Placer United Policies

Team Goals | Hierarchy | Red Card Procedures | Standing Policies

PLACER UNITED SOCCER CLUB TRYOUT POLICIES

(Revised August 2009)

Team Selection:

1. Announcement of tryout dates will be sent each year to eligible registered players and will be posted on our website. Any child meeting the age requirements is eligible to tryout.

2. Each parent or guardian shall complete and sign a tryout registration form that includes a medical waiver for PUSC.

3. Each team will be evaluated by an evaluation team that will include the team's coach and other PUSC coaches. All coaches who hold an E/D license or higher will be required to help evaluate another age group tryouts.

4. Evaluation sheets shall be turned in to the coach at the end of each tryout session for review. A team for each age group shall be comprised of the top players as evaluated by the evaluation team, with coaches making final decisions. For multiple teams, see below.

5. All players trying out for an age group must attend a minimum of two tryout dates for their appropriate age group team. (See attached Age Matrix). Each age group will hold tryouts on one field with all players trying out together. Existing PUSC players who have been playing up an age group have the option of trying out for their returning team instead of, or in addition to their age appropriate team. These players are not guaranteed positions on either team, however, and are encouraged to discuss this decision with their appropriate Director of Coaching prior to tryouts. It is not necessary for the returning play-up player to seek board approval so long as the player is returning to the team for which he/she was formerly approved.

6. Tryouts will be conducted in a professional manner. Each participant will be given an equal opportunity with no segregation of any players. Coaches and evaluators will encourage each participating player.

7. Offer to players may be extended via phone or in person but must be followed up in writing. This communication may be done electronically. All players who will be offered a position on a PUSC team shall be informed within 48 hours of the final try-out session. Players are required to accept or decline an offer in writing within 24 hours or the offer will expire. All players, who meet the club attendance requirements at tryout sessions, must be notified within 15 days of the close of the tryout window if they are not going to be offered a position. Again this communication may be made electronically.

Multiple Teams in Single Age Group:

8. Multiple competitive PUSC teams will be formed only when the following criteria are met:

A. Enough players are interested and talented to form more than one team that would be competitive.

B. Enough interested and qualified coaches are available to adequately staff the needs of both teams. A list of such coaches should be comprised prior to tryouts.

9. The decision to form multiple teams in an age group will be made by the PUSC Directors after the second tryout date. This will be determined after review of the evaluations made by the particular age group evaluation team.

10. When multiple teams are formed, they will be formed on an A, B, etc. team concept.

11. Every effort will be made by the PUSC Staff and the coaches to create an atmosphere that fosters close and friendly relationships between the teams in a same age group, encouraging the teams to help each other improve and develop. These efforts may include scheduling practices at the same day, time, and field if permitting, so the players can interact. Coaches shall try to attend each other’s games when possible and offer coaching suggestions when asked. The coaches shall act together to help develop all the players to the best of their ability.

Multiple Team Selection:

12. The A team shall have first choice of all players trying out for that age group. The A team shall be formed with the highest rated players just as if a second team were not to be formed. The B team will then be selected from the next highest rated players and so on.

13. In the case of multiple teams in an age group, coaches for the A team must contact the players they have selected within 24 hours of the last scheduled tryout session. Only players that are to be offered a position on the A team may be contacted by the A team coach.

14. The B team will begin to contact players within 24 hours of after the A team has been selected. All selected players should be contacted within 48 hours after the last scheduled tryout session and so on.

Playing-up Policies:

15. New Players wishing to "play-up" an age group are required to try out one day in their appropriate age group and two days in the older age group.

16. Both coaches and a Coach Coordinator must agree that the player should be allowed to move up.

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TEAM GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

Goals:

Create a positive soccer environment for players, coaches, parents and fans.
Develop soccer skills and knowledge.
Develop teamwork and camaraderie.

Coaching:

PUSC expects a style of play that is both technically sound and reflects a high level of effort by the player.

Technical Instruction
Fundamentals of game
Skill Development
Strategic and tactical development
Physical Development
Conditioning
Preparation for games and practices
Psychological Development
Think positively about game
Treat players and opponents with respect
Model the type of behavior expected of players

Players Commitment:

Treat each other with respect
Use appropriate language at both practices and games
Treat coaches, parents, opposing players and referees with respect
Play hard, but play within the rules
Attend as many team functions (soccer or social) as possible
Always give full effort at practices and games
Exhibit good sportsmanship at all times

Parent Commitment:

Support team in positive manner
Help players arrive at practice and games on time
Make required payments in a timely manner
Treat each other with respect
Use appropriate language at practices and games
Treat coaches, parents, opposing players and referees with respect
Avoid criticizing players or coaches for loss of a game
Encourage your child to play by the rules
Never ridicule or shout at your child for making a mistake or losing a competition
Attend as many team functions (soccer or social) as possible
Exhibit good sportsmanship at all times

Attendance:

Attendance at practices and games is mandatory
Attendance at other team functions is strongly encouraged
If a parent cannot, attend, allow the player to go with another family
Player should never miss for transportation reasons
If player cannot attend (illness, family or school commitment, etc.):
Notify coach as soon as possible
Playing time may be reduced, not as punishment, but to recognize that players who attend are physically and mentally prepared to play

Respect for Referees:

Players, coaches and parents must show respect for referees, during and after games.
Players and parents should not talk to referees or lines persons or comment on calls. The only person who should talk to the referee is the coach, and this must be done in a professional manner.
Referee's styles vary from game to game just like field conditions vary.
Players and coaches cannot afford to be distracted by referees' calls.
Coaches and parents set the example and tone for the players.

Players on Sideline need to:

Stay next to the coach for instruction.
Watch the game.
Support teammates with positive comments.
Mentally prepare to return to the game.
Let the coach decide on substitutions.

Parents on Sideline:

Parents can contribute to team's success by:
Positive encouragement of players during game and at home.
Positive comments about the team or players to other spectators.
Support the team no matter how the game is going.
It is easy to be positive and supportive when things are going well, but more important when things are not going well.
Let the coach focus on the game without interruption.
No negative comments about any player.
Parents can reduce stress on players by:
Help the players arrive at the field on time.
Let the coaches give instruction before and during the game.
Avoid talking to players on the field on the sideline, i.e. no coaching the team or individual players.
Let the players relax and interact with other players between the games.

Communication:

Encourage open communication.
Conferences attended by the coach, player and parents to address concerns can be scheduled.
If not satisfied with concerns being addressed, concerns should be discussed with the Placer United Board of Directors.
Coaches will discuss progress any time other than one hour before or after a game or during practices.
Coach will provide two (2) written formal player evaluations during the season.
Manager will provide coaches evaluation forms to be completed by parents and players together and returned to the PUSC office.

Consequences of Violating Team Policies:

Generally, informal discussion with player or parent.
Formal discussion with player or parent (1st warning). If behavior continues, matter may be brought before the PUSC Board of Directors in accordance with procedures set forth in the PUSC Bylaws for further consequences.

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CHAIN OF COMMAND (Hierarchy)

If you should have any concerns (other than playing issues) during your PUSC experience, please use the following Chain of Command to discuss and resolve your issues:

1. Discuss your issue with the Team Manager and try to resolve.
2. Discuss your issue with the Team Coach and try to resolve.
3. Discuss your issue with the Coaching Director and try to resolve.
4. Discuss your issue with the PUSC Vice Manager and try to resolve.
6. Discuss your issue with the PUSC Club Administrator and try to resolve.
7. Discuss your issue with the PUSC Review Committee and try to resolve.

The members of the PUSC Board encourage you to keep all lines of communication open, not only within your team, but with the Board as well. Any board member is more than willing to listen and discuss any concerns or issues with players, parents, coaches, or trainers. We all support the same goals for our children playing competitive soccer.

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RED CARD PROCEDURE

A. GENERAL: The most important things to remember is that immediately after receiving a red card, you must call your Club Administrator.
Your Club Administrator will take care of the process in terms of tracking down the player or coach card and obtaining the send-off report.

B. LEAGUE PLAY:

1. Referee fills out send-off report and takes player or coach card.
2. Referee sends the card and send-off report to the league PAD coordinator.
3. The PAD coordinator consults with the committee to establish the penalty.
4. The PAD coordinator mails the send-off report and card to the Club Administrator who retains them until the penalty has been served.
5. The coach/team manager must see that the referee in games where the player or coach is sitting out fills out the non-participation form.
6. Once the non-participation form is signed off and returned to the Club Administrator, the card may be returned to the manager or coach.

C. TOURNAMENT PLAY

1. Referee takes the card and fills in the send-off report.
2. The Tournament PAD determines the penalty during the tournament.
3. The send-off report is sent to the tournament coordinator.
5. The tournament director holds the card until the penalty is served or until the end of the tournament.

MOST IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER: CALL YOUR CLUB ADMINISTRATOR IMMEDIATELY AFTER A PUSC PLAYER RECEIVES A RED CARD

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Standing Policies

SP 00-1 TEAM SUPPORT STRUCTURE - Each team shall have a Manager who is not related to the Head Coach.

SP 00-2 UNIFORMS - Each team shall wear a PUSC board approved uniform at all league games and all tournaments.

SP 00-3 RECRUITING FLYERS - Flyers that are to be used for recruiting at other than Information Night need to be reviewed and approved by one PUSC board member prior to being distributed.

SP 00-4 COACH LICENSE REIMBURSEMENT-

1. PUSC will fully reimburse any approved PUSC coach who takes and passes a course to obtain a higher license as long as it is approved in advance of attending the coarse.

2. If needed, PUSC will advance half the course fee at registration. This sum must be reimbursed to the club if the course is not passed.

3. The coach must request reimbursement in writing giving the date the course was attended, and attach a copy of the canceled check or receipt and a copy of the new license.

SP 00-5 PUSC TOURNAMENT PARTICIPATION - All PUSC teams shall be required to play in their club-hosted tournament. Any requests to not participate must be presented to and approved by the board.

SP 00-6 ASSISTANT COACH LICENSE LEVEL - All assistant coaches for U12's and older must have an "E" license or higher. Those with an "F" license may be approved with a waiver, with approval being revoked if the required minimum "E" license is not obtained prior to the beginning of league games." [Effective as of the 2001-2002 season]

SP 05-7 PAYMENT REFUND POLICY – A player’s parent(s) or the team manager must notify the PUSC treasurer by email of a player’s intent to drop. All refund deadlines listed below are based on the date of that notification. It must be understood by the parent and the manager that once the PUSC treasurer has been notified, the player must no longer attend training. Upon proper notification, PUSC will collect no additional fees for that player starting with the next full month.

Registration Fee:
Registration fees are non-refundable.

Monthly Fees:
Monthly fees are collected automatically at the first or 15^th of a month. Dues will be collected each month during the season until such time as the season ends is suspended or the player drops. .

SP 01-8: COACH SELECTION - Coaches for PUSC must apply for coaching positions each season. Whether a coach is selected is entirely within the board's discretion. Many criteria are considered during the selection process, including but not limited to the following:

Head Coaching Experience: competitive, collegiate, professional, varsity, ODP
Playing Experience: competitive, collegiate, professional, ODP
Assistant Coaching Experience: competitive, collegiate, professional, junior varsity, ODP
Availability and commitment
License Level
Honors: individual playing awards, team State Cup awards, coaching awards
Camps: trainer at competitive level camps
References
Prior survey results and other feedback
Club coaching evaluation from previous season
Coaching philosophy: conform with being a club coach not coach of specific team, conform that coach's meetings are important and will attend, conform with club bylaws and policies
Clinics attended and certified

SP 03-9 FUNDRAISING - Teams may not compete with PUSC fundraisers. No tax deductable donations may be paid out to individual members/players/parents.

SP 04-10 PARENT/PLAYER CONTRACT - All parents and players must sign this contract which identifies parent and player “code of conduct”, “financial responsibility", and “donation of time”.

PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT:

1. I will respect the coaching staff and their decisions, understanding this is competitive soccer.

2. I will not enter the field of play during a game, scrimmage or training unless otherwise asked to do so by the coach.

3. I will not verbally or physically abuse, confront, taunt, harass or demean a coach, manager, player, opposing player or coach, or referee at any time.

4. If I have questions regarding playing time or playing position, I understand there must be a 24-hour cooling off period before talking to the coach.

5. I understand parents cannot coach their child or other players from the sideline or anywhere else during games, training sessions, or scrimmages, unless they are the assigned coach of the team.

6. I will follow the “chain of command” to lodge a complaint. Procedures, Bylaws, and standing policies can be found at www.placerunited.com

7. I will not conspire with other parents to undermine the authority of any coach, the program or the club.

8. I will make every effort to allow my child to attend all training sessions, games, tournaments, and team functions.

PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT:

1. I will abide by all CYSA, US Club and Placer United Soccer Club bylaws

2. I will abide by all team rules, including good attendance, respect for teammates and adults, and maintain a positive attitude.

PARENT FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:

3. I am obligated to pay monthly fees based on my child’s team, paid in full by the 15th of each month.

4. I understand payments made after the 15th of the month will be considered past due and will be subject to a $15 late charge.

5. I agree to pay a $100 (Junior’s) or $125 (U11-U18 teams) non-refundable administrative fee at registration.

6. I understand any player whose account is past due for more than 60 days will have his/her player pass pulled. I understand the player will be ineligible to participate in games or practices until his/her account is brought into good standing.

7. I agree to work up to two shifts in the appropriate gendered soccer tournament (July for Boys and Oct for girls).

8. I understand parents will be asked to assist their team in securing a gift worth a minimum of $250 to be provided for the annual club fundraising auction.

Parent and player signature required in order for child to participate. If parent or player fails to complete any obligation or violates the Code of Conduct, the child’s playing card may be pulled; preventing the child from participating in upcoming games, tournaments, or training sessions, or in more severe and/or repeat instances, the player and family may be dismissed from the Club.

GUEST PLAYING

Any member of Placer United Soccer Club wishing to play with another team shall seek approval from their coach and the guesting coach for instances within our club. Any requests to play for competing, outside teams, or clubs other than Placer United shall be forwarded to the athelete`s Director of Coaching (or Executive DOC) for review. Decisions will be on a case by case basis, weighing factors unique to each particular request.