Parent Information
MIGUEL A.
BRENDA B.
KIMBERLY Q.
BRADLEY J.
Cate L.
Spring Season Overview
FFPS isn't your plain vanilla soccer club. We are a unique youth soccer organization which focuses on the Fun, Fair and Positive aspects of youth sports. We provide an uplifting, self-esteem building, experience in which positive behavior and positive values can be realized by every player.
Fun
5-a-side soccer (5 players per side instead of 11 per side) allows everyone to get the ball many times which makes our soccer program more fun - and the kids learn faster. This soccer format comes from a South American version, Salon Football, meaning "soccer in a small area" developed in the early 1930's. Thirteen million play 5 aside in South America today!
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Benefits:
- Allows for more player involvement, thus more fun
- Manageable size giving more attention to each player
Fair
All players rotate to each position and every player plays equally each game. We use a specially designed "Equal Substitution System" to guarantee equal play time. Also, FFPS has no tryouts or all-star teams and all teams are well-matched using our "Balanced Team System" to optimize a Fun, Fair, Positive soccer experience.
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Benefits:
- Fair to each player
- Fair opportunity for every team
Positive
Both coaches on the field are allowed to use positive coaching and provide a safe environment by enforcing the rules with the proper discretion in a cooperative way. FFPS standards are very high for coaches as well as parents. We do not allow any derogatory comments or persistent yelling that would belittle, distract or embarrass players. We ask that if you must yell, use encouragement! Better yet, relax, enjoy, and "Let the kids play!" It's for their fun!! If you use the words, Go, Good, Great, or Nice at the beginning of a sentence or phrase you'll always be a positive parent. i.e. Good Kick! Good Dribble! Nice Shot! Go Tigers!
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Benefits:
- A positive experience for every player, no matter what their past experience or abilities
- Enables parents to give encouragement, to ignore the mistakes and enjoy their child's play
Ages
Girls and Boys *4 - 18 years old
4-year-olds should turn 5 by December 31, 2013
Fees
We provide two ways to sign up - online and by phone. If you don't have a computer, try the library or use our toll-free phone-in option at (1-800-828-7529 ext. 555) and we'll set you up! We can take your credit or debit card information online or over the phone, but no checks. If you don't have a credit or debit card, we recommend purchasing a VISA or MC gift card from stores like Kroger, CVS or Walgreens.
through Full
Late Registration: Register before 3/19/2013 for guaranteed placement. Otherwise, late registrations are first come, first serve.
Team Sponsor
FFPS requires each team in our Fall and Spring Seasons to obtain a sponsor. Sponsors can be either business sponsored (business pays $340) or parent sponsored (self-sponsor a team for $35 per team player). But don’t worry it’s easy to get a business sponsor! Check out some tips on our Sponsor Information, or if you already have a sponsor, pick up a Sponsor Form.
Sponsor fees are due mid-season on your Picture Day.
Refunds
Our refund policy is $75 by the 1st game.
How to Request a Refund
Submit a refund request at www.ffps.org/Refund or Contact Kathlyn at 800-828-PLAY(7529) ext 913.
Sorry, refund requests cannot be honored if you contact anyone else.
Note: FFPS does not provide refunds for: practice conflicts, if online system disallows Team Change, or for any delays in communications with your coach. Additional refund provisions may apply when an area is under Presidential Disaster, see our terms for more details.
Dates
| Coaches will call by: | 4/3/2013 |
| Games & Parade begin: | 4/13/2013 |
| Grandparent Day: | 4/20/2013 |
| Picture Day / Sponsors Due: | Mid Season |
| World Cup Day: | Mid to Late Season |
| Last Game / Awards Day: | 6/1/2013 |
| (Trophy to every player provided by FFPS) | |
| Make Up Day: | The Saturday after the last game |
Coach Calls By
All players should be contacted by Wednesday, April 3rd by their coach. However, for whatever reason, if you did not receive a call from your coach, immediately call your league Registration Director (see "Head Volunteer Contacts") on the Contact Us page.
Opening Day/Parade Day
Kids LOVE parades, which is why our first game is preceded by a parade in your local area. The parade instructions are provided to your coach so if you have questions, contact your coach for the details!
Grandparent Day
We treasure grandparents so FFPS asks you to invite grandparents out to the field on Grandparent Day. Typically, this is the second week of the season. Chat with your coach about the event details!
Picture Day/Sponsors Due
FFPS takes team pictures mid-season! We offer a variety of picture packages starting with our "Value package" all the way up to our Premier packages. Picture dates vary by league so check the Picture Schedule for times once the Game Schedule is published (about a week before Opening Day). Don't forget, sponsor fees must be turned prior to pictures. See more on our Sponsor Information page.
World Cup Day
Did you know that over 3 billion people (1/2 of the world) watch the World Cup? Well, on FFPS’s World Cup Day, players (and parents) will experience what the biggest event in the world is like! The kids will select a country and learn about the players, traditions, uniforms, flag, customs, and more! We will make up and demonstrate songs, cheers, chants, and dances like the wild fans at the actual World Cup! Players can get even more into the spirit of the World Cup by dying their hair, wearing crazy hats or painting their faces. Parents can become “crazy fans” like the World Cup fans by getting really excited in a positive FFPS way. Support the kids on World Cup Day by dying your hair, wearing a crazy hat or painting your face too!
Last Game/Award Day
Every child is a winner in our book, which is why each and every player receives a trophy at the last game! We award a free, quality trophy to each player in order to show them how valuable they are and to serve as a reminder of their FFPS experience. We truly value our volunteers as well, so FFPS provides a plaque with a team picture to all Head Coaches and a gift to every Team Manager.
Make Up Day
Coaches will attempt to make up a cancelled game during the week. However, if the game cannot be coordinated during the week, Make-Up Day is the Saturday after the last game.
Games and Practices
We play a total of eight (8) games in our Fall and Spring seasons. Each game is played locally so there is never any travel. Each team practices one time (1) per week for about an hour.
Games
Games are played between 9 AM and 5:30 PM. Games are always played at your local game site on Saturdays (unless there is a special event or a weather issue). Our local game sites can be found on our Area Map. Schedules are published about a week before the first game.
Coaches can make 2 schedule requests per team coached. If you are interested in coaching, you can find out more about coaching on our Volunteer page. Sorry, but we are unable to accommodate schedules requests unless you decide to coach a team.
Practices
Practices are once a week, usually in the evening, for one hour at area schools and parks. Many teams will use our game site for practices or some may use area schools or parks for a convenient location.
The coach will call you by Wednesday, April 3rd (at the latest) to schedule a Parent Meeting. At that time, the coach will discuss the practice time and location details (FFPS does not schedule practice locations, times or dates). Since the coach has first priority on setting practice time and location, we recommend you volunteer to become a coach to obtain the practice date/time you prefer. Find out more about coaching on our Volunteer page.
Friend Requests
We allow players to request a friend/sibling on their team. Requests do need to meet our guidelines and we do our best to tell you the probability of your friend request when you make a request. Our friend request policy is:
- Only one (1) friend connected to any one player.
- Friends must be born in the same year of birth or meet the Play Up/Play Down Age Groups policy.
Note: Friend Requests are never guaranteed and can be denied at any time for any reason. FFPS is not obligated to notify you if your request is denied.
How to Request a Friend
You can request your friend two ways:
- During "Sign Up" - Enter your friend's Player ID Number
- After "Sign Up" - Login to "My Account"
Note: If you sign up by mail and include a friend request, your friend must already be signed up. So please communicate with your friend prior to mailing your application.
Player ID Numbers are assigned to players after registration and can be located in My Account.
Equipment
We provide a full uniform to every player which includes a shirt, shorts and socks. Uniforms are given out by coaches about a week before the first game. We will not know your team colors until the uniforms are distributed.
FFPS Provides
- Full Uniform - Shirt, shorts, socks
- Quality trophy to every player!
Required Equipment (Parents Must Purchase)
- Shin Guards - Required for all practices and games
- Soccer Ball - Required for all practices. The least expensive balls work fine. Size 3 or 4 is great!
- Water Bottle - Required
Most local sporting goods / retail stores sell shin pads for $5-$10, balls for $10-$15.
Optional Equipment
- Soccer Shoes (Optional) - Below age 9 regular sneakers work fine, and special soccer shoes are not recommended. If you do decide to buy a soccer shoe, purchase a "turf" type shoe which has many small studs on the bottom. Shoes and cleats can be found at local sporting goods and retail stores.
- Eyewear (Optional) - Children who must wear corrective lenses should purchase safe, sturdy eyewear meant for sports activities.
Not Allowed at Fields (Safety concerns)
- Jewelry - No watches, earrings, or hard objects in hair during play
- Other - No dogs, tents, canopies, or smoking at any soccer events
Special Needs
We pay close attention to children with Special Needs (mental and/or physical challenges).
FFPS knows that proper age placement is vital to their team experience, so each parent discusses their needs with the Registration Director in their league.
Registration Director’s will help parents select the best age group and approve their final placement.
Team Guidelines
We publish detailed guidelines discussing our team placement policies and on parent behavior. Both topics are important aspects of the FFPS program.
How Teams Are Formed
All teams are re-balanced (re-shuffled) every season by age, gender, experience, size, skills, goals scored, coach evaluations and area (school/subdivision is secondary). FFPS has developed the "Balanced Team System", a unique custom program to ensure teams are organized fairly. Teams are formed as well-matched as possible every season giving each team an equal opportunity for fun. This way, everyone meets many new friends and parents each season - and it is Fair.
Age Groups of Teams
Teams are formed by year of birth (I.E. 1995's, 1996's, etc.), rather than by grade. When we have an adequate number players, we will assemble teams by single ages of birth (I.E. All 1995's, All 1996's). If there are not enough players in a single year of birth to form teams, teams will be formed with other age groups (I.E. 1995's and 1996's). If you would like to play in a year of birth other than yours, please review the "Play Up / Play Down Age Groups Policy" below.
Play Up/Play Down Age Groups
Requests can be made to move out of your child's date of birth, but you need to meet one (1) of our exceptions:
- To "Play Up" (older year of birth):
- Child is born in January or
- Child is ranked #1 last season (approval required)
- To "Play Down" (younger year of birth)
- Child is born in December or
- First season playing soccer
- Special Needs (approval required)
Team Placement
You must play on the team that is shown in the official "FFPS Team Roster" and provide to your coach a "Proof of Sign Up." Playing on any other team will result in immediate permanent removal from FFPS without a refund.
Changing Teams
We allow you to attempt to change teams online in "My Account" - "Change Teams". This can be very difficult though, due to our "Balanced Team System". Often times teams are full - limiting the openings on other teams. Note: Please see our Refund Policy regarding conflicts and moving teams.
Parent Behavior
One of the most important aspects of our program is parent behavior. We strive to create a rich, positive, pressure-free environment for the kids. This is why we disallow 'How to Play' instruction during play. We also discourage rude, disruptive, disrespectful comments and behavior. Instead, we ask parents to cheer encouraging words like 'Go Julie', 'Good Kick', and 'Great Dribble'. By staying positive and encouraging with all players at games and practices, you are helping us to create the kind of environment where kids can excel!
Note: Violations of FFPS policies or inappropriate conduct may result in suspension or removal of the adult and / or player.
