Parents

Parents

1. Understanding the Game:

  • Objective: The goal of soccer (also called football in many countries) is to score more goals than the opposing team.
  • Players: Each team has 4, 7, 9 or 11 players, including one goalkeeper (depending on age group).
  • Duration: Matches are typically divided into two halves, each lasting 45 minutes, with a 15-minute halftime break.
  • Basic Rules:
    • Offside: Players cannot be nearer to their opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent when the ball is passed to them.
    • Fouls: Actions such as tripping, pushing, or handball (touching the ball with hands) are considered fouls.
    • Cards: Yellow card is a warning, while a red card means the player is sent off the field.
  • Check FIFA Rules: For a detailed overview of the official FIFA rules and regulations, please visit FIFA Rules & Regulations.
  • Player Development Initiatives: For more information on U.S. Soccer’s player development initiatives, please visit U.S. Soccer Player Development Initiatives.
  • Parent Pocket Guide: Quick reference guide for new soccer parents. Please visit Parent Pocket Guide.

2. Equipment:

  • Essentials: Soccer ball, soccer cleats, shin guards, socks, and a water bottle.
  • Uniform: Can be purchased during registration for recreational players. For competitive players, information will be provided by the team. All uniforms typically require jerseys, shorts, and socks.

3. Practices and Games:

  • Schedule: Be sure to keep track of practice and game schedules, which are often provided by the coach, team manager or found on the website.
  • Attendance: Regular attendance is important for skill development and team dynamics.
  • Pre-Game Preparation: Ensure your child is well rested, hydrated, and has eaten a healthy meal a few hours before the game.

4. Supporting Your Child:

  • Positive Encouragement: Cheer for your child and their teammates. Positive reinforcement boosts confidence and enjoyment of the game.
    • See Parental Code of Conduct below.
  • Respect: Encourage good sportsmanship and respect for coaches, referees, and other players.
  • Involvement: Get involved by volunteering for tasks such as organizing snacks, carpooling, or even coaching if you’re interested.

5. Health and Safety:

  • Hydration: Provide plenty of water before, during, and after practices and games.
  • Warm Up & Cool Down: Ensure your child participates in warm-up and cool-down exercises to prevent injuries.
  • Injury Awareness: Be aware of common soccer injuries and communicate with the coach if your child is hurt.
  • Concussion Awareness:
    • Signs: Look out for signs such as headache, dizziness, confusion, or loss of consciousness.
    • Action: If a concussion is suspected, remove your child from play immediately and seek medical attention. Follow the doctor’s instructions on when it is safe for your child to return to play.
    • Prevention: Ensure your child follows safe practices, such as using proper technique and wearing appropriate protective gear.
    • US Soccer Concussion Information:
  • Medical Release Form: A medical release form will be required during registration to ensure the health and safety of all players.
  • Birth Certificates: Birth certificates are required for all players. They can be uploaded during the registration process.

6. Youth Soccer Community:

  • Communication: Stay in touch with the coach and other parents through emails, text messages, or team apps.
  • Events: Participate in team events such as fundraising, team dinners, or tournaments to build camaraderie.

We hope this guide helps you and your child have a fantastic soccer experience! For any more questions, feel free to reach out to your coach or team manager.

Go team! ⚽️


Parental Code of Conduct

CNP Soccer Association seeks to instill positive character-building traits in our communities’ youth through the demonstration of good sportsmanship, respect for others, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship. We ask that parents and their guests attending CNP sponsored events help us by reflecting these character traits at games.

When attending CNP sponsored events, I therefore agree:

  • I will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event.
  • I will ensure that my child attends practices and participates with a positive attitude.
  • I will maintain open communication with my child’s coach and do my best to inform him/her of schedule conflicts or illnesses that may keep my child from a game or practice. Players who are repeatedly not at practice should not have the expectation to take the field during weekend games without prior communication with your child’s coach. 
  • I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing, taunting or using profane language or gestures, etc.
  • I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and wellbeing of the athletes.
  • I will teach my child to play by the spirit of the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
  • I will demand that my child treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, sex, or ability.
  • I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participant for making a mistake or losing a competition.
  • I will respect the officials and their authority during games and will never question, discuss, or confront coaches or referees at the game field, and will take time to speak with coaches at an agreed upon time and place.
  • I will never approach an official before, during or after for ANY reason.
  • I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games and practices, unless I am one of the official coaches of the team.
  • I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others.

I also agree that if I fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, I will be subject to disciplinary action that could include, but is not limited to the following:

  • Verbal warning by official, head coach, and/or member of league organization
  • Written warning
  • Parental game suspension with written documentation of incident
  • Parental season suspension

Any issues with officials, coaches or players should be directed to the President or the Referee Assignor. They can be reached at [email protected].

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