1. Age divisions, roster size, ball size, number of players on the field, and field sites.

2. All ages will be playing 6V6 soccer. There will be 5 field players and one goalkeeper. Each child should play each position on the field during the season, with the exception of goalkeeper, which should be voluntary. Any child wanting the opportunity to play as a goalkeeper should get a chance at least once during the season.

3. Playing Time - It is the coach’s responsibility to ensure all players are on the field at least 50% of the game. It is also the coach’s responsibility to be sure players get adequate breaks for rest and hydration. No player should play a complete game without a break, meaning they all need to be substituted out of the game.

4. The coach or the player is responsible for an alternate shirt color for the goalkeeper to use. Colors cannot be black, blue, orange, red or white. The goalkeeper must be easily distinguishable from other field players. Goalkeepers may wear gloves. COACHES, MAKE NOTE: THERE IS NO CONTACT ALLOWED BETWEEN A FIELD PLAYER AND THE ‘KEEPER!

5. NO SCORES OR STANDINGS ARE KEPT! This is supposed to be fun and teach the players fundamentals. Do not stress winning and losing, but instead stress FUN. Each coach is accountable for addressing this issue with their own team and team parents. Player development and sportsmanship are the main focus of our program at this level, and anything contrary to that will not be tolerated.

6. Uniforms and shinguards are REQUIRED for all players! Players without the proper uniform will not be allowed to play. The uniform consists of the MSSA Arsenal Jr. Gunners reversible jersey, MSSA shorts and socks worn OVER the shinguards.

Uniforms are available Soccer Internationale, 2541 South 132nd Street, 330-9862.

7. The schedule has teams listed as Home or Away. Visiting team shall wear the BLUE side of the uniform and the home team shall wear the ORANGE. For new Teams that will be wearing the Red and White uniforms, RED will indicate the home team and WHITE will be away.

8. SIDELINE DESIGNATIONS - ALL AGES - Both teams PLAYERS BENCH AREA will be on one side of the field and the PARENT/FAMILY SEATING will be on the opposite side of the field. The coach may have at least one assistant, but not more than two, on the player side. Spectators may not view games from the ends of the fields or behind the goals.

9. SCHEDULES CANNOT BE CHANGED FOR SCHOOL, CHURCH OR SCOUTING EVENTS. DUE TO THE NUMBER OF GAMES ON THE FIELDS, WE DO NOT HAVE THIS OPTION. If your team cannot field the minimum number of players required to play, please call the opposing coach so that players may be borrowed in order for the game to be played. PLAYERS MAY BE BORROWED ONLY FROM THE TEAM YOU ARE PLAYING AGAINST!

10. A rain schedule is on the back of each game schedule. Games will be played on the Saturday or Sunday following the original scheduled date. If the Saturday or Sunday schedule is rained out, games will not be made up.

11. Team photos will be mailed directly to the coach. Participation medals are in the coach’s packet, and should be given out at the end of the season.

12. GAME STATUS - Game status is posted daily on GoArsenal.com; that is information you can and should pass to your parents for all the latest happenings at Arsenal.

13. Player passes for U9 and U10 are provided in the coaches packets. These need to come to every game. Passes should be turned in at the end of the fall to the MSSA office. It is not necessary that passes are signed and laminated, but a photo needs to be attached. Passes are to be retained by the coach. The cost incurred by the coach to replace any missing pass during the seasonal year (Fall 2006/Spring 2007) is $4 per pass to a max of $50 per team.

14. Game cards (for U9 and U10 only) for each home game and a sticky roster card for each visiting game are included in your coach’s packet. These need to be ready to go 15 minutes before the game and given to the referee. Go ahead and get them all filled out for the season now! You should receive the evaluation portion from the referee before the game. COACHES NEED TO FILL THESE OUT!! They can be returned to the storage building at Discovery, game box at MYSC, or they can be mailed in. But please complete them, as this helps in evaluating our referees and your fellow coaches and allows us to spot problems before they may develop into more serious issues; compliments and complaints both.

15. All games consist of two 25-minute halves. USSF certified referees are used in U9 and U10. The referee is in charge of the field, from pre-game to their actual departure. They are in charge regardless of their age! A referee’s calls or authority shall not be questioned or challenged by coaches, spectators, or players. VERBAL ASSAULT OF A REFEREE WILL BE DEALT WITH UNDER MSSA POLICY #104 - REFEREE ASSAULTS! If you have any concerns that need immediate attention and that cannot be relayed via the game card, please contact the site director on premises to discuss. The site director will monitor concerns with a referee, opposing coach, players, and/or spectators. Remember - no standings, no score!!

16. SLIDE TACKLING IS FORBIDDEN WITHIN THE MSSA JR. GUNNERS PROGRAM. We want the kids on their feet, not on the ground possibly getting hurt. The penalty for a slide tackle is an indirect free kick awarded to the other team at the spot of the slide tackle.

17. OFFSIDE As directed by the Nebraska State Soccer Association, there will be no offside called. Coaches however are encouraged to teach their players what offside is and not use a player in an offside position for tactical purposes. This falls under the law called “the spirit of the game.” Again remember, no standings, no scores.

18. Parking at Millard Star Youth Complex. Please remind your parents that there is no parallel parking on the north side of the driveway, except for the handicap spots. There is ample space on the west end of the fields by the concession building. Also, remind your parents not to use this area to off-load passengers. This has become a major safety issue, dangerous to kids and adults alike.

19. REMEMBER THE PLAYERS ARE KIDS, not Mini Adults!!!!! Soccer is just a game, and games are supposed to be fun! As coaches and parents, we need to promote player development and sportsmanship, and provide an environment that motivates players of all ages and skill levels. Coaches and parents need to keep all attitudes POSITIVE! We are here to LEARN soccer and to HAVE FUN!!

20. Questions? Contact Christina Lewis, Coordinator of Jr. Gunners by E-mail at CtinaLewis@cox.net, or Pam Sweeney, MSSA Executive Director at 896-4420 , PamS@GoArsenal.com. Your Site Supervisors and MSSA Board Members also may assist you with any concerns or questions.