Parent Information

Ethics and Conduct

Soccer games are as exciting for some parents as they are for their son or daughter. That's great. For many of the spectators, however, soccer is a sport about which they know very little. They want to support the team, cheer for the team, and encourage their child. Occasionally, this enthusiasm combines with a parent's lack of familiarity with the game, or lack of knowledge of the Coach's instruction to the team, in a way which causes problems. We do not wish to curb your enthusiasm for the game. We do wish to make sure that your enthusiasm is channeled in a way which will be helpful, complies with the rules of the game, and is consistent with the coach's instruction to the team. In this spirit, please keep these suggestions in mind as you attend NTSC soccer games: DO NOT YELL AT THE REFEREE - It is our goal to build not only good soccer players, but good sportsmen. Your positive, or negative, example at games will either greatly reinforce, or significantly undermine, that effort. The coach or team captain has principal responsibility, although limited latitude, in speaking with the referee. Let them do their job when, and if, they feel it is necessary.

KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE RULES OF THE GAME -- Sometimes, parental ill-will toward the referee is based upon a parent's lack of knowledge of the rules of the game. Common problems are the understanding and application of the rules governing offsides and illegal contact. For your education, in a later section of this Handbook, we have set out a limited explanation of some of the basic soccer rules which will help you become a better-informed fan.

ENCOURAGE - DO NOT CRITICIZE - One of goals is to help your child play good soccer. No less important is our goal to make every effort to insure that your child has fun. Your child understands the league's commitment to good sportsmanship and feels the peer pressure to do well. You can help best by confining your talk during the game to positive encouragement. The discussion later in this Handbook on becoming an "All-Star Parent" may be helpful to you in this regard.

If possible, be quietly enthusiastic and supportive. However, for those of you who have an irresistible need to yell and scream during a sporting event, then we request that you too exhibit good sportsmanship. All adults associated with the KYSL are responsible for encouraging teamwork, sportsmanship, and respect. Therefore, coaches and spectators are expected to set good examples.

Limited coaching from the sideline by the coaches is permitted, HOWEVER, excessive, obnoxious, or abusive coaching whether directed at players, other coaches, or referees is NOT acceptable.

Spectators are encouraged to support the teams with positive cheering. Criticism of players, coaches, or referees is unacceptable. NO PROFANITY OR ABUSIVE LANGUAGE IS ALLOWED AT ANY TIME (DURING PRACTICES AND/OR GAMES). OFFENDING PLAYERS, COACHES, OR SPECTATORS WILL BE REQUIRED TO LEAVE THE FIELD AREA IMMEDIATELY.

All-Star Parents

Be There : You can never hope to be an All-Star parent unless you show up at games. Regardless of the skill level of your child or the success of the team, go to the games, be supportive. Don't be a fickle, fair-weather fan.

Be Positive : When your child puts on their uniform , stop being a parent and become a fan. Be a fan and supporter, applaud the ups and downs. Always be "positive" even if you do not feel it's going the team's way. Respect the kids on the other team as well as yours.

Be Seated : Even though it is good to be positive, it's not good to over do it. Don't stick out. Be an admirer - not a cheerleader. Players should not confuse your voice with the Coaches'.

Mini-Education in Soccer

We believe that parents would be better fans, enjoy soccer more, and be better able to talk with their child (ren) about the sport, if they knew more about some of soccer basics.

In order to allow linesmen to run up and down the touch-line unabated, spectators are required to stay at least five feet back from the touch-line. Also, at many soccer complexes, the spectators are asked to sit on one side of the field, and the teams are required to stand on the opposite side of the field.

Laws of the Game

With out attempting to provide you with all of the rules of play, let us make an effort to acquaint you with the rules which govern illegal contact and offsides. These two subjects generate more than their fair share of parental confusion and frustration.

The Offsides Rule: A player is in an "offside" position if he/she is; Ahead of the ball (closer to the opponent's goal than the ball is), and In the opponent's half of the field, and There are fewer than two opponents ahead of or even with him/her. A player in the offside position, described above, may be declared offside if she either: Participates in the play at the goal, or Interferes with an opponent, or Otherwise tries to take advantage of his/her offside position. The position of the player at the moment the ball is played by a teammate determines whether he/she is offside. For example, if he/she were positioned onside at the moment the ball was passed by a teammate, he/she does not become offside if he/she runs to an offside position while the ball is in flight. Exceptions: A player in an offside position is not declared offside if: The ball is last played by an opponent; or He/she receives the ball directly from a throw-in, corner kick, or goal kick. If a player is declared offside, an indirect free kick is taken by the opposing team from the position of the offside player.

Direct Fouls: The most common Direct fouls are: Kicking or trying to kick an opponent; Tripping an opponent; Jumping at an opponent; Charging an opponent violently or dangerously (that is, where either the charging player or the charged player could be hurt); Charging an opponent from behind [ Exception: an opponent who legally obstructs ( screens the ball from an opponent while the ball is within playing distance) may be charged fairly from behind (shoulder to shoulder blade), if done safely]; Striking, and striking with the ball; Spitting at an opponent; Holding an opponent; Pushing an opponent; Handling the ball, except by a goalkeeper in his/her own penalty area [Note: handball is a foul when a player touches the ball with any part of his/her hand or arm while intending to control the ball.] When one of these fouls are committed a Direct kick is awarded.. If it occurs in the penalty area a penalty kick is awarded. A Direct kick CAN be kicked directly into the goal without another player touching it, thus scoring a goal.

Indirect fouls: these are the most common fouls: An offsides; Two Touch violation; Dangerous play, such as high kicking near another player's head or trying to play a ball held by a goalkeeper [Note: If a player puts himself/herself in danger, the referee may call dangerous play against that player] ; Fair charging (shoulder to shoulder contact without danger to either player) but with the ball out of playing distance (more than about one step away); Illegal obstruction, a player intentionally putting himself/herself between the ball and an opponent, when not within playing distance of the ball. to stop the opponent from playing the ball. [Note: the goalkeeper must not be obstructed when attempting to put the ball into play]; Charging the goalkeeper in his/her goal area when he/she is neither holding the ball nor legally obstructing an opponent; When an Indirect foul is committed, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick. The kick "CAN NOT" be kicked directly into the goal without touching another player.

A goalkeeper: The goalkeeper is allowed to take as many steps as he or she wants as long as they get rid of the ball in 6 seconds. The goalkeeper is not allowed to handle the ball after releasing the ball into play before another player touches it. The goalkeeper is not allowed to handle the ball when the ball is intentionally passed back from the foot of a teammate. Remember, however, the Referee may not stop play to punish a foul if, in their opinion, the fouled team is better off if the play continues. This is called the "advantage clause."

There are many books available to help you further understand soccer in more detail; The Rules Of Soccer: Simplified, for the advanced "FIFA Laws of the Game".

Rule Modifications For Younger Players Please keep in mind that the younger age groups are still trying to learn the rules. As a result, the League referees are instructed to use rule violations presented during a game as teaching opportunities. Also, some rules may be relaxed and some violations not strictly enforced at the discretion of the officials.

In closing we want to reiterate the importance of understanding the beautiful game of soccer for the betterment of all.

This Handbook was incorporated and adopted by the Board of Directors of King Youth Soccer League on January 8, 2001.