Spring Soccer is run by SYSA (Seattle Youth Soccer Association). Magnolia Soccer Club helps where possible to match kids with coaches. You can contact our Spring Coordinator with questions about available coaches.

All the information about Spring Soccer program is listed below and located on the SYSA website - http://sysa.org.

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Team registration for SYSA Spring Soccer 2012 is now open! But before you start your team registration, make sure you read the information below. There are a number of important changes for 2012 you need to be aware of.

For all the details about Spring Soccer, including a FAQ, Coaches Page, and Spring Soccer Rules, visit the SYSA web site Spring Soccer page. The information below summarizes some of the key points about our spring program for 2012.

SYSA Mission - SYSA's program goals for Spring Soccer build on the league's founder and visionary, Neil Callahan. Our goal is to give kids a chance to play soccer each spring, learning the game, getting as many touches on the ball as they can, improving their skills and ultimately their enjoyment. Spring Soccer is intentionally structured to be less competitive, and focuses on letting the kids learn from the game. We don't keep score or list standings. We don't have official referees. Much like an old-fashioned pickup game, we want the kids to enjoy the essence of the game. We encourage kids to be creative, have fun, and not worry so much about winning and losing. Please join us in promoting the spirit of Spring Soccer as Neil originally envisioned it. Let them play!

Balancing Competition in Leagues - Some of the feedback we received in the past few years asked us to do a better job of balancing leagues and competition. In order to provide better balance, we are asking coaches to declare the relative strength and experience of their players and teams during registration. You'll be asked if your team is Rec Level 1 (least competitive), Rec Level 2 (more competitive), or Super Rec/Select (highly competitive). Be prepared BEFORE starting registration to choose one of these levels.

Playing Up - In 2012, we are giving U9, U10, and U11 teams the option to play up one age group (for example, a U9 team could play with U10 teams). This age difference is one way to create more challenge and competition for stronger teams and players. Please indicate on the registration form if you would be willing to play up an additional year. Keep in mind that your spring age group is based on the coming fall, not the previous fall. If you played U10 in fall 2011, you'll play at U11 in 2012. Playing up would then mean moving from U10 in the fall to U12 in the spring, still only one age up from the team's peer group.

Assigning Individual Players to Teams - Our system for matching individual players with teams relied on the families of the players contacting the coaches of teams with open roster spots. We've found this to be more and more unworkable as the size of the league has grown. This year, SYSA will be assigning players without a team to teams that have openings on their roster. While we expect this to make is easier for players and teams to get matched up, we cannot guarantee that every player who wants to play in spring will be placed on a team. We'll do our best this year to see how this new approach works. It is still best if players can find an existing team in their neighborhood to join.

Rule Changes in Older Age Groups - Teams in Spring Soccer play in the age group of the upcoming fall. For example, a team that was U10 in fall 2011 will play in a U11 league in spring. For our mod teams in the U7 through U11 ages, this move up to a year older league often includes a number of rule changes. Here are a few examples of these rule changes:

· Offside: The offside rule goes into effect beginning at U10. If your team played U9 in the fall, they will need to be aware of the offsides rule in the spring. (Keep in mind that the even at U9 and younger, the intent of the offsides rule should be followed; for example, coaches should not be positioning a player in front of the goal.)

· Goal keeping: Teams begin using goal keepers at U8.

· Free kicks: At U10 and above, direct kicks at the goals are allowed. Only indirect kicks are allowed at U9 and below.

· Slide tackling: Slide tacking is not allowed at U10 and below, but is allowed beginning at U11.

· Ball sizes: Use a size 3 ball for U7 and U8; size 4 for U9 through U12; size 5 for U13 and older.

All the small sided rules are available with full details on the SYSA web site at this link.

Deadlines and Dates - Here are the key dates for the Spring Soccer 2012 season:

Registration Opens: Wednesday, January 25
Registration Closes: February 22
Late Fee Registration: Between February 22 and 28, teams will pay an extra $100 late fee to register. Late registrations cause SYSA staff a great deal more work in scheduling. REGISTER ON TIME!
Coaches Meeting: March 14; all first and second year coaches MUST attend
Games Begin: April 1
Games End: June 17
No Games: Easter and Memorial Day weekends, April 8 and May 27. All other weekends will have games scheduled.

Finally, we have posted all the information and the answers to nearly all questions on the Spring Soccer web site. Please review the site before contacting us. If you cannot find what you need, a list of contact information is also on the site.

Thank you and have fun!