Frequently Asked Questions

Soccer balls used in youth leagues come in sizes 3, 4, and 5.

• 3-7 Years Old (U4-U8): Size 3
• 8-12 Years Old (U9-U12): Size 4
• 13 on up (U13-U18): Size 5

A Size 5 ball is the same used by adults. There are also Size 1 balls, which are often called 'skills balls' that players can use to practice foot skills.

CISA provides a Jersey, Shorts, and Socks for recreational youth players to use during their games.  Additional items that parents must purchase are shin guards, soccer cleats, and an appropriate size ball. Also, extra soccer socks, shorts, and practice shirts to be used during practices will be necessary.  Players should be wearing athletic apparel to practices and not blue jeans, polo shirts, jewelry, etc.  

U4 Kickstart Program - T-shirt and size 3 ball

Soccer balls used in youth leagues come in sizes 3, 4, and 5.

• 3-7 Years Old (U4-U8): Size 3
• 8-12 Years Old (U9-U12): Size 4
• 13 on up (U13-U18): Size 5

A Size 5 ball is the same used by adults. There are also Size 1 balls, which are often called 'skills balls' that players can use to practice foot skills.

Shin guards have sizing charts on the package. Please pay special attention to this and get a pair of shin guards that fit the player.  Too small or too big can hamper the protection the shin guard is supposed to offer.  

Soccer cleats are very specific.  The most noticeable difference is that soccer cleats do not have a toe cleat at the front of the shoe.  A player cannot play if they have the wrong cleats on.  Regular athletic shoes are allowed, but may cause the player to slip and cause injury during a game.

Jewelry of any kind, including earrings (even if covered with a band-aid or tape), are not permitted while playing soccer.  Jewelry can cause injury to the player and/or other players during the match.  Referees will not tell you that you have to take the earrings out, they will just tell you that the player cannot play with them in.  The parent is responsible for deciding what they would like to do at that point.

A child with any type of cast may only practice or participate in games if it is covered with foam padding.  Bubble wrap is not acceptable. The player may be eligible for a refund for the season – check our website for more information.  How the cast is covered and whether or not it is acceptable for play is still up to the referee of the match.  It is best to check with the referee before the match to allow for any modifications that must be made.

As a parent, the most important thing for you to do is have good communication with your child's coach. Talk to the coach about the situation. We want to encourage good sportsmanship, fun, and safe play.

We rely on volunteer coaches for all of our recrational teams. If you have a young child, please just allow them to have fun on the field. If you have an older child whom you feel is more competitive than the recreational team they are on or whom you would like to be come competitive, you might consider a select club. There are many select leagues in the DFW Metroplex.

Please remember that a recreational team is comprised of many different playing abilities, coaching levels, parent expectations, and referee skill levels.

You cannot request the same coach but with different players. You do have the option to request your child not play on the same team and be placed back in the Player Pool for random assignment.

On the registration form, just indicate that you do not want to be on the same team and your child will be removed as a core player from that team. Your child will be placed in the Player Pool for random assignment to a new team. NTSSA rules require that children be assigned to teams in a fair manner. As long as there are more than two teams/coaches in a division, you may request that your child NOT play for a particular coach by designating this in the appropriate area on the registration form.

We try to honor such requests and urge you to register by the deadline, although we cannot guarantee requested placements.

If your child is a returning player, every effort will be made to place your child on the same team as last season, as long as the coach and team are returning and you've not requested that your child be assigned to a new team. Please keep in mind that it's our policy to place additional players on teams with the shortest roster and without going over state-regulated roster size.

Coaches may NOT request that you play for their team.  This is a serious violation of the recruiting rules.

The decision to have your child "play-up" is something that requires careful consideration. Such a request is generally made when a player demonstrates a skill level above his/her age of play and when there is a team available. Such a request should be made to the appropriate age group commisioner and requires board approval if the player is requesting to play up more than 1 year.

Two things to note: you need to register your child in their correct age-group, using the Special Request Form to request that they "play-up."  CISA has final approval of any player requesting to "play-up."

After teams are formed, they are usually placed into a playing league.  The playing league is governed by the officials that run that specific league.  The rules of play and administrative requirements may vary, as will the locations the games are played.  Crowley Independent Soccer Association teams participate in the following playing leagues:

CISA U5-U6 COED
This age group consist of all Crowley teams (boys & girls) will play in the Crowley League.  

CISA  U7-U8 - These teams are made up of recreational soccer teams from Crowley & Cleburne and will play half their games in Crowley and Cleburne. 

Mansfield Soccer Association Recreational League 
This league consist of U9 and above teams. These teams are made up of recreational soccer teams from Burleson, Cleburne, Crowley, Glen Rose,  Midlothian, and Glen Rose.  Teams will play half their games at home and half of their games at an opponent's location. 

Arlington Soccer Unlimited Recreational League
This league consist of U11 and above teams. Any U11 and above team may opt to play in this league instead of the Metroplex Soccer Alliance League as listed above.  The games are played in Cleburne as well as many areas in and surrounding Arlington. Teams will play half their games at home and half of their games at an opponent's location. For more info, visit http://arlingtonsoccer.org/asa/leagues/recreational/.  Coaches must notify the Registrar that they wish to play in this league before teams are made. 

Arlington Premier Invitational League (Competitive)
This league consist of U11 and above competitive teams. Any U11 and above team may opt to play in this league instead of the recreational leagues as listed above. The games are played in Arlington. There are several requirements to be met for a team to play competitive soccer, so it is imperative that coaches get with the Registrar in June or sooner to discuss the requirements and get the paperwork in order.  This is a full year commitment starting in July of each year.

The coach chooses the practice night(s) that best fits his/her schedule.  CISA does not dictate when or where a coach practices his/her team.  Because of the number of teams we have, CISA also does not have a master schedule of practices or locations teams practice at.

Coaches set the practices times, but generally begin between 5:30-6:30pm depending on the time of the year. They tend to last around 1-2 hours depending on the age group (practices are shorter for younger age groups, longer for older age groups).

Each coach sets the practice schedule with a suggestion of two nights per week for children U8 and above. One night per week for U5 and U6. The first week available for practice is mid to late February for the Spring season, and early to mid August for the Fall season for youth recreational teams.  Academy and Select teams may practice year round.

Game times depend on the age group. Regular season Saturday games start around 9:00 am and are slotted all day long. Each game last roughly 45 - 90 minutes (younger ages play shorter games). Weeknight evening games start after 6:00 pm.

During tournaments, games may start as early as 8:00 am and last until after dark depending on light availability at the field being played on. Sunday tournament games may occur in the morning in order to get all the game completed.

We are mindful of the holidays and try to respect everyone's ability to celebrate, however we must get the required number of games in during the season.

• Easter Weekend: No games (but there are games in the proceeding week).
• Mother's Day: Yes, games may be scheduled on this day, but not ususally for the younger teams.  Your team might also choose to participate in tournaments, so confirm with your coach.
• Memorial Day: The recreational season is typically over at this time. Your team might also choose to participate in tournaments, so confirm with your coach.
• Father's Day: The recreational season is typically over at this time. Your team might also choose to participate in tournaments, so confirm with your coach.
• Labor Day: No regular season game are scheduled during this weekend. However, your team might choose to participate in tournaments, so confirm with your coach.
• Halloween: Yes, although late afternoon games might be rescheduled.
• Thanksgiving: There are many tournaments that happen the weekend after Thanskgiving if your team chooses to participate.  Invite the family to come out and watch.
• Christmas & New Years: There are many tournaments that happen around this time if your team chooses to participate. Invite the family to come out and watch.

You should respect the difficult job that referees have and recognize that the referee, according to the FIFA Laws of the Game, is the ultimate authority on the field. Whether a coach, spectator, player or parent, you should not vocally dispute a referee call (or even call out for an explanation) during the game.

The coach may speak privately with an adult referee at halftime or after the game to seek an explanation. Youth referees should NOT be approached at half time or after the game to discuss calls. If you have a question, it may be directed to the youth referee through the Referee Assignor or Director of Referees.

At no point in time, in the history or future of soccer, will a referee's decision be reversed.  You must consider this when deciding if you want to "argue" with the referee about a call or seek "clarification" as to why a call was made.  In the end, you still may not agree with the call, but you will at least know why the referee made the call.

Many of our referees are young.  They are some of the best kids around and have played soccer and respect adults.  Do not take advantage of that respect by "bullying" them after they have made a call.  It teaches your players bad sportsmanship and may get you removed from the game and/or coaching.

Many of our referees are also coaches.  This means they have been subjected to "bad calls" from other referees.  Understand that the referee cannot see everything and what they do see, they may see differently than you.  This is a part of the game and you must teach your players to adapt and overcome any obstacles to perceive are out there.

For U4 and U8 age divisions, all games are played at Crowley or Burleson.  

For U9-U12 teams, you will participate in the Metroplex Soccer Alliance and will play half (or more) your games in Crowley and other games in other cities that participate.  

For U13 teams and up, you may participate in either the Metroplex Soccer Alliance or the Arlington Soccer Association league.  Coaches must notify the registrar if they wish to play in Arlington, otherwise they will be placed in Metroplex if that age division is available.

At the bare minimum, you need some disc cones (20 or 30 is ideal) and some pinnies. Players can bring their own soccer ball. However, most coaches will accumulate additional equipment over time that can come in very handy. Optional equipment includes:

• A coach's first aid kit
• Pop up goals or even portable full size goals like GOLME
• A dry erase clipboard with a soccer field stenciled on it. Handy for keeping papers together and drawing out things you may try to explain
• A stopwatch - handy for keeping track of time during matches
• A small ball pump
• A colorful keeper jersey and gloves
• Extra balls are always nice.  It helps keep the practice moving if you don't have to chase balls all the time

For older players - training aids like an agility ladder, hurdles, ball hoops, poles, etc.

You'll notice one item that's not on the list - a whistle. Most experienced coaches won't use a whistle and instead teach the players to listen to what they say.

This will depend on the type of team and age level of the team you are coaching. Recreational teams will often practice 1-2 times a week and play once a week. So you can expect a commitment of about 3-5 hours total including setup, picking up, etc. Add in an additional hour or so for preparation (practice plans, paperwork, etc).

Regardless of the age of your team or level, you should recruit a team manager to handle all the league paperwork, snack and make-up schedules, etc. It can be a huge help.

A good recreational team schedule to follow is:

• U4 - once or twice a week for 30-45 minutes each session
• U6-U8 - once or twice a week for 45-60 minutes each session 
• U9-U12 - twice a week for 60-90 minutes each session
• U13 and up- twice a week for 90 minutes each session

Equipment
The home team is responsible for supplying an adequate game ball for use during the game. If the home team does not have an adequate game ball, a ball from the visiting team can be used.

Jewelry
No jewelry is allowed to be worn by the players during the game except for medical or religious purposes - in this case they must be taped to the body. Earrings of all types, necklaces, and bracelets (including Live Well type bands) cannot be worn during games.

Band-Aids/tape cannot be placed over newly pierced ears during games. All players must wear age appropriate shin guards worn under the socks. In case of a jersey conflict (color), the home team will wear alternate color jerseys with numbers - colored pinnies can be worn over the numbered game jersey.

Pets
All pets are strictly prohibited at our complexes. We have experienced children injured by "small, well behaved pets on a leash." We have also experienced animals injured by running children and soccer balls. We will enforce this prohibition. Games will not be started or continued until animals are removed from the complex.

Parent Code of Conduct
1. Encourage good sporting-like behavior.
2. Act as a positive role model by showing positive support for all players, coaches and game officials.
3. Refrain from criticizing game officials or opponents, without them my child could not participate.
4. Accept the results of each game; encourage my child to be gracious in victory, and to turn defeat into victory by working towards improvement.
5. Never place the value of winning over the safety and welfare of the players.
6. Teach my child to play within the spirit and rules of the game.
7. Emphasize that the game is played for fun and the benefit of youth.
8. Remember that soccer is a team sport and will encourage my child to work with his or her teammates.
9. Avoid giving special rewards to my child for scoring, but rather promote the positive, fun aspects of team participation in the game.
10. Under no circumstances, authorize the use of performance enhancing substances.

 

All Coaches-Registration/Background Checks
All coaches and assistant coaches need to be registered and have an approved background check.  We are issuing coach cards for all our recreational coaches.  These will take the place of the background check cards that are shown when you are approved. 

You need to register using the coach link on the registration tab.  You will automatically be sent a confirmation email with your Gotsport coach account login information.  The background check access is on your Gotsport coach account in the gray bar.  You will click either submit new report.  The new report box will bring up an online form for you to fill out and submit. 

NTX does require all coaches and assistant coaches to complete Safesport Education every year, this must be completed before we can add you to your teams roster. 

Once you have registered as a coach, you will need to email the registrar about signing your coach card.  Thanks so much for volunteering with CISA 

Expectations for a CISA Coach
The coach of a team sets the attitude of everyone around them. This includes the players, parents and spectators. As the coach "the leader of the team" your responsibility is to provide a positive environment in which the children can learn and develop. The lessons that they learn extend beyond the child's soccer skills.

They include how to deal with conflict and how to demonstrate good sportsmanship before, during and after the game. BISA expects the coach to lead by example and do their very best to provide a positive soccer experience for their team. Please keep this in mind when interacting with players, parents, referees and the opposing team.

Coach Mantras
Primary focus on "development", not "winning" - subtle difference but very important.  Winning is desirable of course, but making it your primary focus, especially your primary short-term focus, will most likely lead to bad decisions in your training program and game execution.

Skills/Practices
We want our coaches equipped with the knowledge and experience to teach our boys and girls good fundamental soccer. With that being said we will offer coaching clinics before each season. With focus being on the younger age groups first and work our way to the older. Please if you are a new coach and would like someone to come out and train with you and your team and help you get organized for practices do not hesitate to email lgonzales@crowleysoccer.com.

CISA REFUND POLICY
Players are typically assigned to teams, uniforms purchased, and fees paid to NTSA, weeks
in advance of practice and game scheduling.

Therefore, once a player is registered, refunds will be at the sole discretion of the Board.
There are NO REFUNDS for practice schedule conflicts, disagreement with coach, a decision
not to play, or any other conflicts.

A refund will be granted in the following situations:

1. The child cannot be placed on a team due to lack of players or coaches prior to the
start of the season.
2. The child cannot play for medical reasons; a doctor's note must accompany the
refund request.
3. At the sole discretion of the Board
4. If registered with a credit card, there is a $5.00 processing fee that is nonrefundable
5. If a uniform was ordered, there is a $25.00 fee that is non-refundable.

Refund requests can be submitted on our website or in writing to PO Box 894 Crowley, TX