The co-ed Recreation program's goal is to provide a positive experience for all players to learn the skills, techniques and tactics associated with the game of soccer. Enjoyment of soccer and emphasis on fun are key elements of the Recreation program. Older age groups are in draft divisions to ensure parity and conclude the fall season with championship tournaments.

The Traveling program is geared to those players who wish to play competitive soccer and spend more time developing their soccer skills.

The intent of Florham Park Soccer is to provide participants with a high level of competitive soccer. Boys and girls teams participate in the Morris County Youth Soccer Association with standings kept by team age groups and flight designation. Many of our teams also participate in tournament play. Traveling team tryouts are held each spring.Club Philosophy Florham Park Soccer is guided by the principle of, "Let the kids have fun" This should be accomplished through a structural program which will challenge our players while continually building on their skills.Intramural soccer is "social soccer", not competitive ball. Kids should learn soccer skills, sportsmanship and team play.In our older divisions (3 and 4), emphasis is placed around winning as a goal, but not as the only goal. "Athlete First, Winning Second" is our guide. We are here to develop soccer players, good habits, fitness and team play.We are the training ground to send players to more competitive play in travel and high school ball. Advanced programs place more pressure on the athlete to win. Intramural soccer is for the players to be relaxed and play for the enjoyment of playing and compete against their friends without the fear of loss.Under our program they can further their development through experimentation and practice in a more relaxed environment. Although winning is important at this level, it must take second place to the enjoyment of the game.Tips for Coaches· You hold a position demanding trust and leadership, requiring patience and understanding, one where respect must be earned. · Set high standards of sportsmanship, fair play, teamwork, and promptness. · Try to be consistent in your attitudes and philosophies toward players, parents, referees and spectators. This includes all dealings and times before, during and after games and practices. Try to establish a good working relationship with your team and their parents. As coach, you are responsible for knowing the rules of the game. Be sure to relay the rules to players and parents alike. You are responsible for getting a copy of the teams's schedule to the parents. Try to impress upon the parents the need for punctuality at both games and practices. Try to teach your team how to be humble in victory and to understand defeat.

Be aware of the dangers of over-coaching and over demanding. Try to remember, in FP Soccer play------THE KIDS ARE HERE TO ENJOY THEMSELVES. You play a vital role in the physical and mental development of your young players - keep this in mind at all times.

Club Rules Introduction:These rules and regulations are the basis by which the Florham Park Soccer Association establishes and maintains the soccer program in the Borough of Florham Park. Regulations:In case of conflict, report all problems to the Division Director after the game. If the Division Director doesn't know that there is a problem, then he/she cannot correct it.

This is the order in which problems are addressed:
1.The League Director
2.The Intramural Director
3.The FPYSA Board of Directors Rules of Competition.

No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs are allowed on the field at any time. No one, coaches, parents or fans is to interfere with the referee either during or after a game. Any problems with the referee should be discussed with the League Director after the game.

In all leagues, players shall wear:
1.Shirts: Shirts must have sleeves and be tucked in. Teams shall wear the shirts distributed by Florham Park Soccer for all games. Goalkeepers must wear a jersey or pinny different in color from both teams, but not necessarily different from the referee or opposing goalkeeper.

2.Shorts: Shorts must be athletic shorts. Denim shorts or shorts with buttons, snaps or zippers are not allowed. In cold weather athletic pants may be worn outside of the shorts, but must meet the same requirements as the shorts.

3.Shinguards: Shinguards must be age appropriate. A guideline is 2 inches above the top of the foot to 2 inches below the knee

4.Socks: Socks must fully cover the shinguards.

5.Footwear: While soccer cleats are recommended, sneakers are acceptable for all games and practices. Baseball or football cleats are not acceptable. Metal cleats of any type are not allowed .

In all divisions, players may not wear:
1.Jewelry: Including but not limited to watches, rings, bracelets, "Livestrong bracelets", necklaces, barrettes, metal hair clips, bobby pins, studs or earrings, whether taped or not.

2.Casts: Hard casts or hard splints cannot be worn.

3.Braces: Metal braces cannot be worn unless the metal is covered and, in the opinion of the referee, is not unsafe to anyone. This does not include dental braces.

4.Hats: Baseball hats are not allowed. Winter hats may be worn as long as they do not contain any hard surfaces or loose items such as tassels.

*Exceptions - articles that are required to be worn at all times for religious reasons may be taped to the body in a safe manner. Medical Alert bracelets may be taped to the wrist leaving the information visible.

Every player must play two (2) complete quarters per game. Should a child not be played, for whatever reason, the manager or coach must inform the League Director (or any other officer of Florham Park Soccer should the League Director be unavailable) prior to the game and must receive approval of the League Director not to play the child. Otherwise, the child must be allowed to play.

In all Leagues, no child will play four (4) quarters in any game, unless everyone on the team that is able to play, plays three(3)quarters.

A player may be removed from a game for disciplinary reasons by a manager or coach at any time. The manager or coach must then notify the referee and the opposing manager or coach. This player may not re-enter for the remainder of the game.

If the teams in Boys/Girls grade 3-4-5 are extremely large, the League Director may choose to play two (2) halves of 40 minutes each. In this event, the coaches will be allowed substitutions at 15 minutes and 30 minutes into each half. At these times, the coaches must substitute their players in such a manner that no player on the team should play the third 15 minute period of the first half before everyone on the team has played at least one full 15 minute period. No player on a team shall play 4 periods before everyone on the team has played 2 full periods; or shall play 5 periods before everyone on the team has played 3 full periods; or shall play 6 periods before everyone on the team has played 4 full periods.

Goals will be changed at half time only, not at the quarter breaks.

Substitutions are to be made at the end of the quarter, except in the case of injury or fatigue.

No coach shall distribute trophies to their team.

Girls are permitted to cross their arms over their chests for protection. The referee should be very careful and lenient in calling handling of the ball.

1st Grade goalkeepers may retain possession of the ball for as long as necessary. In all other divisions, goalkeepers should be instructed to release the ball within six (6) seconds. The referee will be lenient unless this is abused by either team.

In all leagues, a player may be goalkeeper for two (2) quarters per game. In 3-4-5 Boys/Girls, a player may play three (3) quarters of the game in goal. In 6-7-8 Grade, a player may play as goalkeeper the entire game. In every case however, Rule #5 must be adhered to.

Any player who was previously injured and treated by a physician, must present a written release from his or her doctor to the Division Director before returning to practice or a game. Coaches must retain and bring any and all medical releases for all players to every practice and game.

Any player who wears a protective device of hard or unyielding material or a hard cast as a result of an injury is prohibited from playing or practicing until the cast or protective device is removed and a medical release is presented to the League Director. Coaches must retain and bring any and all medical releases for all players to every practice and game.

All coaches are to coach from their half of the field only, between the midfield line and the 18 yard line.
1st Grade shall have two coaches on the field, one on each half of the field helping both teams for instructional purposes and to help set up players on kickoffs, corner kicks, etc. In no event however, shall there be more than two (2) coaches per team on the field in this league. Coaches must stay clear of the play, not touch the ball, and at no time interfere with the play, any player or the referee. Should this occur, the referee will award the opposing team a direct free kick from the point of the infraction.

The home team may choose which players bench it will occupy. All parents and fans shall be located on the side of the field opposite the players where conditions permit. No one shall be in or behind the goals.

Coaches are prohibited from rescheduling games on their own. Any and all cancelled games will be rescheduled by the League Director in cooperation with both coaches and the Referee Director.

All coaches in 2nd, 3-4-5 Boys/Girls are to turn in their scores to their League Director.

No team, manager , coach or parent is to publish material (i.e., scores, articles, pictures, etc.) in the newspaper or elsewhere without the direct knowledge and consent of the FPYSA.

Six (6) players for all leagues per team is the minimum needed to start a game. Reasonable time should be given to allow players to arrive. After 15 minutes of delay, a team with fewer players than the minimum shall forfeit the game. Games started later than five (5) minutes after their original designated start time shall have their playing time adjusted to ensure the game ends as scheduled. This will allow subsequent games to remain on schedule. If at any point during a game, a team is unable to field the minimum number of players, the match shall be terminated at that point. The team with less than the minimum number of players shall forfeit the game. In Division 1st Grade, the League Director may elect to lower the minimum number of players required to play a game.

Duration of game:1st Grade....4/10 Minute Quarters, 2nd Grade...4/10 Minute Quarters

3rd-4th-5th Grade...4/10 Minute Quarters

6th-7th-8th Grade...4/10 Minute Quarters

In the event a game must be terminated before the start of the second half, the game will be replayed from the start. In the event a game must be terminated after the second half, the score will be final as of the time of termination. The sounding of the referee's whistle to begin the second half and the subsequent first touch of the ball shall constitute the "Start of the second half".

Intramural practice sessions are limited to no more than three per week during August and no more than two (2) per week once the school year has started.

Referees will issue Yellow Cards (Caution) or Red Cards (Sending Off) to players, managers or coaches if, in the opinion of the referee, the action of that person warrants it. Yellow Cards shall cary varying amounts of points, depending upon the offense noted, in accordance with the point system used by the Morris County Youth Soccer Association. Accumulation of a certain number of points by a player, manager or coach will cause that person to sit out a game. A player receiving his/her first yellow card in a game shall not be required to leave the field of play. Any player, manager or coach who receives a Red Card before, during or after a game, in addition to being removed from that game, will be suspended for the following game. If the person receives a second Red Card, they will be suspended from a subsequent game and be subject to disciplinary action and review by the FPYSA Board of Directors. Although not necessarily a Red Card offense, in Florham Park any player performing a slide tackle during the game shall be ejected from the game, but may be replaced by another player on their team. In order to be considered a slide tackle, the player must intentionally leave his/her feet in a sliding manner in an attempt to play the ball while another player on either team is in playing distance of the ball, approximately one yard. The player may not be replaced if the slide tackle is deemed by the referee to be a Red Card offense or a second Yellow Card offense.Coaches are responsible for the actions of their team parents. A coach will be Carded if his/her actions, or the actions of a parent is, in the opinion of the referee, the League Director or a Board Member, considered to be abusive, verbally or physically, to the Referee, any player, coach or parent. Should all of the coaches assigned to a team be removed from the game as a result of Red Cards, the game shall end at the point as a forfeit for the team.

The FPYSA Executive Board will review all Red Card suspensions and other disciplinary actions. The director of the League in which the action occurred shall have no vote.

The FPYSA reserves the right to temporarily or permanently suspend a player, coach or parent for unsportsmanlike conduct, inappropriate behavior and/or damage to school or township property.

Children shall not hang, climb or play on goals or nets. Throughout the United States, there have been serious injuries and even several deaths attributed to children using soccer goals for playground activities. Make sure your coach is at the field and escort your child on to the field for practice and games. Plan to pick up your child on time after practice. Coaches are not allowed to leave until all players are picked up. Water bottles should be brought to both practice and games.

Players should plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before their game starts so players can warm up and receive instruction. Coaches make up their lineups before the game, so if your child can't make the game or will be late, tell the coach at least a day before. Games that don't start on time because of late arrivals will have less playing time so that the following games stay on schedule. Team shirt, matching soccer socks and black shorts are part of the required attire for games.

Soccer games won't be fun if players are not in condition, are not developing their skills and are not learning the game. Children should plan to attend all practices and be punctual. FPYSA guidelines allow that players who miss two (2) or more consecutive practices without justification, could possibly sit out their next game.

Bad Weather Policy The Intramural Director may postpone any game in case of bad weather or unsafe conditions. Both teams must show up for a scheduled game at the scheduled time, unless they have been notified by the League Director or his/her representative. Once at the field, the referee, in consultation with both coaches may postpone a game. The referee must stop the game and clear the field at the first sight of lightening. It is the coaches and parents responsibility to seek proper shelter for the players. Coaches are prohibited from rescheduling games on their own. Any and all cancelled games will be rescheduled by the League Director in cooperation with both coaches and the Referee Director.

The condition of the fields in Florham Park is a result of the effort and knowledge of Florham Park Public Works. It is their decision on whether a field is playable and we must respect that decision.