Recreational Soccer League

RECREATIONAL LEAGUE OVERVIEW

 The program is divided into three general groups - Introductory (Grades K and 1), Developmental (Grades 2 thru 5), and Competitive (Grades 6 thru 12). The introductory level is coed, the developmental and competitive levels allows for a separate girls program, should the numbers permit.

Introductory Level - This age group has FUN as its primary focus. The goal of this program is to have the children participate in a healthy outdoor activity with their friends. The emphasis should be on fun and participation; not on games and results. Teams will be formed randomly by mixing players from different schools.  Each player should be placed on a team with at least one friend.  Rosters will be limited to twelve.   There will be NO MIDWEEK PRACTICE.  There will be two 4v4 games played simultaneously. (this program is effective for grade K for 98/99, and grades K and 1 beginning in Fall 99).

Developmental Level - This age group will have an introduction to the game and how it is played as its primary focus. The goal of this program is to educate the children on the nature of soccer and  soccer rules.  Emphasis is on properly playing the game. Instruction is focused on technique and skills and not on producing wins and losses. Grades 2 and 3 will play 6v6.  Grades 4-5 will play 7v7 with a  referee.  Maximum roster size for this level is14(12 players is ideal). 

Competitive Program - This age group will have a competitive, results oriented program as its primary focus. The goal of this program is to provide a well structured, well organized and balanced competition. Emphasis will continue to be placed on skill development, however additional focus will be placed on the game and the results. Instruction will include team play, understanding of positions, and continued development of an individual’s soccer skills. The games will be played at 9v9, a maximum roster size of 16.  We will provide paid referees, maintain published standings, and organize an end of season playoff.

                                   

Policy on Recreation League Team Formation        

 

Background

The AYSA seeks to create a team formation process for the Recreation League guided by the following principles:

The process for team formation is easily and efficiently administered

The process is fair to players in allowing some choice of teammates

Players have the experience of playing for several different coaches over the course of their participation in the program as well as meeting new teammates and allowing new friendships

Teams are relatively balanced so that play is fun and competitive in keeping with the spirit of the Recreation League.

The team formation process is very time and resource intensive with the several principles above sometimes coming into conflict in administering the Program.  

Policy on Recreation League Team Formation

Formation of teams is the responsibility solely of the AYSA Board of Directors. The Board may delegate this responsibility to a sub-committee of the Board or to any of its officers. The Board will approve a process for team formation each season that, in its judgment, best balances and meets the principles outlined in the previous section.

Team formation for the Recreation League will be by grade level. Teams will be formed by keeping groups of players together as players/parents may request so that at a minimum, players will be on the same team as at least one of their requested teammates. Coaches’ children, unless requested otherwise, will always be placed on their parent’s team.

Beyond the above minimum requirements, the Board, or its designees, will balance its knowledge of player strengths, team "records," player requests for specific coaches and teammates, with the ability to efficiently administer the process of team formation and produce rosters. No guarantees will be made to players, parents, or coaches about team formation.

The Board may, in its sole discretion, allow specific "Town" teams to come into the League provided that the "Town" supplies the League with a designated person to serve as a "coordinator" of registration for that "Town." This coordinator will take the full responsibility for obtaining registration (and other required) forms, fully completing forms, collecting fees as designated by the Board, and returning registration forms as the Board may direct. The Coordinator will also produce rosters for their "teams" in a format designated by the AYSA Board and will forward a copy of that roster to the Recreation League Director at least one week prior to the season. The Coordinator will also arrange for all of his/her coaches to attend Coaches meeting(s). The Coordinator will form teams of the size directed by the Recreation League and will not permit variation in roster size from the League’s limit. The Coordinator will also see that the philosophy of balanced team formation (see first section above) is followed. Players in such "Towns" coming into the League will also have the option of declining to play on their "Town" team(s) and may register in the usual manner for an AYSA formed team. No "recruiting" of players from teams formed by the AYSA Recreation League will be permitted. The AYSA Board may, from season to season, discontinue this practice if the guiding principles in the first section are judged to be compromised. Teams formed in this manner, and their coaches, will follow all other rules, policies, and procedures of the AYSA.  

Appeals

Team assignments will be final. No appeals will be accepted except in the case of a player assigned to a grade level beyond his/her grade.