RCYSL CHALLENGE SOCCER RULES AND PROCEDURES
REVISED: June 3rd, 2009

1. CHALLENGE SOCCER
2. CHALLENGE MISSION
3. CHALLENGE COACH PHILOSOPHY (Coaches Commitment)
4. CHALLENGE PLAYER REQUIREMENTS
5. THE SELECTION OF A CHALLENGE COACH PROCESS
6. NUMBER OF TEAMS
7. TRY-OUT PROCESS U10 – U19
8. DRAFTING PROCESS

1. CHALLENGE SOCCER

Rapid City Challenge (RCC) is a higher tier of soccer formed by Rapid City Youth Soccer
League (RCYSL) to be more competitive and challenging. This level is designed for the
player who is seeking a higher level of competition with the intent to accelerate and
enhance the individual performance of the player. This level is a more intense program
than “recreational soccer” with heavier commitment of time for practices for the
improvement the player’s individual skills. The Challenge program is currently available
at the U-10, U-12, U-14 and U-16 age divisions. RCC is a one year program with Fall /
Winter / Spring seasons.

2. CHALLENGE MISSION

RCC is a part of RCYSL; therefore the mission must fall within the RCYSL mission
focusing on “providing fair and sportsmanship-like opportunities for recreational
competition.” Recreational competition being defined as follows:

1. Providing a fun, learning environment for young players.
2. Development of well-rounded soccer players.
3. Development of a sense of team and commitment to others.
4. Development of competitive players that play for the love of the game as opposed to the love of winning.

3. CHALLENGE COACH PHILOSOPHY (Coaches Commitment)

The Coach

1. Will teach the child technical and tactical skills appropriate for the specific age group.
2. Will push the child to a higher level of play by providing fun and competitive learning experiences, but not at the expense of enjoying the game.
3. Will offer a positive learning experience encouraging the child to continue within the soccer venue.
4. Will encourage and train players to play aggressive, yet fair soccer. Unethical behaviors (pushing, tripping, and unacceptable language) will not be tolerated. Proper training of body contact will be taught to win and maintain control of the ball as soccer is a physical sport.
5. Will contact the players and parents at the start of the season for introductions and schedule the first team meeting.
6. Will hold an initial team meeting to make introductions; go over the coaching philosophy; hand out the team roster, practice schedule, game schedule, etc; and request parent volunteers for help with team management and other duties. vii. Will attempt to provide four soccer activities per week during the season. (Example: 4 soccer practices pre-season and 2 practices/2 games during the regular season).
7. Will try to allow equal playing time to the player provided the player is enthusiastic and positive in regards to the soccer game and provided the player attends practices regularly and attempts to give the effort expected at this level of play.
8. Will play all players present in tournaments, but playing time will be at the coach’s discretion.
9. Will be encouraged to participate at some level in winter indoor soccer.
10. Will educate the player to each of the positions on the soccer field. The player will be provided playing time at each position during season play. Keeper skills will be taught to all players but not all players will be expected to rotate into this position in game play.
11. Will attempt to coach, train, and motivate the player to become the best soccer player that he/she chooses to achieve.
12. Will be an excellent role model of sportsmanship on and off of the field expecting to see parents and players follow that example.
13. Will focus on individual player development and team development with achievable goals in mind as opposed to focusing on what the final score is for each game.
14. Will be available to parents for questions and concerns regarding their child’s soccer experience. These conversations should be held off of the field and in the absence of other players and parents.
15. Will be committed to each player’s development physically, mentally, and socially in regard to soccer and all it encompasses.
16. Will be respectful to referee and game official and hold parent to same standard.

4. CHALLENGE PLAYER REQUIREMENTS

The Player

1. Has played at least two previous seasons of organized soccer or can prove exceptional potential at tryouts.
2. Be willing to commit to 4 soccer activities on the average during the fall and spring seasons and be willing to participate in tournament play which is at the discretion of the Challenge coach and parents.
3. Will be encouraged to participate at some level in winter indoor soccer.
4. Desires a higher level of skill training, and a commitment to the game of soccer.
5. Exhibits his/her skills before the coaches at the tryout sessions prior to the start of the season.
6. Must be registered with RCYSL.
7. Must purchase a Challenge uniform kit.
8. We encourage players to attend practices and games. Give notification to the coach in advance of inability to attend.
9. Must be at games prior to playing time for warm ups to prevent injury during game time AT COACHES DISCRETION.
10. Be open to the possibility of travel to out of town friendly games and tournament play.
11. If players do not meet the minimum standards the coach can move to release them back to the recreational program per RCYSL Board of Directors approval (via the Challenge Committee).

5. THE SELECTION OF A CHALLENGE COACH PROCESS

• 1. Qualifications sought in a Challenge Coach:
     1. Must have coached a minimum of two seasons for a recognized soccer organization OR has qualifying experience.
     2. Must believe and agree to implement the RCC Coaches Philosophy (Code of Conduct).
     3. Must hold licensing or be working towards licensing. At a minimum, they must have an “E” license within the first year after being assigned as a Challenge Coach, but a “D” license is preferred.
     4. Licensing does not take priority over experience and coaching ability.
     5. New coaches will provide a resume to the Challenge committee for the selection process. The recommendations from this committee will be taken to the RCYSL Board of Directors for final approval.

6. NUMBER OF TEAMS

Upon discretion of the RCYSL Board of Directors, following the current bylaws, the number of teams will be decided at the beginning of each season, with numbers of children registered in the RCYSL program and number of requests of children to participate at the Challenge level being taken into account. Provided qualified Coaching staff is available, the number of teams will be announced.

7. TRY-OUT PROCESS U10-U19

• 1. To make a Challenge team the player MUST attend ONE day of the try-out sessions.
     1. The players are encouraged to attend more than one try-out session allowing the coaches to see them over several different days
     
     
  2. Exceptions to being at try-outs must be presented to the Challenge Coordinator(s) in writing before the 1st try-out session.
     1. If a player has been given an exception (after written notice to Challenge
     Coordinator) the player may be asked to meet with the Challenge Coaches or provide a short video of his/her soccer ability to the Challenge Coordinator(s)
     2. If a player can not try-out due to medical reasons they still need to attend the tryout session
     
     
  
  
  3. Tryouts will take place twice a year: Fall and Spring. If a player is selected after Fall tryouts and placed on a Challenge team, they do not have to try out again in the Spring. Spring tryouts are for new players or players that did not qualify for Challenge in the previous Fall (if there is room on the team).
  
  
  4. Fall tryouts are usually in June or July, and Spring tryouts are in February or March. Check the RCYSL website for exact tryout dates, times and location. They are posted 4-8 weeks prior to tryouts.
  
  
  5. Qualified coaches observe players performing various soccer activities to help the coaches determine the players’ abilities. Some of the abilities assessed are speed, ball control, passing, and attitude. Consider this a “regular practice”.
  
  
  6. The player should come to the try-outs with a:
     1. White t-shirt
     2. Shin guards / socks / soccer shoes
     3. Water
     4. Soccer ball
     5. It is possible not everyone will be selected to play in the Challenge program just because they tried out.
     
     
  7. After the last try-outs the coaches will get together at the RCYSL office and draft the
     players taking into account, but not limited to, the following criteria:
     1. Soccer skill
     2. “Coachability” of the player
     3. The family of the player
     4. Prior knowledge of the player
     5. Player’s attitude

8. THE DRAFT PROCESS

• 1. The only persons allowed in the draft room during the draft process are:
     1. Head Coach and / or Assistant Coach (or Representative) – 2 Maximum per team
     2. President of RCYSL (or their representative)
     3. Registrar
     4. Challenge Coordinator(s)
     
     
  2. The coaches will draw straws to see who drafts first
  
  
  3. After the order is selected the next round with start with the 2nd team and rotate
     accordingly (3rd round starts with 3rd team and so on) until their team if at the desiredminimum
     level.
  
  
  4. Coach’s (Co-Coach’s) children (up to 2) must be drafted by the second round. If a
     coach does not have a child on the team they can “protect” one player.
     1. The desired-minimum level is:
        1. U-10 – 8 players
        2. U-12 – 9 players
        3. U-14 – 15 players
        4. U-16 and U-19 – 18 players
        
        
     2. Coaches have the option to draft more than the minimum up to state roster
        maximums
        1. U-10 – 10 players
        2. U-12 – 14 players
        3. U-14 – 18 players
        4. U-16 and U-19 – 25 players
        
        
  5. Players not drafted will be notified by the RCYSL Challenge Coordinator within a
  reasonable amount of time after the draft.
  
  6. Players not drafted will be placed on recreational teams.