FAQ
These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are provided as a resource to our members to help them resolve issues prior to and during the season. The CSA rules and laws of the games take precedence over the FAQs if a discrepancy arises.
|  Sorry, but CSA employs a random assignment of players to teams. Special requests are not honored. There is no guarantee of placement of a child on a team except for the coach and one assistant coach's kids. (hint, hint: If you want to have your child and another play on the same team, SIGN UP TO COACH!! We do offer training) | |
| | We are based on USYSA year which runs from August 1st to July 31st. See our rules for age group breakdowns as they may change from year to year. | |
| | Yes, we have people from St. Mary's, Charles, and Anne Arundel that participate in our program. | |
| | Yes but you need to know that you've made a commitment to your coach and the team. It is unfair to everyone if you child continually misses practices and/or games. That should be a consideration in your decision. | |
| | Yes. CSA is not associated with the Fall recreational soccer program. That program is run by Calvert County Parks and Recreation. Provide this to the coach at the first practice. | |
| | Typically mid-March. See CSA calendar for dates. You will be contacted
by the coach after the roster meeting held in mid March. Tykes begin
mid-April. Tykes will be contacted by the Tyke instructor. | |
| | Games are typically on Saturday and run from 8 AM until we get them all in (usually by late afternoon). There are usually two or three Sunday afternoon games. Please note that Senior teams will play a majority of their games on Sunday afternoons. The regular season has 8-10 games depending on the number of teams and availability of fields. An end of season tournament is held in which every team is guaranteed two games but may play as many of five games to win the Calvert Cup! The season typically begins the first weekend in April. Regular season typically ends before Memorial day. No games are played on Easter or Memorial weekends. The tournament typically begins after memorial day with some games during the week, finishing up with champions on the weekend before school is closed for the summer. Games run about an hour. We strive to hold all of our games at the centrally located Hallowing Point Park (see Tykes link for info as their sessions may be held at other locations). This centrally located complex allows families with multiple children to participate in each child's game without having to drive from one facility to another. See CSA calendar for dates. | |
| | Teams can only meet 3 times a week which is typically two practices and
a game on Saturday. (Exception is the Seniors division which can
only practice once per week). Practice times are selected by the Coach.
We will not switch children to other teams due to practice date issues.
When you sign up to play soccer, it is a commitment to get the child
there. Your children may be active in other activities, like dance or
baseball, but it is unfair to your child, the other children on the
team, and the volunteer coach if you consistently cannot make practices
or will consistently miss one practice each week. If the practice
date/time is going to be an issue that you are not willing to try to
accommodate, then we recommend you DO NOT sign your child up to play
soccer. If you want to control the practice dates, then sign up to
coach. | |
| | When you sign up, you select a practice location (North, Central, South). The North (From Dunkirk to Huntingtown) typically practices at Twin Shields, Dunkirk Park, Windy Hill, Plum Point; Central (From Huntingtown to Broomes Island) at Hallowing Point Park, Calvert Middle School, or Plum Point Elementary; South (From Broomes Island to Solomons) at Appeal Elementary, Dowell Elementary, Solomon's Town Center, BGE field. The practice fields can change year to year as Calvert County Parks and Rec controls the fields. If you coach, you can choose your practice location. Otherwise, your assigned coach sets the practice location and times. There are no refunds or changing of teams because of practice location issues. | |
| | Yes, we place siblings on the same team unless you state otherwise. Indicate the siblings on your registration form | |
| | We originally only sponsored coed divisions but a need arose for a
girls only division. This was well received and swelled our ranks with
many children. Most girls play in the girls only division. There does
not seem to be a need to make a boys only division. | |
| | You need a ball (see our laws for the size; Note that a ball is
provided for the U6 instructional group) and shin guards. Shin guards
are required at all practices and games. If they fail to have them,
they cannot participate. Shin guards for games are worn under the
socks. Cleats are recommended but not required. Good turf shoes will
suffice. Any shoe that is dangerous to the player and others is not
allowed (i.e. metal baseball spikes, steel toed army boots, ...). CSA
provides each player with a complete uniform (jersey, shorts, &
socks). | |
| | CSA sponsors travel teams that offer a higher level of
competition and travel around MD and VA. You can check them out on our
web page. Or we do allow you child to 'play up' one year if you feel
they are talented enough and their birthdate is within 3 months of the
next age group cutoff date. CSA highly recommends that you only play up when it
is in the best interest of the child and not for the convenience of the
parent. | |
| | No, our program is recreational. The focus is the development of your
children. From small sided games to 'must play' rules to providing
licensing programs for our coaches, our interest is in your child. We
have many kids at all ages that come to CSA for the first time to play
soccer. | |
| | Absolutely not OK! Players are only assigned to teams by CSA's team
selection (not by coaches or anyone else). As the coaches inform us of
players that have dropped off their roster, we will backfill from the
waitlist. Additionally, only registered and assigned players are
covered by CSA's insurance. If not selected, your fee will be refunded
shortly after the beginning of games (see CSA calendar for game
schedule). | |
| | Absolutely not OK! Players are only assigned to teams by CSA's team
selection (not by coaches or anyone else). As the coaches inform us of
players that have dropped off their roster, we will backfill from the
waitlist. If not selected, your fee will be refunded shortly after the
beginning of games (see CSA calendar for game schedule). | |
| | We are on a first come, first serve basis. As long as your age group
and practice area shows open, you can register. If the age group shows
closed, we are no longer accepting registrations for that age group and
practice area. Please consider registering for a different practice
area or if you are a girl, try both coed and girls divisions. If the
age group shows waitlist, you must register and pay online. This is the
only method used to place your child on the waitlist. The availability
information is updated often and while it may appear that when you
registered, a slot was open, that slot may have been filled by a
registration that came in before yours. If this happens and your child
is not placed on a team, you full monies will be refunded. | |
| | We maintain the waitlist until the week of the first game. We have
found that occasionally a few children drop from the program sometimes
during the first two weeks of practice and we want to give all
waitlisted children a chance. If selected, a coach will contact you. If
not selected, your full fee will be refunded shortly after the
beginning of games (see CSA calendar for game schedule). | |
| | Age 3 to 19 based on the USYSA year. For more
detailed info see the rules. Also 19 year olds must still be in high school. | |
| | Sorry but no. Over 100 coaches have voted to not allow any child to
play down (possible exception children playing down into Tykes
instructional division, but prior approval is required) | |
| | The Tykes instructional program is for 3 year olds. It is an instructional program that meets once/week. See website on Tykes for more information about the program. | |
| | See our rules on the website for current age groups. | |
| | Here again, teams are randomly assigned and there are no guarantees.
You cannot ask to be placed on a certain coach's team (unless you are
the assistant coach). We do understand that there are sometimes issues
that need resolution and we will work with you. If this occurs, please
contact us and we will try to resolve. Or you can coach or assistant
coach and head off the problem in advance. | |
| | You will be notified by the coach. See CSA calendar for dates that
teams are selected. You will typically hear from the coach within one
week. If you don't, contact us | |
| | At the registration deadline, we set the number of teams. If we have
more teams than coaches, which happens, some teams are going to be
created without a coach. Teams are randomly formed. Your registration
submission date does not factor in to which team you are assigned to.
Players on those coachless teams are contacted with an emphasis that
one of the parents lead the team. If no one volunteers, the team is
disbanded, your monies will be refunded, and your child will not play
soccer that season. We are an all volunteer organization and must
enlist parents to lead a team. To avoid getting that dreaded email
about being on a coachless team, you can volunteer to coach ahead of
time (or team up with someone as their assistant coach). | |
| | Once a child is placed on a team, NO players or parents or coaches can
negotiate any trades or move players. Players are assigned to teams on
a weighted random distribution to try to level out the talent. While
there may be cases where the need is genuine, abuses in the past have
taken place with teams becoming 'stacked'. Over 100 coaches have voted
to not allow this activity to happen. If CSA made a mistake during team
assignments, please contact your age group commissioner and we will
rectify those situation. If you accidentally registered your child in
the wrong practice location, please contact your age group commissioner
and we will review those situations. In most cases, the move will not
be permitted. If your child has other activities that you want to
schedule around, then you need to volunteer to coach or assist with
someone that has the same desired practice times (Children of the coach
and assistant coach are placed on the same team and not entered into
the random draft). Coaches pick the practice times. Any coach or parent
that is involved in an unsanctioned swap will be subject to
disciplinary action that will include the loss of the ability to attend
games and may also include the loss of the player's abiltiy to continue
to play for CSA. | |
| | If you cancel your registration before the registration deadline, you
will receive a refund less the processing fee. If you drop after the
deadline, there is no refund of the registration fee. All select teams
are aware that they need to make their selections prior to the
registration deadline in order for the player to not lose their monies. | |
| | If you are unable to complete the payment portion of the registration
process, your child is NOT registered. In order to protect your credit,
our service will decline if it determines a discrepancy (ie the name or
address on the card does not match the data you entered). We do not
receive the details of why it was declined. Please contact your banking
institution to ascertain the reason for the decline. If you have
trouble submitting the payment, this is most likely due to your
browser. Install the latest version of the browser to ensure compatibility with the payment service. | |
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Yes, Everyone must have a background check by the National Background corporation. No other background check will be accepted. There is no cost for this background check.
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| | Your coach will contact you after the roster meeting held mid-March. If
your child is playing Tykes instructional, then you will hear from the Tykes coordinator in April. | |
| | Sign up to coach or volunteer through your age group commissioners to help staff registration, handle fundraisers, ... | |
| | Treat the child immediately and have the coach turn in an injury report immediately. See website for details. | |
| | On our website, under forms for the spring season you will find the
Emergency Care permission form that you will give to the coach. | |
| | Your registration fee typically does not fully cover the costs associated
with the program (uniforms, referees, field supplies, ...). We receive
no government subsidies. We are also trying to raise funds to put in a
soccer complex in Calvert. Our county, as compared to the neighboring
county, considers spring soccer to not be a primary sport and our
fields suffer from that aspect. Please support the fundraisers so we
can improve the quality of the program. | |
| | We are not associated with county government CCPR. We are a separate
non-profit volunteer organization that has been around since 1984. Our
program is focused solely on soccer and making the program great for
your child. | |
| | Contact the Rec Registrar as we do offer scholarships based on financial need. We do not want any child not to have an opportunity to play due to cost issues. The arrangement is private and confidential. | |
| | The Calvert County Library system offers free internet access on their
computers or request access via a neighbor or friend that has a
compatible machine. | |
| | Be supportive of him/her. They are all certified and required to take a
16 hour course and pass an exam. They get re-certified each year. The
referees control the game. Many calls are judgmental and the ref is not
required to call every foul that occurs. The spirit of the laws is to
allow the game to flow. If the player is about to score, the referee
may not take away an advantage. The more experienced referees will make
many 'delayed' calls so they can see how a play is going to turn out.
Many coaches and spectators don't understand why the call is delayed
and begin to yell. Abuse of the referee is not tolerated before,
during, or after a game. We do want to hear back about referees if you
have an issue (good or bad). Contact the referee assignor. We also have
game protest procedures that can be followed. See the rules for
details. Or you can become a certified referee and improve the game
yourself! We do offer initial referee training classes. | |
| | There is a mandatory minimum playtime for every child. See our rules.
If this is not being met or you have an issue, contact your age group
commissioner. | |
| | Contact your age group commissioner. See website organization for contact information. | |
| We no longer offer in person registration. Our online service uses a secure internet connection. Mail-ins are NOT accepted nor hand delivery. You must use the online service. If you don't have a credit card, make arrangements with a friend or neighbor to use their card.
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| | You will be able to fix a lot of information yourself via a link on the player registration page. For information that is not editable, please send an email to rec.registrar@calvertsoccer.org. | |
| | No, uniforms are purchased based on registration information that you
provided. We do not buy extras. You will have to purchase another
uniform (or portion thereof). You need to provide payment and notify
your coach immediately so the order can be placed. We take change
orders only for a limited amount of time. | |
| | We are not part of Parks and Rec. Your registration fee includes a full soccer uniform (jersey, shorts, socks). | |
| | Games are rarely canceled due to weather. Soccer is played in the rain. Only the referee can terminate a game if conditions become unsafe (i.e. lightning). Any changes to game schedules will will announced through a cell phone text system and/or posted on the website. | |
| | Yes, however, neither the parents nor the coaches involved may
determine to which of the two teams the children get assigned. Contact
the registrar to make this decision. The children will normally be
assigned to the team with the fewest players. If the parents indicated
in their registration that the children should be assigned to the same
team, CSA will reorder and pay for a new uniform. If the parents did
not request during registration that the children be assigned to one
team, the parents need to pay for a new uniform. | |
| | Yes. If you are selected as the coach or assistant coach, your children for that team are placed on the team you will lead. | |
| | At the first meeting, you will be able to order and pay for additional coach shirts. | |
| | First and foremost, the assistant must register and indicate you as the coach. Then you must email the appropriate registrar with the details. Please note that after team selection, assignment of assistant will not occur. | |
| | Yes. This ensures that we have your contact information. | |
| | Check the calendar for dates and locations | |
| | If you can't find the answer from the information posted on the
website, then contact your age group commissioner. The commissioner
info is available from the menu item About\Organization. | |
| | BOTH the coach and assistant MUST register and reference each other.
Please ensure that you identify your child that will be assigned to
your team. We must have both parties registered in order to ensure that
we can perform the team assignments. | |
| | No equipment is required to coach. Every player should bring their own
ball. Cones are handy to help mark areas but you can use anything to
delineate an area (water bottles, bags, ...). Whistles are not
recommended and are more of a distraction. Your team will need a good
quality 'game ball' to use during the season. | |
| Coaching assignments are done on a variety of factors.
- Years Experience with CSA
- Years Experience overall
- Number of teams requested
- Coaching Licenses Held
- Volunteer Activities for CSA
- Past Experience of players and parents
- Commissioners and/or Board Experience with the Candidate
- Referee’s Experience with the Candidate
... all go into the equation. | |
| | Sorry but no games will be rescheduled on that basis. While we try to
make accommodations for many events (holidays), our season is
relatively short. Players are involved in so many other activities
(band and chorus, boy and girl scouts, religious and community events,
clubs, after school events, other sports, ...). It is unfair to assess
which of these are more important and shall take precedence. You are
allowed to play down with less players and the other team can play you
'even' in the spirit of the game. See the laws for more details. Even
if the opposing coach is accommodating, the logistics involved with
scheduling, field times and referees are not. While each circumstance
may be well intentioned, accommodating any sets a precedence that will
yield unbounded requests for schedule changes. Additionally, abuses in
the past by overzealous coaches have taken advantage of opposing teams
by claiming conflicts that really didn't exist or put the opposing team
at a disadvantage. At times, players and parents are going to have to
make an independent choice, keeping in mind that CSA spring soccer is a
recreational activity. This policy is the result of a decision of all
coaches during a general membership meeting. | |
| | Yes, the coach needs to download a copy of the incident report from the
web site, fill it out and submit it to the CSA secretary. The form is
available by accessing www.calvertsoccer.org, going to “coaches” and
then to “forms.” It is a good idea to encourage coaches to print off
some of these forms at the beginning of the season and have them with
them at games and practices. At the actual time of an injury, it is the
parents’ decision whether to call 911. If the parent is not present,
the decision to call 911 rests with the coach. If possible, try to find
a parent at the field who is a doctor or a nurse to help assess the
situation. If the child is unconscious for any amount of time or has
trouble breathing or you suspect a fracture, seek medical care
immediately. | |
| | If a forfeit occurs, the game is ruled as a non-game and no score or
points are awarded to either team. CSA will investigate the reason for
the forfeit and apply sanctions as needed.
A forfeit is not an acceptable outcome. | |
| | Probably not. If the sizes match what the parent ordered, the parent
must reorder and PAY for a new uniform. This needs to happen quickly as
CSA only conducts one reordering at the beginning of the season. The
coach of the team should investigate whether a uniform trade among
teammates will solve the problem; however, no one should be forced to
give up the uniform size they ordered. If CSA or the supplier made the
sizing error, CSA will arrange to order a new uniform. | |
| Refer to the web site for “Laws Of The Game”. You are encouraged to recognize that CSA cannot question judgment calls made by the referees. This is a recreational league and
the outcome of games should not be that important. If coaches are
unhappy with the performance of the referee, they should contact the
head of officials with specific concerns.
After you evaluate your stance, you can refer to the rules for the procedure on filing a protest.
Note: No protests are honored during the tournament.
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| | Contact your division commissioner to help the coach and parent resolve
their differences. The commissioner will provide a neutral and
impartial arbitrator. If necessary, the commissioner will interview
other parents on the team to get a balanced view of the issue. If the
conflict persists, seek higher-level assistance from the executive
commissioner and the board. | |
| | Contact your division commissioner. They will review the information
with the registrar to resolve this and inform the executive
commissioner. The registrar will check the initial registration, make
the determination of which new team to assign the child and will order
a new uniform, if necessary. If CSA made the error, there is no charge
to the parents. If the registration was in error, the parents will need
to purchase a new uniform. | |
| | Contact the division commissioner who will contact the registrar and
inform the executive commissioner. The registrar will check the initial
registration. If CSA made the error, CSA will make the determination of
which new team to assign the child and will order a new uniform, if
necessary. If the registration was a parent error, in most cases no
move will be permitted. If a move is allowed, the parents will need to
purchase a new uniform. | |
| We understand your predicament. We are an all volunteer organization of
parents. A handful of these parents volunteer to do more than coach and
make the club a reality by managing the registration, scheduling,
fields, … .
There are always scheduling conflicts. This is a recreational soccer
league and there are times when events in family’s lives are more
important than a game. Trying to accommodate all or any personal
scheduling requests is ineffective.
We are always looking for help and if you feel that you can improve
upon the scheduling for 1500+ players, 140+ teams, 600+ games, 80+
referee assignments and make adjustments for every player, parent and
coach that has a game conflict, we are interested.
We’re sorry that you’ve ended up with this conflict, but do appreciate
that you have taken the initiative to volunteer to lead a team. | |
| | No coaches are permitted to ‘reschedule’ their own games. All schedule
changes must come from CSA. We understand that conflicts with personal
schedules may occur. Just remember that this is a recreational league.
It takes a large effort to schedule 600+ games and we cannot revisit
everyone’s desires for schedule changes. Any coach involved in an
unofficial rescheduling a game will be sanctioned, the game forfeited
and the game will not be replayed. | |
| |
Regardless of weather conditions, coaches and their teams must
report to the field of play as scheduled, ready to play, unless
otherwise notified by CSA via the website / mass phone call or a member
of Calvert County Parks and Recreation at the facility closes the
soccer fields (NOTE: Baseball can be canceled and soccer can continue
to be played). Failure to appear will result in forfeiture of the
match. Only the assigned referee or the Tournament Committee can cancel
or delay a match.
NOTE: If the fields close in the morning, afternoon games may still be played. Consult the website for details.
If a game is suspended by the referee due to inclement weather, it
may be suspended up to ONE hour. Teams should NOT leave the facility
and should be ready to play anytime during that hour delay.
If a inclement weather occurs during the tournament, the delay can be up to 4 hours.
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Suspending and restarting games based on the presence of lightning
Lightning Safety Policy excerpted from National Collegiate Athletic Association http://www.ncaa.org/library/rules/2005/2005_soccer_rules.pdf:
The current recommendation of the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) is to consider terminating play when the lightning is six miles away (flash-to-bang time of 30 seconds or less). This recommendation was developed as a practical way to make a judgment in situations where other resources such as technology and instrumentation are not available.
As a minimum, CSA strongly recommends that by the time the flash-to-bang count is 30 seconds all individuals should have left the game site and reached a safe structure or location.
In addition, a smaller, but still real, risk exists with the presence of lightning at greater distances. Unfortunately, current science cannot predict where within the radius the next strike will occur.
The existence of blue sky and the absence of rain are not protection from lightning. Lightning can, and does, strike as far as 10 miles away from the rain shaft. It does not have to be raining for lightning to strike.
The flash-to-bang method is the easiest and most convenient way to estimate how far away lightning is occurring. Thunder always accompanies lightning, even though its audible range can be diminished because of background noise in the immediate environment and its distance to the observer. To use the flash-to-bang method, count the seconds from the time the lightning is sighted to when the clap of thunder is heard. Divide this number by five to obtain how many miles away the lightning is occurring.
When considering resumption of a game, everyone ideally should wait at least 20-30 minutes after the last flash of lightning
or sound of thunder before returning to the field of activity.
No lightning safety policy guidelines will provide 100% guaranteed safety; however, following this guideline will help avoid most casualties or injuries.
Why you should never stand under a tree during a storm!
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| | As this is a recreational league and we have a very tight schedule to
get in all of the games, a referee "no show" will NOT be a reason to
cancel the game. The teams shall try to find another referee at the
park. If no replacement referee is found within 15 minutes after the
game start time, the opposing coaches will mutually agree to an
emergency referee(s) who will officiate the
entire game, the
game shall be played and the results of the game shall be official.
Unless there are extraordinary circumstances, games will NOT be
rescheduled or replayed due to a "referee no show". A game not played
due to a "referee no show" will be recorded as a forfeit to both teams. | |
| | If you feel intimidated or abused by any player or coach or spectator,
even if you did not issue any cards, please notify the head of
officials about the incident. People occasionally become irrational and
overzealous. We need to be aware of these incidents and address the
behavior. Your input is required and will be handled sensitively. | |
| | A written game report must be sent to the head of officials if you
eject any player, coach, or spectator or if you are informed by either
coach that they are filing a protest. | |
| As the referee for the game, you must maintain the official score.
Presently scores are being reported by the coaches to the age group
commissioner. In case of any discrepancy, you will be required to
provide the official score for the game.
NOTE: In the case of a game that has a score differential of 7
or more (ie 9-2), you must report that game to the head of officials
within 24 hours.. | |
| | There are two sign-ups. You must register, once certified, with CSA to
referee with us. You also must sign-up for the initial referee class,
on the USSF website. | |
| | The referee classes are established by the Maryland USSF organization.
There is no guarantee that a class will be held in Calvert County next
fall. Check online at http://www.marylandsoccer/referees | |
| | New referees will be added based on first come, first served basis.
However, there will be two lists. High school age/adult and youth
(12-14). | |
| Sorry but we can't guarantee. We try to keep our experienced referees, to keep the quality as
high as possible by assigning the most experienced referees a
reasonable number of games per season. That said, many games are turned back in during the season by referees that are unable to officiate that day.
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| | It varies. $50 to $120. You should check prices online. | |
| | The class costs $25 and the license costs $25. | |
| | The pay is different for each age group and postion (AR or Center). Pay ranges from $8 to >$25 per game. | |
| | 800-900 | |
| | CSA will need about 60 referees each season. | |
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For additional information on the Epic Sports Affiliate Program, please follow this link.
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Children's Aid, Inc. |
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Bayside Chevy
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Entertainment Avenue
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British Soccer Camps |
Exceed Soccer |
Wilson Ennis Clubhouse |
DC United
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MSYSA |
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