We have posted final team rosters and each teams' match schedule. First games will take place on Tuesday, April 13th.
If you did not receive a roster notification this morning, you can find it on your account on our website.
Coaches are free to schedule practices as soon as they are able to get one organized. As it is spring break, we have left next Monday free, so teams should at least be able to meet once before matches start.
Coaches and all other team personnel must submit a Risk Management Application form before holding practices. Please do so ASAP.
Uniforms
Uniform Jerseys are due to arrive April 13th, but it is possible that they may be delayed until a few games have been played. These games will utilize pinnies or may ask their teams to wear whatever "uniform" color they'd like. You may want to confer with the opposing coach ahead of the game.
LYSA no longer provides black soccer socks or shorts.
What Are The Rules?
Each age division has a slightly different set of rules. Please become familiar with the rules for the age division that you are coaching.
The rules can be found on the LYSA website in the Programs > Recreation section.
Additionally, a direct link is here
All parents/spectators must sit on the opposite side of the soccer field from the player sidelines during games. If individuals are sitting on team benches or setting up chairs on the player sidelines before the start of the game, please ask them to move to the opposite side of the field.
Only individuals who have been approved by LYSA may be on the field or around the player benches during games and practices. Individuals are also not allowed to hang around the back of the soccer goals during the matches. LYSA only approves individuals who have:
- Completed a Risk Management application
- Passed NCYSA background check
How Do We Keep Games Competitive?
Coaches of dominant teams should make adjustments to keep scores of games close. Coaches of both teams are encouraged to talk with each other during the game to prevent games from becoming blow outs. Some suggestions are:
- Rotate players to different positions (e.g. keep high goal scorers back on defense)
- Require a minimum number of passes before your team can shoot on goal
- Limit playing time of dominant players to 50% of the game
- If one team has taken a lead of five goals or more, that team must reduce the number of players on the field by one (ie a U10 team will reduce to six players on the field)
How Do You Run Practices?
Every player should bring their own water and a soccer ball (size 3 for U6 and U8 and size 4 for U10 and U13) to practice. All players are also required to wear shin guards (with soccer socks put on over top of the shin guards). Plan several age-appropriate games/activities for the practice.
NC Youth Soccer and US Youth Soccer have some resources to help you plan games/activities for your team's practices.
How Many Practices?
Each coach determines how many practices his or her team will have during the season. It is highly recommended to have at least one practice before your team's first game. Some teams practice throughout the season and other teams stop practicing when games start.
Where Can I Practice?
The Rotary Soccer Complex and Wilson Park are the two locations available for recreation soccer practices. You can find maps to these locations here. The Rotary Soccer Complex has several fields which are designated for specific age divisions. A map of the soccer fields can be found here:
U6: Fields 1, 3, and 7
U8: Fields 4 and 8
U10: Fields 5 and 6
U13: Field 2
Once the season begins, please avoid practicing at The Rotary Soccer Complex on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday nights, as we try to somewhat limit the amount of folks at the park all at once. Wilson Athletic park is large and can accommodate several several teams at once.
Are the Soccer Fields Closed Due To Bad Weather?
The fields may be closed due to inclement weather conditions. LYSA uses a service known as RainedOut to communicate field closures. All coaches and parents are encouraged to sign up for RainedOut by following this link or texting "soccerlenoir" to 84483.
PLAYER SAFETY
Abuse Prevention
Preventing abuse in sport begins with awareness and how to recognize the red flags of emotional, physical and sexual misconduct, and then what to do if abuse does occur.
Concussion
Mental Health
Athletes are just as likely to suffer from mental health issues as non-athletes. The very nature of sport can bring about psychological issues in athletes, even though participation in athletics has many benefits. It is important to understand the signs of mental health disorders and how to address them to limit impact on participation in sport and daily life.
Weather and Lightning
We follow NCYSA's procedure regarding lightning. No place outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area. If a storm is approaching, all activity should be suspended, even if lightning or thunder has not yet been observed, and everyone should get indoors.
Safe locations should be available with enough capacity to hold all who may need safe shelter. A primary location would be a fully enclosed building with wiring and plumbing. A fully enclosed vehicle with a solid metal roof, like a school bus, would be a safe secondary option. Open fields and open-sided shelters are not safe.
If there are no adequate safe shelters close to the field, play must be stopped well in advance of the storm to allow everyone to travel to a safe place or their home.
Outdoor activity may resume 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder or flash of lightning. The 30-minute clock restarts every time lightning flashes or thunder sounds.
US Soccer provided guidelines on safety during extreme heat and cold.
Weather Guidelines
Decisions to practice or play games is ultimately the responsibility of the head coach. When possible, LYSA will try to provide timely guidance. Also, the Lenoir Parks & Recreation Department may close the fields in poor weather conditions or to protect the fields.
The goal of the weather guidelines is to maximize safety and also balance playing time with the comfort of players, coaches and parents. They are guidelines and not rules in order to allow coaches freedom to make good decisions.
All coaches, players, parents, and spectators should seek shelter immediately if thunder is heard or lightning is seen at the soccer fields. If no thunder is heard or lightning seen after 30 minutes, everyone can return to the fields. This is NC Youth Soccer Association's policy.
Heat index between 90 and 105 degrees should have modified play with extra water breaks and shorter practice or games.
|