Chicago Lakefront Soccer Club - New Player Information

Please remember that, although it may be forecast to rain, it may not be raining at the CLSC practice fields. Please check with your Team Manager when there is a question. The Head Coach should call the Team Manager to report rain-outs by 3:00pm. When in doubt, please call first. At times, your Coach may schedule an indoor practice or soccer video session in lieu of an outdoor practice. Again, please check with your team manager. This communication chain will be established at the beginning of the season.

Family vacations, school responsibility, participation in special events such as plays, concerts, religious obligations, etc., injury, illness and other life special occasions do not count as an absence.

Game Day Preparation and Rules

Soccer is a very demanding sport. Your son/daughter can be prepared to do her best, to help her team and will be less likely to suffer injury, if they observe a few basic guidelines:

Proper rest. Avoid sleep-over the night before a game. Fatigue as a result of too little sleep can cause a lack of focus which can raise the risk of injury with the player.
Build up body fluid before the game. Keep hydrated especially during hot weather the day before, and right up to the game.
Eat sensibly, especially on the day of a game. Avoid carbonated beverages, and high fat foods before a game.
Half-time refreshments should be limited to a moderate amount of water, or even diluted Gatorade-type drink. Too much water, or any kind of food and drink containing sugar, will cause the blood to leave the muscles and travel to the stomach, causing the player to be sluggish in the second half. At the beginning of each season, your Team Manager will provide parents with a refreshment schedule. Each parent will be expected to share in the responsibility for seeing that proper refreshments and ice are available at the end of each game.
Make certain that you have proper equipment, brought to each practice and game. Proper fitting shoes and shin guards are essential. Watches, jewelry, and barrettes should be left at home or in your bag. Dress for the elements - it's easier to take off clothes if too hot.
Arrive at each game in plenty of time to warm-up properly. The Team Manager will provide your team with a game schedule and driving directions. Please refer to your teams' homepage for more information. Please leave home in time to have your child at the game, fully dressed, and ready to warm-up prior to game time. Each child needs to be at the fields 45 minutes before game time. A pre-game warm-up to get an abundant flow of blood to the muscles, followed by sensible, slow stretching activities designed to increase flexibility and minimize the possibility of muscle pulls or injury, are of vital importance.
Treat minor injuries promptly and properly. For muscle strains and bruises, remember the principle of "R-I-C-E" -- Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Each team will have instant ice-packs at every game for quick application to twisted ankles or knees. Let your coach know before practice or a game of any condition that might affect your ability to play. Seek early medical help for physical problems that persist. Do not practice or play if you have reason to believe that it may aggravate an injury.
Call in advance to tell your Coach if you will absence from a game.

Equipment Bags

The following items should be kept in your bag at all times:

Soccer ball
Soccer Shoes
Shin Guards
Extra socks, shorts
Sandals
Rain Poncho
Winter gear as appropriate
Band aids, tape, pre-wrap, sun screen, etc. (as needed)

Benefits of Tournament Play

Tournament play is an integral part of competitive soccer. Tournaments give you the opportunity to play several games in a short period of time. That opportunity for frequent repetitions of skills and tactics is often times the key to improvement for players and teams. Tournament play also helps to teach a team how to play and win in a pressure situation. In addition, it gives your son/daughter the opportunity to travel, and to meet soccer players in other cities and states. It also gives the CLSC coaching staff an opportunity to learn from other programs and to measure the progress of the Club's teaching efforts. Each team can expect to play at least one tournament per each season, fall, winter, spring. Other tournaments will be at the discretion of the team's coach. Typical tournaments guarantee three games, usually 2 on a Saturday, and one or more on a Sunday depending on the team's record. Participation awards are handed out to u10 teams and under, 1st and 2nd place trophies/medal are given in the older divisions. Tournaments are usually local, though at the coach's discretion, there may be out-of-state tournaments.

Games

Even if it is raining, the games will be played unless there is a threat of lightning or the fields have been closed. This applies to even the youngest age groups. Calls will be made well-in-advanced, so if you don't hear from your team manager, there's a game. Soccer is a game that is played in all weather conditions, and it is necessary that all players and parents learn that this is part of the commitment to the game. Again, please contact your Coach or Team Manager if you have doubts. If you have not heard from your Coach or Team Manager, please show up at the game to insure that your team does not forfeit.

Communication

All communication to parents/players will typically be done through the internet via email or the website. Refer to the website for schedule information, game locations, bulletins, tournaments times/locations, league standings, and any and all important information the player/parent needs for the season.

The website: http://www.lakefrontsoccer.com/

If your email address changes, or there is some difficulties in receiving emails, please call your team manager as soon as possible to avoid missing any important information.

Parents- Game Day

For best results, parents should memorize and use the following: Before the match