Premier Soccer Academy
(Albuquerque PSA)Policies
Click Here for a Printable Version of PSA Policies
(Revised 1/15/09)
(Do not lose these policies! You will need to refer to them throughout the season.)Coaching
PSA teaches soccer. We do so by having trained paid instructors guide each player through skills events prior to each game as well as coach both teams on the field during games throughout each season (please see “Instructors/Referees” for more info). PSA does not, however, provide someone to facilitate weekday practices or a person to substitute players during the games on weekends. We rely on parent volunteers for this. These parent volunteers are commonly referred to as “coach” although PSA does not require parents to teach soccer to the children. Every parent on a PSA team is equally responsible for finding a person to facilitate team functions. If a parent volunteer chooses to instruct the players of his or her team then PSA will provide that “coach” with a written copy of the PSA format, a guide including practice suggestions, to any parent that wishes to use it. That parent will also be scheduled into one of our coaches’ orientation sessions at no charge. These sessions are scheduled prior to the beginning of every PSA season. PSA administrators will demonstrate of all of the skills events that the children will be doing throughout the season and open the floor to Q & A at the end. PSA is the perfect opportunity for parents with an interest in coaching to do so without the pressure of having to be an expert in soccer. Parents can easily learn along with their children. Rest assured that each registered player in PSA will be taught solid soccer skills each season by qualified staff.
It is possible that newly registered players be placed on a returning team that already has a parent volunteer facilitator.
Volunteer coaches in PSA are not paid and shall not be considered representatives of the league.
Anyone may volunteer for the roll of “coach” for their respective team. An older sibling, a grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, etc. may facilitate your child’s team if they so choose. PSA reserves the right to conduct a thorough background check of any and all coaches without notice.
Coaches are welcome on the field of play during games. The reason for this is that we want PSA games to be the highest possible quality of instruction to the children. There are certain restrictions however. Each team is limited to a single person on the field to assist in coaching and that person must not interfere with game play such as inadvertently standing in front of a goal. PSA instructors may ask the coach to stay off of the field if he or she interferes with the game. PSA administrators have the final say in these matters, no exceptions.Team Representative
Traditionally the team rep. will organize the snack schedule, end of the season party, and/or any “fun” awards. This is not a requirement however. Each PSA team must have at least one person to act as a communication link between the team and the league office. There are over 150 teams in PSA; it is not possible to contact every parent of every child within the league when information needs to be distributed in a timely manner. It is much faster and more efficient to have a PSA administrator contact a single person from each team with important information. That person will then in turn contact his or her team and relay this information. This is what we ask of a team representative. PSA does not appoint anyone as a team rep. It is up to parents to volunteer for this.
Contact
The PSA staff begins forming teams promptly after the registration deadline. We do not attempt to form teams prior to the deadline simply because we need to see absolutely every child registered in order to place them on the best possible team in the best possible location. The date that each child was registered is not relevant to them being placed on a team as long as he or she was registered before the deadline. Every family will be contacted within two weeks after the registration deadline with further instructions. A parent volunteer will contact you, preferably by phone, with information regarding practices, game schedules and your child’s uniform. If no one in your area has stepped forward to be the “coach” or team representative for your child’s team then a PSA staff member will contact each person on the roster of your child’s team in an attempt to get parental support for that particular team.
Not yet been contacted
Please be sure to read the section titled “Contact” before reading further in this section. If you have not been contacted and two weeks or more has passed then there may be an issue with the registration of your child that needs to be addressed. We may have an incorrect phone number to contact you, the registration for your child may not have been completed (registration form, waiver and payment received), information vital to placing your child on a team may be missing, or some other related issue may need to be addressed. There are rare instances of having placed your child on a team and you have not been contacted. Rare instances such as a coach or team rep. having decided after the fact that he or she didn’t want to do it after all, a coach or team rep. going out of town without notifying us of having done so therefore we cannot make direct contact with him or her with your teams roster, or a simple typo on our part are a few examples. Regardless of what the problem may be please rest assured that we will solve any issue that comes up and we will get your child playing soccer with us!
Practices
PSA will not conduct weekday practices. Any practice that your team conducts is at your teams’ discretion. This includes time, day (s) and location. Every team in PSA is authorized to use any and all public parks and schools in the city of Albuquerque. If there should be a problem with the use of any park or school then please call PSA immediately and inform us of such a problem so we can find a solution as soon as possible. The format for practices is open yet PSA does provide a format to any interested parties who will be facilitating practices. (Please see “Events” for more info.)
Uniforms
PSA provides a uniform consisting of a jersey, shorts and a pair of socks. All uniforms will be distributed through the coach or team rep. of each team. We do not distribute uniforms individually to children registered for team play (4yrs old and up). The “Mini Munchkin” division of PSA is the exception to this rule. Since the 3 year olds are not placed on teams then we will indeed distribute uniforms individually to the parents of these players. This is usually done at a Mini Munchkin orientation session prior to the beginning of each season.
We do require that each child attend games in his or her uniform. It is not required to be in uniform at practices. Please have your child wear his or her jersey over any sweatshirts, or light jackets if the weather is cold. Additional jerseys, shorts and socks as well as coaches jerseys may be purchased, please contact a PSA administrator for more detailed information.
Parents and coaches may embroider, screen print, heat press or otherwise apply a team name, team artwork (logo) and/or the players name on the jerseys if you so choose. This will be done at the discretion of each parent; PSA will not compensate any person or team for application costs or for any damage of the uniform should any occur. Parents and coaches are not authorized to apply, temporarily or permanently, the name, logo or contact information related to any business to the players uniform without expressed written consent from the league executive director.Instructors/Referees
The Premier Soccer Academy provides trained, paid instructors to conduct skills events prior to each game. These events are basic soccer skills. The instructor will then referee the game that follows and will instruct (coach) both teams on the field as the game progresses. This enables the children to use the skills they learned in a game situation. The referees have the final say in all matters of game play. If there should be any argument with the referees about any call please refer to “Parent Behavior” below. Any person may ask any question of the referees about a certain call, a specific rule, or any misunderstanding, at any time as long as the answer does not interfere with the flow of the game. The instructors will not make substitutions for each team during game play nor will they attend the practices for your team during the week.
Events
On each game day every child will have skills events to complete with his or her team. These events are basic skills drills. The events are instructed by paid PSA staff on the game field prior to your scheduled game. These events will differ for each age group and change from week to week.
Each child shall receive prize coupons for participation in these events. These coupons are redeemable at a prize table that is set up at the park every week. There will be no extra charge for prizes. Children not participating in the skills events will not be given coupons…no exceptions.Weather
In the case of bad weather please call PSA at 888-8880. There will be an out going message that states games are canceled if indeed they are. If there is not an outgoing message canceling games then expect to play!
In the case of a rain out or cancellation for any other reason please contact your coach or team representative directly for specific make up date and time. PSA will attempt to make up all cancellations due to weather.Team Numbers
Each team will be issued a team number. This number is assigned to the team only after it is formed, post registration. It is up to each individual team to come up with your own team name (scorpions, beavers, etc.). PSA will not reference each team by name. All scheduling, roster info, etc. will be tracked by team number not by name. Know your team number!
Refund Policy
PSA will refund the registration fee only when all possible solutions to any problem (s) have been exhausted, no sooner. PSA reserves the right to declare a refund or further pursuit of a solution. If you do not wish to participate in finding a solution to a problem then you willfully forfeit your right to a refund. If you register your child and for one reason or another do not attend practices or games then it is up to you to notify PSA directly in order to pursue a possible refund. If the season is underway there will not be a full refund regardless of your reason to withdraw.
Failure to find an acceptable person to facilitate team functions (coach or team representative) does not entitle you to a refund. No part of the registration fee applies to parent volunteers or weekday practices.Returned Check Policy
There is a $15 fee for any checks written to PSA that for one reason or another do not clear your financial institution. If your check bounces and payment arrangements are not made immediately then your child will be removed from his or her team. If full payment is not received within 30 days of the date on the check then the matter will be turned over to the District Attorneys office and pursued as a worthless check crime.
Equipment
The only required piece of equipment that your child will need is shin guards. PSA highly recommends soccer cleats to be worn at practices and games but does not require them. All goals, balls, etc, at the PSA games will be provided by PSA. The practice that is run by a volunteer parent from your team will require, at minimum, one soccer ball. The ball size for all age groups up to 4th grade is size 3. The ball size for 4th grade and higher is size 4.
You, the parent, are responsible for bringing water and sunblock for your child. PSA is not responsible for sun burn, dehydration, etc.About the Games
The children are grouped into separate age divisions according to grade and sex. If need be your child may be placed on a co-ed team rather than all male or female. Some divisions may be combined for better scheduling if need be.
Mini Munchkins: This division is exclusive to 3yr olds. We structure all soccer activities with these munchkins in groups of individuals. They will play soccer related and group dynamic games that will vary from week to week. The length of these sessions will be roughly 45 minutes per game day.
Pre-K & Kindergarten: The length of each game is 35 minutes (Two 15 min. halves with a 5 min. halftime). There are 3 players per team (6 total) on the field at a time. There are no goalkeepers* (goalies) in this age group. All teams in this division are coed. Rosters in this age group are a maximum of seven (7) munchkins.
1st grade: Game length for this age group is 47 minutes (20 min. halves with a 7 min. halftime). There are 4 players per team (8 total) on the field at a time. There shall be one goalkeeper* playing in the game per team, who shall be counted as one of the 4. Rosters in this age group are a maximum of eight (8) munchkins.
2nd & 3rd grades: Game length for this age group is 47 minutes (20 min. halves with a 7 min. halftime). There are 5 players per team (10 total) on the field at a time. There shall be one goalkeeper* playing in the game per team, who shall be counted as one of the 5. Rosters in this age group are a maximum of ten (10) munchkins.
4th grade: This age group plays 60 minutes (25 min. halves with a 10 min. halftime). There are 6 players per team (12 total) on the field at a time. There will be one goalkeeper* playing in the game per team. The goalkeeper counts as one of the 6. Rosters in this age group are a maximum of twelve (12) munchkins.
5th grade and above: Games in this division are 60 minutes (25 min. halves with a 10 min. halftime). There are6 players per team (12 total) on the field at a time. There will be one goalkeeper* playing in the game per team. The goalkeeper counts as one of the 6. Rosters in this age group are a maximum of twelve (12) munchkins.
*Goalkeeper: A player in a defensive position who is allowed to pick up the ball with his/her hands within the penalty box. This is the only player on the field who is permitted to do so. Also referred to as a “goalie”.Drinks & Snacks
It is traditional to bring orange slices for half time, drinks (soda, juice, etc) and snacks for after the game. If you wish to do such then it is up to you and your team to make a schedule for which family brings which refreshments on which days. The task of organizing the snack schedule usually falls upon the team rep. and sometimes the coach but it is the shared responsibility of the entire team to complete the snack schedule. PSA assumes no responsibility for this schedule.
Substitutions
The substituting of players is done freely throughout the game. The ball does not have to be out of bounds to sub. You (team parent, coach, whomever) do not have to get the attention or permission of the referee to make a substitution. If you wait until the ball goes out of play to make your substitution then the referee is instructed to hold the game until the change of players is completed. Please make the substitutions quickly as to not delay the game.
Equal Play Time
PSA requires all team members that show up for a game have an equal amount of playing opportunity. The “coach” or team rep. will monitor the amount of time played on any given day or a person designated to do such on your team. PSA will not keep track of individual playing time. There are, however, exceptions to this rule. For example, on one Saturday little Johnny may have stayed up too late the night before and is not quite up to playing a whole lot. On another Saturday little Johnny may have eaten more than his share of Wheaties and could win the World Cup single-handed. These kinds of things must be considered when making the substitutions. The only way to find out which little Johnny we have out on this game day is to observe him. The children will let you know what they are up for on any particular day by his or her behavior. No coach will be reprimanded by PSA in regards to time allowed to each child unless there is serious unfairness. Attendance and/or participation at practices should not be a factor in how much or how little your child plays on game day.
Game Scores & Season Standings
PSA will not keep score of any game at any time or standings on wins/losses. Soccer is a naturally competitive sport and we intend to keep it that way, however, we do not need to add the pressures of winning just yet. PSA is an instructional league. If you or your team wishes to keep score then you may do so at your own discretion.
Competition
It is very easy for adults to get sucked into the competitiveness of the game and become win/loss oriented. Most kids can walk off of the field after a game having lost by 5 goals or more and be in high spirits. They still had fun. They still learned something. It is the parents who inadvertently teach their children by looking or acting “down” after a loss that teaches kids that winning is the only thing that matters. As these kids age and get more experienced other avenues of competition will open for them. There are other, much more competitive leagues that revolve around winning. There are many tournaments scheduled throughout the year through various organizations. PSA does not wish to eliminate competition; rather we wish to keep it in its place. PSA is an instructional league that produces competitive players. As a league, the children who have learned the sport of soccer through PSA are at a much higher playing level than children having played with any other league within the same age range in the state of New Mexico.
Parental Behavior
A) Control - One of the most common complaints of other leagues is that the parents get out of control like yelling at the referee, being extremely over bearing on their own or someone else’s child, and threatening other children and/or parents. Surprisingly, this happens often…but not here. Not at a PSA game! ANY overly negative behavior by anyone will be dealt with promptly and effectively. No one person shall be granted the right to ruin any other persons experience with PSA. This matter is taken very seriously and will be handled as such. If you see any behavior that you would consider inappropriate please bring it to the attention of the site manager at your game field.
If you feel yourself getting upset or over excited, then please have a walk around the park or finish watching the game from afar. If you are ejected from PSA please remember that your child will not be ejected unless he or she is the guilty party. There will be absolutely NO refunds due to you not being able to control yourself in public.
B) Parking – Parking at the PSA field locations has become a heated issue between PSA parents, PSA administrators and the City of Albuquerque. PSA administrators are not law enforcement officers. PSA administrators did not design or build the parks and schools where we play. The City of Albuquerque believes that PSA isindeed responsible for the way you park. Since PSA administrators are unable to change the unreasonable expectations imposed on PSA and our use of city parks is at risk because of these expectations then we must insist that anyone attending PSA games park legally and respectfully. Any person or persons found to have repeatedly parked illegally (in front of a fire hydrant, in a red zone, blocking a residential driveway, on grass areas, on sidewalks, etc.) will be removed from the league. We believe this is incredibly unfair because the end result of such actions is that a child will no longer be able to play soccer with his or her friends. As previously stated, the City of Albuquerque has left us with no other choice in this matter. PSA administrators are willing to discuss this matter in greater detail with anyone who may wish to do so.Recommendations
Believe in your child. Watch the progression rather than the moment. Be honest with him or her. If they have a lousy game then tell them so, then follow with praising how much they have learned and point out the things he or she did well. Shout your enthusiasm louder than any negative criticism. Remember that these children are still learning and that they will have a lot of fun as long as our behavior allows them to. Soccer is a game, lets keep it that way.
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