Foot Notes April 2024

CHECK OUT

INTRODUCING

The Virginia Youth Soccer Association is thrilled to release it's newest publication, Foot Notes, a newsletter created for supporting and providing resources for recreational players, coaches, families, and member clubs throughout the year If any members have ideas on how to improve the content shared in this newsletter, please contact Chloe Erazo at Chloe@vysa com

Read all about available resources for coaches, information on player health and safety, member club highlights, printable activities for players, and bonus features and more!

KICKING OFF A NEW RECREATION SEASON

SPRING 2024 RECREATION SEASON

It is that time again in Virginia. Cleats have been pulled out and dusted off for yet another season playing the beautiful game. Volunteers have been rounded up, game schedules laid out, and the post-game snack sign-up sheet circulated amongst parents.

The recreational season for the majority of Virginia Youth Soccer Association member clubs has kicked off! We look forward to following along with each club as players explore new skills, teammates become friends, and incredible memories are made on and off the field.

Each issue of Foot Notes will highlight stories shared by VYSA Member Clubs and promote upcoming recreational events.

Feature a Story

VYSA Recreational Member Clubs are encouraged to submit event and information notices to VYSA for FREE to be featured in each issue of Foot Notes For more information contact Chloe Erazo at Chloe@vysa.com

MEMBER CLUB ADMINISTRATION UPDATES

SAFESPORT COMPLIANCE

Each year, VYSA member clubs are required to submit a SafeSport Compliance Form to VYSA in accordance with U S Soccer Federation mandates and VYSA SafeSport Policy. Member Clubs are reminded that to remain in good standing with the Association, they must submit the required SafeSport Compliance form to VYSA.

Please reach out to Kristen Osteen in Member Services, at Kristen@vysa.com, for any questions regarding SafeSport. To view VYSA SafeSport policies and official compliance forms click HERE.

Member Fees Remain Remain the Same for the 2024-2025 season

VYSA Board of Directors voted at the February Board Meeting to keep the 2024-2025 season fees the same as the 2023-2024 season. See below for Member Fee structure

TAKE A LOOK

Recreational Player

Recreational Team Official

Travel Player (11U & Younger)

Travel Player (12U & Older)

Travel Team Official

COACHES CORNER

Welcome, Coaches!

Welcome to the spring 2024 edition of Foot Notes. This enews issue is focused on the development of the Recreational (Grassroots) game. Readers will be provided with regular content focused on the development of coaches, players, and clubs. Helpful information for parents will also be included in Foot Notes

For coaches, there will be easy to follow resources to help with practices. Age appropriate material that can be downloaded from your phone (See MOJO on Page 12) and helpful lesson plans that can be printed off will also be included in the publication.

Parents will be provided with key aspects of recreational soccer such as information on safety and nutrition. Other important topics will focus on how to provide a fun environment and help ensure children maximize their growth within the game. Foot Notes will include suggestions for clubs to enhance programming that ensures a safe and growth related experience for all young players.

The game is all about the players. All content in this publication series will be focused on enhancing player experiences. Not only will recreational players be the beneficiary of what the coaches, parents, and clubs learn from this publication, but there will be fun games, coloring activities, puzzles and links to all kinds of other exciting things for young athletes to explore!

Enjoy the inaugural issue of Foot Notes, as we look forward to serving you with much more to come!

by Gordon Miller VYSA Technical Director

EXPLORE UPCOMING COACHING COURSES

April 7, 2024

Coach for Community Southwestern Youth Association 4v4 & 7v7

April 12, 2024

Coach for Community Fairfax County Public Schools “Coach as a Leader”

April 14, 2024

Southwestern Youth Association 9v9 In-Person Grassroots

April 14 - May 6 2024

D License at Shenandoah University

COACHING COURSE FOR THE RECREATIONAL COACH

The Coach For Community (C4C) is a FREE two-hour course that is designed to help prepare entry level coaches with practical and theoretical knowledge. This course is conducted by a qualified US Soccer/VYSA Coach Educator and can be requested by VYSA member clubs at the U6, U8, U10 and/or U12 levels.

The First hour is classroom presentations:

Player Characteristics

Age-Appropriate Games

Running a Practice

Role of the Coach

Tips to Survive

The second hour is field/gym demonstration:

Age specific players will participate in an organized practice session. ContactJessicaatjessica@vysa.comtoday!

COMPLETED COACH FOR COMMUNITY COURSES SINCE MARCH 15

VA Revolution 4v4 & 7v7 - 10 students

Virginia Soccer Association (VSA) Coach as a Leader - 22 students

McLean Youth Soccer 4v4 & 7v7 - 11 students

Dynamo Soccer Club 4v4 & 7v7 - 10 students

South County Athletic Association - 14 students

67 vouchers for online Grassroots courses to begin the Coaching license pathway!

Learn More

Learn more about the coaching license pathway on page 14.

Get On The Bus (GOTB) is a FREE after-school youth soccer program that breaks down financial and transportation barriers so that kids can play soccer on a team in their community, while learning valuable life skills and good study habits. GOTB provides all players with a full soccer kit including: jersey, shorts, shin guards, socks, soccer cleats and soccer ball.

Two teams from Woodburn Elementary School will participate in the McLean Recreation program this spring through the Get on the Bus program. The funds from the grant will cover the costs of transportation, facilities, equipment, league feeds, food, and coaches and teachers.

For more information contact Tim Ryerson at tim@gotbsoccer.org

A Typical Week for GOTB players

*Every GOTB Chapter’s schedule is different

Attend school.

Check-in to afterschool program.

Players eat a healthy snack distributed by after school mentor.

Players change into soccer uniform and gear.

Players work on homework with a GOTB Staff.

Players learn a life skill with GOTB staff.

Players and GOTB staff ride bus to soccer field for practice.*

Participate in team soccer practice with GOTB staff/coaches. Ride bus back to school.*

Players are picked up from school by parent/guardian.

GOTB Staff manage and oversee the player check-out process.

On Saturdays, the players participate in a local recreational soccer league.*

*If practice is held at school, then bus will be provided to players for Saturday games.

VIRGINIA START A TOPSOCCER PROGRAM NEAR YOU

Resources

View the US Youth Soccer resources available to clubs looking to create a TOPSoccer program in their community.

Learn More

Contact Info

Reach out to VYSA TOPSoccer Committee Chairman, John Schlenker, for guidance on all things TOPSoccer in Virginia.

piedmonttopsoccer@gmail.com

Player Health & Safety Tips

Together, we WILL create a safe and fun environment for the recreational athletes in Virginia!

Virginia Youth Soccer Association provides members with a wide array of player safety resources to ensure young athletes are prepared for injuries and stay healthy on and off the field The Player Health & Safety section of Foot Notes will feature important articles on various topics such as injury prevention, concussion awareness, proper nutrition and more

CONCUSSION AWARENESS FOR THE RECREATIONAL LEVEL

A concussion can be difficult to recognize on the field. Most concussions occur without a loss of consciousness or an obvious sign that something is wrong with a player's brain function Concussions can occur at any time throughout games or practice, as a blow to the head or body from contact with the ground, the ball, or another player Working with leading physicians for more than a decade, U S Soccer created Recognize to Recover resources that will help coaches, players, parents, and referees identify the signs and symptoms of a concussion and immediately take action with the appropriate treatment VYSA Member Clubs are reminded that following the US Youth Soccer 2016 mandate, deliberate heading is not allowed in U11 and under matches.

RECOGNIZE

Changes in brain functions:

Unaware of game (opposition, score of game, last play)

Confusion

Amnesia (does not recall events prior to the hit or after the hit)

Drastic Changes in alertness

Does no know time, place, or date

Slowed responses to questions or conversation

Decreased attention and concentration

Mental and emotional changes:

Depression

Irritability

Anxiety

Emotionally unstable

Anger

Physical changes:

Headache

Seeing stars or flashing lights

Dizziness

Nausea

Loss of balance

Ringing in the ears

Feeling "stunned'

Double vision or "dazed"

RESOURCES FOR YOU

View US Soccer Concussion

Recovery Plan on next page.

RECOVER

Remove, Evaluate and Rest are key to treating a concussion or other head injury in soccer. When a concussion is identified quickly, it prevents the injury from getting worse, and prevents the player from staying off the field for even longer

REMOVE

An athlete who experiences a blow to the head or body should immediately be removed from play and should not return to play until he/she is evaluated When in double, the athlete should sit out of training, practice or the ongoing match

EVALUATE

Have a health care professional evaluate the athlete immediately. Do not try to judge the severity of the injury yourself.

REST

Never rush a return to play A return to play should only occur after an athlete has been cleared by a medical professional If you rush the return, a player is at significantly higher risk for more problems in the future

NEW RESOURCE FOR RECREATIONAL COACHES

Virginia Youth Soccer Association teamed up with world class mobile app MOJO to bring new resources and fun to recreational soccer. The free app provides coaches easy access to age appropriate coaching content that is adaptable to all play levels and preferences.

This exciting new resource brings a key aspect of coaching into a modern platform. It allows for easy access, while at the same time providing age appropriate content to the practice field in real time. A big step forward.

-Gordon Miller, VYSA Technical Director

BENEFITS MOJO APP

All-in-one app to manage the team, schedule the season and build effective practices in seconds

Expert-backed resources to answer every coaching questions, plus hundreds of activities for both team and one-on-one fun

DISCOVER THE COACHING EDUCATION PATHWAY

Through the U.S. Soccer Coaching Course Pathway, Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) is committed to providing all coaches, from beginner to advanced, with education tailored to their experiences and the needs of their players. The Coaching License Pathway consists of a series of courses designed to meet the specific needs of a coach every step of the way

GET STARTED WITH GRASSROOTS

The combination of eight (8) Grassroots Licenses helps coaches ensure fun, enjoyable and developmentally appropriate environments for their players.

Prospective coaches have the the option to take part in any of the courses, in any sequence, after completing the free introductory course and can continue their training online and in-person courses.

GRASSROOTS COURSES

D License

April 7, 2024

Coach for Community Southwestern Youth Association 4v4 & 7v7

April 12, 2024

Coach for Community Fairfax County Public Schools “Coach as a Leader”

April 14, 2024

Southwestern Youth Association 9v9

In-Person Grassroots

April 14 - May 6 2024

D License at Shenandoah University

MOJO MAKES PARENTS BETTER COACHES, KIDS BETTER ATHLETES AND YOUTH SOCCER MORE FUN.

EXPLORE MOJO

OFFICIAL VYSA

RECREATIONAL MEMBER CLUBS

Accomack Soccer League

Alexandria Soccer Association

All In Elite Soccer Academy

Alleghany Highlands Youth Soccer

Annandale Boys & Girls Club

Appomattox Soccer Association

Arlington Soccer Association

Arya RVA FC

Ashland Youth Soccer

Baystars FC

Beach FC

Blue Ridge United

Braddock Road Youth Club

Burke Athletic Club

Central VA United Soccer Club

Chantilly Youth Association

Charlotte County Youth Soccer

Charlottesville Alliance

Chesapeake Soccer Club

Christiansburg Soccer Club

Churchland Soccer League

Clarke County Soccer League

Clinch River Youth Soccer

CM Soccer Club

Colonial Heights Soccer Association

Culpeper Soccer Association

Danville Soccer League

Deportivo Sterling

Dickenson County Soccer

DMV FC

Dynamo Soccer Club

East River Soccer Association

Fairfax City Academy

Fairfax Police Youth Club

FC Amelia

FC Dulles

FC Richmond

FCV Ashburn Soccer Club

First Touch Sports (SAA)

Fluvanna Youth Soccer Association

Forest Youth AA

Fredericksburg FC

Fredericksburg Soccer Club

Front Royal Soccer Association

Giles County Soccer Association

Goochland United Soccer Association

Great Falls-Reston Soccer Club

Gunston Soccer

Halifax Soccer Club

Herndon Youth Soccer

Kings Park West Soccer League

Lake Gaston Soccer Association

Lee-Mt. Vernon Soccer Association

Loudoun Youth Soccer Association

Louisa Area Soccer Association

Lunenburg United FC

Madison County Youth Sports

McLean Youth Soccer

Mechanicsville United

Mount Pleasant Recreation Club

New River United Soccer

Northern Piedmont Sports Club

Northern Virginia Soccer Club

Old

Dominion Soccer Club

Orange Co. Recreation Association

Orange Soccer Association

Piedmont Youth Soccer League

Players Soccer Academy

Powhatan Soccer Association (Fury FC)

Prince William Soccer Inc.

Rappahannock Soccer League

Richmond Kickers

Richmond Strikers Soccer Club

Richmond Strikers South

Salem Sabres FC

Scottsville Org. for Kids Sports

Seven Rivers FC

Shenandoah County Soccer League

Shenandoah Valley United Inc.

Shore Soccer League

Smithfield Soccer Club

SOCA

Southern Virginia Soccer Club

Southside Soccer Club

Southwestern Youth Association

Springfield/South County Youth Club

Stafford Soccer

Sterling Youth Soccer Association

Valley AFC

Vienna Youth Soccer

VIP United

Virginia Beach City FC

Virginia Legacy Soccer Club

Virginia Revolution

Virginia Rush

Virginia Soccer Association

Western Branch

Wise County Youth Soccer

Proud Supporter of Virginia Youth Soccer