FC Fire Soccer Club

 
Fall 2010 Parent Information
  1. FC Fire will have 9teams this season.  Coaches are Joshua Welty, Gary Stauffer, Allen Kluender, Kris Ohlson, Kevin Gerke, Blaine Elliott, John Langford, Dennis Sanders, Katie Lattimer, and Travis Feeback.  If anyone else wants to get involved, especially at practices, please let us know.  We will continue to do our best teaching the game to your children in a positive way.  Our website is www.fcfire.org
  2. LEAGUE - All competitive teams are playing in KC Metro League (www.kcmetroleague.com).  U6 teams and U10 coed will play locally in Belton (www.fcsouthlandclub.com or www.beltonparks.org)
  3. GAME SCHEDULES -   Schedules are supposed to be out by August 20th.  You can go to www.kcmetroleague.com to check then.  I will also email you a copy when I see that it is available.  Opening weekend is scheduled for the weekend of August 28th.  Plan on having a game that weekend.
  4. MAPS TO GAME LOCATIONS are available at http://www.kcmetroleague.com/Maps.htm or the driviving directions tab on this website.
  5. RULE CHANGES - Major rule changes this season that you should know are:
    1. U8 and below will do kick ins instead of throw ins
    2. U10 and below, there is no offsides
    3. Parents and Coaches are on the same side of the field this season
    4. There is no warming up in the penalty area of the fields
  6. TOURNAMENTS - I would like to enter all teams into 1 tournament at the end of the season:  The Belton Southside Shootout. 
  7. SCRIMMAGES/ FRIENDLIES - I will be setting up friendlies for teams throughout the season.  These games may not always fall on your normal practice day.
  8. PRACTICE - Practice schedules will be emailed out shortly, and then listed on the website.  In general, each team will have 2 practices per week.  Players are expected to be at practice on time, in appropriate gear, and ready to play.  Players who consistently miss practice will have game time reduced and may not be invited back next season.  I understand that there are circumstances at times and other activities and sports that we are all involved in, but please make an honest effort to attend regularly.  IF YOU ARE GOING TO MISS PRACTICE OR GAME PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL OR GIVE ME A CALL.  All practices are preplanned based on the number of players that we expect to be present.  It is difficult and frustrating to change a lesson at the last minute.
  9. GAME TIME - We strive to have equal game time between all players during games.  We do this to the best of our ability while trying to compete and win games.  We are competitive teams, however, and there is no rule that this has to happen.  If players misses practices consistently, has a poor attitude, or doesn't want to or can't compete, then their game time will be reduced.  This has rarely been a problem, but I wanted to get it to you in black and white.  Please try to arrive about 25 minutes prior to your game time.
  10. PARENT BEHAVIOR - Please remember that all of us are a role model and example for all of these kids.  We/You are expected to behave positive and well mannered.  We/You represent our F.C. Fire Soccer Club, F.C. Southland Soccer Club, and the city of Belton.  Let the players play, the coaches coach, and the referees ref the game.  Unless you are a coach or player, there is to be no discussion with the referees or the other team's players or fans.  We do not cut players unless it is obvious we have to, but we will cut parents (and their player) who exhibit inappropriate behavior that does not represent what we intend to.  Enjoy the game, cheer all good play by both teams, and be a positive role model for your children.  After all, it's just soccer.
  11. PAY BEFORE PLAY - All money owed MUST be turned in prior to you child playing in a game.  They can practice all they want, but they will not play on game day if you have an outstanding debt to the club.  We try to keep all of this as inexpensive as possible for your children.  Please respect that no one likes to collect or hunt someone down because they owe money.
  12. TEAM MANAGERS - Please give all fees, paperwork, etc. to your team managers.  It is difficult to remember who gave me what after 2 hours of practice with 20+ kids.  They can help keep everything organized and then get it in its appropriate place.  Team managers are responsible for collection all club fees, league fees, tournament fees, and any necessary paperwork associated.
  13. FUNDRAISERS - We will continue to do a couple of fundraisers per season to generate money for our club used for training gear, fees, club costs, alternate uniforms, end of season parties and gifts, etc. as well as help offset some of the costs of teams to play in leagues and tournaments.  Your participation is vital.  
  14. FUNDRAISERS PART 2 - Each team will be responsible for their own fees.  AND each team will be able to do their own fundraisers to help offset these costs.  Your team managers can help you organize something with the help of the Fundraiser Committee.  Myself and other coaches will be happy to donate time and effort to help.  Hopefully, it will be easier to generate enough dollars to make soccer less expensive for all of us if enough per team get involved.  If your team is doing a fundraiser, and you don't want to or can't participate, please be ready to "cut a check" for your share.  No worries.
  15. SPONSORSHIPS - Sponsorship can be done at the Club Level or Team Level.  If you find a sponsor for the club over $100, we will add that to the club account and the sponsor will receive a sponsor plaque and a letter from the club expressing our gratitude.  Any team level sponsorship money will be credited to the individual team account involved.  Plaques can be ordered by your team manager and must be paid for by your team.
  16. SPIRITWEAR - Order forms will be available on the website.  THE DEADLINE FOR PARENT/PLAYER SPIRITWEAR IS AUGUST 7th TO GET GEAR BY THE 1st WEEK OF GAMES.
  17. PICTURES - Once again, we will be using Action Images to get our season pictures.  That date is in the process of being set and will be sent to you as soon as it is available.
  18. UNIFORMS - We are getting new uniforms this season.  Your team managers will have all the information for you.
  19. Remember, I am available for any questions or concerns.  Feel completely free to email or call.

Parental Support

This is an article that I read somewhere. I wish I could give proper credit to its author. I know some of you have seen it before, hopefully, you won't mind reading it again.
-Coach Josh

The role that parents play in the life of a soccer player has a tremendous impact on their experience. With this in mind, we have taken some time to write down some helpful reminders for all of us as we approach the upcoming season. If you should have any questions about these thoughts, please feel free to discuss it with us, the coaches.

Let the coaches coach: Leave the coaching to the coaches. This includes motivating, psyching your child for practice, after game critiquing, setting goals, requiring additional training, etc. You have entrusted the care of your player to these coaches and they need to be free to do their job. If a player has too many coaches, it is confusing for him and his performance usually declines.

Avoid coaching from the spectator’s side: It is hard enough to get the players to hear you from the far side of the field, please refrain from instructing the players when they are close to you. BUT, feel free to repeat what we are telling them.

Support the program: Get involved. Volunteer. Help out with fundraisers, car-pool; anything to support the program.

Be you child's best fan: Support your child unconditionally. Do not withdraw love when your child performs poorly. Your child should never have to perform to win your love.

Support and root for all players on the team: Foster teamwork. Your child's teammates are not the enemy. When they are playing better than your child, your child now has a wonderful opportunity to learn.

Do not bribe or offer incentives: Your job is not to motivate. Leave this to the coaching staff. Bribes will distract your child from properly concentrating in practice and game situations.

Encourage your child to talk with the coaches: If your child is having difficulties in practice or games, or can't make a practice, etc., encourage them to speak directly to the coaches. This "responsibility taking" is a big part of becoming a big-time player. By handling the off-field tasks, your child is claiming ownership of all aspects of the game - preparation for as well as playing the game.

Understand and display appropriate game behavior: Remember, your child's self esteem and game performance is at stake. Be supportive, cheer, and be appropriate. To perform to the best of his abilities, a player needs to focus on the parts of the game that they can control (his fitness, positioning, decision making, skill, and aggressiveness, what the game is presenting them). If he starts focusing on what he can not control (the condition of the field, the referee, the weather, the opponent, even the outcome of the game at times), he will not play up to his ability. If he hears a lot of people telling him what to do, or yelling at the referee, it diverts his attention away from the task at hand.

Monitor your child's stress level at home: Keep an eye on the player to make sure that they are handling stress effectively from the various activities in his life.

Monitor eating and sleeping habits: Be sure your child is eating the proper foods and getting adequate rest. Make sure to let the coach know if your child is sick or injured.

Help your child keep his priorities straight: Help your child maintain a focus on schoolwork, relationships and the other things in life beside soccer. Also, if your child has made a commitment to soccer, help him fulfill his obligation to the team.

Reality test: If your child has come off the field when his team has lost, but he has played his best, help him to see this as a "win". Remind him that he is to focus on "process" and not "results". His fun and satisfaction should be derived from "striving to win". Conversely, he should be as satisfied from success that occurs despite inadequate preparation and performance.
Keep soccer in its proper perspective: Soccer should not be larger than life for you. If your child's performance produces strong emotions in you, suppress them. Remember your relationship will continue with your children long after their competitive soccer days are over. Keep your goals and needs separate from your child's experience.

Have fun: That is what we will be trying to do! We will try to challenge your child to reach past their "comfort level" and improve themselves as a player, and thus, a person. We will attempt to do this in environments that are fun, yet challenging. We look forward to this process. We hope you do to!