COACHES

Coaches are volunteers and are the backbone of the program. Coaches do not need any soccer experience. They are selected by the Commissioners after indicating a desire to coach. All who volunteer for Assistant Coach are assigned as well; anyone who steps forward to help in any way is graciously welcomed. Communication is generally by email, and although coaches do a great job of contacting the parents, it is the parents’ responsibility to make sure they are aware of practice times, locations, postponements, etc.

TEAMS

Eastchester’s Recreation League, plays in both the spring and fall seasons. Registration for the upcoming Fall season begins mid-May. There are (separate) girls’ teams and boys’ teams in each of the age groupings, from five years to fourteen years old. If you sign up for the fall season you are automatically signed up for the spring season. You can sign up only for the spring as registration begins Mid-December.

During August, the Commissioners who head each division will determine the number of teams, select and notify the coaches and develop game and practice schedules. Team placement, which is handled by the Commissioners of the respective divisions, is intended to balance the teams in terms of (perceived) talent of the players.

Age designation K (5-year old group or Pre-K, Kindergarten) teams attend a clinic, practice and play on Saturdays, usually in an hour time slot. The time slot, which is the same each week is determined by the head of the division.

Age designation L (6-year old group or 1st grade) practices on Saturday mornings and plays games on Sunday afternoons. The time slot for the practices will be at the same time and the games on Sunday will change each week.

The K and L division combined are called the Junior FutureStars. Activities are at the Anne Hutchinson School field.

The M and N players (the Senior FutureStars), where the 7 and 8-year olds (2nd & 3rd grade) play on the same team, also practice on Saturday afternoons, the time will be determine by the Commission and will be the same each Saturday. The games will be played on Sundays and will be at different times each week. This group plays at Pisacreta Field at Dunwoodie Park.

The Upper Division is composed of two groupings (each of boys and girls):
The O and P ages (9 and 10-year old 4th & 5th grade)) compose the Silver Conference of the Upper Division while the R, S, and T (12 and 13+ 6th grade and older) compose the Gold Conference.

The Q, or 11-year old, group may fall into the Silver or Gold Conference in any particular year.

The 1st week of the fall season which usually is the weekend after Labor Day the children will be participating in a player evaluation. This will help the commissioner to balance the teams so that the games are competitive.

Parents will be notified by the Thursday after the evaluation as to the team, the coach’s name and contact information, and the field to report to and time for the first gathering. Because there is little time between the evaluation and the start of the season, players may not be notified. If you are not notified by the Thursday evening after the evaluation please email esoccer@verizon.net specifying your child’s name and date of birth and the best phone number to reach you; this information will be forwarded through the Commissioner and to the Coach so that you may be notified. You will not get an email response directly to your email.

PRACTICE AND GAMES

The Fall season starts the first Saturday following Labor Day and continues for the next 11 weeks as there aren’t any practices/games on Columbus Day weekend. The Spring season commences in early April and depends upon the religious holidays. It ends in late May or early June. There will be no games on Memorial Day Weekend and no games on Mothers Day. The games on Mother’s Day will be played on Saturday before Mother’s Day.

Practices are on Saturdays. Practice times are decided upon by the Commissioner, in conjunction with the training staff and are the same time each week. Games are on Sunday afternoons (except for the 5-year old teams who do not play on Sundays). They will vary in time. Schedules for games and practice are posted in this website.

Both FutureStars groups play small-sided games on a smaller field. Coaches are expected to play each player at least half the game.
The 5 and 6-year olds play with six on a side (6v6); games are played in four quarters of 8 minutes each. The 7 and 8-year olds play (8v8); games are played in four quarters of 10 minutes each. The Upper Division plays a full 11v11, with games in the Silver Conference having 25 minute halves and the Gold Conference with 30 minute halves.

EQUIPMENT

Uniforms (shirt, shorts, and socks) are provided by the league. Players need to have their own shin guards, soccer shoes (sneakers are acceptable although not preferred). It is recommended that each player have his/her own ball (size 3 for 5 and 6 year old group, size 4 for 7 to 10-year olds; size 5 for older). Among others, Modell’s on Central Park Avenue in Yonkers carries soccer gear.

Jewelry of any kind is not allowed. Earrings may never be worn in any case or condition. This applies to games and practices. Tape over earrings is not acceptable. Having ears just pierced is not an excuse. Plastic earrings are likewise not allowed. Any referee allowing this will be suspended. Any parent allowing one’s child to wear earrings will face sanctions from the league.
Metal framed glasses are never allowed to be worn during games at any level. Plastic framed glasses with safety lenses may be worn if strapped. Sports goggles are recommended.

TRAVEL PROGRAM

EYSA has a number of travel teams who play in the Westchester Youth Soccer League against teams from nearby communities. Players are selected through tryouts and begin at the under-8 age level for boys and girls. More information can be found in the Travel Program Information part of the website.