RULES & POLICIES

COMPETITIVE PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY

The NTSC program is committed to developing players, coaches and referees in a positive soccer environment. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for players to play at the highest level commensurate with individual ability, potential and interest. 

TEAM ADMINISTRATION

Head Coach

The role of the Head Coach is:

  • To train the team 

  • To coach during games

  • To undertake player evaluations

  • To hold two team meetings during the course of the year

  • Be the first line of communication for team parents when a potential grievance is identified

  • To address concerns from parents concerning their child

  • To communicate with their team relative to schedules, tournaments, etc.

A Head Coach may be coaching more than one NTSC team. Because of this, there may be schedule conflicts that prevent the Head Coach from making it to every game. In these instances another NTSC professional trainer will cover the game. 

Team Administrative Requirements

  • Each team will provide the appropriate number of volunteers for each Club activity when needed.

  • Each team is responsible for any fees or expenses related to participation in tournaments, indoor field usage etc. that are above the levels committed to by the Club.

  • Each team is responsible for ensuring that the appropriate respect and good sportsmanship are displayed at all times by their parents, spectators and players.

  • Each team is responsible for ensuring that at least one parent from the team is present at every team practice and game.

TRYOUTS

Procedure 

NTSC will hold tryouts for needed age levels during the spring soccer season. These tryouts are designed to evaluate new and current players and ensure that they are placed on the appropriate roster. Roster decisions will be made by the Director of Coaching (DOC) and the NTSC professional coaching staff. NTSC players are continually evaluated during the course of the soccer season. If deemed in the best interest of the player, the DOC reserves the right to transfer a player midseason to a higher or lower level team.  These discussions will be made after communication with the player’s parent(s)/Guardian.

Team Assignments

Team assignments are made by the Director of Coaching and the NTSC professional coaches and are based upon skill level, birth year and capabilities. The Club reserves the right to assign individual players to teams that are not age appropriate, but a better fit with the player’s skill level and capabilities. The Club also reserves the right to assign players to teams to ensure that there are enough players to field a team at a particular age group, as long as the assignment does not negatively impact the player’s development.

OUTDOOR LEAGUES

Both Girls and boys have the opportunity to participate and play in the YMCA recreational league, in-house YMCA Spirit league, and Nebraska Youth Soccer League (NYSL).  Starting at U10, teams may participate in the NYSL Premiership League or Midwest Regional League.

INDOOR LEAGUES

Teams have the opportunity to participate in the Speedway league in Lincoln or other area leagues.

TOURNAMENTS

Every team is encouraged to participate in tournaments each season based on their ability. The DOC will have all the information for local tournaments within a 200 mile radius.

Decisions to participate in additional tournaments are at the discretion of the individual teams. Entry fees, as well as trainers’ fees, accommodations, and travel expenses will be the sole responsibility of the participating team.  

PLAYING TIME

NTSC does not have a policy on equal playing time for all players on a team. Playing time is determined by several factors including: attendance at practices and games; attitude at practices and games; and playing ability. However, NTSC Soccer encourages all coaches to substitute so that all registered players have some playing time.

PRACTICE & ATTENDANCE

Training is mandatory.  Team coaches must be notified and approve ahead of time. While every effort is made to keep consistency, due to field constraints a team’s training nights may differ each season. 

GOALKEEPER PROGRAM

NTSC offers specialized training for the goalkeeper position upon request by player or coach. This training is in addition to the team training. If a player has a goalkeeper training session conflicting with a team training session, the team training can be missed as long as it is communicated with the coaches.

UNIFORMS

NTSC strives to project a professional image both on and off the field. The club uniform plays an integral part in the projection of club identity by instilling a sense of team pride and community within the organization. Players are required to wear only the prescribed uniform components to games. The full kit is mandatory for all players.

GRIEVANCES

Grievances or complaints about team matters should be directed to the head coach and, if possible, resolved at the team level. If the matter cannot be resolved at the team level, the head coach should present the grievance or complaint to the Director of Coaching. Grievances or complaints about the coach should be communicated directly to the Director of Coaching. All grievances or complaints given to the Director of Coaching will be reviewed with the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has the authority to resolve the matter.

All grievances and complaints should be resolved in accordance with Club, NYSL and NSSA USYSA rules, policies and procedures. If no clear applicable rules, policies, or procedures exist, the Board of Directors will make the final determination.

CLUB FEES AND FINANCIAL POLICIES

Fees for participation in the club may cover the entire soccer year. A player who accepts an invitation to play with the Club commits to pay the entire fee for the full soccer year depending on team/coach policy. No refunds, partial or full, will be issued to players who choose not to participate for any reason at any point after the commitment is made.  At the discretion of the NTSC Board, a discretionary credit may be considered for a season ending injury.  No refunds, partial or full will be made in the event a player is suspended or removed from the program.

Failure to pay fees on time will result in the player being suspended from play for all practices, games and tournaments. Upon receipt of payment, including any late fees the player will be reinstated. The player is considered ineligible for play until all financial issues are resolved. 

The DOC or Board of Directors must be notified in writing in regards of circumstances preventing the fulfillment of fee commitments. Extended payment plans will be considered on a case by case basis.

NTSC will honor requests for players to be released from an NTSC team to join another club provided all NTSC fees have been paid in full.  All fees must be paid prior to the release of the player pass. The player requesting the release is responsible for any fees associated with the release from NTSC.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The NTSC is committed to ensuring that no child shall be denied a roster spot based upon financial needs. To that end, NTSC has established a financial assistance program to support needy families. The program allows for those families to perform additional volunteer duties over the course of the soccer year, in lieu of paying a portion of the club fees. Applications for financial assistance must be received before or at the time of registration. Applications are kept confidential.

FUNDRAISING

NTSC will seek additional ways to raise funds to help defray the cost of the program, and is open to suggestions. Suggestions should be forwarded to the board for review. No individual team shall fundraise without the approval of the NTSC Board of Directors. In addition, no teams are allowed to seek donations from current Club vendors and marketing partners. 

PARENT/PLAYER COMMITMENT

Parent/Player Agreement

Every parent and player consents to a code of conduct agreement and all club policies upon accepting an invite to join the club. This Parent/Player agreement sets out expectations relative to behavior, sportsmanship, and conduct as a member of NTSC. By signing the document, the parent/player agrees to honor this agreement. Violations of the agreement may result in sanctions being imposed on the offending member. These sanctions may include, but are not limited to: reprimand; suspension from the team and club activities and facilities; and in extreme cases, expulsion from the club. No refunds, partial or full will be made in the event a player is suspended or removed from the program.

Player Supervision

All parents are responsible for the supervision of their children. For those situations where the parent cannot be present, the parent must ensure that the child is supervised by another family attending the same event. No children should be left at an event unsupervised. Any situation where a child is at an event unsupervised must be immediately reported.

Recruiting Practices and Poaching

By accepting an invitation to join the Club, the player commits to playing in the club for the entire soccer year. Any player or parent found to be actively recruiting NTSC players to transfer to another soccer organization will be suspended for a minimum of one year and may be further disciplined by the Board of Directors. In instances where a parent is directly involved, and has more than one player in the Club, the suspension will be extended to include all other family members.

Sideline Behavior

Parents are expected to maintain a positive sportsmanship approach towards all players, officials, coaches, and other families before, during, and after a game. Verbal or physical assaults on referees, players, coaches or other parents will not be tolerated and will be cause for suspension.  In addition, it is important that parents avoid attempting to help coach players from the sideline. League rules require that coaches be located in the bench area during the course of a game. Teams that are deemed to be breaking this rule may be subjected to a penalty. By observing this rule, the parents also reduce potential confusion created when players receive instructions from multiple sources. Allowing the coaches to be the sole source of instruction during a game ensures that the potential for player confusion is reduced. Behavior by the parent or player in contradiction to the player/parent agreement and/or deemed inappropriate by the Board will result in disciplinary action.

Guest Playing & Non-Sanctioned Even Participation

NTSC is dedicated in providing a complete and comprehensive developmental program for each individual player. The club does not permit player participation in non-NTSC soccer events. Guest playing or training for any other soccer organization for players is not permitted.  A player commits to NTSC  for the soccer year which is August 1 to July 31st

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Behavior by the parent or player in contravention to the player/parent agreement and/or deemed inappropriate by the NTSC Board of Directors will result in disciplinary action which may include but is not limited to the following:

1. Issue a letter of reprimand

2. Place on probation with such special conditions as are deemed appropriate

3. Suspend for a definite period of time not to exceed one (1) year from the date of the offense.

Disciplinary action may be extended to include all family members.

If the Board of Directors finds the conduct of any player/parent purposely ignores the NTSC Rules, Regulations or is detrimental to the objectives of the club, it may suspend the member, or take such other sanctions or actions deemed necessary under the circumstances.