Frequently Asked Questions
For Coaches, Referees, Players, Parents and Volunteers
Travel Soccer
- What is travel soccer?
- Should I let my child sign up for a travel league?
- What are the increased expenses with travel soccer?
Registration Related
- When is Registration for the Crossfire Soccer Club?
- What is the cost to join the Crossfire Club?
- When is the payment due and what does the payment cover?
- What is required on Registration Day?
Game Related
- What is required prior to the first game?
- What side of the field do I take if the home team has parents and players on both sides of the field when I arrive?
- What do I do if the referee doesn’t show up?
- What's the rule on players wearing casts?
- What if I don't have enough players for a game and I don't have a game change left?
Other
- Crossfire and AYSO, what’s the differences between the organizations?
- What is the difference between Crossfire’s “competitive” soccer and AYSO’s “recreational” soccer?
Travel Soccer
A: Travel soccer is an option available for advanced and talented players who would like to concentrate on soccer as their primary sport. Travel soccer entails a larger time commitment from players, including two-three practices per week and a game (sometimes far enough away that an overnight stay is required) on weekends. Competition can be intense and if your child is not mature enough to handle the possibility of not making a team, an extended waiting period may be best.
Q: Should I let my child sign up for a travel league?
A: Seasons are usually longer than a traditional “In-house, Recreational” league season, with playoffs and extended tournaments taking place on three-day weekends. If your child decides to play travel soccer, your family must accept that much of their free time will be spend on the soccer sidelines, in the car on the way to soccer games, or in meetings with other players and coaches. The time commitment is large, but the benefits come from increased exposure to college coaches, experience with Olympic and NCAA caliber coaching staffs, watching your child develop as an athlete and competitor, and developing lasting friendships with other parents on your child’s team. Often, the same “core” group of players will play together on a travel team through middle school, high school, and beyond.
Q: What are the increased expenses with travel soccer?
A: Travel teams often require a seasonal “dues” (monetary amount) to be paid, along with other associated expenses for entering tournaments or attending clinics or coaching camps. Players will in most cases have to try out for a travel team.
Registration Related
Q: When is Registration for the Crossfire Soccer Club?
A: In May the Club holds two registration events and again in mid-June during the annual end of the season picnic.
Q: What is the cost to join the Crossfire Club?
A: The cost to join the Club is as follows: Outdoor Fall & Spring Seasons $300.00
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Item
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Cost
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Outdoor Fall & Spring Seasons
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$300.00 |
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Uniforms (additional cost)
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$65.00 |
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Single Season play and High School
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** Contact us via email |
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Indoor Soccer (Optional)
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Typically $150.00 per player |
Email if there are any other cost questions
Q: When is the payment due and what does the payment cover?
A: Payment is appreciated at Registration. However, exceptions are made and a payment plan is available if necessary.
Q: What is required on Registration Day?
A:
a) One copy of the Player's Birth Certificate or Passport
b) Two passport size pictures of the player (Please don't wear any sun glasses or uniform, thanks!)
Game Related
Q: What is required prior to the first game?
A: Every Player must have their League Player Pass, 1-Medical Release Form on file with the Coach, shoes, shin guards, black socks, black shorts, and the Player's Membership/Dues must be paid in full.
Q: What side of the field do I take if the home team has parents and players on both sides of the field when I arrive?
A: The YSSL rule states that spectators and players from one team should be on one side of the field and the parents and players of the opposing team should be together on the other side of the field. When one team ignores this rule, it is still important to keep spectators on opposite sides of the field. Therefore, the visiting coach in this example should take his players and team parents to the same side of the field as the opposing team’s players, keeping his/her team separated from the home team. It is hoped that the home team coach will realize the situation and move his team to the opposite side of the field. If not, at least the spectators are separated, which often reduces problems during the game.
Q: What do I do if the referee doesn’t show up?
If a referee fails to show for a game it is up to the Head Coaches of both teams to determine if the game will be played. The league would prefer that the game be played to maintain the season’s schedule of games and reduce the number of game changes, but it realizes there are many other factors to consider. The age and division levels of the teams, traveling distance, division standings, and the ability to have a fair game relative to the age and competitive levels of the teams are all important factors. In general, U9 or U10 teams regardless of competitive level should agree to play the game. Older teams need to be more aware of competitive levels and division standings. U14 Red division teams and older should be hesitant to play a game without a certified referee. It is the responsibility of the coaches for both teams to determine how all the factors affect the “play not to play” decision. If the assistant referees present at the game are certified referees and the age difference between them and the competition is appropriate, they should be used and the game should be played. Any USSF certified referee is eligible and approved by the YSSL to referee the game. When a game is played without a certified referee, it’s suggested that a volunteer from each team (coach or parent) share the officiating using the two-man system. They should cover opposite sides of the field and opposite touchlines. The acting officials do not switch sides after the half and do not coach players during the game.
Q: What's the rule on players wearing casts?
The League believes that a decision concerning players being allowed to wear casts in games is best left to the referee. Absolute rules to allow or to ban casts seldom account for all possible situations and only serve to highlight the competing interests of player safety and player participation. The referee can evaluate the size of the cast, the age and size of the players and the padding that has been applied to the cast. The referee can also observe how the player with the cast conducts himself during the game. If the player appears to be acting in a reckless or violent manner that endangers other players, the referee always has the right to eject the player. All referee decisions on this issue are final.
Q: What if I don't have enough players for a game and I don't have a game change left?
The YSSL rules state that when teams have fewer than 13 players available for a game, they may use a maximum of five players from younger teams to bring the game roster to a maximum of 13 players. The players must come from younger teams in the same club and must have valid YSSL passes from the younger team. Players cannot come from teams of the same age group or higher regardless of age. In other words, if a player is younger than the players on the team that needs to fill out its game roster, but that player is on a same-age or older team, he cannot be used as an additional player under this rule. The exception to this rule concerns U-10 players. They cannot be brought up to fill out a roster of a U-11 team. Also, the minimum number of players to begin a game is 6 for U-9 & U-10 teams and 7 players for all other teams.
Other
Q: Crossfire and AYSO, what’s the differences between the organizations?
A: Crossfire is aligned with the largest soccer organization in the State of Illinois and in the United States. Over 80,000 children and teens participate in the Ill. Youth Soccer Association and millions of children and teens nationwide are associated with the United States Youth Soccer Association. Locally, WAYSO is aligned with the American Youth Soccer Organization, {AYSO} located in California and presently, over 600,000 children and teens participate nationwide.
Q: What is the difference between Crossfire’s “competitive” soccer and AYSO’s “recreational” soccer?
A: Player Development: Competitive is focused on superior player development with a focus on achieving a higher understanding and utilization level of tactical and technical skills, through a fun and competitive environment. Players involved in competitive soccer generally have higher ambitions and desire to develop their skills with an eye towards the future. Whereas AYSO's recreational is focused on developing all players with a general understanding of the game, in a fun and non-competitive environment. The core philosophy being that everyone plays, regardless of the player’s skill level.
Practices: Crossfire’s practices are designed around individual and small-sided drills that place special emphasis on developing the player’s technical skills. Practices are generally twice a week and last two or more hours each time. The practice environment is fun, fast paced and well planned. AYSO’s practices are generally for one hour and once a week, and the emphasis is on the team and having fun in a recreational environment.
Games, Season & Rules: All games are conducted under FIFA rules without any adjustments. Seasons are usually 10 games with tournament play being additional, regional and national. Soccer is a contact sport and played as such. AYSO games are guided by FIFA Rules with adjustments in multiple areas and differ by region or chapter. Seasons are usually 8 games and tournament play is additional and usually “in-house or by region.”
Coaches: Pending the level of Certification, Crossfire’s Coaches have been provided instruction from Collegiate and Professional Soccer Coaches and Trainers. Additionally, all certified coaches are recognized by all schools and universities, and professional teams. AYSO’s Coaches have been provided general instruction from an AYSO trained Coaching Administrator, who is also generally a Volunteer from within the same AYSO organization. The United States Youth Soccer Association does not recognize AYSO Coaching certification.
ODP: Crossfire Players are welcome to advance to the Olympic Development Program and are continually guided by Coaches who have been instructed in the important player tactical and technical skills. Again, emphasis is on player development and advancement to a higher level of play and improving the chances of the player receiving a college scholarship, participation in representing the United States abroad in various programs and in the Olympics are some of the goals of ODP and the Crossfire Soccer Club. Whereas even though AYSO Certified Coaches teach soccer in a different manner, AYSO players are welcome to tryout for ODP.
Travel: Half of the games are played within one hour, against comparably rated teams that are based upon team experience and tenure. AYSO games are played in-house at the same location and against teams that have been attempted to be balanced by skill levels rated the previous year by coaches.