The Virginia Youth Soccer Association created this recreational newsletter, Foot Notes, to support and provide 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 more!
It’s that exciting time once more in Virginia! Across the state, the recreational season has officially kicked off! We're eagerly anticipating the unfolding journey as players dive into new skills, friendships blossom among teammates, and unforgettable moments are created both on and off the field.
Each edition of Foot Notes will highlight stories shared by VYSA Member Clubs and promote upcoming recreational events.
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
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.
The fee for recreational players is now reduced from $9.00 to $8.75 per player if player and coaching data is submitted to the state office by September 16th, and payment received in the state office by September 30th.
Recreational Player
Recreational Player**
Recreational Team Official
Travel Player (11U & Younger)
Travel Player (12U & Older)
Travel Team Official
What is SafeSport
Safesport is a comprehensive program of policies and processes through education and training to help participants detect and report abuse, respond to it, and prevent future occurrences.
Required By:
Congress and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC)
Who Completes It:
Participants who come in contact with a minor (Club staff & ALL coaches)
Frequency: Completed annually
To make a report, either fill and submit the form below, or call the US Soccer Integrity Hotline at (312) 528-7004 to leave a voicemail Please provide as much detail in your report as possible, including contact information, should you wish to be contacted concerning your report U S Soccer does not retaliate and does not tolerate retaliation against any individual who makes a report in good faith Please see below for more information
Information on Safesport for parents can be found at the US Soccer Safeguarding Hub as well as the VYSA website for more detail on what Safesport is and how to report a concern.
Soccer coaches for recreational teams are the backbone of any soccer organization. These coaches volunteer their time while trying to make sure the players have a fun experience and hopefully teach them a few things along the way as well. It can be stressful for recreational coaches to think up a practice topic, plan the training session and then carry it out in an organized and efficient manner. One of the simplest and most effective practice models to implement is one called “Play-Practice-Play”. This method is easy to organize and immediately engages the players while allowing the players to have maximum touches on the ball.
The first thing a coach must do is think of a theme for the day. For example, if it is “1v1 attacking” that you have decided on. The training session would look something like this:
PLAY 1-
When the players begin to arrive, immediately put them on small fields with small goals. It will first start out to be 1v1, then 2v1 and then you will progressively start to add them to the game as they get out of the car and join in. The whole idea is not to wait until everyone gets there before you begin…start them right away.
Spend that first 1/3 of your practice playing a series of 3v3 or 4v4 games with the size of the field being no bigger than 15 yds wide X 25 yds long and with no GKs. Ratio: Play for 4 minutes and then rest for 3 minutes. During the 3 minutes of break, implement active rest with ball juggling or passing. Do not have any coaching stops at all during this Play 1 period. However, weave in that session’s training topic coaching points, over the top while the games are going on. For example, with the topic of 1v1 attacking your comments may sound something like, “Can you dribble at the defender? Can you shift into another gear and go by him? Can you put a move on the defender?” You want the players hear your points while they are still playing.
Spend the second 1/3 of your practice on the main detail of your topic. Here is where you grow and progress your topic using exercises and drills with progression and complexity. It could be grid work or activities that highlight 1v1 attacking with lots of repetition. Make sure the players understand what you are trying to get across in a detailed manner. Perhaps a couple of stops might be necessary. But try to stay on the topic.
Spend the last 1/3 of your practice playing larger 6v6 or 7v7 games with the addition of the goalkeepers. Continue to build your session topic by coaching them on the 1v1 topic, but in the different areas of the field. Coach over the flow, at natural stoppages and pose guided discovery questions, but again not too many stops. Use phrases such as, “show me the speed at which you would blow by that defender? Do you think you want to dribble the ball inside your own defense? Can you push the ball by him, but make sure you get it again on the other side?” You want the players to understand and execute the training topic in a larger game format.
Continue through the season by coming up with different practice themes, while utilizing the Play-Practice-Play model. Your players will learn, get repetitions on the topic, be engaged in the session and enjoy themselves at the same time.
Best of luck!
by Gordon Miller VYSA Technical Director
Coach for Community (C4C) provides coaching education resources for grassroots coaches and is intended to help increase player participation and retain players and coaches. The objective is to share best practices for player development in games and training sessions and share member benefits for the host organization.
The Virginia Youth Soccer Association C4C course is a FREE 2 hour program in the course material of your choosing. You can select the 4v4, 7v7 to 9v9, or 11v11 format. The course will have a one-hour classroom portion and one hour field session.
At the conclusion of a Coach for Community event, each person that attended will receive a $25 voucher to use when registering for an In-Person Grassroots course of their choosing.
If your club would be interested in hosting this FREE educational opportunity to your recreation coaching staff, please complete our host a course form!
August 24, 2024
11v11 Virginia Valor & Southwestern Youth Association
Contact Valor or SYA to register
August 24, 2024
Coach for Community 7v7 & 9v9
Southwestern Youth Association
Contact SYA to register
August 27, 2024
Coach for Community 4v4
Alexandria Soccer Association
Contact ASA to register
September 7, 2024
Coach for Community 4v4
Alexandria Soccer Association
Contact ASA to register
September 7, 2024
Coach for Community 7v7 & 9v9
Alexandria Soccer Association
Contact ASA to register
September 15, 2024
Coach For Community 11v11
Beach FC
Contact Beach FC to register
September 9, 2024
D Course, VA Rush
LEARN MORE
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 Environmental conditions can significantly impact player health and safety. Extreme temperatures, severe weather and the integrity of the playing field and its equipment all impact players’ ability to practice and compete safely U S Soccer’s Recognize to Recover program gives players, parents, coaches and referees information and guidelines to make sure the desire to play does not cloud the decision-making process when it comes to evaluating environmental conditions to ensure the safety of those on the field
Extreme heat can impact players' health and safe play Proper hydration and knowing when you need to drink are critical, to help prevent many injuries and illnesses, from muscle cramps to heat stroke. Players should drink water before, during and after a game or practice, which means coaches should make sure there is adequate water available. U.S. Soccer’s Recognize to Recover program gives players, parents, coaches and referees information and guidelines to make sure the desire to play does not cloud the decision-making process when it comes to evaluating environmental conditions to ensure the safety of those on the field
Thirst is a warning that your body is already in an early stage of dehydration Drink when you are thirsty Recognizing the signs of dehydration are important because the amount of water required will vary from player to player
Dry, sticky mouth
Sleepiness or tiredness
Headache
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Rapid Heartbeat
Rapid Breathing
Fever
In the most serious cases, delirium or unconsciousness
NUTRITION
Add hydration breaks
Shorten practice
Practice early or late in the day when temperatures are lower
Use less-strenuous training activities during practice U.S.
U.S. Soccer is soliciting feedback about the birth year registration PDI to determine positives and challenges, particularly as it relates to participation and player development.
It is U.S. Soccer's responsibility to help facilitate positive experiences for participants while safeguarding the long-term development of the sport at all levels. This includes better understanding how registration (i.e., birth year vs. school year) affects growing the game, fostering best playing environments, and developing winning teams.
Please complete survey by August 30,2024
Virginia Youth Soccer Association is now accepting award nominations for the 20232024 Season! VYSA encourages Member Clubs and Leagues to nominate individuals who went above and beyond for the good of the game during the 2023-2024 Season.
Administrator of the Year
Boys Competitive Coach of the Year
Girls Competitive Coach of the Year
Boys Recreational Coach of the Year
Girls Recreational Coach of the Year
TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year
TOPSoccer Coach of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Young Male Referee of the Year
Young Female Referee of the Year
Team Manager of the Year
The deadline to submit nominations is September 30, 2024.
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 fall 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
by Skye Eddy
Navigating the coach-parent relationship in soccer can be complex Discover when it's appropriate to engage: from soccer queries to addressing concerns. Learn to respect boundaries for a harmonious player development journey
When it’s appropriate to approach the coach:
If you have a question about soccer
If your child is feeling uninspired
If you are feeling a lot of stress yourself
To report hostile sideline behavior
To express gratitude
When it’s NOT appropriate to approach the coach:
To complain about a player
To question a decision a coach made in a game
To advocate for your child when they can advocate for themselves
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN GOING TO A
OR MLS GAME?
VYSA members get discounted tickets using the links below!
Emily Fox, from Ashburn, Virginia, competed in Paris on the US Women's Olympic Team!
Emily played for FC Virginia and Herndon, participated in VYSA’s ODP program, and became a part of the USYS National ODP team.
Emily began her professional career at Racing Louisville, then joined North Carolina Courage, and now plays for Arsenal FC.
Congratulations Emily on winning an Olympic gold medal!
MOJO MAKES PARENTS BETTER COACHES, KIDS BETTER ATHLETES AND YOUTH SOCCER MORE FUN.
EXPLORE MOJO
Accomack Soccer League
Academie Sportif
Alexandria Soccer Association
All In Elite Soccer Academy
Alleghany Highlands Soccer
Annandale Boys & Girls Club
Appalachian United FC
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
Cipriani Accademia FC
Clarke County Soccer League
Clinch River Youth Soccer
Colonial Heights Soccer Association
Culpeper Soccer Association
Danville Soccer League
Dickenson County Soccer
DMV FC
Doradus FC
Dynamo Soccer Club
Fairfax City Academy
Fairfax Police Youth Club FC Amelia
FC Dulles
FC Richmond
FCV Ashburn Soccer Club
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
First Touch Sports (SAA)
Fluvanna Youth Soccer
Forest Youth
Franklin Fire
Fredericksburg FC
Fredericksburg Soccer Club
Front Royal Soccer Association
Giles County Soccer Association
Goochland United Soccer Association
Great Falls-Reston Soccer Club
Grove United
Gunston Soccer
Halifax Soccer Club
Herndon Youth Soccer
Inter Virginia FC
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
Luray Valley Soccer Club
Madison County Youth Sports
McLean Youth Soccer
Mechanicsville United
Montclair FC
New Kent Cosmos
New River United Soccer
Northern Piedmont Sports Club
Northern Virginia Soccer Club
Northern Virginia United Academy
North FC Soccer
Old Dominion Football Club
Old Dominion Soccer Club
Orange Co. Recreation Association
Orange Soccer Association
Piedmont Youth Soccer League
Players Soccer Academy
Powhatan Soccer Association
Prince William Soccer Inc.
PW Nova
Rappahannock Soccer Assn
Richmond Kickers
Richmond Strikers Soccer Club
Richmond Strikers South
RVA Soccer Academy
Scottsville Org. for Kids Sports
Seven Rivers FC
Shenandoah County Soccer
Shenandoah Valley United
Shore Soccer League
Smithfield Soccer Club
SOCA
Southern Virginia Soccer Club
Southside Soccer Club
Southwestern Youth Association
Springfield/South County
Stafford Soccer
Steel United
Sterling Youth Soccer Association
Team America FC
Valley United
VBR Stars Soccer Club
Vienna Youth Soccer
VIP United FC
Virginia Beach City FC
Virginia Legacy Soccer Club
Virginia Rush
Virginia Rush Peninsula
Virginia Soccer Association
Virginia Skyline Soccer
Virginia Valor FC
Virginia Velocity
Virginia Wildfire
Wise County Youth Soccer
Witness FC
Woodbridge Soccer Club
