Information for Parents
In our recreational soccer program, we emphasize small-sided soccer for players up to grade 6. Following that we offer full-sided recreational soccer or travel soccer. The most important thing that parents can do for their children's soccer experience is to be a positive influence on them. Here is an excellent video from US Youth Soccer on positive parenting that we ask all parents to watch. Here is an excellent slide presentation for parents. Also US Youth Soccer offers this advice to parents on managing the Parent-Coach relationship.
What is small-sided soccer?
Small-sided soccer is the USSF recommended format for training young players. The concept is that the size of the field, the size of the team and the complexity of the game gradually increase as the child ages and acquires greater physical skills and mental abilities. In the PGSI league, for example, play begins in pre-K on a 15x30 yd field with 4 players to a team and no goalie. At the 3rd and 4th grade level, the field size increases to 30x40 yd, teams have 5 players and there is a goalie. In the 5th and 6th grade division, the field size is 40x60 yd, the play is 6v6 and the offside rule is enforced. In 7th/8th grade the play is on 50 x 80 yd fields and 8v8. Playing on small fields with small team numbers ensures that there is more interaction with the ball and more scoring opportunities. This translates into more rapid skill development and also more fun for the kids! You can see our blog posting on the benefits of playing on the small field here.
What does my child need to play soccer?
Shin guards are a requirement. Soccer cleats are a very good idea. We supply a ball for every child for practice but we encourage players to have their own ball that they can play with at home. We use a custom T-shirt for our team uniform. We recommend black shorts and socks to complement.
Where and when are the games?
For U6-U12 teams, all games are on Saturday mornings in the Driskoll Park complex in Hyattsville (here are our field locations). In the Takoma league, the games are held at different fields depending on the league your child is in, but all games are always at the same field. In Takoma, boys games are on Saturday and girls games are on Sunday.
Where and when are the practices?
Our recreational program is held on Monday and Wednesday evenings at Youth Memorial Park in New Carrollton. Our other teams practice at various fields in Greenbelt and New Carrollon. Most teams practice twice during the week starting between 5:30 or 7:30. We have several days permitted so practices can be adjusted to fit the coaches schedule. You can see all of our field locations here.
What does it cost?
Costs for the season the regular price is $50 or $70 depending on age level but there are various discounts including for coaches, for whom their first child plays FREE. There are additional discounts for residents of Greenbelt and New Carrollton and for players in the FARM program in the public schools.
How do the games work?
In PGSI, through the U6-U8 divisions, the coaches referee the games cooperatively sharing time on the field. For U10 ages and higher, CASRA certified referees call the games. No standings are kept in the league and there is a 3 mini- game Festival at the end of the season that all teams participate in. In the Takoma league, there are referees but again no standings are kept in the league. In Takoma, the season often ends with a fun match of the players against the parents.
What is expected of me as a parent?
Parents can help a lot. Every team needs to organize snacks for the players and parents are expected to help with this. Also, the coach may need help on the field in managing the equipment and players and you can be helpful there too. We expect you to bring your player to the practices and the games on time and that, if your player will not be coming to either of these, you will give the coach as much notice as possible. Also, we expect parents to help make soccer a positive experience for our children. We ask parents to sign a code of conduct statement during the registration process. Among the things requested of parents in the code of conduct is that parents not coach their children from the sidelines. It is important that players have the opportunity to actually play soccer without adult interference and asking parents to not give coaching directions from the sideline is one very important way to help make that happen. We also ask that a player registered to a Greenbelt Soccer Alliance team give that team priority over any other soccer commitment they may have.
What is expected of players?
What we ask of players is that they try hard and have fun! You should be treated respectfully by both coaches and parents. Your game environment should be one where you, the player, are allowed to encounter the challenges of the soccer game without adults yelling at you from the sidelines telling you what to do. In our recreational program, you also will play at least 50% of every game as long as you don't goof off too much in practice or miss too many practices.
I see you're talking about Select soccer. What is that?
Travel soccer is a more challenging soccer environment that involves team tryouts and a higher level of commitment to soccer. We currently support selected soccer teams at the U11/12 age level and older. Registration for tryouts is now open. It is free to tryout for one of our soccer teams. Here is more information on our travel soccer program.
What is small-sided soccer?
Small-sided soccer is the USSF recommended format for training young players. The concept is that the size of the field, the size of the team and the complexity of the game gradually increase as the child ages and acquires greater physical skills and mental abilities. In the PGSI league, for example, play begins in pre-K on a 15x30 yd field with 4 players to a team and no goalie. At the 3rd and 4th grade level, the field size increases to 30x40 yd, teams have 5 players and there is a goalie. In the 5th and 6th grade division, the field size is 40x60 yd, the play is 6v6 and the offside rule is enforced. In 7th/8th grade the play is on 50 x 80 yd fields and 8v8. Playing on small fields with small team numbers ensures that there is more interaction with the ball and more scoring opportunities. This translates into more rapid skill development and also more fun for the kids! You can see our blog posting on the benefits of playing on the small field here.
What does my child need to play soccer?
Shin guards are a requirement. Soccer cleats are a very good idea. We supply a ball for every child for practice but we encourage players to have their own ball that they can play with at home. We use a custom T-shirt for our team uniform. We recommend black shorts and socks to complement.
Where and when are the games?
For U6-U12 teams, all games are on Saturday mornings in the Driskoll Park complex in Hyattsville (here are our field locations). In the Takoma league, the games are held at different fields depending on the league your child is in, but all games are always at the same field. In Takoma, boys games are on Saturday and girls games are on Sunday.
Where and when are the practices?
Our recreational program is held on Monday and Wednesday evenings at Youth Memorial Park in New Carrollton. Our other teams practice at various fields in Greenbelt and New Carrollon. Most teams practice twice during the week starting between 5:30 or 7:30. We have several days permitted so practices can be adjusted to fit the coaches schedule. You can see all of our field locations here.
What does it cost?
Costs for the season the regular price is $50 or $70 depending on age level but there are various discounts including for coaches, for whom their first child plays FREE. There are additional discounts for residents of Greenbelt and New Carrollton and for players in the FARM program in the public schools.
How do the games work?
In PGSI, through the U6-U8 divisions, the coaches referee the games cooperatively sharing time on the field. For U10 ages and higher, CASRA certified referees call the games. No standings are kept in the league and there is a 3 mini- game Festival at the end of the season that all teams participate in. In the Takoma league, there are referees but again no standings are kept in the league. In Takoma, the season often ends with a fun match of the players against the parents.
What is expected of me as a parent?
Parents can help a lot. Every team needs to organize snacks for the players and parents are expected to help with this. Also, the coach may need help on the field in managing the equipment and players and you can be helpful there too. We expect you to bring your player to the practices and the games on time and that, if your player will not be coming to either of these, you will give the coach as much notice as possible. Also, we expect parents to help make soccer a positive experience for our children. We ask parents to sign a code of conduct statement during the registration process. Among the things requested of parents in the code of conduct is that parents not coach their children from the sidelines. It is important that players have the opportunity to actually play soccer without adult interference and asking parents to not give coaching directions from the sideline is one very important way to help make that happen. We also ask that a player registered to a Greenbelt Soccer Alliance team give that team priority over any other soccer commitment they may have.
What is expected of players?
What we ask of players is that they try hard and have fun! You should be treated respectfully by both coaches and parents. Your game environment should be one where you, the player, are allowed to encounter the challenges of the soccer game without adults yelling at you from the sidelines telling you what to do. In our recreational program, you also will play at least 50% of every game as long as you don't goof off too much in practice or miss too many practices.
I see you're talking about Select soccer. What is that?
Travel soccer is a more challenging soccer environment that involves team tryouts and a higher level of commitment to soccer. We currently support selected soccer teams at the U11/12 age level and older. Registration for tryouts is now open. It is free to tryout for one of our soccer teams. Here is more information on our travel soccer program.