Weatherford Soccer
Association

If your child is a returning player, as long as the coach and team are returning and you have not requested that your child be assigned to a new team and you have registered on time. Please keep in mind that it's WSA policy to place additional players on teams with the shortest roster and without going over state-regulated roster size.

You can request to have your child "Request off core" on the player registration form when signing up for the upcoming season. Your child will then be removed from their previous team and be placed back in the player pool for random assignment to a new team. NTSSA rules require that children be assigned to teams in a fair manner.

You cannot request the same coach but with different players. You do have the option to request your child not play on the same team and be placed back in the Player Pool for random assignment.

In the U4 - U-8 divisions, the NTSSA "Buddy Request" may be used. Only a new player (or WSA player that has not played in the past 2 seasons) may request to be placed on a friend's team (same birth year). This request will be honored, if there is room on the team's roster. If there is not room on the team's roster, both players may request to be placed on a team that has two open roster positions. The buddy requested will have to agree to be taken "off core."

The decision to have your child "play-up" is something that requires careful consideration. Such a request is generally made when a player demonstrates a skill level above his/her age of play and when there is a team available. Such a request should be made to the appropriate league representative or on your child's registration form. The request requires approval from the Team Formation Committee. Your child may only play up one age bracket.

A player may NOT request to play on a specific team. A coach may NOT request that you play for their team. This is a serious violation of the recruiting rules.

NOTIFICATION OF TEAM MEMBERS…Please call members of your team as soon as possible. Your players will be anxious to hear from you. Tell them that they’re on your team and provide them with the location, starting times, and duration of your practices. Coaches are responsible for determining practice days, time, and location. RESPONSIBILITY FOR TEAM MEMBERS…When you agree to coach a team, you accept responsibility for the safety of the team members. This covers all team activities…practice, games, and tournaments. Please get to your practices on time so that your players are never without adult supervision. Ask your parents not to leave players until you arrive. Under no circumstances is any player to be left alone following practice or a game. We know you didn’t volunteer to be a baby sitter, but we can’t risk the safety of any child entrusted to our care. If some parents appear to be late all the time, please call your WSA League Representative and the Board will attempt to help. Have all parents complete and sign the Medical Release Waiver so that you can obtain medical care for a player should the parent not be present. Coaches are required to honor the WSA Coach’s Code of Conduct. RESPONSIBILITY FOR PARENTAL BEHAVIOR… Coaches are responsible for the behavior of his/her players, their player’s parents, and their team supporters during games. Have all your parents sign and date Parental Code of Conduct. Coaches should maintain contact with their league representatives on a regular basis. Attend or send a team representative to all WSA Board Meetings. You are a member of our Association and get a vote in WSA Board decision. Notify your WSA League Rep if you do not plan to return as a Coach for next season. Coaches should remain aware that Game Schedule periodically change; and it is the Coach’s responsibility to ensure their parents are aware of any schedule changes Coaches are required to be knowledgeable of any changes in the laws of the game. A great resource is the International Football Association Board (IFAB) App that can be downloaded on your phone. Coaches are highly encouraged to increase their coaching knowledge of the game by attaining a Grassroots license though US Soccer. The introductory coaching course is online and FREE. North Texas Coaching Education Program (click here)

Primary focus on "development", not "winning" - subtle difference but very important. Winning is desirable of course, but making it your primary focus, especially your primary short-term focus, will most likely lead to bad decisions in your training program and game execution (see "don't teach anything you have to undo later" below). Maximum touches on the ball during training sessions - make sure your practice plan leads to as many touches on the ball as possible. This can be accomplished by separating the players into smaller groups during drills or by designing your practice to include drills and games that force many touches on the ball. This is the primary reason NTX has moved to the small-sided game format. Don't teach anything you have to undo later - for instance, many coaches of the younger players put their players in a defensive "wall" on the opponent’s kickoff - an alignment that will never be formed when they grow older (maybe in futsal). Instead, teach them to spread out on the kickoff and cover the critical defensive areas. Otherwise, at some point down the line you'll have to teach them to cover the space, hence undoing what you taught them earlier. Another example would be a coach of the younger players putting a single player in front of the opponents goal with instructions to "wait for the ball" - and leaving the player in that position during the entire game. On down the line you'll have to undo this practice and teach that player how to stay "onside" and how to "make runs to the goal", hence undoing what you previously instructed.

All WSA coaches and assistant coaches need to be registered for the upcoming soccer season thru GotSport, have an approved Background check, and have completed SafeSport training. Youcan register to be a coach here. Once you have completed your registration, you will receive an automated email explaining how you can complete your background check and SafeSport training. Thank you for volunteering as a coach!

This will depend on the type of team and age level of the team you are coaching. Recreational teams will often practice 1-2 times a week and play once a week. So you can expect a commitment of about 3-5 hours total including setup, picking up, etc. Add in an additional hour or so for preparation (practice plans, paperwork, etc.) Regardless of the age of your team or level, you should recruit a team manager to handle all the league paperwork, snack and make-up schedules, etc. It can be a huge help. A good recreational team schedule to follow is: • U4 - once or twice a week for 30-45 minutes each session • U6-U8 - once or twice a week for 45-60 minutes each session • U9-U12 - twice a week for 60-90 minutes each session • U13 and up- twice a week for 90 minutes each session

At the bare minimum, you need some disc cones (20 or 30 is ideal) and some pinnies. Players can bring their own soccer ball. However, most coaches will accumulate additional equipment over time that can come in very handy. Optional equipment includes: · A coach's first aid kit · Pinnies · Pop up goals or even portable full size goals like GOLME · A dry erase clipboard with a soccer field stenciled on it. Handy for keeping papers together and drawing out things you may try to explain · A stopwatch - handy for keeping track of time during matches · A small ball pump · A colorful keeper jersey and gloves · Extra balls are always nice. It helps keep the practice moving so you don't have to chase balls all the time For older players - training aids like an agility ladder, hurdles, ball hoops, poles, etc. You'll notice one item that's not on the list - a whistle. Most experienced coaches won't use a whistle and instead teach the players to listen to what they say.

Yes. All Weatherford Soccer Coaches (head coaches and assistant coaches) are required to have an approved background check. This is for the safety of our children. How to submit you background check? (click here)

Yes. SafeSport course is required my North Texas Soccer Association. This is a course that needs to be completed annually for all Weatherford Soccer Coaches. How to complete SafeSport course? (click here)

The head coach will pick their own assistant coach. The head coach will need to send an email to weatherfordsoccer@gmail.com with the following information for the person(s) they wish to be their assistant coach: Name (Legal first and last name) Birth date Email address Physical address Phone number The assistant coach will receive an email from Weatherford Soccer with a lnk to register.

Team Rosters are available to Coaches on GotSport for those Coaches who have registered and completed their requirements. How to print Team Roster (or Player ID Cards)? (click here)

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the following (in the following order): League Representative Coaching Director WSA Board President / Vice President Please talk to us, don't let issues get out of control. If you have any ideas, again, please let us know. ​ We want to hear from you!

WSA Referees are off limits to anyone before and after the game! Most of our WSA Referees are Kids. There will be no negative comments to the referee during the game. If you think a referee is not calling a game correctly please alert a WSA Board Member. A WSA Board Member will handle it from there. Once the final whistle has blown the game is over, as well as your contact with the referee. Referees will not be followed to their area or into the parking lot. Failure to follow the rules will result in suspension or being banned from all WSA facilities and other associations of the NCSA alliance.

When you think that games might be cancelled, DO NOT assume they are. ​ For games at Cartwright Park, check: WSA website: www.weatherfordsoccer.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeatherfordSoccer/ ​ Please check the above resources before you call us! ​ Games that are rained out will be rescheduled for a later date. It is your responsibility to keep an eye on the game schedule. ​ If it is raining and the fields are in good shape and there is no lightning, WE WILL PLAY GAMES.

A slide tackle is a tackle in soccer in which a player attempts to take the ball away from an opposing player by deliberately leaving his feet and sliding along the ground with one leg extended to push the ball away from the opposing player. A player who has possession of the ball and slides to kick it, to keep the ball from going pass the touchline, pass the goal line, or trying to score is not performing a slide tackle. If the player is the attacking player, then by definition they are not performing a slide tackle and will not be called for slide tackling.

Yes you can purchase your own uniform. The uniforms can be paid for by the parents or by a sponsor. However your registration cost will not be reduced. Your team will be required to have the WSA logo put on the uniform at the team's expense. If you have a sponsor, they can have their name put on the uniform. This requires board approval before the name can be applied to the uniform.

All players must wear age appropriate shin guards worn under the socks.

Yes! Shin guards MUST be work under socks and completely covered.

No jewelry is allowed to be worn by the players during the game except for medical or religious purposes - in this case they must be taped to the body. Jewelry can cause injury to the player and/or other players during the match. Earrings of all types, necklaces, and bracelets (including Live Well type bands) cannot be worn during games. Band-Aids/tape cannot be placed over newly pierced ears during games.

All pets are strictly prohibited at our complexes (exception will be service animals). We have experienced children injured by small, well behaved pets on a leash. We have also experienced animals injured by running children and soccer balls. We will enforce this prohibition. Games will not be started or continued until animals are removed from the complex.

A child with any type of cast may only practice or participate in games if it is covered with foam padding. Bubble wrap is not acceptable. The player may be eligible for a refund for the season – check our website for more information. How the cast is covered and whether or not it is acceptable for play is still up to the referee of the match. It is best to check with the referee before the match to allow for any modifications that must be made.

Long sleeve shirts, sweat-shirts, or coats must be worn under the jersey. Long pants may be worn under shorts. Gloves/mittens, scarves, hats, and ear warmers are permitted.

Check the WSA website (www.weatherfordsoccer.org) or our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/WeatherfordSoccer/). As long as there is no lightning in the area and the fields are okay, we will play.

WSA Referees are off limits to anyone before and after the game! Most of our WSA Referees are Kids. There will be no negative comments to the referee during the game. If you think a referee is not calling a game correctly please alert a WSA Board Member. A WSA Board Member will handle it from there. Once the final whistle has blown the game is over, as well as your contact with the referee. Referees will not be followed to their area or into the parking lot. Failure to follow the rules will result in suspension or being banned from all WSA facilities and other associations of the NCSA alliance.