Knox Fields

The site of our fields for the U10, U12, U15, and U18 age divisions. Some important notes:

Christ the King Seminary

Through the cooperation of the Seminary, we will continue to be able to use their field for practices. Please respect their property and follow the following parking rule:

PRACTICE

Each Team should practice a minimum of one night per week for one hour. Teams should sign up on the schedule at the Coaches Meeting so that the Arsenal Organization has a record of your practice nights. This is most helpful when conflicts arise early in the season and players must be moved to other teams. Field accessibility is ‘first come, first serve’ at both Park Associates and Knox fields. Please note that Travel teams at Knox get preference for field locations if there is a conflict. The Seminary field can be reserved if you would like to hold your practices there. If you need to change your schedule, please work through the House Coordinator. If the fields are muddy or signs are posted to please stay off, then please do not use them for practice. Due to the large number of teams and limited number of fields, practice sessions are to utilize only HALF fields. Please be considerate of teams practicing on the other half of your field. For those practicing at the Seminary, note that parking is NOT permitted along the driveways during practice. Please advise parents that they MUST park in the available lots.

GAMES/GUIDELINES

Games are played on Saturday mornings per the schedule distributed at the Coaches Meeting. Teams can take the field at their scheduled start time, with 5 minutes allowed for warm up. Games will start PROMPTLY. We have a large number of games to complete in a limited time, particularly at Park Associates. Each player should arrive at least 15 minutes early to warm up. Players are NOT ALLOWED to wear hats or any loose items during games. Chains, necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings and watches are also NOT ALLOWED. Glasses should be tied on securely. This is for the safety of the players - referees will ask the players to remove it. Each team is given a jersey in a color identifying their team. They must be worn to all games. Referees may refuse to let a child play in a game without a jersey. At the U6 and U8 age divisions where small sided games are being played, the coach must rotate the players in such a manner that each child gets equal playing time. Factors other than time may come into play (ie. a child may be extremely tired and need to be swapped out) and need to be considered. The small-sided game format provides greater flexibility to the coach in balancing the level of play. Coaches should use their discretion in moving players between the two ‘mini-fields’ in order to provide a more balanced game. Each match will consist of 4-10 minute segments. Each segment will match 3 or 4 players from each team against another team with two matches running simultaneously. No goalies will be used. More details on the small-sided games are enclosed with your coach’s packet. At the Senior Division (U10 and up) each player must play a minimum of 50% of each game. If a child does not want to play, please inform the parents. In the course of the season each player should be allowed to try every position. U10, U12, and U15 games will consist of two 25-minute halves. U-18 will play two 30-minute halves. If the score is tied at the end of the game, it remains a tie. There are no overtimes or shoot-outs.

for more information on small sided play, read our letter

If one team is dominating a game, it is the responsibility of the coach of the stronger team to adjust accordingly. Suggestions include playing stronger players on defense, requiring players to complete a set number of passes before taking a shot, playing fewer players on offense. This is another issue, which consistently generates a lot of complaints from parents and coaches.

Players and coaches should line-up to shake hands with the opposing team after each game.

Coaches, parents, and spectators are NOT PERMITTED behind or near the goal posts during the games. This is distracting to the goalkeepers and players.

Coaches are not permitted on the field during the game and must do their coaching from a limited area on their half of the field.

Smoking is not permitted by anyone at games or practice.

Charcoal or gas grills are not permitted at games or practice.

Parents should provide Popsicles, water and cups for every game on a rotating basis. In lieu of water and cups players may bring their own water bottles. BE SURE THE PLAYERS ARE DRINKING ENOUGH WATER!

CLEAN-UP

YOUR team is responsible for the clean up of the field when your team is playing the LAST game of the day on a particular field. You will need to pick up ALL garbage (water bottles, Popsicle paper/sticks) on your field. At Park Associates there is a trash container on the side of the Park Associates Building that you can place the garbage in. Each team has been given some white plastic garbage bags in their coach’s packet. These are to be utilized when it is your team's turn for ‘clean-up’. This does not mean that if you have an earlier game it is OK to leave the team’s garbage behind. If you see players or siblings dropping trash, please bring it to their attention that they are responsible to remove it. Unfortunately, you will need to remind some adults also. I am happy to report however, that with the institution of the assigned ‘clean-up’ requirement, our kids and coaches are starting to do an excellent job keeping their community clean. THANK YOU COACHES!

REFEREES

All Referees decisions are final. Arguments and negative comments to the referees will not be tolerated! Please remember that these are teenagers who may be intimidated by adults. All referees are expected to have a keen awareness of the games, rules and regulations. However, they are human and can/will make a mistake. Please intercede if a parent or player begins to argue.

GAME CANCELLATIONS

Games are cancelled for lightning, thunder, severe weather, or if the fields are deemed unplayable. Rain is usually not a reason to cancel - if it's raining, you must still attend the scheduled game. If you need to cancel or re-schedule a game (for any reason) you must contact the other coach, the House League Coordinator, Sue Friess (655-6068), and our Referee Coordinator, Deb Healy (655-6721). When you cancel, referees must be paid regardless, so please cancel only when absolutely necessary. Be sure to advise parents that if their child is at a game or practice, and there is any indication of thunder or lightning, they MUST go to the field and pick up their child. There should NOT be any players on the fields during thunder and lightning.

FIELD MARSHALS

Field Marshals will be present at both Park Associates and Knox during the games on Saturday mornings. They are representatives of the Aurora Arsenal and are there to help ensure the smooth operation of our soccer program. Please comply with any request they may make. We encourage you to involve them if you have any questions or concerns or if any problems arise.

REMEMBER THAT WE ARE HERE TO TEACH THE CHILDREN SOCCER, BUT ALSO TO HAVE FUN! WINNING IS GREAT, BUT IS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE HOUSE LEAGUE. This is a non-competitive league and it’s important that we stress that to the players and parents. Fairness and good sportsmanship are learned by example.

WE WISH TO THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING AND BEING SO GENEROUS WITH YOUR TIME. PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CALL IF YOU SHOULD HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

AURORA ARSENAL SOCCER CLUB, INC.

PRACTICE RULES

Thank you for your consideration in these matters. In order to keep the use of Knox Field, Park Associates, the Seminary, and Hamlin Park, we must keep the fields in good condition.

PLEASE NOTE THAT CARS ARE NEVER ALLOWED ON THE FIELDS!