SECTION 4.  PLAYER PARTICIPATION AND DISCIPLINE

 

A. Players will play at least half of every game they attend and should play at least 3/4 of every game. Our goal is that all players will get as much playing time as possible. If a coach must after this policy for disciplinary reasons good judgment should be exercised and the parents should be kept fully informed of the reasons for the action. If problems persist the coach is encouraged to contact the Commissioner for advice on other steps that might be taken.

 

B Players receiving a Yellow card canbe replaced by a substitute immediately but may re-enter the game after a suitable cooling-off period in which the coach instructs the player as to proper conduct and/or technique. Ejected (Red carded) players will leave the game immediately and may not be replaced. They will also be suspended for the next regularly scheduled game. VSA reserves the right to bar players from future participation in cases where the behavior is flagrant and repeated and the player refuses to adhere to the rules.

 

SECTION 5.  SCHEDULING, CANCELLATIONS & RESCHEDULING

 

A. The Vice President of VSA is responsible for creating game schedules for the House League in consultation with other members of the Board of Directors. Scheduling for Travel and Select teams is performed by the appropriate league. VSA’s Commissioner needs to be informed of all home games for Travel and Select teams so that fields and referees can be made available.

 

B. U5 and U6 teams practice one night each week during the season. The other House League divisions practice twice, either on Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday.  Practices are automatically canceled if the Park Authority closes the fields due to inclement weather during the week. A message on the website should be updated by 3:00 PM during the season.

 

C. Decisions on whether games should proceed during inclement weather wiII be made by the Commissioner in consultation with the Field Operations Director. The decision will be made by 7:30 AM and will be available on the website. If the weather deteriorates after that time the decision will be made at the fields by the Commissioner. Once games have begun, the referees will decide whether safety requires the games to be halted. Games canceled before the start of the second half will be replayed on the rainout weekend following the last weekend of regular scheduled matches.  If addition weekends are rained out those games will be automatically canceled.

 

D. Little room is left between games on the schedule in order to accommodate as many games as possible. For this reason it is important that teams arrive at the field of play at least 15 minutes in advance of their scheduled game time and be ready to start on time. If a team is shorthanded at game time the game should begin with reduced numbers (the opposing team should field the same number of players) and as additional players arrive both coaches may put additional players on the field at the next regular substitution opportunity.

 

SECTION 6.  REFEREES

 

A. The Commissioner will obtain the services of referees (and assistants where required) Referees and linesmen are considered independent contractors not employees of VSA. Paid assistants are not used in the U5 and U6 Divisions but parents or coaches may be used on a volunteer basis at the referee’s discretion.

 

B. VSA encourages players and parents to obtain training and certification as referees and will foster their development.

 

SECTION 7.  COACH GUIDELINES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

A. VSA will provide opportunities for coaches to receive training in effective coaching techniques and qualify for entry level coaching licenses

 

B. The Director of Coaches the Commissioner and other VSA officials are available to provide advice and assistance to any coach who requests it. Coaches should not put off getting questions or problems resolved. Serious discipline problems should be reported to the Commissioner. While referee decisions may not be appealed coaches may approach the referee in a friendly manner at half-time or after the game to seek clarification of any decision that seemed controversial during the game. Coaches are also encouraged to explain the rules and the role of the referee to the parents and other spectator in order to reduce misunderstandings and increase their appreciation of the game.

 

SECTION 8.  MEDICAL PROBLEMS AND EMERGENCIES

 

A. Parents must inform coaches of any medical conditions or potential problems their children may encounter. Children who require special braces or asthma inhalers should bring them to every practice and game. When in doubt children should be withheld from participation in order to prevent illness or injury.

 

B VSA has a First Aid lot which is kept in a green duffel bag in the Equipment Shed (behind the Restroom building) at Long Park The kit contains band aids, sterile gauze, instant cold packs, Ace bandages, antibiotic ointment, a bee sting kit, and solar blankets The nearest emergency service is at Evergreen Fire Station on Route 15. Dial 911 for an ambulance

 

SECTION 9.  PROTECTION OF CHILDREN (KIDSAFE)

 

A. As a member of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) VSA is obligated to fulfill the requirements of the VYSA KidSafe Program which was established to protect children involved in youth soccer from abuse. VSA has established its own Policy on Protection of Children (Appendix C) which will be provided to all Board members and Coaches (and to parents upon request) At registration parents will receive a summary of the program (Appendix D) which they will read and sign to acknowledge receipt of the policy. The KidSafe policy extends to all volunteers working with Travel or Select teams under VSA sponsorship

 

B. Implementation of the KidSafe policy will be performed by a KidSafe Coordinator and Altemate Coordinator appointed by the President of VSA.

 

C The KidSafe policy and program will be reviewed periodically for updates and will be reviewed for completeness and legality by appropriate legal counsel