ASA's new Soccer Plus program combines after-school tutoring and soccer in under-served communities.

Soccer Plus Director Shomit Mukherjee began pilot programs in three elementary schools -- Barcroft, Carlin Springs, and Hoffman-Boston.

Harvey Snyder is the ASA Referee Commissioner.

Harvey trains all ASA referees.

He observes parts of more than 20 games each weekend to check on the performance of new youth referees and the general conduct of games.

He reviews all coach comments on referees. He reports that "nearly every coach responded that the refs did an excellent job. I think they appreciate just having someone there."

Harvey notes that new youth refs in U8 games "are to call only blatant offside and then to be sure to explain offside and get the game moving again quickly -- a hard task. The refs are definitely hesitant to blow their whistles to stop play. That's the #1 complaint of coaches and parents. No matter how much Jeff or I say, the refs must experience this and continue to learn. For the first few weeks of the season, I send out comments about what I observed, and this will be one of the things I say to them. The other things they need to work on are:  1) Teams (and parents) on opposite sides of the field;  2) Their own organization including calling captains well before the start of play, and starting and stopping on time;  3) No parents (or siblings) behind the goals (coaching keepers) and how to correct this when it happens;  4) Shin guards completely under socks, not worn over;  5) Jewelry, including no studs..."

Here are Harvey's tips for coaches -- both etiquette and rules -- that will help the games move well and correctly. These tips and comments may be especially pertinent for newer coaches, but they apply to everyone.

1. Don't run up and down the sidelines
    
   Don't run from flag to flag or even from one edge of the penalty are to the other. Stay within about 5 yards of mid-field.
    
   ASA does not have designated 'technical areas' on the fields. In accordance with USSF rules, referees are permitted to ask you to remain in a designated area. It does not help your team to become better players and act on their own if you constantly scream and holler at them about positions and play. As one young player addressed a coach recently at one game, "Please be quiet! There is too much noise." Encourage, but don't keep up a constant stream of loud instructions.
    
   
2. Home team selects side of field
    
   Remember that the home team gets to select which side of the field they would like to be on. The reason for this is to keep teams and coaches separate. It is easier for coaches, spectators, and referees.
   So if a referee asks you to move, it's because it is a rule. For some fields, this is difficult, but it should still be done. Having both teams in the center "aisle" between fields like at many of the mini-fields, is extremely difficult.
   
   
3. Coaches do not belong on the field.
   
   Please limit your time on a field to pre- game activities.
    
   Teams may need some positioning, but try to work on that at practice. Also, believe it or not, some coaches try to whistle plays "for the referee". That's not something coaches should be doing. Referees are learning. Help them learn, and remember that they are YOUR kids.
    
   
4. Use the referees to help your team learn.
    
   If you want your players to have a 'second chance' with a throw-in, that is appropriate at U8 and U9 play especially. Reach agreement about retakes with the opposing coach before the game and tell the ref.
    
   
5. Inadequate markings on field:
    
   On fields where there are inadequate markings, please understand that the ref has problems also. If there is only a goal area marked and no penalty area, reach agreement BEFORE the game about keeper steps outside the goal area.
    
   
6. Control spectators:
    
   Ask your parents, grandparents, and players' siblings to keep at least 3 feet away from the touchline.
    
   Also, no coaches/parents/siblings etc. are allowed to be in a position behind a goal, coaching a keeper.
    
   
7. No Jewelry!
    
   Except for medical bracelets, NO JEWELRY of any type may be worn. No studs. No taping of studs. Studs must not be worn at all. This is an insurance rule dictated by the United States Soccer Federation.
    
   
8. Shinguards
    
   Be certain that players have good equipment. Shinguards must be covered entirely by socks. Shinguards must provide a good degree of protection, so please, no newspaper or magazines!! Shinguard/socks combos are permitted without additional socks.
    
   
9. Substitutions for U8-U10
    
   Unlimited substitutions in ASA recreation U8-U10 play are permitted on the following occasions: after a goal, on goal kicks, on corner kicks, at quarters and at half time, on substitutions when your team has the ball, and one-on-one if a player is injured (each team may sub 1 person).
    
   
10. Start on time!
     
    Do your best to get the game started on time, otherwise, teams at the end of the day may be waiting a long time for their game to start.

Managers meet twice a year to review ASA rules. If you, as a coach, would like to see some ASA rule changed, submit your suggestions to your manager.

I coach U-12 and U-10 boys house teams in the Arlington Aces club. Last summer, I took some of my best players to the McDonalds McSoccerfest, a 4 v. 4 tournament in Columbia, Maryland. It was great fun and we're planning to do it again this year. Other Arlington recreational coaches should think about doing the same.

Unlike some sanctioned tournaments, which tend to be expensive, require a lot of paperwork, eat up a whole weekend and are, in any event, hard to find for recreational teams in Northern Virginia, the McSoccerfest is relatively inexpensive, low on paperwork and easy on your schedule.

This summer the McSoccerfest is June 30 and July 1, 2007 for youth ages 5 through 16.

Here's how it works:

• All games are 4 v. 4 on a field about the size our U-6 players use, with a square "pug" goal.
  
• No one is allowed to goaltend.  A two-yard arc around the goal is off limits to both offensive and defensive players.
  
• Games are 20 minutes-two ten minute halves with a two-minute break between.
  
• Roster is a maximum of six players, so everyone plays plenty. And believe me, ten minutes in a fast-paced 4 v 4 game on a hot day will quickly wear your players down.

Most teams are placed in a group of four (but sometimes five), playing the other teams in a round-robin format. Unlike a sanctioned tournament where games may be played over two full days on a weekend, however, these games are all played in either one morning or afternoon session. For example, you may play the blue team at 1:00, then a green team at 2:00, then a yellow team at 3:30. The two teams with the most points at the end of the round-robin (based on wins, ties, points scored and defensive shut-outs) then play each other for the group "championship."

The cost is only $125 per team. No player "cards" are needed; paperwork is pretty simple and you can make roster substitutions right up to the time of your first game. You can take any six players you want-one of my teams last year consisted of players from four different Arlington teams (because we waited until the last minute to sign up and just kind of formed a "pick-up" team of those available). Recreational teams generally play other rec teams from around the region. You can use your ASA team uniforms, or make up a whole new team name and get inexpensive matching T-shirts.

The venue for the McSoccerfest is the soccer complex at Northrop Fields at Covenant Park in Columbia, Maryland, which consists of both artificial turf and natural grass fields. (My older team got to play on artificial turf last year, a real treat for them.) It's about a 45-minute drive from Arlington.

This is a great way to reward the better players on your team, giving them an opportunity for a little post-season play. Of course, you don't want to offend any parents or other players-it's almost impossible to take everyone (unless you enter multiple teams). I haven't found it to be a problem, but it is something to think through-you could even have the players vote on who should go.

For more information, the 2007 tournament website is www.mcsoccerfest2007.com.

This year's tournament is the weekend June 30-July 1, with U-6-U-10 teams playing on Saturday and U-11 and above playing on Sunday.

You might also want to check out another popular 4 v. 4 tournament, the Kohl's American Cup, at Ben Lomond Park in Manassas, on June 23-24. I haven't been to this one, but it is geared to recreational teams and no doubt also a lot of fun.

You receive this newsletter because you coach one of the ASA youth soccer teams for the more than 5,000 Arlington and Falls Church players. You help soccer players improve their skills, have fun, meet new friends, and learn how to win and lose with good sportsmanship.

The Arlington Soccer Association has soccer programs for kids ages 5 - 18 in Arlington and Falls Church.

• Neighborhood recreational soccer teams for all boys & girls.
• Teen soccer teams for high school-age players.
• Travel soccer teams for more competitive players selected in tryouts.
• TOPSoccer brings the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl, 4 - 19, who has a mental or physical disability.

ASA youth soccer programs are sponsored in cooperation with the Arlington County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources and the Falls Church City Recreation & Parks Department.

 - Steve Spangler, President
    Arlington Soccer Association