, the child may play less than 1/2 with the Referee's permission.
If a child is injured during a game, the Coach has the option of replacing the child or playing with one less player while the child receives attention. If a substitute is used, the injured player may not return to the game until the next quarter (unless they return to replace another injured player). If no substitute is used, the injured child may return to the game during that quarter with the Referee's permission. If a substitute is used, it is the injured child who is given "credit" for that quarter for the purposes of the 3/4 rule.
Except for short sided games (U-6, U-8 and U-10), a minimum of 7 players are required to play a game. If a team starts a game with less than the normal number of players, the Coaches of the two teams may determine how best to proceed. Options include trading players from the team with extra players to the short-sided team, or having both teams play with short sides. The former method is strongly preferred. If the short side option is chosen, the teams should, if possible, play with equal numbers of players, but in no event shall one team field more than one additional player (e.g. if one team has 8 players, the other team plays with 9). When one team has fewer than a “full” team, they cannot and should not play even with smaller teams because It is unfair to have additional players sitting out quarters on one team because the other does not have a full team.
Late arriving players may be added with the Referee's permission to maintain the 1-player advantage until the teams are at full strength. In such circumstances the 3/4-game play rule often cannot be achieved for the opposing team, and substitutions should be managed to provide roughly equal playing time for all players (no more than 1 quarter difference in playing time for any two players).
A player who receives a red card during a game will be suspended from further participation in that game and also from the next scheduled game. For the game in which a player receives a red card, his/her team shall play a player short for the remainder of that game. A player who receives a second red card within the same season shall be suspended for the balance of that season and, at the discretion of the Regional Commissioner, for subsequent seasons.
If a Coach or spectator is unable to refrain from making derogatory remarks to players, other Coaches, Referees or other spectators, or uses foul or abusive language, the Referee may suspend the game until that Coach or spectator leaves the field. If an unruly player, Coach or spectator refuses to leave the field, the Referee may terminate the game. Any Coach who is ejected from a game is suspended from participation in the next scheduled game, even if that game is a tournament game. A Coach who is suspended may not attend the game, even as a spectator. Such a coach may be suspended indefinitely or permanently at the discretion of the Regional Commissioner.
In unusual circumstances it may be necessary to discipline players for activities or behavior detrimental to the objectives of AYSO. The Regional Commissioner may suspend a player from participation in games, or may drop the player from participation in the AYSO program, due to extreme aggressive behavior, continued infringements of AYSO rules, or parent/spectator behavior which is judged detrimental to the league. Striking a Referee, Coach or other AYSO official will result in a minimum two-year expulsion from AYSO.
Players may not wear anything that is dangerous to themselves or to any other player on the field. This includes, but is not limited to, hard splints, casts, soft casts with rigid bracing, metal bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings, nose jewelry (including “tiny nose piercings”), wristwatches, and fitness trackers, and hair beads, hair barrettes, and hard hair bands. Medical alert bracelets and necklaces and religious emblems may be worn, provided they are under clothing or secured to the body. Medically mandated monitors may be worn with prior permission of the Regional Safety Director.
This handbook is not intended to be a complete summary of all Regional Rules and Bylaws. Complete rules are contained in the FIFA Laws of the Game, as modified for AYSO, together with the AYSO rules and regulations.
In addition, there are specific rules of play listed in each seasonal handbook for each age group division; they also contain rosters.
Dispute Resolution
General Policy - It is the policy of the Region to resolve all disputes involving players or adults in an amicable way. If disciplinary action is necessary, the minimum action necessary to address the matter will be taken.
Procedure - If, during the course of a soccer season, it is determined that a person involved in the region needs to be disciplined or his or her participation in the Region limited or terminated, then the Regional Commissioner shall give written notice to such person of the region's intention to take action. Such notice shall specify the proposed discipline and the reasons therefore, and shall provide for a reasonable opportunity to contest the proposed action. The Regional Commissioner may appoint a disinterested committee to consider such discipline. Thereafter, the Regional Commissioner, after consulting with the Committee, shall issue to all concerned persons a written decision which shall be final and binding.
Suspension - The Regional Commissioner may suspend a person involved in the Region from further involvement in the program if there is found to be an imminent danger to the program by his or her continuing involvement or if a crime has been alleged to be committed by such participant. Such a suspension must be followed by a disciplinary hearing described in Paragraph 2.
Removal - The Regional Commissioner may remove a person (whether or not suspended) involved in the Region, including an Administrator, Coach, Referee or Parent from further involvement in the program on notice and after a determination is made that removal is appropriate, as the result of a disciplinary hearing described in Paragraph 2, if there is found to be (a) a violation of the National Regulations, principles or philosophy of AYSO or (b) conduct which disrupts the Region's activities or programs.
Volunteer Rights - No volunteer has a right to be a volunteer. It is a privilege to be a volunteer. Accordingly, a volunteer may not be asked to be a volunteer for subsequent seasons upon the conclusion of any season. In such instances, the Procedure described in Paragraph 2 need not be followed.
Confidentiality - The action of the Regional Commissioner and any committees with respect to disciplining a volunteer or not inviting a volunteer to serve in subsequent seasons shall be kept strictly confidential.
Information for Players
Welcome to Brooklyn AYSO Region 473! Whether this is your first year in soccer or you are a veteran player, we wish you a season of fun and excitement! It is important that you understand that your team will count on you to remember the following items:
First, we expect that you will have fun this season and make lots of new friends, both on the team you join and on other teams. You should be at each practice and every game, arriving on time and properly equipped. Your teammates and your Coach count on you to be there and to be prepared. If you cannot be at a practice or a game, you must call your Coach in advance! For all practices, you must wear your shinguards, soccer shoes (or sneakers), and long socks to completely cover the shinguards. Bring a ball and a water bottle. If the weather is cold, bring a sweatshirt.
For games, you must wear your full uniform including shirt, shorts, and socks. Socks must be on the outside of the shinguards (not underneath and then pulled down completely over the top). You may not wear a hat, bandana, knee or elbow pads (in some cases the referee may allow the goalkeeper to wear a hat, without a hard brim, or kneepads). Cycling or sliding shorts may be worn as long they are under the regular shorts and match the color of the shorts. If the weather is cold, the referee may allow players to wear sweatshirts underneath the uniform shirt.
Do not wear any jewelry to games or to practice. Players may not wear watches, necklaces, earrings, rings, friendship bracelets, hair beads & barrettes, or removable retainers. Pierced earrings are dangerous and not acceptable under any conditions (even if tape or band-aids are used to cover the earring). Do not choose to get your ears pierced during or before soccer season; you will have to remove the studs if you want to play!
If you wear glasses, you should also wear a retaining strap. If you wear hair clips, they must be soft (no hard metal or plastic). Long hair should be tied back with soft "scrunchies" or elastic bands. You may wear a knee brace or other type of support if your parents or doctor recommend it, but the brace must have no exposed metal or other hard surface that might be dangerous to you or to other players. The referee may inspect a brace before each game and decide whether to allow it. If you have a hard cast of any kind, you may not play soccer until it is removed and your doctor writes a note to league officials allowing you to play.
The referee will inspect your uniform and equipment before each game. Your shirt must be tucked into your shorts when you report for lineup. Remember that just because the last referee allowed you to wear something unusual does not mean that the next referee will do the same thing!
You may not chew gum or eat anything while you are playing, except during the half time break.
Always show respect to your teammates, your opponents, your Coach and the referee. The Laws of Soccer do not tolerate abuse of opponents, or arguing with the referee. Accept that the referee will sometimes make mistakes, just like you do.
It is the policy of Region 473 that a player who receives a red card shall be automatically suspended for the next game. Any player who receives a second red card in one season shall be automatically suspended for the remainder of the season, and may not, at the Regional Commissioner's discretion, be allowed to register in succeeding seasons.
Players Ages for Fall 2022, Winter & Spring 2023
5U: 01-01-18 to 12-31-18
6U: 01-01-17 to 12-31-17
7U: 01-01-16 to 12-31-16
8U: 01-01-15 to 12-31-15
10U: 01-01-13 to 12-31-14
12U: 01-01-11 to 12-31-12
14U: 01-01-09 to 12-31-10
High School: 01-01-04 to 12-31-08
Proper Dress For Scheduled Games
AYSO will provide a uniform of shirt, shorts, and socks, to be distributed by team coaches at the beginning of the season.
Each player MUST wear:
the issued shirt, shorts and socks (pulled up)
shin guards covered by socks
regulation soccer shoes, gym shoes or sneakers (with or without rubber cleats)
Soccer shoes are strongly recommended for all practices and games. Metal cleats and "toe cleats" are not allowed. "Baseball shoes" with "toe cleats" may be used only if the "toe cleat" has been removed and there are no sharp edges.
Players may not wear anything that is dangerous to themselves or to any player on the field. This includes, but is not limited to: hard, splints, casts, soft casts with rigid bracing, metal bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings, nose jewelry, wristwatches, fitness trackers, and hair beads, hair barrettes, and hard hair bands.
Long hair must be tied back (rubber band or other soft retainer). Prescription eyeglasses should be secured. Sunglasses are not permitted. Only goalkeepers may wear "soft" knee or elbow pads. Goalkeepers may also wear "warm-up" pants.
The uniform should be worn only for regularly scheduled league games.
Additional clothing such as shirts and long pants may not be worn over the uniform while a player is participating in a game. Sweatshirts or "bicycle shorts" may be worn under the uniform only if the color matches the uniform. Players not wearing the proper uniform may not play until properly dressed.
Information for Parents
AYSO is dedicated to child development in a soccer environment that is safe, fair and fun. The kids are the focus of the AYSO program, and the success of the program depends on the efforts of everyone involved. Three groups of people, working together, form the AYSO team, which creates the environment in which our children develop.
The coaches are the foundation of the AYSO team. They spend hours with the players every week, at practices and at the games, teaching them how to win, how to lose, how to work for an objective, and how to be a team, all through the vehicle of the game of soccer. In this way they become role models for the players and influence the players' values and behavior.
The referees watch over the game, helping younger players with the rules, and making sure that the game is safe and fair for all. The referees set the tone of the competition, protect the players throughout the match, and provide the necessary authority on game day.
The spectators support the players' activities in a positive and encouraging way. They create the environment in which the players, coaches and referees work. They also help to interpret the lessons of the game for the players after the match.
When these three groups work together, they create the necessary environment for our children to develop through soccer. The triangle created by these three groups represents that environment. It protects the players only as long as the three sides are firmly linked. If it comes apart at any corner, the triangle collapses, and it is the players inside who get hurt. Whatever role you play, keep the AYSO team in mind. Remember, it's for the kids.
Soccer Conduct
Parents, spectators, coaches, and referees have responsibilities and obligations to keep our all-volunteer soccer program a fun sport for all. With this in mind, please observe the following:
Cheer positively for the things you like and encourage your team. Have fun!
Never put down the other team or any of the players on either team.
Please leave the sideline coaching to the coach. Spectators frequently yell instructions to the players - these instructions often contradict those of the coach and only confuse the players.
Our referees, like all AYSO officials, are volunteers, not professionals. While their decisions might not always be agreeable to all participants and spectators, they are final. No useful purpose is served by shouting disagreement or derogatory remarks. Referees can caution players (showing a yellow card) or send them off (showing a red card) for misconduct. Referees can also caution and send off coaches, and even terminate the game. Deliberate fouls or abusive words or disrespect by the players, coaches or spectators can lead to these actions.
Every year we have many new referees and coaches. Each is volunteering to do a difficult job, and mistakes inevitably occur. Heckling the referees or coaches is completely unwarranted. Serious problems involving coaches or referees should be brought to the attention of the Regional Commissioner after the game.
For the safety of all, coaches and spectators must stand at least one yard from the sideline. No one is allowed behind the goal or within 18 yards of the goal line on either side of the field. Coaches and referees are asked to enforce this condition.
No smoking, alcoholic beverages, or pets are allowed at games or practices.
Thanks to the New York City Parks Department, we have the use of the Parade Ground. It is our responsibility to encourage everyone to keep the fields clean and free from litter. If you see anyone misusing the facilities (climbing fences, kicking balls into fences, throwing litter on the field, etc.) please bring the matter to the attention of a coach, referee or AYSO official.
Weather
Scheduled games will be played unless they are specifically cancelled. We make every attempt to keep playing but we must consider the safety of the players and the condition of the fields.
The Regional Commissioner can cancel games prior to the scheduled time of play. The only person authorized to cancel a game on the field is the referee scheduled for that game after (s)he personally inspects the field. Coaches can not cancel the game, even by mutual consent.
If it is raining, the fields may be closed. In addition, play on a saturated field is not allowed. Every effort will be made to inform all coaches in time to notify their teams if a game is cancelled.
Team
Brooklyn AYSO is run completely by parent volunteers and depends on your help. All families are asked to fill at least one volunteer job, and many families fill two or more positions.
An important concept in AYSO is the “AYSO Team”. The AYSO Team is comprised of Coaches, Referees and Parents who unite to create a positive environment for kids to play soccer. Each part of the AYSO Team has important responsibilities to fulfill in order to ensure our children have a positive experience.
Parents are asked to keep the following points in mind:
All referees, coaches, administrators and other officials that you may meet in AYSO Region 0473 are volunteers. Almost all of them are parents of current or former players. Please keep in mind that our program can only be offered based on the efforts and goodwill of these individuals. Each of these individuals is just as busy as you are, yet has chosen to dedicate the time required to provide this program for the benefit of your children. We tolerate ABSOLUTELY NO antagonism or harassment towards any AYSO volunteer. If you have constructive criticism to provide, please think twice, then contact the appropriate league official (see "Who to Contact for Assistance" on previous page). With over 2,000 children on over 150 teams, AYSO Region 0473 simply does not have the ability to manage "special requests". Please learn to live with our rules and procedures. In extreme circumstances, requests for exceptions should be submitted to the Regional Commissioner in writing.
Requests to place your child on a particular team or in combination with his/her friends cannot be guaranteed except where (a) two siblings play in the same age group, or (b) for good cause shown. No child can play in a younger age group for any reason.
Please make sure your child gets to practice on time and with the proper equipment. Although we recognize that Brooklyn children have busy lives and sometimes will have conflicts, the primary instruction in soccer skills, strategy and teamwork will take place in practice, and your child will miss much of the value of our program if they do not attend practice on a regular basis. Please pick up your children from practice on time. Remember that AYSO is not a babysitting service. Practices are scheduled at the discretion of Coaches, and may be canceled at the Coach's discretion. Soccer is often played in the rain, or in cold, hot or windy conditions. Do not assume a game has been canceled unless you have been notified by the Team Parent or Coach. If you are not notified on game day, the game is on.
Your child needs appropriate equipment to play soccer safely. Each season your child will be provided a uniform by Region 0473 consisting of a shirt, shorts and socks. Other required equipment, to be provided by you, includes shinguards and a soccer ball for practice. Soccer balls come in different sizes and it is important that the child has the correct size ball for his/her Division, as follows: U-6 & U-8 use a Size #3 ball; U-10 & U-12 use a Size #4 ball; and U-14 and up use a Size #5 ball. Soccer cleats are strongly recommended, but sneakers are acceptable. If shoes have screw-in cleats, the stud must be part of the cleat, not the shoe. Baseball and football shoes have a front cleat which is dangerous and are not acceptable unless this cleat is cut off. Any shoe which is deemed unsafe by the game referee is not permitted.
As parents and spectators, please stay well back from the field of play. Players may briefly step off the field during active play and need room to maneuver. The Assistant Referee needs room to run along the touch line and to see the entire length of the field. Standing too near the field is not only inconsiderate, it is sometimes dangerous to yourself and to others. No one may stand behind the goals or behind the goal lines during play.
Soccer is a contact sport, and there are situations where a player may be knocked down, or appear to be tripped by an opponent. Although serious injuries are rare, bumps and bruises are common, and the Referee is responsible for determining whether continued play poses a danger of aggravating the injury. Play may be allowed to continue until a natural stopping point, and quite often the child will have recovered and be back in the game before play can be stopped. Please trust the Referee to recognize which situations are fouls and which are not, and which situations are dangerous and which are not. We are all concerned when a child goes down on the field, however no one is to go onto the field until the Referee requests assistance. When the Referee makes such a request, the child's Coach as well as the opposing Coach may attend to the player.
The use of tobacco products and alcohol is prohibited at all AYSO activities where children are present.
Unless you have signed up to coach, please do not actively coach during the games. AYSO has restrictions on where Coaches may be during games and what they might say, and you may be unaware of these restrictions. If you want to help out, please come to practice! If you wish to coach, contact us and we will see that your are properly trained.
Our custom is that during the season you will be assigned duties to help the team, which may include bringing refreshments for halftime, and after the game, etc. These activities are usually coordinated by the Team Parent, and it is expected that all parents will assist in these activities. Please help in cleaning up the remains of snacks and other trash left over after the game.
Please come to all games and cheer for the players for both teams. For parents of younger players, avoid the urge to be too demanding of your child; allow your child to enjoy the game at his/her own pace, and be tolerant of mistakes. Influence your child by cheering for the positive things, not dwelling on the negative. For parents of teenage players, recognize that your child still wants you to come and watch the game, even if they don't act like it. Keep the level of noise moderate.
Consider mistakes by Referees and other events which don't go your way to be opportunities to show your child how to handle misfortune with dignity and grace.
The parents are responsible for setting up the goals and putting lines on the field if their child's team plays the first game of the day. They are responsible for dismantling the goals and returning them to the fieldhouse if their child has the last game of the day.
If a game starts late, it must be ended early so that the next game does not start late. Games are assigned a time slot and are not guaranteed a certain number of minutes for playing time. The most frequent cause of late starts is the failure of parents to set the goals up promptly for the first game of the day. The Referees are authorized to shorten the quarters in order to allow the games to end on time. It is not guaranteed that each game will have four equal quarters, or even four quarters.