ZIA FC FALL 2010 COACH & PLAYER HANDBOOK
ZIA FC PHILOSOPHY
Zia Futbol Club is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We are a family friendly soccer organization committed to the growth of our sport by teaching basic soccer skills, educating children in the art of true sportsmanship and rewarding our young players for a job well done. Zia FC is the only youth recreational youth league with professional British Soccer Coaches on Staff.
The Zia FC mission and philosophy is for children & families to have fun, while growing to love the sport of soccer and creating strong relationships with peers and parents through positive reinforcement in a fun environment.
Jan & Brian Dawson are the owners/administrators of Zia FC. Our children range in age from Nine to Fourteen. We share many years of experience in the joy of coaching young children in non-competitive and competitive soccer leagues (look for us coaching our own children on Saturdays). We are committed to ensuring children learn soccer skills and gain personal confidence, while having fun. We rely on parent volunteers to help execute our mission and ensure continued success of the Zia FC family friendly soccer organization. Our experience has clearly shown that a fun, non-competitive soccer environment combined with parent involvement is a successful building block for a child's self-esteem and confidence during their elementary school years.
Zia FC's mission is for children to learn soccer skills, while building their self-esteem and having fun. To aid in achieving our mission we recognize our parents must follow a goodsportsmanship code of conduct, and all parents are required to accept our code of conduct during registration. We also encourage our coaches, and any parents willing, to referee at least one game each season. Having to step into our referee's shoes (cleats) develops a greater respect for the work they do, which may seem less difficult simply watching from the side-lines.
Our program is designed to be a great stepping stone for your child's success in soccer. We have sent several teams to Classic FC to play in Duke City Soccer League so that children registered with Zia F.C. can advance to a higher level of play at their own pace.
We offer a safe and organized place for your children to have fun and create memories that will last forever. We welcome you to share our passion for your child's growth and the growth of soccer in New Mexico and the United States!
Parent Volunteers
The Zia FC mission and philosophy is for children to have fun, while growing to love the sport of soccer and creating strong relationships with peers and parents through patience and positive reinforcement.
To effectively execute the Zia FC mission, we rely on parent involvement!
Parents may choose to be the TEAM PARENT, COACH, or sign up to volunteer as a REFEREE during games while registering.
Zia FC will provide support and education free of charge for our parent volunteers.
Examples of volunteer duties include:
Team Parent: Coordinate snack schedule for games on www.ziafc.net Team Communication link, help coach with team coordination, such as practice date/times, trophy purchases/distribution, team photos, uniform distribution, etc. (Zia FC will be offering trophy purchase and distribution via Zia FC, and is coordinating the End of Zia Futbol Season Celebration)
Coach: Coordinate weekly team practices, communicate to team via www.ziafc.net Team Communication link, distribute team uniforms, encourage positive behaviors and positively reinforce soccer skills during games, etc. No previous soccer knowledge required! Our league structure makes it so you can learn the game as quickly as your children! We strongly encourage all coaches referee at least one game to gain some respect for the work they do.
Referee: Teach pre-game soccer skills to children (soccer skills training provided by Zia FC staff), distribute skills awards, monitor game times and the rules of soccer during each game, encourage positive behaviors and positively reinforce soccer skills during games, etc.
Volunteer Referees may choose to ref as few or as many games as they want during the soccer season.
Zia FC Basics
Soccer is a game played primarily with the feet. The head & other parts of the body can be used but the hands & arms (up to & including the shoulder) cannot be used except on a "Throw-In" and by the Goalie in certain circumstances. If you've ever played basketball, many of the concepts you learned such as "give & go"; "inbound plays", "getting open", "support", "man-to-man", "zone defense" & others are very applicable to soccer. You will also find similarities in many other team sports including hockey, rugby & American football, & concepts such as "follow through", "staying on your toes" & a "quick first step" are used in most field sports. Soccer is very much a team sport & coaching begins to make a great difference by age 9. After that age a well coached team will almost always beat a poorly coached team, even if the poorly coached team has better athletes. By “well coached” we mean players and teams that have been taught in practice the skills, teamwork and other things they need to know so they can have fun and be successful playing soccer.
As part of our philosophy, the referees’ main concern is going to be making sure that each player understands the rules and has a chance to implement them correctly. All of our age groups contain children that have played soccer and some that have not. The main concern is that everyone is safe, has fun and learns. Our refs will be doing a lot coaching on the field during the game. If you feel a ref has made a bad call please give them the benefit of the doubt as they are not perfect, and they are here to help the kids learn.
Zia FC requires equal play time for our players, even if they are unable to attend practice. Practice is not mandatory. Sometimes conflicts arise and no child should be punished for not coming to practice. Try to motivate players to come by making practices fun & playing games like those described in the section titled "Soccer Practice Games". Also, explain to them that soccer is a team sport & the team will play better & have more fun if everyone comes to practice.
Zia FC uses Coach names to identify all teams, however most teams choose a nickname. Young children also like a cheer which they can do before or after the game or at halftime. If your team's name has a "rhythmic" spelling, you can spell it (e.g., M-A-G-I-C, GO Magic!). The best one I've heard is "Play Hard, Play Fair, Have FUN". Players usually gather round & touch hands while doing their cheer.
Injuries
If a player is injured, play will continue until the whistle is blown. The referee will stop the game if a child appears to be seriously hurt or if there is blood. If the game is stopped for injury, you should have your players immediately stop and sit or kneel down where they are. It is recommended that each coach become familiar with the proper procedures in the event of an injury. An injured player should sit out and receive appropriate treatment. Ice packs can be retrieved from the Concession Tent if needed.
If your team is learning & trying new things, they will make a lot of mistakes. You must accept this fact & be tolerant of mistakes. If you aren't, you will discourage them from trying new things. Encourage them to try new things & encourage the effort even if it doesn't work. Examples: "Great try. Keep it up." or "Good idea; try it again."
Rewarding or Punishing Performance
Never punish or scold a child for lack of ability. All you can expect them to do is their best (e.g., Don't make those who lose a game or come in last run laps, or do jumps, or sit out while others play). Tell everyone, including the less athletic players, that you are proud of them if they are trying hard. You will have some athletic players and some less athletic players. Measure each player's performance by their personal improvement & effort, and not by comparing them to someone else. Try to motivate in a positive way that builds self-esteem.
“Zia Perks”
After each game the players will receive a Zia Perk. Zia Perks will contain a small reward for each player. Zia Perks are provided to players to reward them for playing a great game, having fun and good-sportsmanship. To receive the Zia Perks, the children must go to the Concession Tent, after their game. Zia FC will include sponsor coupons/prizes when they are available.
Zia FC World Cup Soccer Challenge Celebration
Zia Futbol Club wants to REWARD our players for all their hard work and dedication during the soccer season, as well as all our parent volunteers. In order to show our appreciation, we will have and End of Season Celebration on the last day of games. More information on the entertainment, such as inflatable jumpers, and times will be provided during the season. Teams are welcome to personalize their celebration by bringing additional food, such as pizza, to the party at Snow Park. Zia FC will provide a treat for the kids such as cake and punch, or snow cones, etc.
The Zia FC World Cup Challenge is played on the last day of games. Although Zia FC doesn't keep stats of wins/losses during the season, we will match equally skilled teams by age group for the World Cup Challenge. The goal is for all teams to improve their skills with a soccer match that allows both teams to exhibit their talent.
Equipment
All players are required to wear shin guards while playing soccer. The hard surface of the shin guard must by covered by their sock. Referees will check this prior to each game. Encourage the parents of your players to buy properly sized shin guards that have a hard surface (plastic or fiberglass) and padding to cover the anklebone.
No shoes with front cleats may be worn, i.e. no baseball or football shoes if they have a front cleat, unless you cut it off. Only rubber cleats are allowed, not required; metal cleats are prohibited.
No jewelry, metal devices, or hazardous equipment may be worn. (Casts can be allowed if they are padded and the referee approves them before the game)
Each player should bring a plastic water bottle to games and practices.
For each game, every player must wear their soccer jersey, shorts, shin guards, socks that entirely cover the shin guards, and footwear. Cleats are not required, but are recommended.
Field and Team Requirements
Our focus is to teach the players the basics and foundations for soccer, e.g. ball control, team formation, etc.
Practice Fields
Zia Teams are allowed to practice on any public field in the city. This includes City parks, County parks & APS joint use facilities. Please try and work with any teams so there is room for everyone. Younger kids need less space than older ones. You will run into AYSO Park Monitors. They have no authority over the parks. They think they do but they do not. Please be courtious but if you continue to have a problem please call Brian 263-1312.
U5 & U6 - PreK/Kindergarten
Field size: 50’x75’
Goal size: “Pug” goals
Ball size: 3
Team size: Maximum 8 players
Players on field:
Pre-K = 3 players/no goalie
K = 4 players with goalie
Game time: 15 minute halves – 5 minute halftime (total = 35 minutes)
At this age the rules are very liberal. Hand balls will generally not be called unless a child actually picks up the ball. In most instances if a child makes a mistake in this age-group the referee will take the time to explain what the child should have done, and allow them to try again, i.e. throw-ins, goal kicks, etc.
U7 - 1st Grade
Field size: 70’x100’
Goal size: 3x5
Ball size: 3
Team size: Maximum 9 players
Players on field: Total 4 - 3 players + goalie
Game time: 20 minute halves – 7 minute halftime (total = 47 minutes)
U8 - 2nd Grade
Field size: 85’x120’
Goal size: 4x8
Ball size: 3
Team size: Maximum 10 players
Players on field: Total 5 - 4 players + goalie
Game time: 20 minute halves – 7 minute halftime (total = 47 minutes)
Note: Coaches are allowed on the field with players through U8. Coaches are not allow on the field for U9 and above.
U9 - 3rd Grade
Field size: 90’x140'
Goal size: 5x10
Ball size: 4
Team size: Maximum 12 players
Players on field: Total 5 - 4 players + goalie
Game time: 20 minute halves – 7 minute halftime (total = 47 minutes)
U11/U12
Field size: 120’x160’
Goal size: 6x12
Ball size: 5
Team size: Maximum 12 players
Players on field: Total 5 - 4 players + goalie
Game time: 25 minute halves – 10 minute halftime (total = 60 minutes)
Parking
Zia FC would like to maintain good relations with the neighborhoods in which our fields are located. Our goal is to have ZERO complaints from the residents surrounding Vista Verde park, due to parking infractions. DO NOT PARK IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOU ARE BLOCKING A DRIVE WAY. Neighborhood complaints can result in Zia FC being told we can no longer use certain parks, please respect the neighbors surround Vista Verde.
On picture day (pictures will be taken AFTER your games): Please move your vehicle closer to the picture area near the covered patio. Preferably park at the school or the small parking lot on the east side of the park, so that the street surrounding the houses do not’t become overwhelmed. THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING.
Restrooms are provided
