Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for play? That a child be between the ages of 5 and 14 years of age as of December 31st, parental consent, medical insurance and that the child be registered during the official sign-up period.
How does a child sign-up? Registration flyers are distributed via email to parents of children enrolled in local schools. Press releases are also distributed through the media. All NEW PLAYERS are required to have their parents provide proof of the child’s birth date. Registration forms are available on-line (See Registration on the home page) or at the CARD office and Play It Again Sports.
When is registration? Registration for the Spring season is held in November. Registration for the Fall season is held the second or third week in May. Registration is done in advance to allow time for uniform orders, processing rosters, coach recruitment and scheduling.
What about late registration? Due to the size of the league, all participants are encouraged to register during the designated registration times. Late registration will be accepted as long as space is available on a team in the appropriate age division. If there is no space available, the child will be placed on a waiting list and may not be placed until the 1st or 2nd game. After the 2nd game of the season, registration fees for children on the waiting list will be returned. (A $20 late fee is applied to registration 1 month prior to the start of the season.)
How does the waiting list work? If a team is short, the coach must call the league and request an additional player from the waiting list. The first child on the waiting list will go to the team that is short a player. COACHES ARE NOT PERMITTED TO RECRUIT PLAYERS UNLESS AUTHORIZED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. Roster checks may be conducted periodically throughout the season.
What about refunds? All refunds are assessed a $10 administrative fee. Only refunds requested prior to January 1st (spring season) or August 1st (fall season) will be granted. Refunds are not permitted once the child has been placed on a team. Special requests for refunds are subject to Board approval.
Are soccer shoes required? Soccer shoes are recommended. Hard “street” shoes and metal cleated shoes are forbidden. Rubber studded soccer shoes are acceptable as well as any sort of rubber soled gym or tennis shoes. Shoes determined by the referee to be dangerous to other players are not allowed. No toe cleats (cut them off).
What about team pictures? Team pictures are usually taken during on the second game day of the season. Photographs will be taken at the playing fields and are available for purchase by the parents. Although purchases are voluntary, it is mandatory that all teams have pictures taken for league records.
What is CARD’s role? CYSL rents the playing fields and a facility for the coaches meeting. Included in the rental agreement, CARD lays out the fields at the beginning of the season and provides storage and maintenance of the goals. All requests to CARD for information are referred to the league.
How extensive is the referee’s control of the game? It is, as it must be, just about total control. The referee runs the match. A referee may eject a player from the game for serious foul play, violent conduct or using offensive, insulting or abusive language or gestures, or for any other violation as granted by the Laws of the Game. The official may also require a coach or parent to leave the playing area. In cases of refusal, the official may declare the match terminated.
Can a referee’s decision be overruled? Not really. As in any sport, the umpire-referee-official must be the single authority on the field. Obviously, mistakes are made. There is no way these can be fairly reversed after a match. However, complaints about refereeing can and should be given in writing to the Field Supervisor who will see that the document is forwarded to the Executive Director and Referee Coordinator. Coaches are to follow this procedure and are not to disagree with the referee on the field.
What about parents who are out of line? The referee may stop a match and speak to the coach of the team with the offending spectator and require that unsuitable behavior be ceased. The coach is responsible for his team’s spectators. If it does not cease, the referee may declare the match terminated.
What can you do to improve the quality of refereeing? With the enormous interest in soccer throughout the community, there is a large demand for more and better referees. The league is committed to the development of referees, including those who need a first-time opportunity. While the league will use referees as young as 14 years old, obviously older teenagers and adults tend to be the better referees. Coaches can help improve refereeing by encouraging at least one parent or older teenage sibling of a player to become a referee.
When does the season begin? Spring season begins the second Saturday in February. Fall season begins either the first or second Saturday in September. Team practices will begin approximately two weeks prior to league play once the coaches receive their rosters.
When are the games played? The games are played on Saturdays at 20th Street Community Park.
When and where are practices held? Practices are not allowed on the playing fields at Community Park. Most coaches use the school fields for practice. The location for practice is determined by the coach. Most practices are held during the week after school. The league recommends that teams have at least one practice per week and no more than two per week. Due to the size of the league, players will not be transferred to another team due to the location or time of practice.
Are games ever cancelled? The league makes every effort to NOT cancel games. Games will be played in LIGHT rain. If games are cancelled, it is due to extreme weather or unplayable field conditions. CARD will not allow teams to be on the fields once it has been determined the fields are unplayable.
How will I know if a game is cancelled? If the games are cancelled due to weather or unplayable field conditions, a decision will be made by 7:00 a.m. on game day. A recording will be placed on the league phone, (530) 894-1088. Coaches only are to contact the league and relay information to their team members. Parents are to contact their coach, not the league. If parents call the league, coaches will not be able to get through. Information will also be announced by KPAY radio between the hours of 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. If the games have started and the decision to cancel is made at the fields, a recording will be placed on the league phone as soon as possible for coaches scheduled to play later in the day. If in doubt, coaches should always call the league before your game and then inform team members.
What about making up rainouts? The league normally does not have a make-up game for one rain out. If there is more than one rain out, schedules may be revised to accommodate all teams and games may be made up according to field conditions and availability. (Weather permitting)
Does the league give awards? The league does not award trophies. It was decided early in the leagues history to avoid the emphasis on winning which giving a trophy implies. Individual teams may elect to award trophies to their team members; however, the league encourages that the cost for trophies and/or team parties be kept to a minimum.
How are the standings determined? According to traditional soccer practice, teams receive three points for a win and one point for a tie. These points determine standings. In the case where two teams have an equal number of points, the two teams will be declared co-champions. Saturday scores are usually posted HERE.