Wardle Family YMCA

Player Handbook

Contents:  YMCA Mission  YMCA Character Development  Responsibility as a Parent  Pre-Game Prayer  Team Parent Duties  Equipment Needed  Picture Information  Game Locations  Participation Rules  Player’s Code of Conduct  Coach’s Code of Conduct  Parent’s Code of Conduct  Be Involved, But Not Too Involved  Soccer Rules  Special Rules  Age Specific Rules

Wardle Family YMCA Charles Ridlehuber Director, Sports and Wellness 522-9622 [email protected] www.ymcabeaufortcounty.com YMCA Mission To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

YMCA Character Development

Caring – Caring is compassion, empathy, and concern for others. Youth need to care about the needs of others.

Honesty – Honesty is truth-telling, reliability, forthrightness, ethics, and integrity. Encouragement and positive reinforcement should always be tempered by the truth.

Respect – Respect is showing regard for someone or something. In regards to people, it is valuing their dignity regardless of race, creed, or gender. The need for learning respect for other people, property, nature, animals and the environment is very important.

Responsibility – Responsibility is how one fulfills his or her obligations. A responsible parent loves, nurtures, disciplines, and guides a child.

Responsibilities as a YMCA Youth Sports Parent

1. Have a parent or guardian stay with your child at games and practices. 2. Keep winning in perspective, and help your child do the same. Everyone is a winner at the YMCA. 3. Help your child set challenging, but realistic goals rather than focus on winning the game. 4. Turn your child over to the coach at practice and games – don’t meddle or coach from the sidelines. 5. Inform the coach regarding any allergies or special health conditions your child has. Make sure your child brings any necessary medications to practice and games. 6. Sometimes playing sports can be stressful for children. Focus on having fun and enjoying the sport.

Pre-Game Prayer

The YMCA would like to implement a pre-game prayer for all youth sports program participants. The coaches and referees should take the opportunity to bring the teams and parents together prior to each game to pray. This is part of the YMCA philosophy and we feel it should also be a part of our Youth Sports programs. A YMCA staff member is available if needed to pray before the game.

Team Parent Duties

 Set up a schedule for refreshments for each game.  Assign each player a game to be responsible for snacks and drinks for the end of the game.  Team parents should call players prior to the game they are scheduled to bring refreshments as a reminder.  Please save all snacks for after the games.  Develop a “phone tree” to contact players and parents when a change of schedule occurs.  The team parent should find one or two other parents to assist in making phone calls.  The “phone tree” can also be used to remind players of picture day, refreshment responsibilities canceled practices/games, and rescheduled practices /games.  Coordinate end of season party with other parents. If needed, the YMCA can order pizza and the parents can reimburse the Y.  Notify Director of any concerns or questions you or your team may have.

Equipment Needed

The YMCA will have soccer balls for practice and games. If you have a ball, we encourage you to bring it to practice. The appropriate sizes are as follows:

Age of Player Ball Size 3-4 3 5-7 4 7-12 4 >13 5

Jerseys ordered during open registration will be given out during the week before the first games. Any player who registered late is not guaranteed a jersey for the first game. No jewelry is allowed during play. Children with braces are strongly advised to wear mouth guards.

Pictures Pictures will be taken by Photographer, Lisa O’Brien during practice the week of April 4th. Bring completed photo form with money to practice that week. See attached photo form for pricing. Make checks payable to Lisa O’Brien or have exact cash.

Photographer: Lisa O’Brien Email: [email protected] Phone: 843-522-0153

Practice Port Royal Elementary 1214 Paris Ave. Port Royal, SC 29935

From Shell Point o Take Parris Island Gateway/Hwy 802 East o Right on Paris Ave. at the Port Royal red light o Port Royal Elementary will be on your left. The fields are located in the back. From Beaufort o Take Ribaut Road/Hwy 802 West o Left on Paris Ave. just past Friendly Restaurant at the Port Royal red light. o Port Royal Elementary will be on your left.

Games St. Peters Catholic School 70 Lady's Island Drive Beaufort, SC 29920

From Beaufort o Take Hwy 21 South o Turn Right On Hwy 802/Lady’s Island Drive o Turn Right into St. Peters Catholic Church/School Campus o Soccer Fields are located behind the school

Participation Rules

Players: o Only players registered with the YMCA will be allowed to play. o Every player will play at least one half of every game, unless injury or child wishes not to. o Each player must have the proper equipment: athletic shoes, shorts or sweats. o No jewelry is allowed during play. o Hair control devices should be functional only, not decoration.

Coaches: o Coaches are responsible for controlling the parents. o One coach from each team will be allowed on the 6 and under field during play to help direct the team. They may not interfere with play. o Coaches will not question, comment, or make derogatory gestures toward the officials. o Any problems that a coach may have with an official ruling must be directed to Sports Director. o Foul or negative language will not be permitted.

Parents: o Parents and spectators must remain in the spectator area. o Parents will not be allowed on the field (unless asked to assist). o Please save snacks for after the game and practice. Water breaks will happen during both, it is recommended to keep your child well hydrated. o Foul or negative language will not be permitted.

Wardle Family YMCA Soccer Rules The Wardle Family YMCA will comply with standard high school rules except when they conflict with special rules listed below. These rules will be followed by all players, coaches and teams.

Special Rules Coaches are asked to inform your team of the following rules: 1. No smoking allowed around field or practice. 2. Parents are to provide supervision for all their children at all times when at practice or games.

3-4 Year Olds Players on the field 9 Ball size 3-Junior Participation Play at least ½ the game Substitution Yes Length of games Games will be played the second half of practice. Total play time is 20 minutes. Start of game Coin toss determines 1st possession Beginning of each half Alternating possessions Forfeits No Clock Running clock Time outs Instructional time outs as needed Score keeping No Make up practice No Make up games No

5-7 Year Olds Players on the field 6-8 Ball size 4-Junior Participation Play at least ½ the game Substitution Yes Length of games Two 20 minutes halves. Total play time 40 minutes. Start of game Coin toss determines 1st possession Beginning of each half Alternating possessions Forfeits No Clock Referee, running clock Time outs 2 each half (60 seconds) Score keeping No Make up practice No Make up games During practice the following week

7-10 Year Olds Players on the field 6-8 Ball Size 4-Junior Participation Play at least ½ the game Substitution Yes Length of games Two 20 minutes halves. Total play time 40 minutes. Start of game Coin toss determines 1st possession Beginning of each half Alternating possessions Forfeits No Clock Referee, running clock Time Outs 2 each half (60 seconds) Score keeping No Make up practice No Make up games During practice the following week

Revised 3/17/2011