Here are the steps to signing up your child to play soccer for the first time:

3. Ensure our Club is a fit for you: At this point, you might have explored various local soccer clubs. Given our unique philosophy, it’s important to ensure that our approach resonates with your own values and goals.
4. Age Verification: SL United YSC necessitates a valid birth certificate for your player to authenticate their age, a crucial factor for their placement in the appropriate division.
5. Register: Obtain the necessary registration forms either online or via-email.. Fill out all required fields, providing accurate information about your child, emergency contact details, medical information, and any other necessary details. The season of play will be determined when you register your child.
6. Pay registration fees: Pay the required registration fees according to the instructions provided. These fees typically cover club expenses, uniforms, practice equipment, and administrative costs.
7. Attend parent orientation: SL United YSC will have a mandatory Parent Orientations before the season begins. You are required to attend these sessions to get important information about the program, meet the coaches, and ask any questions you may have. Here you will have a chance to get specific details.
8. Purchase necessary equipment: At the Parent Orientation, we will outline the necessary items your child will require, including soccer cleats, shin guards, and a soccer ball. Please ensure these items are purchased prior to the season’s commencement as they are mandatory for your child’s participation in training and games. No exceptions will be made.
9. Review and Sign Parent and Player Rules: At the orientation, you will have the opportunity to review both the player and parent Code of Conduct, as well as the rules and guidelines for player participation. These forms will necessitate signatures from both the player and the parent.
10. Attend practices and games: Before the season begins, you will be assigned a Coach or Coach(s). Typically, they will contact you to introduce themselves and provide details on how the Team will communicate with each other. The Coach will also provide details on training days, locations, and any other specific items such as the rotation for Parents to provide team sacks at the end of very game. Once the season begins, ensure your child attends all scheduled practices and games. Stay involved and supportive throughout the season, cheering them on and encouraging their development.
11. Volunteer if desired: Some clubs may ask for parent volunteers to assist with various roles, such as coaching, team management, or game-day operations. If you are interested, inquire about volunteer opportunities and submit any required forms or background checks.

SOCCER RULES EVERY PLAYER (AND PARENT) NEEDS TO KNOW

1. No Hands – It is important to remember that players, except for the goalie, cannot use their hands during the game. Any use of hands or arms from the tips of the fingers to the shoulder is considered a hand ball. However, accidental contact with the ball is not considered a hand ball, and the referee must use their judgment to determine if it was done intentionally. Additionally, even goalies have restrictions, as they cannot use their hands if a pass comes directly from their teammates; they must use their feet instead. Violation of this rule will result in an indirect kick.
2. Throw-ins – When the ball crosses the sideline and goes out of bounds, a throw-in is taken. To perform a proper throw-in, a player must have both feet on the ground and throw the ball with both hands over their head.
3. Corner Kicks & Goal Kicks – If the ball leaves the field across the endline, either a corner kick or a goal kick is taken. If the offensive team kicks it out, a goal kick is awarded, which can be taken by any player inside the goalie box. If the defensive team kicks it out, a corner kick is awarded, which is taken from the corner nearest to where the ball went out.
4. Fouls – Players are not allowed to kick, trip, jump at, charge, strike, push, hold, or spit at opponents. However, physical contact such as bumping or going shoulder-to-shoulder while competing for the ball is not considered a foul unless hands or elbows are used. Players are allowed to extend their arms to protect the ball while dribbling as long as they do not push, pull, or strike their opponents.
5. Direct and Indirect Free Kicks – The difference between direct and indirect free kicks is simple. A direct kick allows for a goal to be scored by kicking the ball directly into the goal. Direct kicks usually result from contact fouls or hand balls. On the other hand, an indirect kick requires another player to touch the ball before it can go into the goal. Indirect kicks are given for all other types of fouls.

6. Penalty Kick – A penalty kick is awarded when the defending team commits a contact foul or hand ball inside their penalty area. The penalty area is the large box located on either end of the field.

7. Two-touch Rule – Players are not allowed to touch the ball twice in a row when putting it into play. If a player barely touches the ball and then tries to take another swipe at it, it is considered a two-touch violation. This rule also applies to throw-ins, as players cannot throw the ball and then kick it.

Learning and understanding these soccer rules are crucial for every player and parent involved in the game.

The differences between youth soccer recreational and competitive divisions can vary depending on the specific league or organization. However, some general distinctions can be made:

1. Skill Level: Recreational divisions are often geared towards beginners or players who are less experienced and may not have as strong technical abilities. Competitive divisions typically attract more advanced and skilled players, who are looking for a higher level of competition.

2. Focus on Development vs. Winning: Recreational divisions prioritize player development, enjoyment, and participation over winning. The emphasis is on learning the fundamentals of the game, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Competitive divisions place a greater emphasis on winning and often involve more intense training, higher-level coaching, and a more structured game approach.

3. Time Commitment: Recreational divisions generally require a lower time commitment, with fewer practices and games per week. Competitive divisions often have more frequent practices, longer training sessions, and may involve travel for away games or tournaments.

4. Team Selection: In recreational divisions, teams are often formed based on friend requests or geographic proximity, aiming to create a balanced and inclusive environment. Competitive divisions may require tryouts or selection processes to form teams based on skill level, ensuring a higher level of play.

5. League Format and Competition: Recreational divisions typically focus on local, community-based leagues with a less intensive schedule and less emphasis on league standings and playoffs. On the other hand, competitive divisions may be part of larger regional or statewide leagues, with a more structured schedule, standings, playoffs, and opportunities for advancement to higher-level competitions.

6. Coaching and Refereeing: Recreational divisions may have volunteer coaches who may not have extensive soccer backgrounds or coaching certifications. The emphasis is often on providing a fun and positive experience rather than advanced coaching techniques. In competitive divisions, coaches tend to have more experience, certifications, and knowledge of the game. Similarly, referees in competitive divisions are often more experienced and may have officiating certifications, ensuring a higher level of match officiating.

It’s important to note that these differences may not be absolute and can vary depending on the specific league or organization. It’s always recommended to check the guidelines and policies of the specific soccer league or organization to understand the exact differences between their recreational and competitive divisions.