note 1: some of these links can be found elsewhere on this page/website, but also placing here for your convenience.
note 2: even though home and away team split ref fees, home team should have change (i.e. 5s & 10s) in the event not all refs show, and the fee is not evenly split into multiples of $20
note 3: field closures (for practices, trainings, and games) are managed the same for all CSC programs) - an email blast is sent to 'all active users' in the CSC club mgmt. software system - if you have parents complain that they didn't get the notice - have them request to be reinstated to CSC email 'subscriber' list. Related to this, when you get the notice, it is highly advisable to use the team notification application provided by the club (SportsEngine), to reiterate any field closures/event cancellations.
- this provides you the opposing team's contact info, so that you may 'confirm' games
- click the above link, then scroll down to section: Rec Training
note...the following information/expectations were shared with Coaches from Westfield and Cranford - if your opposing coach is unware of these expectations, cordially share these as needed to make the best of the game.
General Game Play Info by Age
(note: Referees have been provided the following reference too)
Rosters:
- You do not need to prepare a roster for the game (refs will not check or collect them).
- Club Reps for WSA and CSC have exchanged team rosters, AND they expect all teams to only play players that are registered for Rec soccer.
- Coaches are permitted to field a player from another team (in same age division), only when necessary to avoid cancelling a game due to too few players - we want to get the games played
Scoring:
Scores will be captured to monitor competition parity, to inform next season's flighting, and where possible to inform any late-in-the season adjustments that may yield a better experience for impacted teams.
Scoring capture will be done via an online spreadsheet - the file is being built currently, but will be available for week 2 (so, save your scores for week 1).
Game Confirmations:
One of the benefits of Local Play is to get the games scheduled sooner than 'week of' as in the past with SYSL.
Both Westfield and Cranford teams are expected to deconflict early (i.e. 2+ weeks) and make requests to their Home Games Scheduler early as well (2+ weeks). Also, both Westfield and Cranford teams have been strongly encouraged to play games as scheduled - while we have a 'Game Schedule Change Request Form', please try not to use it unless absolutely necessary - game scheduling is very challenging for various reasons, please only make schedule change requests for true exceptions wherein you or your opponent cannot field the minimum number of players.
Finally, you may be in a flight with an uneven number of teams that will necessitate either 2 games on a weekend or create a weekend where you have no game. If you are scheduled for 2 games in one weekend, please try to play them both as if you don't this may create a situation where another team has to play multiple games in a weekend. For weekends where you have 2 games, the WSA and CSC assignors are coordinating to ideally put the games on different days (i.e. Sat./Sun.).
Sportsmanship:
- It's very simple...in Rec soccer, both teams should leave the game having enjoyed the experience AND having learned and developed
- you as a coach hold the power to allow for this - please take this responsibility seriously
- also, note that we are partnering with Westfield to make a better experience - please do not undermine this with inappropriate behavior
- If your opponent is playing short-handed, to get the game in, you are expected to match their player count.
- Scoring differential awareness & management - 6 is the max differential...exceed this, and we will have a conversation
- it's the golden rule here people...if you are the dominant team, put yourselves in your opponents 'shoes'
- you/your kids would not appreciate, nor enjoy a game wherein you never got to have a chance on goal
- this is Rec soccer...young Rec soccer...it is the job of both team's coaches to ensure all kids have an enjoyable experience that day
- If you go up by 2 goals quickly, make adjustments to your team setup to slow your pace of shots
- adjustments such as:
- pull your team back to midfield on goal kicks or when their goalie gets the ball
- this allows your team to work on defending vs. just winning free balls in front of your opponent's goal
- remember,
- have your players connect two passes before shooting (please inform of this expectation discretely)
- If you go up by 3 goals, move your stronger players to defense or even goalie
- If you go up by 4 goals, discretely consult your opposing coach, to see if they would like to add a player (this is better than you playing down, especially if you have all of your subs)
- if the other team doesn't have enough players to add an 'extra' player, remove one of your players - this is best done discretely by subbing 2 players off, and replacing with just 1 player)
The sooner you recognize and adapt, the better the game will be for everyone. Remember, one week you may be on the other side of it.
Again, please be discrete to avoid embarrassing your opponent - don't yell "DONT SCORE", etc. Remember they are all kids playing and we want both teams to have fun and to learn.
- Respect for your opponent
- this is Rec soccer, if you are getting upset, you are doing it wrong
- be respectful to your opposing coach - appreciate that you are both volunteering your time and energy, and realize that neither of you are perfect
- Respect for the Referees
- again, this is Rec soccer, if you are getting upset, you are doing it wrong
- there is to be no (zero) yelling at the referee, even if they made a mistake
- do not run onto the field unless beckoned onto the field by the ref (i.e. injury for you to address)
- note that these games are ref-assigned by local assignors - we will know if you are being disrespectful - it's simply not worth it
- you are certainly welcome to ask the ref questions in a calm and collected manner - just be mindful to not slow down the game by playing 40 questions and making the game about you talking to the ref