PARENT'S CODE OF CONDUCT

As a parent, you play a special role in contributing to the needs and development of youngsters.

Through your encouragement and good example, you can help assure that all the boys and girls learn good sportsmanship and self-discipline. In AYSO, young people learn to work together, to sacrifice for the good of the team, to enjoy winning and deal appropriately with defeat - all while becoming physically fit and healthy. Best of all, they have fun.

SUPPORT YOUR CHILD
Supporting your child by giving encouragement and showing interest in their team is very important.

Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than victory - that way your child will always be a winner despite the outcome of the game!

ALWAYS BE POSITIVE
Parents serve as role models for their children. Become aware of this and work to be a positive role model. Applaud good plays by your child's team as well as good plays by the opposing team.

Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sports activities.

REMEMBER: YOUR CHILD WANTS TO HAVE FUN
Remember that your child is the one playing soccer, not you. It's very important to let children establish their own goals - to play the game for themselves. Take care not to impose your own standards and goals on them.

Don't put too heavy a burden on your child to win games. Surveys reveal that 72% of children would rather play for a losing team than ride the bench for a winning team.

Children play for the fun of playing.

REINFORCE POSITIVE BEHAVIOR
Positive reinforcement is the best way to help your child achieve their goals and their natural fear of failure. Nobody likes to make mistakes. If your child does make one, remember it's all part of learning, so encourage your child's efforts and point out the good things your child accomplishes.

DON'T BE A SIDELINE COACH OR REFEREE
Coaches and referees are usually parents just like you. They volunteer their time to help make your child's youth soccer experiences positive. They need your support too.

That means refraining from coaching or refereeing from the sidelines. As a volunteer organization, there's usually always an opportunity for you to take your interest in coaching or refereeing to the next level and become one yourself!

EQUIPMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

UNIFORMS:
A uniform consisting of shirt, shorts and socks is provided for your child's use at the beginning of the season and is yours to keep when the season ends.

You are responsible for taking care of the full uniform. Do not iron the jersey.

Uniforms are not to be worn at practice, only for scheduled games.

Players may not wear rings, watches, chains, necklaces, earrings, or hard pony tail holders or barrettes as these items may cause injury during play. Girls should wait until after the soccer season is over to get their ears pierced. Referees are instructed not to let any player wearing earrings play until they are removed!

SHOES:
Players must wear shoes. Tennis shoes are OK but not recommended. It is strongly suggested that players wear soccer shoes - the low-sided "football" style shoes with rubber or plastic molded cleats (no metal).

Shoes must be safe and not pose a hazard to players. The referee will make this determination. Shoes should fit comfortably with athletic socks.

SHIN GUARDS:
Shin guards can and do protect the player. A National Rule makes shin guards mandatory. They must be worn under the socks.

They may be purchased from the AYSO store, local sporting goods stores, and stores such as Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Target. Players must wear shin guards at ALL practices and games.

BALL:
Each player is encouraged to practice with a ball and it is recommended that a soccer ball be obtained.

For Divisions U8 & U6: Size 3; Divisions U12 & U10: Size 4; Divisions U16 & U14: Size 5.

A player needs to practice with a ball to develop skill and coordination.

Any time spent with the ball makes for a better player and active parent participation is a great encouraged.

It is strongly recommended that the player's name is put on the ball for identification.

NUTRITION:
Proper nutrition is essential for your child to have energy to endure the physical aspects of the game and during practice. On the morning of games, please have your child eat a light breakfast and avoid sugary snacks or acidic fruits prior to practices and or games.

COACHES
As a parent, you can help your child's coach by introducing yourself and thanking them for their interest in coaching a team. Support the coach's request that your child be on time for practices and games. If you do not stay for the entire practice session, pick up your child promptly at the end of practice. Be positive with your comments and remember that a coach has a reason for his selection of player positions. Don't criticize the coach because you think your child should play a different position. Offer help at practices. Remember that coaches volunteer their time and energy to instruct and help your child, and they need your cooperation and support.

REFEREES
AYSO Referees are entitled to the highest respect from coaches, players and spectators. The referee's mistakes (and there will be mistakes) shall be accepted without complaint. Many of the referees have no children playing in our Region and all of them gladly give their time to help us. Please show them the respect they deserve - they are volunteers, and express your appreciation for their commitment to our soccer program. The region is always in need of referees. If you are interested, contact the Regional Referee Administrator. We have excellent training programs in our Area.

PARENT PARTICIPATION
THE REGION AND THE CHILDREN NEED YOUR PARTICIPATION. Attend practices and games. PARENTAL SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL. Learn about the rules of the game by reading, "The Rules of Soccer: Simplified." Above all, show tolerance of the players' mistakes and weaknesses. When attending games, cheer for all players on both teams as well as your own child. Every parent is requested to volunteer in some area of the program and there are various jobs available. Before your team's meeting, read the section on volunteering in this handbook and offer to help.

REGIONAL PHILOSOPHY
AYSO is a parent based volunteer organization providing a soccer program for all children regardless of experience or skill level. Registration of your child in our program implies responsibility to the team and adherence to the five principles of AYSO: Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, Positive Coaching, Open Registration, Good Sportsmanship.

EVERYONE PLAYS
Each player is guaranteed to play at least half of every game, regardless of his or her level of skill or aptitude, if the child: ARRIVES ON TIME AT THE PLAYING FIELD FOR SCHEDULED GAMES PREPARED TO PLAY IN THE PROPER COMPLETE UNIFORM, SHOES, SHIN GUARDS, ETC. AND IS NOT ILL OR INJURED.

PRACTICE LOCATION AND ATTENDANCE
As all of the coaches in AYSO are volunteers, practice times are scheduled at the coach's convenience during the week (Monday through Friday) and coordinated with the Region for field availability. Region 827 will normally play and practice at the United Street park. Each player must arrange to arrive on time and be picked up on time. No uniforms are to be worn at practice. Shorts are better suited for the game of soccer than long pants. In cold weather, sweatpants are recommended as jeans can restrict motion. Cleats are best suited for most fields and should be worn at practices. Shin guards are mandatory. It is recommended that each player bring an appropriately sized ball to practices.

GAME SCHEDULE
Games are to be played according to the schedule and will not be canceled due to inclement weather except at the game site shortly before game time. For most divisions, all games are scheduled on Saturdays at the same fields mentioned above. Some of the upper divisions may need to travel to other Regions for some games. Game schedules will be posted on the Web: http://www.rosamondayso.com

PLAYOFFS
Divisions U10, U12, U14, and U16 participate in Regional and/or Area playoffs if the teams qualify (see below for criteria). Playoff schedules are also posted on the Web. Regional championship teams then play in the Area D playoffs. Area D championship teams for certain divisions go on to play in the Section playoffs. Section championship teams then play in the Tri-Section championships to determine the AYSO Southern California champions. During some years, certain selected teams are invited to play in the AYSO National games. If your child is fortunate enough to be a part of one of these teams, you should be prepared to support that team through out the duration of these playoff games.

VOLUNTEER POINT SYSTEM
Your child is guaranteed to play the balance of the regular season games (usually 8-10 games). All teams in divisions U10 - U14 have an opportunity to go to the playoffs. This season our region has adopted a point system that allows your child's team to acquire additional points if they meet the referee requirements. These points are in addition to their team win/loss points. Please be aware of the adopted point system that is in effect during the season and support your child's team in helping acquiring the necessary points.