Hello Coaches.  The soccer season is upon us so time for some information exchange.  Hope everyone had a good winter.  I know there was not much sledding going on.

1.       COACHES MEETING: Tuesday March 20th at Harpers Ferry Middle School auditorium from 7p to 8:30p.  You will get an updated roster, player forms for new players, uniforms for new players, important season-specific information, and really cool door prizes.
2.       ROSTER CHECK: It is worth taking some time to contact your players to make sure they are coming back.  As an example, I had one player who was not coming back and just emailed me to say he decided to skip his ‘regular’ spring sport and play soccer again.  Luckily, we have a spot for him still.  Remember, under the “Jersey Number” column on your roster, 1 = playing fall & spring; 2 = playing fall only; 3 = playing spring only.  On the rosters you will get at the meeting 23 = originally signed up for fall, but extended to the spring.
3.       FIELD DAY:  Field day will be Saturday March 24th at Charles Town fields starting at 9a.  Get at least one representative from your team to go.  While you do the ‘Roster Check’ (in 2. above), beg someone to go to the field day.
4.       COACH TRAINING: There will be a training for Intermediate Coaches (you need to have already completed U12 coach training to participate) on Friday March 9 and Saturday March 10.  Please contact me directly if you want to participate.  We have 4 from JCYSL already committed to coming.

Coaches, we are almost to opening day.  Hopefully your paperwork is in and you can get on the fields (or have already been on the fields).  Thanks for jumping through the hoops. It makes for a better and safer overall program.  Some things to think about.

1. ASK FOR HELP.  Parents should be helping you with the fundraiser, snack schedule, uniform handout, etc.
2. ASK FOR HELP.  The coach on the other side of the field may have some good drills.  Steal them, it’s allowed.  Talk to him/her too.
3. FUNDRAISING I.  Please remember that on opening day, September 10th  from 11a to 4p, we will get 15% of proceeds from Chik-Fil-A in Ranson (across from Home Depot).  Your families will need to pick up a piece of paper at the fields that the cashier will take to get us credit.
4. FUNDRAISING II.  Please remember to hand out your “Spirit Cup” forms and encourage your families to sell them (except Yankee cups, I hear they leak).  Highest sales on the team gets to take the first penalty kick????  Please find someone on your team to be the “fundraising cheerleader” for the year.  Let’s raise the money quickly and go back to cookie dough.
5. USE YOUR MANUALS.  If you went to training, you have a manual with great drill ideas.  Try them, they are fun AND instructive.
6. LINEUP CARDS.  We did not discuss this at coach meeting (my fault).  You need to have a white lineup card each game.  Player names and numbers are listed and you indicate which kids sit out during which quarter.  If you did not pick any up, they will be at a table in the middle of the field.  Look for a large red tub and they will be in there somewhere.  Only take a few, as we will be ordering more as the season progresses.
7. PAPERWORK.  Make sure you are “legal” on the field.  Volunteer forms and safe haven must be in.  U6 and U8 must have training completed.

Enjoy.   It’s a fun game to play and watch.

David P. Simmons
JCYSL Coach Administrator

We love the sun!  Saturday was a super day for soccer.

Reminders:

1. Safety – Coaches and parents are ultimately responsible for checking the field their players will be on for hazards.  The league will notify as best we are able (remember – board members are volunteers too.) about field conditions. If you see a hazard on your field – standing water, a hole, a loose goal, etc., do not use that area of the field. Do send the league an e-mail if there is an issue we can help address.

2. Dirt Pile – there is an amazingly inviting pile of dirt outside our Charles Town fields in the cemetery maintenance area. We must stay off this pile – it’s dangerous and it’s just not part of our fields.

3. Dates to Know:
Pictures: Starting this week.  Please contact Trophies-R-Us directly with questions: www.trophies-r-us.com or (304) 261-4063.
Registration for Next Season: May 19th and 31st at Harpers Ferry Family Medicine. The first half hour will be for returning volunteers only.
Player Evaluations-Trophy Exchange: You’ll hear more soon, but the exchange will be at registration.
Pancake Dinner – Buy your tickets at the field this week! Spread the word.
Antietam Cup Registration Deadline – May 22.  Remember your application must be signed by our RC, Vicki Eckert.  Please let me know if you working on creating a team.  I let the tournament know what to expect from our region.

Play on – Play safe!

Lynn Kubik
Regional Coach Administrator
JCYSL – AYSO Region 322

Some reminders:

Silent Saturday will not be held this year. HOWEVER, always work to limit the coaching you do on Saturday. If players are looking at you and not the ball – you’re saying too much! (It’s also ok to remind Mom’s and Dad’s of the same…) Also – give any referee you see at the fields a HUGE thank-you.

Volunteer Appreciation – Sunday, May 1, 4:00 – 7:00 pm. Please bring your family and join us for a free event:
Early evening of roller-skating and the Jungle Gym will also be available.
Galaxy Skateland in Martinsburg, WV http://www.galaxyskateland.net/index.html
Contact Kim Fortney with any questions.

Pancake Dinner – NEW DATE: June 4, 4:00 – 7:00pm,
Ticket sales at the field this weekend. All funds raised go towards new fields.
WOULDN’T PANCAKES FOR DINNER MAKE A GREAT END OF YEAR PARTY?????? (Just a thought!!)

Lynn Kubik
Regional Coach Administrator
JCYSL – AYSO Region 322
everyoneplays@comcast.net

Congratulations on surviving a very chilly wet day at the field! And please remember that the score is not really the best judge of success.

Fundraising – Thanks for visiting Chik-Fil-A or dropping a dollar in our bucket. Please help us inform parents about why we are fundraising – NEW FIELDS! Look for info on continuing events.

Other Reminders:

Soccer is a thinking game! – do not direct players during the game. If a player looks at you before making a move, you are coaching too much.

Sign up for Notifications – I’ve heard it didn’t work for a few folks – please be patient and sign up again at www.jcysl.org or check with the webmaster.

Equipment – If you are first game, put up corner flags (and U6 goals). If you are the last, please put them away. Everyone – CHECK ANCHORING OF GOALS.

On a personal note – if you took home a green mesh bag with size 3 balls and cones, please let me know. It’s for the U5 program.

Lynn Kubik
Regional Coach Administrator
JCYSL – AYSO Region 322
everyoneplays@comcast.net

HERE WE GO!!!!!!  Good luck!  Please contact your Division Director or me with any issues.

1. Check your goals!!! It’s been pretty wet so stakes may slip out.  A hammer in your car can be your friend.

2. Chik-fil-A day - Fundraising for NEW FIELDS – 8am -2pm 4/2.  We will get a portion of all purchases from folks mentioning JCYSL/AYSO.  Make some noise about it!

3. Latest practice schedule – will be posted to www.jcysl.org .  Please e-mail me directly with any changes – include your name, division and field location with your request.

Thanks for being a volunteer.  You are truly appreciated!

Lynn Kubik
Regional Coach Administrator
JCYSL – AYSO Region 322
everyoneplays@comcast.net

Updated Practice Schedules are attached. Please check that your times and location are correct. E-mail me with any changes/corrections.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Thanks to all who attended the coach meeting.

Calendar
• Field Day – March 19 – Start at 8AM
• U6/U8 Training – March 26 9:30 – 12:30 – Harpers Ferry Middle School Trailers
• Practice Starts (ASSUMING FIELDS ARE READY!) March 21
• Referee Meeting – Tuesday March 29
• First Games – April 2
• Chick-Fil-A Spirit Day April 2, 8am – 2pm (tell cashier you are with JCYSL – AYSO) Money goes to NEW FIELDS!!
• No Games – April 23 (Easter)
• Silent Saturday – April 30
• Pancake Dinner – April 30
• Volunteer Appreciation – May 1 from 4-7pm at Galaxy Skateland
• Registration – May 19 and 31 6:30 – 7:00 for returning volunteers. 7-9 for everyone else – Harpers Ferry Family Medicine
• Evaluation/Trophy Exchange – During Registration
• No Games – May 28 (Memorial Day Weekend)
• Last Game June 4
• Antietam Cup – June 11-12, Hagerstown, MD
• Soccer Camp – June 13 – 17

Lynn Kubik
Regional Coach Administrator
JCYSL – AYSO Region 322
everyoneplays@comcast.net

Coaches – please tell me spring really is coming! I am SO looking forward to those wonderful spring days on the soccer field.  Some items for your attention:

1. Spring Rosters – please confirm all of your players for spring.  Some fall only players decide to play spring at the last minute – we need to know now or they may not have a spot on the team.  Your Division Director also needs to know if you have any uniforms.  We need this information by 2/26.  Thanks!

2. Spring Coach Meeting – March 15, 7pm Harpers Ferry Middle School Auditorium.  Get the freshest information, check your practice times, and commune with your fellow coaches!

3. New Fields – we will be doing fundraising this spring to support the move to new fields.  Hear more at the Coach Meeting! The first fundraiser will be Spirit Day at Chick-fil-A on 4/2 from 8 – 2pm.  We will receive a portion of all purchases during that time.  (Can’t you feel a nice breakfast bisquit on the way to the fields?)

Lynn Kubik
Regional Coach Administrator
JCYSL – AYSO Region 322
everyoneplays@comcast.net

Hello Coaches!

I do hope your holidays were wonderful and that you are enjoying the winter. Spring season will sneak up on us with surprising speed.  And frankly, I’m ok with the weather warming up!

Please let your Division Director (DD) know:

1. Is anyone on your fall roster not returning?
2. Are any of your fall only players interested in returning in the spring? (If they are, they need to contact our registrar asap – go to contact us at www.jcysl.org)
3. Confirm your uniform count – let your DD know if you have any extras.

We will be placing uniform orders for spring players on 2/14, so please attend to this quickly.

Training! If you are up on your coach training, consider the referee course!

Basic Referee (including youth referees age 10 or older) – February 26 8am – 5:30 – See for more info.

Intermediate Coach – March 11 – 6- 10pm and March 11 8am – 5pm.  Details to follow – let Lynn know if interested.

U8 and U12 Coach – March 26.  Details to follow – let Lynn know if interested.

Lynn Kubik
everyoneplays@comcast.net