Johnston Soccer Club Recreational Program

Throughout our program we must remember that we are providing a service for kids. Kids play because they want to enjoy themselves and so the program we provide should always be enjoyable. We aim to provide all players with a genuine player pathway for development, i.e. the ability to progress to the level of soccer each player is capable of and wants to. Players of all ages must attend camps and clinics offered by our professional staff if they are talented and enthusiastic to progress in the game. This program is to provide fun, enjoyment and team athletic opportunity for players of all abilities and is all about participation in the game of soccer. Let’s not take it too serious and lets allow the players to get the most out of their soccer experience.

PRINTABLE FALL 2008 REGISTRATION
FORM WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON

 

Photo by Stan Richards of www.nightskyevents.com

RECREATIONAL SOCCER PROGRAM PORTFOLIO

Aim of the Recreational Program ~ WHAT WE INTEND TO DO AND ACHIEVE

1. Provide exciting and developmental soccer opportunities for children from U6 upwards and cater to all ability levels.
2. Foster enthusiasm and a love for the game of soccer.
3. Develop sportsmanship.
4. Assist capable players to progress further along our “Player Pathway for Development”.

Objectives of the Recreational Program ~ HOW WE INTEND TO ACHIEVE THE ABOVE AIMS

1. The Johnston Soccer Club (“JSC”) will offer our players the best program possible with the resources available. This will include organization of teams and game schedules, coaching support for team coaches and professional coaching at camps, clinics and other program initiatives.
2. The Club’s philosophy, codes of conduct and the theme of coaches’ clinics will promote enjoyment of the sport.
3. Sport and in particular soccer are excellent tools to develop sportsmanship and other life skills.
4. We will achieve these goals by impacting what the players do at practice sessions and games throughout the recreational program, by offering camps and clinics to further develop skills, by implementing new initiatives such as “REC-PLUS” and by carrying out a Talent Identification program at “REC-PLUS” sessions and offering more advanced coaching to particularly talented players.

 

U6 & U8 PROGRAM

The U6 and U8 age groups are key in the development of soccer players. Our Club philosophy, in line with that of the United States Soccer Federation and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America is that soccer activities within this age must be FUN and ENJOYABLE above all else. Therefore, soccer at this age should be 100% pressure free and the results are not important. At this age children need to have fun playing soccer games, scrimmages and getting as many touches on the ball as possible.


U10 PROGRAM

The U10 age group will focus on enjoyment and developing individual player technique and skill. At this age children develop a desire to learn and improve and also the desire to win. However, in order for players to develop at their full potential there should be less emphasis on results and more emphasis on “how we can improve”.   In addition to games and team practices a weekly “REC-PLUS” session will be incorporated into all our players programs in addition to games and team practices. This program will focus on enjoyment, technical ability with the ball and skill development. It will ensure that every JSC player in this age group receives a good developmental program.


U11 PROGRAM & ABOVE

At this age there must remain a major focus on enjoyment. Players at this age play soccer because they enjoy it and if they do not continue to enjoy it they will stop playing. Players of this age need to improve their technique and skill level and will also begin to focus on decision-making and game tactics. Players at this age are provided opportunities to develop their game with clinics in addition to team sessions.

 
GENERAL

Throughout our program we must remember that we are providing a service for kids. Kids play because they want to enjoy themselves. So the program we provide should always be enjoyable. We aim to provide all players with a genuine player pathway for development, i.e. the ability to progress to the level of soccer each player is capable of and wants to. Players of all ages are encouraged to attend camps and clinics offered by our professional staff. This program is to provide fun, enjoyment and team athletic opportunity for players of all abilities and is all about participation in the game of soccer. Let’s not take it too serious and allow the players to get the most out of their soccer experience.

 

The Club’s board and full time professional soccer management staff will direct and oversee all activities of the Johnston Soccer Club.
The link between the club board and the recreational program is through the Recreational Program Director and the Professional Management Staff.  In order for the Johnston Soccer Club to operate efficiently, to develop effectively and to provide high quality programs and facilities for our members the club employ 5 professional people to manage the Johnston Soccer Club and our programs.  Board members, directors and staff information can be found under the 'About Us' link on this website.

 

PLAYING TIME

Players should receive equal playing time and should play a minimum of 50% of each game they attend. Players are expected to attend scheduled practice sessions, including “REC-PLUS” sessions if appropriate and a good record of attendance is expected. If players fail to attend practice on a regular basis and without good reason then playing time within games is not guaranteed.

ABIDE BY CODES OF CONDUCT

All Club members are expected to abide by the code of conduct relevant to them. If a member, be it a player, parent or coach fails to do so or breaks the code of conduct then it will be dealt with and can lead to warnings, suspension and ultimately expulsion from the Club. If you have any concerns or questions that a code of conduct may have been broken please contact the Recreational Program Director.

ISSUES & CONCERNS

The JSC is a soccer program with over 1000 active players, each of whom having parents or guardians with an interest in the program there will be occasions when individuals have issues, concerns or complaints. We feel it is important that these are brought to the attention of the relevant person as quickly as possible in order to resolve such issues. All issues involving this program should first be addressed to the Recreational Program Director who will be able to resolve the issue or consult the clubs Recreational Steering Committee, Director of Coaching, Director of Development or the Board of Directors.
 

Photo by Stan Richards of www.nightskyevents.com
 

The JSC also holds steering committee meetings where issues regarding the recreational program are discussed in some detail. Certain decisions are made and proposals to the board are determined at these meetings. Any JSC member is welcome to attend these meetings and share their opinions. Please contact the Recreational Program Director for dates, times and venues of these meetings.

Individual issues of our programs are discussed at steering committee meetings and not board meetings. Issues will not be discussed at board meetings unless they have first been addressed with the Recreational Program Director or at a relevant steering committee meeting and the issue remains unresolved.

TEAM FORMATION

After extensive discussions at coach’ clinics and recreational steering committee meetings it was clear that we needed to establish a team formation policy. Teams will be formed at U6 and teams will remain together where possible from season to season excluding when the team size is increased (approx. every 2 years), e.g. 6v6 becomes 8v8. At this point teams will require a larger roster size and teams will be reassigned.

 

PARENTS CODE OF CONDUCT

The Johnston Soccer Club will not tolerate any behavior that is or may be considered detrimental to one or more children playing soccer for either a Johnston team or the opposition. It is important to remember that this program is “recreational” and primarily for fun and enjoyment.

• Encourage your child and encourage the team at games. It is great when spectators cheer, get excited and enthusiastic and give words of encouragement. Please do not yell and scream in a negative manner.

• Remember our players are kids and not little adults and treat them accordingly.

• Please do not attempt to coach or give advice on how to play during games. Players should listen only to their appointed coaches. As a spectator you do not know the instructions the players have been given. If you want to coach, volunteer and coach – If not leave it to those who did. If you have questions, please address them to your child’s coach at a suitable time.

• Please be tolerant of the referees’ decisions (particularly the younger referees). Everyone has a right to agree or disagree with decisions but it is not for spectators to be confrontational with referees and spectators have no right to ask referees for an explanation of decisions.

• Re-iterate and positively promote the Club philosophy to your child and others. When discussing games with your child pay particular attention to performance and learning from mistakes and not merely discussing games in terms of winning or loosing.

• Represent the Johnston Soccer Club in a favorable light.
   

COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT

Parents who volunteer to coach one of our teams take on a major responsibility of educating and developing our young players. We feel that every one of our players deserve a worthwhile soccer experience and so in turn we introduce the expectations of our coaches in the form of this coach’s code of conduct.

• Coaches will primarily be motivated by the physical / emotional well-being, development and enjoyment of players and not by any personal desire to win.

• Coaches will be approachable to players and will encourage players to express their own opinions. Coaches will also be prepared to explain their actions and decisions to players.

• Coaches will treat players with respect and adhere to the club philosophy.

• Coaches will coach players by explaining principles of the game. A coaching style that revolves around shouting and bellowing at players is not acceptable.

• Coaches will make every effort to be positive to both individuals and teams. Coaches will utilize encouragement and positive reinforcement rather than criticism where possible.

• Coaches will attend a mandatory coaches clinic at the beginning of each season, i.e. one in fall and one in spring.

• All coaches will work under the guidance of the Director of Coaching and in line with the Club curriculums and philosophies to ensure a suitable program of learning is followed at practices and games.

• Coaches will refrain from questioning refereeing decisions and if they do it will be in a respectful manner that does not set a negative example to players.
  
   

Photo by Stan Richards of www.nightskyevents.com

The Johnston Soccer Club Recreational Program includes the following for our members:

LEAGUE GAMES

You will be informed of your league game schedule at the start of each season. Two leagues per year are organized, one in the fall season and one in the spring season. League games are normally played on weekends. The U6 program is an in-house league whereas U8 teams and above w.ill compete against other club teams from the Des Moines  metro area.

TOURNAMENTS

Each individual team will decide on whether or not they wish to enter any tournaments. Tournaments can be carried out over a full weekend or a full day of a weekend and normally will guarantee each team entering three or four games. There are several local tournament options available. Please contact the management staff for more information. Please view the Soccerfest section of our Website, for more information about our own fall soccer tournament.

TEAM PRACTICES

Each team is appointed a volunteer parent coach. Coaches are required to attend a coach’s clinic every season taught by the Club’s professional coaching staff. Coaches will then schedule team practices for the team they are coaching. U6 and U8 teams will normally schedule 1 team practice of 45 mins (U6) or one hour (U8) per week, coaches may allow additional time for players to arrive and get settled. U10 teams will normally schedule 6-8 team practices, up to one hour, to compliment the REC-PLUS sessions that all teams will attend. At U11 and above the amount of team practices will normally depend upon the commitment level of players within the team.

CAMPS & CLINICS

The Club’s professional coaching staff will carry out an extensive selection of camps and clinics. Parents are strongly encouraged to utilize these opportunities. Camps and clinics are subsidized by the Club and therefore, are an exceptional value for the money. We believe the camps and clinics are some of the best offered in the area in terms of quality of staff, program content and the mix of fun and learning.

During each season the Club will offer a U5/U6 Junior Academy program, a U7/U8 Academy program and a U11/U12 “Performance Enhancement Program” , all of which will be carried out once weekly.

An extensive camp program is offered for all ages (including U6) during the winter and summer.

Please view the Camps & Clinics section of our Website for up to date information on our camps and clinics.

 

CLUB UNIFORMS

JSC Recreational Uniform Requirements

In addition the JSC uniform all players are required to have shin guards.


VOLUNTEERS

The parents who paid the $20 per player volunteer fee with their registration are exempt from having to volunteer. All other parents will be assigned 2 hours of volunteer service per player (per season). All volunteer positions, except Head Coach, Assistant Coach, and Board of Directors, will be assigned on an individual basis through the Director of Volunteers. All volunteers will be assigned a task (concessions, field maintenance, registration, or etc.) and will be sent the day/shift/duty that they have been assigned via email communication (if an email address is noted on their registration form). If you have questions about volunteering with the JSC, please feel free to contact the Director of Volunteers by emailing at volunteers@johnstonsoccer.org.