|
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 |
|
|
| AIMS
& OBJECTIVES |
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
PHILOSOPHY |
|
|

 |
|
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.
|
|
STRUCTURE |
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
POLICIES & PROCEDURES |
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
CODES OF CONDUCT |
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
ABOUT THE PROGRAM |
|
|

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.
|
|
|
ADDITIONAL DETAILS |
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Fall 2008 Players of
Character
Dear JSC members:
It is our pleasure to announce the Players of Character for
the Fall 2007 season. We were thrilled to receive nearly 40 nominations
from coaches, parents, players and friends. We want to thank everyone
who took time to submit a nomination and believe this reflects the high
quality membership that defines the Johnston Soccer Club.
It is our pleasure to
name the following Players of Character!
|
Jackson Longnecker – U6 - “He is enthusiastic and treats his teammates
with kindness and care. We can trust Jackson to play fair and be both
courteous and fun! He promotes team spirit… and always does his best.”
|
Katherine McAllister – U8 - “She has taught teammates to be respectful
when they are not showing the pillars. I have never seen her with her
with head down. Our season has been tough… She always stays very
positive…. She is a coach’s player.”
|
Jamie Peterson – U10 - “Jamie displays exceptional pillars of character
on and off the field. He always has a positive attitude, shows a great
deal of respect. He is the first to point out that it doesn’t matter if
we win or lose as long as we played the game together as a team and in a
fair manner.”
|
Nick Collison – U11 - “Nick is the older brother of a player on my team…
He now helps me teach the younger players about sportsmanship and fair
play. Nick is a future coach in the making.”
|
| Mackenzie Ellis – U15 - “She respects her teammates, coaches, referees,
and the other team… She consistently demonstrates good sportsmanship by
giving our team 100% every time she steps out on the pitch" |
| |
|
| |
|