To:  Coaches and Parents in the Fargo Soccer Club

The purpose of this communication is to suggest some skill development for your team's practice plans.  This is only the first such communication during the season.  You can and should repeat some or all of these skills during each practice this season.  In both cases, "toe taps" and "foundations", there are several ways to increase the degree of difficulty and fun of each skill.  The ideas can be practiced at home.

Skill #1:  Toe Taps

A toe tap starts with the ball directly in front of the player, no further away than about a foot or two.  During a basic toe tap, the ball should not side to side, forward or backward and certainly not up in the air.  The player should start with a foot on top of the ball.  The second phase of the activity is to switch feet.  Continue alternating feet.  As the player becomes more familiar and adept at the activity, encourage them to speed up.  To make it more interesting, have them try it with their eyes closed.  Here are some videos to illustrate:

Basics

With Speed

Dancing around the ball

Other variations

Brazilian toe taps

Brazilian toe taps with passing

Skill #2:  Foundations

Foundations begin with a ball between the players legs, up against the inside of one foot.  The player passes the ball to the inside of his other foot.  The player continues to pass the ball between his feet, speeding up the passes.  The ball should not travel forward or backward.  Here are some videos to illustrate:

Basics

Youth demonstration

Moving forward with doing foundations

Skill #3:  The F2 Freestylers

These 2 brilliantly talented men make soccer seem like an endless series of challenges and extraordinary fun.  One only needs to see this to believe it. 

The F2Freestylers  YouTube Channel

Some fun in the Gym

 

Treat Schedules

Each team can consider creating a treat schedule.  Kids love a little treat after a game.  Make sure to let your team knows if your child has an allergy to certain treats.  Treat schedules are optional.

Uniforms

Players without an official uniform (April 17 only), should wear a green or white "top" (jersey, shirt, t-shirt, sweatshirt, jacket).  The HOME team wears a green top.  The AWAY team wears a white top.  If a game is listed as, for example, "Vikings @ Packers", then the Vikings wear white and the Packers wear green.  If the game is listed as, for example, "Bison vs. Gophers", then the Bison wear green and the Gophers wear white.

Equipment

For each practice and game, have your player wear shin guards, bring a water bottle and their soccer ball.  Uniforms are recommended at all times.

Weather Cancelation Policy

In the event of bad weather, the club will cancel events (games, practices).  In some cases, that decision is made by the Fargo Park District, then communicated by the club.  The communication of the decision to cancel will first be posted on the club website and then to each team affected by the decision.  Regardless of any decision by the Park District or the club, parents always have the option to skip a practice or game based on weather.  The club will use both email and text messaging to communicate cancelations.  Parents MUST have email and text communicatons turned on in their child's profile in order to be informed via email or text.  In addition to email and text, the affected practice or game will be shown as canceled on the club/team website.

Generally, the club will cancel events if the temperature is too cold, heavy rain, snow or high winds.  Some decisions will be based on the age of the players on teams.

If a coach needs to cancel a practice, that decision needs to be communicated to the club so that notice can be sent to the team.  A coach can also communicate this decision to the team.

Coaches Needed

We are still in great need of head coaches for many of our teams.  Please contact Matt Noah at either 701-866-1949 or fargo.soccer.club@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer or if you have questions.  Those parents who serve as a head coach for a team for the entire season will earn a free season of Fall or Spring soccer for one of their children.

Referees

Recreational soccer in the Fargo Soccer Club is refereed by a coach for each team.

2021 Spring Recreational Coaching Handbook

The club has published a 28 page handbook useful for our coaches and players' parents.  It outlines rules, policies and guidelines for the season.  Download the Coach Handbook.

2021 Spring Recreational Soccer Guidelines

Playing Formations

Teams playing on the smaller fields 1-6 are pre-k and kindergarten:

         Teams should play 3v3 with no goalkeepers unless at least one team has 7 or 8 players, then play 4v4 with no goalkeepers.

         Remember, if the teams are unbalanced coaches can opt to lend/borrow players with the other team to create balance.

         We play with no goalkeepers so that kids can experience the joy of scoring and so that everyone is running; not standing by the goal.

         Out-of-bounds:  Don't restart play for pre-k unless the ball is 5-10 feet of out bounds.  Otherwise, the game will slow down a lot.

                                 For kindergartners, keep the  boundaries to about 5 feet.

         Restarts:          When the ball crosses a sideline, the team who did not cause the restart throws the ball in to play, 2 hands over the head, both feet on the ground.

                                When the ball crosses an end line, there is either a goal kick or a corner kick.

                                      Corner Kick:  Defensive team caused the restart so the Offensive team places the ball in the closest corner and kicks the ball in to play.

                                      Goal Kick:  Offensive team caused the restart to the Defensive team places the ball 3 feet in front of their goal and kicks the ball in to play.

                                 Restarting the play from a foul or a handball, the ball is placed at the location of the foul/handball and the other team has an indirect free kick.

 Teams playing on the larger fields 10-14 are:  

         Teams should play 6v6 with 5 field players and 1 goalkeeper unless one team has 13 or more plays, then play 7v7 or 8v8 with goalkeepers.  If teams have only 6 or fewer players, improvise.

         Out-of-bounds:  Restart whenever the ball crosses the line.

         Restarts:           Same as above.

Games and Practice Locations:  Check your location (field number) BEFORE you head to the field.  Look at the field maps on the club website for reference.

Parking:  Be careful in the Kennedy parking lot at all times.  There are alot of excited, short people with questionable judgment running around.  Your parking problem pales in comparison to striking a child.

Remember - HAVE FUN!  These are the 'good old days.'

 

HOW TO ACCESS YOUR PERSONAL ACCOUNT

Please keep this email for as long as you are with the Fargo Soccer Club.  It provides critical information on how to access your personal account.
 
1.  Visit www.fargosoccer.org.  
2.  Along the left-hand column vertical tabs, click on "Edit My Account".
3.  Enter your email address and personal password you used when you registered initially.
4.  You can then edit your personal information, change passwords, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, etc. 
5.  You can make payments, check on fees, etc.
6.  There is more you can do.  Feel free to explore.

 

Uniform/Equipment Distribution:  If you ordered a U9 or recreational soccer uniform (jersey, socks, shorts), car decal or ball, it will be distributed on the dates shown above and no other dates.  If you did not pre-order, you can just show up and purchase any of the above items while we have extra.  If you cannot make it, please have someone come and get your items.

Soccer Balls:  Soccer balls are available at the same time.

Where: Noah home, 4910 Meadow Creek Drive South, Fargo, (701)-866-1949 (cell)

Directions:  From 52nd Avenue South and 25th Street, proceed north on 25th Street about 0.25 miles to Meadow Creek Drive. Turn west (left) on to Meadow Creek Drive and veer left until you reach 4910.

Sizing:  To get the correct size, we recommend you bring your child with you. We have youth small, medium and large uniforms as well as adult small uniforms.

Lettering:  You can get your reversible jersey lettered on both sides for a nominal charge at Scheel's on 45th Street. Lettering is optional. We recommend your child's first name on the jersey.  It helps the coaches, teammates and other parents get to know the players.

 

Email, Text

Important Club and Team Information is communicated officialy through one or two ways:  email and text.

It is vitally important that if you want to receive email or text you should adjust your CHILD's account properly to include you and your spouse's (if applicable) email addresses and one cell phone.

To check, click on Edit My Account, login and review your child(ren)'s account('s).  For text messages you must specify the carrier, e.g. Verizon Wireless, AT&T Wireless, T-Mobile, Sprint, etc.

 

HOW TO ACCESS YOUR TEAM WEBSITE & EMAIL TEAM

Please keep this email for as long as you are with the Fargo Soccer Club.  It provides critical information on how to access your team website.
  
1.  Visit www.fargosoccer.org.
2.  Click on Edit My Account in the left-hand column.
3.  Login using your email address and personal password.
4.  Along the upper horizontal tabs, click on "Team".
5.  Choose the proper "Season" pull-down tab menu item.  In this case, it is "Summer 2021".  This is just under the Fargo Soccer Club banner.
6.  Choose the proper "League" pull-down tab menu item.
7.  Choose the proper "Team" pull-down tab menu item.  Your team name will be emailed to you.
8.  You may have to clear your cookies to make this work.  Alternatively, you can choose a different season, league or team and then revert to selecting the proper season, league or team.
9.  Using the left-hand column menu items, you can select Roster.
10.  At this point, you should see the entire team roster, complete with contact information.  You can print your roster, email everyone on the team, etc.
11.  You can always view the team schedule and calendar without your team password.

 

The recreational season handbook for coaches and parents is available here for download.  Coaches, especially, should review the handbook for important and useful information.

Here are our rules and guidelines for Spring recreational soccer.

Playing Formations

Teams playing on the smaller fields 1-6 are:

         Teams should play 3v3 with no goalkeepers unless at least one team has 7 or 8 players, then play 4v4 with no goalkeepers.

         Remember, if the teams are unbalanced coaches can opt to lend/borrow players with the other team to create balance.

         We play with no goalkeepers so that kids can experience the joy of scoring and so that everyone is running; not standing by the goal.

         Out-of-bounds:  Don't restart play for pre-k unless the ball is 5-10 feet of out bounds.  Otherwise, the game will slow down a lot.

                                 For kindergartners, keep the  boundaries to about 5 feet.

                                 For first-grade and older, the line is the boundary.  Restart whenever the ball crosses the line.

         Restarts:          When the ball crosses a sideline, the team who did not cause the restart throws the ball in to play, 2 hands over the head, both feet on the ground.

                                When the ball crosses an end line, there is either a goal kick or a corner kick.

                                      Corner Kick:  Defensive team caused the restart so the Offensive team places the ball in the closest corner and kicks the ball in to play.

                                      Goal Kick:  Offensive team caused the restart to the Defensive team places the ball 3 feet in front of their goal and kicks the ball in to play.

                                 Restarting the play from a foul or a handball, the ball is placed at the location of the foul/handball and the other team has an indirect free kick.

 Teams playing on the larger fields 11-15 are:  

         Teams should play 6v6 with 5 field players and 1 goalkeeper unless one team has 13 or more plays, then play 7v7 with goalkeepers.  If teams have only 6 or fewer players, improvise.

         Out-of-bounds:  Restart whenever the ball crosses the line.

         Restarts:           Same as above.

Games and Practice Locations:  Check your location (field number) BEFORE you head to the field.  Look at the field maps on the club website for reference.  Kennedy fields are being re-lined so we will publish a map when the Park District finishes the re-lining.

Parking:  Be careful in the Kennedy parking lot at all times.  There are alot of excited, short people with questionable judgment running around.  Your parking problem pales in comparison to striking a child.

Equipment:  For each practice and game, have your player wear shin guards, bring a water bottle and their soccer ball.  Uniforms are recommended at all times.

Remember - HAVE FUN!  These are the 'good old days.'

 

RECREATIONAL COACHING CLINIC

Sunday, August 20, 3:00-4:00 pm, Kennedy Elementary School Fields

The club will conduct a recreational soccer coaching clinic for all recreational coaches.  The clinic will cover practical lessons and activities for coaches of all levels form pre-k through 5th grade.  The clinic will take place at Kennedy Elementary School Fields.  Coaches should come prepared to play soccer, e.g. bring a ball, wear appropriate clothing, etc.  Dan Lupear will lead the coaching clinic.  All competitive coaches are invited to participate if their schedules permit.

 

Uniform/Equipment Distribution:  If you ordered a U9 or recreational soccer uniform (jersey, socks, shorts), car decal or ball, it will be distributed on the dates shown above and no other dates.  If you did not pre-order, you can just show up and purchase any of the above items while we have extra.  If you cannot make it, please have someone come and get your items.

Soccer Balls:  Soccer balls are available at the same time.

Where: Noah home, 4910 Meadow Creek Drive South, Fargo, 701.282.9344, (701)-866-1949 (cell)

Directions:  From 52nd Avenue South and 25th Street, proceed north on 25th Street about 0.25 miles to Meadow Creek Drive. Turn west (left) on to Meadow Creek Drive and veer left until you reach 4910.

Sizing:  To get the correct size, we recommend you bring your child with you. We have youth small, medium and large uniforms.

Lettering:  You can get your reversible jersey lettered on both sides for a nominal charge at Scheel's on 45th Street. Lettering is optional. We recommend your child's first name on the jersey.  It helps the coaches, teammates and other parents get to know the players.

 

RECREATIONAL COACHING CLINIC

Saturday, April 22, 9:00-10:00 am, Kennedy Elementary School

The club will conduct a recreational soccer coaching clinic for all recreational coaches.  The clinic will cover practical lessons and activities for coaches of all levels form pre-k through 5th grade.  The clinic will take place at Kennedy Elementary School Fields.  Coaches should come prepared to play soccer, e.g. bring a ball, wear appropriate clothing, etc.  Dan Lupear will lead the coaching clinic.  All competitive coaches are invited to participate if their schedules permit.

 

The recreational season handbook for coaches and parents is available here for download.  Coaches, especially, should review the handbook for important and useful information.

Here are our rules and guidelines for Spring recreational soccer.

Playing Formations

Teams playing on the smaller fields 3-10 are:  Pre-K and Kindergarten

         Teams should play 3v3 with no goalkeepers unless at least one team has 7 or 8 players, then play 4v4 with no goalkeepers.

         Remember, if the teams are unbalanced coaches can opt to lend/borrow players with the other team to create balance.

         We play with no goalkeepers so that kids can experience the joy of scoring and so that everyone is running; not standing by the goal.

         Out-of-bounds:  Don't restart play for pre-k unless the ball is 5-10 feet of out bounds.  Otherwise, the game will slow down a lot.

                                 For kindergartners, keep the  boundaries to about 5 feet.

                                 For first-grade, the line is the boundary.  Restart whenever the ball crosses the line.

         Restarts:          When the ball crosses a sideline, the team who did not cause the restart throws the ball in to play, 2 hands over the head, feet on the ground.

                                 When the ball crosses an end line, there is either a goal kick or a corner kick.

                                      Corner Kick:  Defensive team caused the restart so the Offensive team places the ball in the closest corner and kicks the ball in to play.

                                      Goal Kick:  Offensive team caused the restart to the Defensive team places the ball 3 feet in front of their goal and kicks the ball in to play.

                                 Restarting the play from a foul or a handball, the ball is placed at the location of the foul/handball and the other team has an indirect free kick.

 Teams playing on the larger fields 11-15 are:  First Grade - Fifth Grade and all U9 and U10 teams (Sometimes our U11 or U12 teams play on those fields)

         Teams should play 6v6 with 5 field players and 1 goalkeeper unless one team has 13 or more plays, then play 7v7 with goalkeepers

         Out-of-bounds:  Restart whenever the ball crosses the line.

         Restarts:           Same as above.

Games and Practice Locations:  Check your location (field number) BEFORE you head to the field.  Look at the field maps on the club website for reference.  Kennedy fields are being re-lined so we will publish a map when the Park District finishes the re-lining.

Parking:  Be careful in the Kennedy parking lot at all times.  There are alot of excited, short people with questionable judgment running around.  Your parking problem pales in comparison to striking a child.

Equipment:  For each practice and game, have your player wear shin guards, bring a water bottle and their soccer ball.  Uniforms are recommended at all times.

Remember - HAVE FUN!  These are the 'good old days.'

 

Uniform/Equipment Distribution:  If you ordered a U9 or recreational soccer uniform (jersey, socks, shorts), car decal or ball, it will be distributed on the dates shown above and no other dates.  If you did not pre-order, you can just show up and purchase any of the above items while we have extra.  If you cannot make it, please have someone come and get your items.

Soccer Balls:  Soccer balls are available at the same time.

Where: Noah home, 4910 Meadow Creek Drive South, Fargo, 701.282.9344, (701)-866-1949 (cell)

Directions:  From 52nd Avenue South and 25th Street, proceed north on 25th Street about 0.25 miles to Meadow Creek Drive. Turn west (left) on to Meadow Creek Drive and veer left until you reach 4910.

Sizing:  To get the correct size, we recommend you bring your child with you. We have youth small, medium and large uniforms.

Lettering:  You can get your reversible jersey lettered on both sides for a nominal charge at Scheel's on 45th Street. Lettering is optional. We recommend your child's first name on the jersey.  It helps the coaches, teammates and other parents get to know the players.