GENERAL INFORMATION
Cost is $85 for recreational ages 3-18 before the deadline. Late registration is $105 and is open until the second game of the season.
Registration includes: Jersey, shorts, socks, and end of season award.
NO refunds after uniforms are ordered (approximately 3 weeks before the season starts).
How to Register
You need to create an account on this website, baycountysoccer.org. Add your player, and then register the player for the correct age division. The website will only give you the divisions your player is eligible for according to his/her age.
Age Grouping
The lower age must be reached and the higher age not exceeded prior to January 1st of the current "playing year", as it is used here, will commence on January 1 and end on December 31.
Exceptions:
1. Players who turn three (3) years old within 1 month of January 1st of the "playing year" may participate in the BCYSA program.
2. A player may play in the next older division if and only if a parent volunteers his/her time as head or assistant coach and will be at every practice and game for the duration of the season or until the player has reached the age limit for that division according to BCYSA.
Player Pre-Placement
Player placement on a team will be limited to the head coach's children or one designee, the child of up to two assistant coaches, and the child of the team's sponsor. The Head coach must identify his/her assistants on the application - NOT by email.
Practices/Team Requests
PLEASE remember coaches pick the day, time, and practice location for their team. We will not know this information until after team formations.
Requests to play together or with a certain coach are subject to approval and are not guaranteed. Requests MUST be entered on the registration to be considered. BCYSA’s ability to satisfy all requests will also depend on the numbers and combinations of players signed up in each area for each age group.
OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BCYSA in General:
Player Registration:
Team Formation:
Playing Season:
Practice:
Equipment:
Coaching:
Refereeing:
Game Related:
Sponsoring:
Does BCYSA have insurance?
BCYSA, as an affiliate of Soccer Association for Youth (SAY) carries Accident & Liability Insurance through Bollinger Insurance.
The accident and liability policies provide coverage to insured persons while participating in the following covered activities:
- scheduled games,
- team practice sessions,
- sponsored activities, provided they are under the direct supervision of a team official;
- or sanctioned local or national tournaments.
Group Travel as a Team directly to or from such scheduled practices, games or sponsored activities is covered under the accident policy. The liability policy provides non-ownership liability only while an automobile is being used in the official business of the Soccer Association For Youth, USA (S.A.Y).
No liability coverage is provided to parents, coaches or volunteers while using any automobile to transport team members or volunteers to any practice, game or activity.
When an injury occurs, the parent or guardian should see the coach of the team so that they can fill out the Injury Report form. This will need to be completed by the parent and the coach, then given to a league representative to sign and verify the injury. The league representative will then fax this completed form to the SAY office. A representative from the SAY office will then contact the parent/guardian and send them the claim forms to be filled out for Bollinger and explain the process to the parent/guardian.
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What ages can participate in BCYSA?
Participation in BCYSA is open to all youth, ages 3 through 18 at start of the current playing year.
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Can my child play for the same coach they had before?
In order to provide for a more balanced and equitable league, as of 2001 BCYSA has adopted Team Formation Guidelines. These guidelines were implemented slowly over the past 4 years and are now in place for U6 - U16 leagues. In these age groups, only children of the coach, assistant coach, and sponsor (if obtained at time of registration) are guaranteed a spot on a specific team.
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What is the Player Registration Fee used for?
Player registration fees are used to pay for:
- SAY registration and insurance
- Field usage
- Field lighting
- Referee fees
- Referee assignor fee
- Coaches shirts
- Game balls
- Practice cones
- Printing (forms, publications)
- Mailing
- Advertising
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I missed registration; can I still register my child?
Registration closes on a specific date in order to allow us the time necessary to form teams for the season. If your child was not registered, they can still be placed on a waiting list in the order that the request is received. There is a late registration fee of $20 per child.
If you would like your child on the waiting list, you must have an account already created on our website at www.baycountysoccer.org. The wait list is operated through our website. Anyone wanting to join the wait list will register online like normal. There is no fee to be added to the wait list, but spots on a team aren’t guaranteed. IF spots on a team become available, then wait listed players will be notified in order. You will be contacted only if a spot opens up on a team for your child. When activated, you will have 48 hours to complete registration and pay late registration fees. If this is not done, we will have to move down to the next player on the list. There are no refunds from the wait list once the spot is accepted.
Note: Since teams will have already been formed you may be offered a choice outside your desired practice area. Teammate or coach requests usually cannot be honored from the wait list.
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How Are Teams Formed?
Teams are formed based upon guidelines adopted by BCYSA:
The Board always discusses team formations at length based on the number of registrations for each season. Decisions about coed vs. separate boys/girls can’t be made until this time. Please be assured that we will always do our best to create teams that are fair and safe for all players. We want to get as many players on the pitch as possible to learn and enjoy the game of soccer!
Only Board members participate in team formations. No Board member will create teams if he/she is coaching in a division or has a child that plays in that division.
Teams are formed with the goal of having balanced teams and fair competition. BCYSA considers time of registration, gender, age, ability level/experience, availability/space on teams, and evaluation scores to form teams. Requests are honored as much as possible in order to maintain the above goals.
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Why doesn't my child's team have a coach?
The backbone of BCYSA is its coaches. All volunteers, coaches are obtained from within the league from amongst the players registered. While most coaches sign-up during player registration, others are found after the teams are formed. Since the number of teams that will participate during any given season is not known until after team formation, we do not know exactly how many coaches are needed until then. The number of teams in an age group is determined by a) the number of players that register and b) the maximum number of players that can be placed on a roster.
All coaches for BCYSA are required to complete a Level 2 background check with fingerprints, and a Concussion in Sports course, per FL Statute.
It is our desire that all children that register on-time with BCYSA be afforded the opportunity to play but we can only form teams for the number of volunteers we have to serve as coaches. If you or someone you know is interested in coaching in BCYSA, please contact us via email at [email protected].
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When do the team rosters get locked in?
Team rosters get locked in on the second game day, usually the second Saturday of the season.
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Can a player be added after the roster is locked in?
No. No additions can be made to a locked roster.
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When does the season start?
Please see the list of Important Dates under the "Parents" tab on the home page.
Practices usually begin the week after our coaches meeting for the season, but every coach may be slightly different.
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Why can't my child's team practice closer to where we live?
BCYSA Coaches are all volunteers. As such, it’s up to the coach as to where and when they hold practices. Requests for practice locations or days cannot be guaranteed.
Note: If you indicate a desired practice location, and no team is formed in that location, you will be randomly assigned to a team in another location of our choosing.
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When will my child's team hold practice?
Your child's team practice time and location will be determined by the coach. BCYSA Coaches are all volunteers. As such, it’s up to the coach to determine where and when they hold practices.
Coaches are given their team's player information at the coaches pre-season meeting. You should be contacted by your child's coach shortly after this meeting.
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This is my child's first time playing soccer. What equipment will he/she need?
-
Cleats (must be soccer cleats) - please read more below
- Shin guards - please read more below
- Soccer ball - please read more below
- Mouth guard (absolutely required if your child has braces)
- Water bottle for practices and games
While the age of your child will determine which league she is placed in, the equipment requirements are the same for all ages. Shin guards are the foremost piece of equipment you will need to get for your child. The guard itself should provide protection for the entire shin; from the top of the foot, to about an inch or so below the knee. Kicks to the shin are the most common form of contact between soccer players, especially amongst younger players.
Normally players will wear shoes specifically designed for soccer. Known as "cleats" these shoes provide good grip and stability for the player while running on grassy surfaces. It is sometimes hard to find cleats for the younger players (4-6) so many choose to wear regular sneakers. While they do not provide the grip that cleats offer, for the style of game played in U6 they are sufficient.
An appropriate sized soccer ball is recommended for the child for practicing on her own, or to bring with them to practice. If using at practice, we recommend you write your name on the ball for easy identification. Different age groups use different size soccer balls.
Soccer Ball Sizes
Child's Age League Ball Size
4 - 7 U06 3
U08
8 - 11 U10 4
U12
12 - 18 U15 5
U16
U19
Shirts, Shorts and Socks are provided by the league.
* The mention of and links to specific websites listed in this FAQ does not constitute endorsement by BCYSA, its board, or members. Links are provided for informational purposes only.
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How can my team choose a uniform color?
Uniform colors can only be chosen by the sponsor of that team, depending on manufacturer availability. BCYSA reserves the right to change colors for teams based on availability and pricing.
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When will my child's team get their uniforms?
Uniforms are ordered prior to the start of each season. They are then distributed to the coaches prior to the start of the season.
Coaches, if it is less than one week before the first game of the season, and you have not received your uniforms, please contact the registrar at [email protected].
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I would like to coach my child's team but I have a police record. Can I still volunteer?
Under guidelines set forth by SAY and FDLE, you may not volunteer with BCYSA in any capacity if you have committed any disqualifying offenses. http://saysoccer.org/disqualifying_offenses.aspx
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How old do you have to be in order to become a referee?
A referee candidate must be 13 years of age prior to the start of the season in order to attend the Beginner Referee Clinic. The clinic is usually held one month prior to the start of the Spring and Fall seasons. Please contact [email protected] for questions or to sign up.
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When and where will the games be played?
All BCYSA games are played at the H.G. Harder Recreational complex on John Pitts Road. Teams are formed immediately after the last day of registration. Approximately 2 weeks later a coaches meeting is held in which coaches are given their rosters and game schedules.
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What is offside and why isn't it called all the time?
One of the most confusing aspects of the game of soccer is Law 11, Offside.
Offside seems to be the soccer rule most discussed, most complained about - and yet most misunderstood. The following links to videos may help clear up some of that confusion.
These videos are very basic and they do not emphasize that all players and the ball are constantly in motion. This makes it very tricky to call offside correctly. In addition, if you are not properly lined up, like we are teaching our referees, it is almost impossible to judge if offside occurs or not. Please keep this in mind next time you want to complain about an incorrect offside call.
Offside explained - very basic
Offside in Soccer Rule in Under 2 Minutes:
Offside explained - more detailed
Football offside / Law 11 completely explained
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Can parents/friends hang out at the team's bench?
No! During the games, only the players and the coaches (must be registered, no more than three) are allowed at the team's bench (also referred to as technical area).
We ask that all spectators to watch the games from the side opposite of the technical areas or on designated bleachers. This makes the job of the coaches a lot easier, by reducing distractions to the players, especially our younger ones.
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What about behind the goals or the bleachers behind the goal lines?
Having spectator sitting sitting/standing behind the goals and goal lines is a big distraction to referees, goal keepers and attackers! Please avoid watching from or standing/playing behind the goal lines.
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How much playing time will my child get?
Because this is a recreational league and our main goal is to have fun, it is important that each child gets to play at least 50% of each game.
Exceptions to this rule are:
- injury/illness,
- concern of possible injury, such as concussion,
-
lack of practice, (coach needs to notify league and that player/parents prior to that decision)
- overheating (per coach's best judgement),
- ejection (Red Card),
- a player refusing to play.
However, we do not request that coaches time each player precisely. We ask them to use their best possible judgment during the heat of the game. If you feel like your child was not given enough playing time, please talk to the coach first, to find out why.
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What is the Sponsor Fee used for?
Sponsor fees are collected to help offset costs for the entire league, not just a single team. In return for helping sponsor BCYSA Soccer, we offer the sponsor the opportunity to have their logo screened on the jerseys of the team of their choice.
Unfortunately we do not always get sponsors for all teams so this is a fluctuating income source. As well as uniforms, a portion of the sponsor fee is also used to pay for screening the logo on the jerseys, purchasing participation trophies and awards for the players, and purchasing plaques for the sponsors.
Sponsors can fill out a form online from the home page under the "Support BCYSA" tab. Sponsors can choose to be sent an invoice to pay the fees online, or mail them to:
BCYSA
PO Box 35203
Panama City, FL 32412
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