De Anza Youth Soccer League Recreational/Development Program: FAQ

1. How long will the K-and J Leagues and the Rec League run in the Fall of 2008?
The K-League and J League will start on September 6, 2007 and run until mid-November.  K League is for kindergarteners and younger first graders and J League is for first and second graders.
There will be 9 sessions and in case one gets rained-out we'll have one make-up on TBD dates..
 
The Rec League for U8, U10, U12 will start their weekly practices (twice a week) on the week of August 26, 2008 and end in mid-November, the week of the last game.
Practices will be two weekday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00pm.

2. What is the FORMAT of the K-and J Leagues?
a. You need to choose one of the 2 classes/options:
    i. K League is  Saturday from 9am to 10:15am
    ii. J League is Saturday from 10:30am to 11:45am
b. Eight players will be signed up onto a team (Grapes, Strawberries, Mangoes, etc for K League, Asparagus, Potatoes, Carrots, etc for J League).
c. 3 v 3 and 4 v 4 with no goalkeepers for K League, J League has up to 5 v 5 with goalkeepers, medium-sized goals.
d. No goal kicks (the trainer will take the goal kick for the team, as one would in a real game.
e. Fall League - No throw-ins (the trainer will always have an extra ball in the hand and will pass it with the foot to the proper team).
f. Spring League - Throw-ins are introduced
g. A paid coach/trainer will be assigned for each session
h. A team parent/manager will be assigned per each team - This could be a job for You!
i. One of the main jobs of the team manager is to make sure there's snack every week for the team, brought by a different parent.
j. Players may be switched to the opponent's team on a game-by-game basis to promote equilibrium/fairness during games.
k. Games will be played primarily at Creekside Park, unless we need to switch to another field due to field closure or usage by another group.
k. PARENTS will continue to be good role models for their kids, and will only CHEER ALL PLAYERS!


3. How do I know if my 1st grade child should play on the K-League (Kindergarteners and Younger 1st Graders) or on the J-League (Older 1st Graders)?
a. If my child is a first grader and has "successfully graduated" from last season's K-League, then you may choose that he or she plays with the bigger kids.
b. If my child did just ok and was a bit shy at the K-League or is a beginner, he or she should play with with the kindergarteners.
c. The DYSL coaches will move players from one league to another at our discretion, if we find a player to be in the incorrect league.

4. What is the FORMAT of the U8 / U10 / U12 Rec League?
Applications are going to be available for U8 teams, U10 teams, and U12 teams, boys or girls (not coed as in the K-League) from the league and submitted by DYSL.
These teams will play in the West Valley play-through League.
The teams will practice twice a week.
The team will play one game a week, on Saturdays, either in the morning or in the afternoon, and will be coached by the trainer, unless unavailable due to scheduling conflict, then a replacement is used).

5. How do I know if my child is a U6/U7 player (K- and J-Leagues), a U8 or a U10 player (Rec League) in the 2008-2009 season?
K-League: Kindergarten and 1st graders, born on or after August 1, 2001, J League born on or after August 1, 2001
U8 -  typically 2nd and 3rd graders, born on or after August 1, 2000
U10 - typically 3rd and 4th graders, born on or after August 1, 1998
U12 - typically 5th and 6th graders, born on or after August 1, 1996

6. What if I think my child should be in the K- or J-League even though he or she falls into the U8 Rec League Group?
If you think that your child should play another season in the K-or J-League we can definitely accomodate him/her, provided that he is not in third grade already. However, if, in the course of the season, we figure out that he should be with his age group, and not with the younger group, we'll let you know and ask you to move him up to the correct age group.

7. What if I think my child should be in the Rec League, even though he or she falls into the K- or J-League?
If you think your child should play up, with and against children 1 to 2 years older than him, we can definitely accomodate him/her. However, if, in the course of the season, we figure out that he should be in his age group we'll let you know and we'll ask you to move him down to the correct age group. 

8. What does my child get for the registration fee?
Your child will get:  all administration costs, CYSA insurance, CYSA paid refereed games (U8 and up), recreation equipment.  All recreation program teams run at a loss, subsidized by member fees in the league.  Donations are welcome.
a) a jersey with a number;
b) a pair of shorts;
c) a pair of socks;
d) a trophy at the end of the season;
e) a team picture and an individual picture taken by a professional photographer (Fall League Only);
f) training by paid trainers from MLS Soccer Camps, not parent volunteers

9. Will the TRAINERS also be available to COACH my child's team during the Rec League games (U8, U10, U12)?  TBD
The trainers will be paid by DYSL to train the teams, but not to coach them during the weekend games. That task will continue to be fulfilled by a Parent-Coach who enjoys having a good time helping his or her child and the teammates have fun during the games.
You can be a Parent-Coach! Sign Up and Have a Ball!

10. Do the K- and J League players get individual PICTURES, TROPHIES and/or MEDALS for
their Spring Season as they do in the Fall Season?
Individual and team pictures are offered to all DYSL teams only in the Fall Season.
K- and J- League and Rec League players receive a trophy for their participation, both in the Spring and in the Fall Seasons.

11. How is the COMMUNICATION made from the time I register onwards?
The communication is primarily via this website  http://eteamz.active.com/DYSL_Rec_Program/ and via email, so make sure you keep your email current with us. 

12. What if I forget to bring the BIRTH CERTIFICATE to register my child?
You can bring it next time we open for registration or mail it to:

DYSL Youth Development Director

P O Box 2728

Cupertino, CA 95015-2728 please indicate the level your child is playing.
13. When can I pick up my child's UNIFORM?
You can pick up your child's uniform on one of these dates:
TBD Dates (late August) see Calendar.

14.  May my child play with friends?
Possibly.  Your child can definitely request to play on the same team with his or her friends in the K or J- Leagues and the Rec League -- please fill out a "DYSL Team Request Form", available on the registration days...These requests HAVE to be submitted early.  Coaches cannot be arranged for latecomers.  This option may not be available for Spring 2009.
 
15. Must a Birth Certificate be submitted my child's registration form, even if he or she is a retuning player?
Yes, every time you register.

16. What are the responsibilities of the TEAM MANAGER?

K- and J-League  

Team Managers:
1. Make sure every Saturday session one family brings snacks to all the kids on the team.
2. Inform all parents on the team about Picture Day.  As your child moves up into more competitive play the manager role becomes more important, this is a great way to start learning about team management.

Rec-League

Team Managers:
1. Fill out an Adult Registration Form (CLICK TO DOWNLOAD) Both Managers, Coaches and Assistant Coaches need to turn this form in along with a picture.
2. Make sure every Saturday session one family brings snacks to all the kids on the team.
3. Inform all parents on the team about Picture Day.
4. Forward to the rest of the team all the emails received from the Rec League Coordinator, whenever appropriate.
5. Distribute the team uniforms and soccer balls to all players on the team.
6. Organize a Parent Meeting before the season starts.
7. Organize or find someone else to organize, an end-of-the-season party, to hand out individual trophies (provided by DYSL).
8. Inform the opposing teams about our home games (date, time and location). Information about the West Valley Play Through League can be found by CLICKING HERE.
9. Forward to the rest of the team the information about our away games (date, time and location).
10. Between the Team Manager and the Team (Parent) Coach carry a key to unlock the goals, a set of vests (to be used when playing as the home team if there's a color conflict with the opposing team), and a set of flags 4) to use in home games.


17. When are the practices going to be for the Rec teams this Fall?
The  teams are going to be practicing at Creekside Park, twice a week, weekday evenings.