The rules for the Floral Park Indians Soccer League are contained in the below document (note that you will need Adobe Reader or a compatible program to read this file):

• Soccer Rules

I’d like to start by thanking you for volunteering your time in making a difference in our children’s lives.

I believe a reminder of the “little things” that sometimes get overlooked is in order. Some of you will be shocked and appalled that these things could go on in Mayberry, others will be ticked off because you think it is directed at you, while most of you won’t even get down to this witty part of my letter and thus will not be eligible for fancy door prizes. What, did he just say we were getting prizes?  Cooooool!!!

Sportsmanship
Floral Park Indians sports revolve around this central theme.  Because this is a small town and most of our children play together, go to school together or are somehow related to one another, this has to be the most important aspect we can teach.  Enthusiasm from the children and the parents is encouraged and expected, taunting and embarrassment is not and will not be tolerated.  I remind every coach; at the conclusion of a game and as the players are lining up for their “good game” handshakes, remind them that anything but “good game” or some such positive comment will NOT be accepted and there will be consequences to be paid if the rule is broken. “Loser”, “You Suck” and spitting on their hand before high-fiving will lead to sitting out the next game.

Coaching
Folks we all have an effect on the players assigned to us each season, it is our responsibility to make it a positive one. All of us will bring joy to these kids’ lives, some while they play for us, others when they can finally get the hell off our teams. Let’s strive to be remembered in a positive manner and not with our names proceeded by a not so nice expletive.

Parents/Players/Assistants
We’ve all experienced it and if you haven’t yet you surely will; the problem player, parent and/or assistant coach. Occasionally we are blessed with all three and sometimes they share the same last name! It’s a tough situation, but I’ve found the longer you coach the easier it becomes to deal with and the more creative you become in handling it. As a coach it is your responsibility to recognize the potential problems and try and keep them in check.  If a player has some “issues”, plays too rough, is a sore loser, an ungracious winner or possesses some other unacceptable behavior, it is up to you to remind them of the appropriate behavior.  As hard as it might be, you also need to enforce the consequences when such behavior occurs.

This holds true with Parents and Assistants too.  It is a little trickier with the adults, but it still needs to be monitored and dealt with.

Remember: THIS IS INTRAMURALS SOCCER!

Here is a cold hard truth: The kids who play in our program are here because they enjoy playing soccer, they don’t have aspirations of college scholarships or playing for Manchester United, and if they did they wouldn’t be playing Indian’s intramurals. This should be closer to an old style pickup game, not like the World Cup, so coaches ease up and don’t make yourselves bigger than the game.

All Players Get Equal Time
We all enjoy winning and sometimes its hard pulling your ‘A’ Player off the field. Remember; this is Indians Soccer and not the MLS, so ALL PLAYERS GET EQUAL TIME. I will repeat this in case you missed it the first time ALL PLAYERS GET EQUAL TIME!!! And let me answer the question before it leaves your lips; If you are that good a coach, you will figure out a way to keep your ‘C’ players motivated and focused long enough to play most of the game. Folks, I still coach 2 ½ teams and have already dealt with most of these issues, so I know it can be done.  I know the feeling when there are only 3 minutes left in the game; you’re down by a goal, you’ve miscalculated the substitutions and now have your ‘C’ player ready to replace your best ‘A’ player.  If this was Floral Park v. Franklin Sq, you’d leave her in and she would move on to score the final 2 goals to win the game. Unfortunately this is not Floral Park v. Franklin Sq, it is Floral Park v. Floral Park, so WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO is the following: are you ready?  Sitting down? Good!  What you do is: call over your ‘C’ player, give her a few words of encouragement and then tell her 3 times, because it will take you at least three times for her to believe it, that she is going in for <fill in name> your ‘A’ player.  She will argue a little and actually lobby for the ‘A’ girl to stay out there, but you will tell that 76 lb bundle of emotions that YOU believe in HER and to get out there and score us a goal!!

Field Conditions and Litter
Remind your players and parents: If they came in with a water bottle, then they should be leaving with at least that water bottle (Please encourage them to cleanup more, if they should feel so inclined).  If the fields are left a mess every week, we will assess everyone in Indians soccer an additional $5 to cover the cost of a weekly cleanup crew.  Coaches: again part of the responsibility is dumped on you, but if the school board decides to play rough and we lose the fields because we can’t keep them clean, then you won’t have to worry about coaching.

Keeping to the Schedule
It’s important that games start ON TIME and that we stick to the allotted game minutes!  Most important is that the first game(s) played in the Division time slot start(s) ON TIME, if not it affects ALL games that follow. The games start when the field is available and NOT when all your players have arrived. If you have enough to start the game, START it, if you don’t and your game is delayed 5 minutes waiting for your late-comers, then you are to shorten your game by 5 minutes. The reason our kids (and really it’s the parents) show up late, is because we allow it.  You’ll be amazed at how few latecomers you will have if they start missing playing time.

The reality is this; it makes all our jobs easier if we have our full team there 10 minutes before game time.  We all know how difficult it is when a child shows up 10 minutes after the game starts and now you have to figure out a new rotation to get them in.  Because field space is limited and our schedule is so tight, this is a rule that needs to be adhered to.
I encourage you to guide your team parents to visit this site and get familiar with some of the rules and philosophies of our league.  As needed, I will add to and modify this letter and send a notice to all informing you of these changes.

Thanks again for all the work you volunteer for and you may not often hear it, but your efforts are greatly appreciated.