What to Expect

Many parents have a lot of questions when they first enroll their child in an athletic program, we hope to answer those questions about Concord Carlisle Youth Soccer here.  This information is to generally answers questions.  For more specific information about each of our programs, please go to the Programs Overview section of our website.

What will the soccer program be like for my child?

It is our hope to provide your child a fun-filled, welcoming, and respectful environment in which to learn the game of soccer and develp an understanding of good sportsmanlike behavior.  In the younger divisions, we work on developing ball skills through ball handling exercises and scrimmages.  In the older grades they learn strategy after having started to master their ball skills.  There will generally be one game per week and with at least one practice each week (excluding Pre-K) each week.

What will practice be like?

Your coach will come to the field with a plan in mind.  She will work by warming the players up and then will have several drills (games) they children play with their balls to develop soccer skills.  They will have water breaks.  And, at the end of the practice session, they will scrimmage to apply what they have learned.  It is our hope, that no child stands in line, always has a ball at their feet and will build their ball handling skills significantly by the end of each season.  Parents are asked to be present during practices and make sure their players come ready for action with shin guards on, long hair pulled away from the face and water bottle in hand.

What will a game be like?

Soccer is supposed to be a game in which the coach is quiet during the game. The coach will give direction to a player naming the position on the field and calling for subs during the game.  For all age groups, we endorse coaches calling directions to players occasionally. We do not endorse constant directing or haranguing of players on the field. Players need to learn to make their own decisions on the field. If a coach needs to correct a mistake, we expect the coach to take the player out of the game and speak to the player about the issue.

Note: Fall Kindergarten (typically the first season) is the only important exception to this. Until the children understand the basic idea of the game, coach participation and encouragement on the field can accelerate their learning.... like playing in the back yard.

Balanced Teams and lopsided scores: 

We do our best to make balanced teams. Sometimes we get different results. We ask coaches to make adjustments during games to ensure that the final score is no more than a three-goal differential. Sometimes, that result is not achieved. If you have concerns about coach decisions, please email in confidence to Laura France 978-369-8598 with specifics.

Referees are our children, too. They are learning. They need encouragement and support. Please give it to them in the same way you would encourage your own team members and children.  If you experience challenges with a referees, please contact the Referee Assignor, Pam Rockwell.