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These policies apply to all members of the Academy: players, parents, coaches and administrators, and are included in the Parent/Player Agreement executed at registration.
Our mission is to develop our kids as players and as people so they can compete at the highest level their potential allows, in soccer and in life. This balance between development and competition is what we manage. Our players are the protagonists of our stories. Our coaches and our club are mere facilitators, supported by parents, who guide and support them through their learning process. This is about them. It is why every decision we make as a club starts with answering the question: What is best for the individual player? This “Player First” framework does not mean catering to players' whims and making things easier for them, quite the opposite. A “Player First” focus challenges the player more and empowers them to learn to manage themselves and their surroundings.
Our training field is a 100% judgment free zone for our players. The only way they develop and get better, is if they are willing to try new things. And they will only try new things if they feel comfortable failing, getting back up, and trying again.
To create this environment, the Academy, our coaches, players, and parents must adopt our “La Proxima”, or “Next Time” culture, which means responding to mistakes by a player with: “Don’t worry, get it Next Time”, or “La Proxima”.
Players are encouraged to try new things, and to make mistakes doing so. And then encouraged to get up and try it again. They know we will not judge them for failing, and that we all support their development. Only in this environment will our kids feel free to take on new challenges, try new things, learn, and grow.
Our Development Philosophy is a comprehensive, yet constantly evolving methodology which brings together several schools of thought and pedagogical strategies, coupled with our technical staff’s extensive experience in not only playing soccer, but teaching it. Our coaches are first and foremost teachers, who guide each individual player through a development plan that progressively challenges them both cognitively and technically, and involves explicit, detailed instruction. Our methodology focuses on developing each player’s technical, tactical, physical, and psychological abilities so all our players achieve a high soccer IQ, regardless of their natural ability. You can refer to our Academy Methodology for more detailed information.
As we balance the need to develop our kids, with the need to compete, winning takes a back seat, and “success” is redefined.
When a child joins our club, they don't just become part of a team for one year. They become part of a club with a three-to-seven-year development plan for that specific child. This is why each age group has its own curriculum, with specific skills and soccer principals for that year, and which the following year will build upon.
Having said that, though our priority is development, we recognize a kid cannot develop unless they compete. Accordingly, we are constantly placing our kids in competitive environments to provoke their development. Sometimes, like in the final minutes of a close game, or in the final of a tournament, the competition takes precedent, but only because of its value in the long-term development of the players.
So, though winning is not the main goal, it is an element in the development experience. But winning is not how we define success. Let’s be honest, nobody is remembered for how many games they won when they were 13 years old. They are remembered for how they play the game and what type of person they become as a young adult. Accordingly, as we get to the U17 and U19 ages, winning becomes more important, but only because it is a data point in measuring our success in developing those players.
The style of soccer we want to play results from our club-wide soccer identity and incorporates the principles our teams demonstrate in the four moments of a soccer game. This model is based on wanting to play an inspiring, expansive, offensive possession style of soccer with calculated smothering defensive pressure.
Almost everyone says they want to play beautiful position-based soccer, or Juego de Posicion (JdP), but then you go to their training, and they don’t train to play that way. Playing position-based soccer is not the same as possession-based soccer. It’s not about possessing the ball for the sake of possession. It is about the highly cognitive understanding of your position on the field, along with your opponents, your teammates, and the ball, and making purposeful movements to create and maximize positional and numerical advantages. You can refer to our Academy Methodology for more detailed information about how we go about training position-based play.
Tryouts are held annually at the beginning of May and are open to all players who meet the pertinent age requirements. Each prospective player will be given a fair opportunity to make a team. Players will be selected by our technical staff and coaches based on various factors, including but not limited to, technical and tactical skill, soccer fundamentals and habits, fit within our value system, and the conduct of the player and parents.
We will announce the open tryouts to inform the public of the specific tryout dates and times. Players may also try out for a team during the season if the team has an opening, and the player has a non-conflicting affiliation status or receives a waiver from their current club. If a team roster is full, or if a player is close to the required level of play, they may be added as a “developmental player” who trains with the team but does not participate in league games until invited to join the team as a full player.
Current players are evaluated throughout the season during practices, scrimmages, and games, as well as during annual tryouts. Prospective new players are evaluated during annual tryouts, special clinics, scrimmages, and under game situations when possible. Current and prospective new players will be evaluated by our technical staff in four areas:
All players must be present on the training ground 10 minutes before training, fully dressed, wearing proper footwear and shin guards. Showing up at the exact training time is considered late. Players are expected to be warmed-up and ready to train at the training start time. Players will be taught a player-led warm-up routine which they are expected to perform and finish prior to training. Similarly, players will be taught a player-led cool-down routine which shall be performed at the end of training. In addition to proper uniforms, players are required to bring a water bottle no smaller than 36 oz to training and games.
In general, we welcome players “play up” and encourage players and their families to test playing up and eventually stay up if the player can handle it on a physical, technical, and psychological level. The recommendation must come from our Technical Director after consulting with the player’s parents.
Playing time is earned through performance, mainly in training, and is a decision made by the coach. That said, we are focused on developing all our players to help them achieve their individual goals. We do not place players on a team if we believe they will not get playing time. If a player has very limited playing time, we will discuss options to get them more playing time on another team within the club, when available and appropriate. Coaches are encouraged to manage playing time for every player and to communicate openly and honestly with parents when playing time issues are anticipated or occurring.
Modern soccer positions are interchangeable. Accordingly, we do not train wingers, or defender, we train soccer players. Having said that, there are attributes that can determine a player’s best position, but the question is: best for what? Best for winning the game, or best for the long-term development of the player. Most of the time, these attributes also do not become fixed or even visible until a player reaches puberty. Accordingly, until a player gets to U16 or U17, positions should be flexible, and players should focus on developing as an all-around player, not a position limited player.
A player may be dual rostered, with approval from the secondary team Coach and the Technical Director, if it is in the best interest of the player to (1) get more playing time, or (2) allow them to get tested at a higher level. The coaches of the Primary Team and Secondary Team, facilitated by the Technical Director, are responsible for discussing, deciding, and communicating the training and game schedule for any dual-rostered player. Priority is determined by our Technical Director.
We are a competitive soccer club geared toward players who love the sport of soccer and are serious about their development as soccer players. It is important to recognize that players and parents invest significant time and resources in playing club soccer and expect us to create and foster an environment that will allow players to compete at the highest level of soccer possible given individual talent and commitment levels.
Your commitment to us, and vice versa, is for one soccer yea (August 1 – July 31). At the conclusion of the year your commitment to us is over and you are free to leave if you feel it is in your best interest, or instead try-out again for the following year. The aim of this policy is to create an appropriate competitive environment for the proper development of our players. The intention is not, however, to create an environment where coaches are unnecessarily recruiting large numbers of new players each year simply to win games and move up the competitive ladder of the league. Also, no player will be cut from a team during a seasonal year except because of disciplinary issues or failure to fulfill financial obligations.
Players are expected to commit to the club as their first recreational activity priority during the season.
We expect our players and parents to be ethical and honest and to honor their commitments. Therefore, you should only play for a team if you are prepared to make the required level of commitment. Once your commitment is made, we expect your full participation and support for the entire soccer season. You should be mindful of the fact that when you make your commitment, the coach or manager may need to inform another prospective player that he or she did not make the team. Please be sensitive to others and consider your decision carefully. If you have committed to us, we will also be ethical and honest, honoring our commitment to you.
If a player or parent, after signing the Player/Parent Agreement, fails to demonstrate the requisite commitment level to his or her team, the team coach may recommend that the club take disciplinary action, including but not limited to a player suspension.
Attendance at games, including scheduled tournaments, is mandatory. During games, players are expected to follow the instructions of their coaches. Players not on the field are expected to sit and watch their teammates from the sideline. Players are expected to try their best within the rules of the game and always compete aggressively but fairly.
Players are expected to condition themselves both during the season and in the off-season. Failure to be in good physical condition will necessarily affect a player’s ability to perform and will likely cut a player’s playing time during the season. Likewise, players are expected to work on soccer skills year-round either on a formal or informal basis. Players need touches on the ball as much as possible throughout the year to develop. Practices are mandatory and should only be missed on account of illness, religious obligation, or other special circumstances. Coaches must be informed no less than 12 hours in advance if player cannot attend a training.
Nutrition and rest are also the responsibility of the player. We expect players to eat nutritious, healthy food in a timely fashion so as not to interfere with performance. If you have questions about which foods are best for performing athletes, please ask the team coach.
As a member, you are responsible for their own performance and conduct. Honesty, communication, and reliability are always expected. We ask that you care about yourself and the sport of soccer. This requires that you maintain a healthy lifestyle and a healthy team attitude. Any use of drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes is not acceptable and may result in temporary suspension or removal. In addition, we insist that you maintain a positive team attitude and a personal sense of sportsmanship and fair play.
Off the field our players are expected to carry themselves as ladies and gentlemen both on and off the field. At tournaments, player behavior is expected to be exemplary before, during and after games. As elite athletes, players are further expected to conduct themselves with dignity and respect at home and at school. Disrespect of adults, including teachers and parents, will not be tolerated. Poor behavior by one player reflects badly on the whole club.
SCHOOLWORK
Part of the commitment of playing for us is a commitment to being able to handle all the obligations that a student has in his or her daily life. It is expected that all players be prepared to play soccer at games and practices. This demands that players do their best in school and budget their time to fulfill their obligations as students. Players who are not doing their best in school and/or are not meeting their homework obligations are jeopardizing their position on their team and letting their teammates down.
Our focus is on competitive league and cup matches being the main vehicle for our player development process. However, tournaments have a limited role in this process as: (1) showcase events to allow players to play in front of college and professional scouts, (2) extra games for teams that have lacked competitive matches, and (3) special bonding events to foment club and team level comradery. At tournaments, players must stay together in the same hotel with their team and are expected to abide by the same Code of Conduct. Teams may only participate in tournaments approved by the club's Directors. Only coaches, a director, or the registrar may register a team for a tournament.
Parental support and involvement in the club are essential. Parents must ensure that their child attends all team events (practices, games, meetings, etc.). We understand there will be times when conflicts cannot be avoided and that your son or daughter simply cannot attend a team event. We require your communication, planning, and understanding so we can minimize conflicts. It is the team’s responsibility to present a periodic schedule to allow time for your planning. When parents or players have an unavoidable conflict, we expect timely communication to allow the club or team adequate time to make any possible adjustments. Parents are also an important element in the creation of a positive culture within the team. Please note that if a parent is found to be detrimental to the team culture and environment, it may be used as a factor in the evaluation of the player for future teams.
There will be no coaching by parents. “Go,” “shoot, “pass,” “send it,” and the like are interpreted as instructions and as such are not desirable. No matter how good your intentions are, the club insists that there be no shouting of instructions to your child or any other player on the team. We also insist there be absolutely no yelling or complaining to referees or officials during or after games. Your vocal support and positive encouragement are welcome after a good play. Encouragement such as "Don't worry, get it next time", or "La Proxima" is encouraged after a mistake. Please do not criticize or “moan” with disappointment when mistakes are made either by players or game officials. The players are aware of mistakes they make, and we strive to teach our players that overcoming and learning from mistakes are important parts of the learning process.
It is important that players not be distracted at practices or during games and that players are given only one set of instructions by one voice before, during, and after games. For this reason, we insist that the coach be the only voice before, during, and after all games. No one other than those listed on the official game roster may sit on or near the team bench before and during games. Please respect the space and privacy necessary for the coaches and team to carry out their game responsibilities.
Please respect all the other players on the team and do not make critical remarks to others about other players on your team. Many times, these comments are overheard by the players or others and can be quite hurtful and foster an unhealthy team environment.
Please respect your coach and manager and do not make negative remarks to others about coaching decisions. Our priority is the growth and development of our players as individuals along with their soccer abilities under pressure. Team and player development take priority over winning, especially in the younger age groups. Parents must understand this and conduct themselves in a manner consistent with this philosophy to maintain a healthy team environment. Playing only to win without taking team and player development into account benefits no one.
We believe in and teach our players the benefit of having mental toughness to guide their intense focus on the game of soccer. We will instruct your child to ignore adverse conditions such as bad referees, name-calling, foul language, rough play, cheating, poor weather, negative behavior by parents or opponents, etc. We expect our parents (as well as our coaches and managers) to have this same mental toughness.
Team parents must cooperate fully with their team manager. Be courteous and respond to telephone calls and e-mails in a timely fashion to allow the manager to fulfill his or her vital role.
Team Managers are vital to our success. As liaisons between the club, coaches & parents, they:
If you are interested in being a Team Manager, please inform the coach. Please note that Team Managers do receive a discount on the dues.
All parents shall be informed of the leagues, cups, and tournaments their child will play prior to September 15th. Parents must inform the Team Manager prior to October 1, if they will not be able to participate in any scheduled event. Past that date, unless the player cannot participate due to a proven long-term injury, parents will be responsible for their fair share of the event costs. Parents are responsible for their players’ travel expenses.
Registration and Referee Fees (“Event Fees”):
The club is responsible for Event Fees for: FYSA Cups, FSPL, Sunshine Conference, State Cup, FCL Florida Cup, ECNL, ECNL-RL, NPL, FCL and SFUYSA games. The coach is responsible for receiving referee fees in advance from the club and paying the referee fee on game day.
Parents are responsible for Event Fees for all tournaments, non-FYSA or FCL cups, friendlies or leagues not mentioned above.
Coach Per Diem:
Parents are responsible for paying the following coach per diems, with the coach receiving the respective amount the Thursday before the start of the event. There are two possible ways to calculate the coach per diem, either per mile or per player. They apply depending on the type of event, but only one applies for the same event, day or weekend.
1. Tournaments, Cups, or Multiple League Games with Overnight Stays
i. U9-U12: $15/player
ii. U13-U19: $13/player
2. Local Tournaments with no Overnight Stay
i. U9-U12: $15/player
ii. U13-U19: $13/player
3. Cups or League Games with no Overnight Stay
(Roundtrip miles - 40) x $0.70 up to a maximum of $235
Communication is key, but proper protocols must be followed for the communication to be productive and beneficial. For example, conversations at the field with a coach, whether before, during or after a games or training, is not allowed. Our policy also prohibits parents from communicating with the coach until twenty-four hours after a game or practice about any issue arising during that game or practice, except in the event of safety issues.
Our goal is to empower our players to communicate any concerns directly with their coach. Accordingly, our communication policy strongly recommends that our parents also empower their players to approach their coach about any concern. Thus, one-on-one conversations between a parent and the coach (verbal or virtual) are not allowed unless initiated by the coach for an exceptional reason. If the parent desires to speak with their child’s coach, they must request a meeting with the Technical Director who will coordinate the meeting between the parents, coach, Technical Director, and player if deemed advisable.
There are times when changes are made (sometimes last minute) to practice and/or game dates, times and/or locations. Most teams communicate primarily via chat groups and e-mail. It is the player and parents’ responsibility to check e-mail and team chat groups daily. If you are unable to attend a practice or game (or if you plan to arrive late or leave early), you must notify your coach and/or manager as described above or be considered an unexcused tardy or absence.
All grievances shall follow the following protocol:
If there are any children left at a field and their parents have not arrived, we expect adults (coaches and parents of other players) to:
Under no circumstances should coaches give a child a ride home.
Teams are financially supported through seasonal player dues. Our registration fee will be the same for all players. However, the team fees may vary depending on the number of players on a given team, ages, and participating leagues, tournaments, or other third-party activities. Depending on how the third-party activity is organized, fees may include league registration, referees, insurance coverage, training equipment, league dues, tournament entry fees, professional training, etc. Each player will also be responsible for the cost of a uniform. Should a player quit or leave his or her team to join another club or team, he or she will still be responsible for the payment of team fees. There will be no refunds once any payments are made for team fees. The Parent will receive a link to pay the player due after registration. If the player fails to pay on time, we reserve the right to drop the player from the team.
A limited amount of Financial Aid is available for families that demonstrate need. Financial Aid applications are available on our website. Any family applying for Financial Aid must submit a copy of their prior year’s Tax Return and complete the application. Those families receiving Financial Aid will be required to volunteer a minimum of 10 hours assisting with fundraising events. Families receiving financial aid must also see that their player has the current season’s required uniform kit and they are current in paying their share of their team's fees.
Rain will rarely be a reason to cancel training or games. Flooded fields, however, may cause cancellation.
Lightning is another possible cause for cancelation of games and training. Keep an eye on the sky. Look for darkening skies, flashes of lightning, or increasing wind, which may be signs of an approaching thunderstorm. If we see lightning or hear thunder, we will postpone outdoor activity promptly. Players, families, and coaches should go immediately inside a completely enclosed building or vehicle, not a carport, open garage, under a tree or covered patio. If an official facility or league “weather safety device” is at the fields indicating a lightning strike within 5 miles, we will leave the field, even if we cannot see or hear lightning/thunder and follow this same protocol.
Each time lightning is sighted, or thunder is heard, soccer may not resume play until 25 minutes have passed. The 25-minute watch is restarted with every newly occurring lighting strike. Coaches will monitor conditions during this time. NO ONE should take the field until 25 minutes have passed since the last lightning strike that was sighted or thunder heard. After the 25-minute wait, if you have less than 25 minutes of possible training time remaining, your session will likely be canceled, and players advised to leave with their parents.
If you can't get to an enclosed building or vehicle Stay away from trees; keeping twice as far away from a tree as it is tall. Avoid bicycles and motorcycles. Don’t stand in puddles of water, even if wearing rubber boots. Move away from a group of people. Stay several yards away from other people. Don't share a bleacher bench or huddle in a group.
Players, Parents and Coaches must be committed to our Code of Conduct.
The purpose of this Handbook is to present a clear and detailed understanding of what is expected of you and what you can expect from the club, the team, and the coach. If you are uncertain as to what is expected, please contact the team manager for clarification. Knowing and understanding these things is vital to making your participation a positive experience as you or your child develop their soccer abilities to the highest level possible. We have high expectations at our club, the teams, the coaches, and you. It is imperative that all players and parents abide by our rules, regulations, and policies. Everyone has issues that arise from time to time, and we will make every effort to work with you to help resolve any issues you may have. After we have exhausted all efforts to resolve issues that have been identified, we will have no alternative but to pursue disciplinary action as outlined below. The same procedures will apply to situations where the actions of parents or coaches are adjudged by the Board of Directors to warrant appropriate discipline.
Coaches shall conduct themselves first as teachers and second as soccer coaches. Nothing positive will come of our efforts if we produce world-class players who do not know how to conduct themselves as successful human beings. In this regard, you can expect coaches to conduct themselves as positive role models and display appropriate behavior. Our coaches recognize they are dealing in an important way with young people and cannot overlook the impact they have on players’ lives. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their teams, both on and off the field, whenever the team is together as a group. We insist that our players are polite, well-behaved, and respectful. Players and parents can expect honesty, appropriate communication, consistency, and reliability from the coach. Coaches must be committed to giving players the tools and skills to enable them to become as good as their ability, desire, commitment, and effort allow. Coaches are committed to creating an environment that is conducive to the development of quality competitive soccer. We recognize that in life there are far more important things than soccer. In terms of priority, family and schoolwork come first. However, if the coach sees that you are not willing to put soccer above other recreational activities during the season, it may affect your playing time and/or your status with the club. Do not expect coaches to praise everything you do well. After a time, there are things the coach will come to expect from every player. There are times when coaches will say very little, and times they may yell out instructions. There are times they will be critical of players, and other times they will be generous with praise. Players and parents are expected to take constructive criticism along with praise for a job well done and be able to deal with both. The coach will attend practices and will coach at games. In situations where conflicts do occur, which is inevitable, the club will attempt to designate another coach to cover that practice or game. It is important for players and parents to understand that coaching in soccer is overrated. Once players reach a certain level of skill, maturity, and experience, they become more important to the team’s success than the coach.
The coaches will make decisions as to player selections, game lineup, player positions, amount of playing time, etc. Players must be positive in fulfilling the role they are asked to perform for the team at any moment, even if that role has them coming off the bench or playing a new position. If conflicts or issues arise between a player and/or his or her parents and the team, then the coach will be responsible for addressing and responding to the conflicts or issues and making decisions for the good of the team. These decisions will be made at the coach’s absolute discretion. The coach’s decision will be final. The player and his or her parents must agree to abide by the coach’s decision.
There are some coaches who train two or more teams. All such coaches will attend all training sessions and games to the extent possible. There will be times when conflicts occur and, in those situations, a backup coach will be asked to cover the pertinent training session or game.
We hold our coaches it secures to the highest standards. There may be times when you do not agree with the coach’s conduct. If you have tried to communicate with the coach about an issue that is of concern to you and you are still unsatisfied, please contact the appropriate age group coordinator to investigate the matter.
The following format should be used, in full, whenever using the club or a team name, for example when signing the team up for a tournament, or in social media posts:
Team Name Format – Gender Letter / Birth Year / Team Descriptor (e.g. ECNL, ECNL-RL, NPL, Pre-ECNL, Blue)
Examples of team name:
To market the club, representatives might take photographs or videos of training sessions or league games. Your registration grants us a perpetual unlimited license to use these photographs and/or videos marketing opportunities such as our website(s), social media platforms, printed and electronically distributed program flyers, and marketing videos.
We will NEVER provide names of our boys and girls and connect the likeness of them with their names or other identifying characteristics, without prior parental consent.
A player's contribution to the team will never be more important that their individual well-being. If it is suspected that a player has suffered a concussion or any other injury, the coach will not put that player back onto the field. If a player's injury requires them to seek professional medical attention, the coach will defer to the guidance provided by the doctor. Parents must inform the coach of any suspected injury.
All parents or legal guardians are required to complete and authorize a Medical Release form for each player. You will enter the medical information necessary during the Registration process as it is included in the US Club Soccer Youth Player Registration and FYSA forms.
Excess accident coverage is automatically provided to registered members of USYS and US Club Soccer as a part of the registration fees. These Policies provide coverage for registered players, coaches, and other officials, during sanctioned events including regularly scheduled practices and games. This coverage is excess above the player’s own family health insurance. For players or members that do not have any health insurance, this will be considered a primary insurance.
Claims must be filed within 90 days of the date of injury online with the Association you are registered through (US Club, USYS). Itemized medical bills are not required at the time of claim submission but will be required to process the claim. DO NOT wait until all bills are received to submit the claim. If you have questions regarding filing a claim or need information on the claim process, please contact the Club Administrator.
All parents or legal guardians are required to complete and authorize a Medical Release form for each player. You will enter the medical information necessary during the Registration process as it is included in the US Club Soccer Youth Player Registration and FYSA forms.
If an injury occurs, please use the following link to our Health Forms Page to begin the claims process
or call at: (305) 306-7575
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