Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register my player for Caro Soccer Club?
Can we join Caro Soccer Club if we don’t live in Caro or attend Caro schools?
What are the age groups?
Can my children all play on the same team? Can my player be on the same team as a friend? Can we request a specific coach?
What is the cost to play soccer in Caro Soccer Club?
Are there any fees for dropping out early? Can I get a refund if my player drops out early?
When are practices held?
When and where are games played?
When will rosters and schedules be available?
Will games be cancelled due to bad weather?
What equipment will my player need?
What are the rules CSC follows for gameplay?
Are family and friends allowed to attend games?
How can I help CSC be successful? Is volunteering required?
I don't know much about soccer, so why are you asking me to coach?
The easiest way to register your player is to visit the mobile-friendly Registration page on CaroSoccerClub.com. Click the "Sign In" button at the top-right of the page, and either sign in or create a new account. Once you create an account, your basic information will be saved so registration will be quick and easy every season. After you're signed in, click the "Place Order" link, and follow the fill-in-the-blank forms.
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Absolutely! Caro Soccer Club is a community nonprofit youth soccer club. We work closely with the local school district, but are not affiliated in any way. We don't have any locality regulations. All are welcome!
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CSC uses the "Under x" system for age divisions. Each division is labelled with a "U" followed by a number, indicating that the division is for players under that age.
(Player level is determined on birth year)
2018 - 2019 = U6
2016 - 2017 = U8
2014 - 2015 = U10
2012 - 2013 = U12
2009 - 2011 = U15
- U6 = 4-5 year olds with 4 players per team (no goalie) playing 4 periods at 6 minutes each
- U8 = 6-7 year olds with 5 players per team (no goalie) playing 4 periods at 12 minutes each
- U10 = 8-9 year olds with 7 players per team playing 2 periods at 25 minutes each
- U12 = 10-11 year olds with 9 players per team playing 2 periods at 30 minutes each
- U15 = 12-14 year olds with 11 players per team playing 2 periods at 34 minutes each
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Yes! ...when possible... There is a field on the registration form for special requests, and we try to accommodate them as much as possible. The CSC board members are parents of players too, so we understand how difficult it can be to manage schedules for multiple players and teams. We will always put siblings in the same age group on the same team. If siblings are in different age groups, we do our best to synchronize scheduling, though we do have limited control over that. Best friends and ride sharing are also great reasons for special requests. To keep teams balanced and fair, it is in the best interest of the program to divide players based on skill level to provide all with an experience that will be fun, yet a learning experience to continue to develop their soccer skills.
Unfortunately, we can't accommodate all requests - especially if it means a player would have to play in a different division than normal for their age. When needed, we can bump a younger player up to a higher division, and it happens rarely for players who are especially large for their age, or more experienced and looking for that bigger challenge. These requests will be reviewed by the board and approved on a case-by-case basis.
However, we generally cannot move an older player down to a lower division except in very special circumstances. In order to keep things fair for everyone, especially teams we play from other organizations, we have to follow the general rules of youth soccer which state that a team is defined by the OLDEST player on the roster. That means a team with eight 10-11 year olds and just one 12 year old is actually a U14 team. Otherwise, there would be all kinds of unfair chaos with a team of eight 12-13 year olds and one 11 year old trouncing on a normal U12 team of mostly 10 year olds. That creates a safety problem as much as it is unfair as the older players tend to be much larger and more aggressive than the younger players. The board will consider these requests only in special circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
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New registration rates coming this fall: Registration for a single season is ($40 per U6-U10 player) and ($50 per U12-U15 player). Payment registration fees must be paid in full before opening day.
Caro Soccer Club is a nonprofit community youth sports organization. The registration fee is required to cover expenses such as uniforms, equipment (goals, balls, line paint, etc.), field and property maintenance, required insurance, administrative costs (software, printing, etc.), and general repairs and upgrades. All CSC workers, including all board members, are unpaid volunteers. All monies paid to CSC go directly into the club itself.
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There are no fees for dropping out early. The only additional fee CSC enforces is a $30 jersey replacement fee if a player's jersey doesn't get returned.
Refunds are available up until opening day for the current season. Once the season has begun, no refunds will be issued.
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There is no official schedule for practices. Most U6 teams don't have regular practices, opting to just have a mini practice/warm-up before each game. Most U8 and up teams will hold a one hour practice once a week. Each coach will work with their players and parents to determine what works best for everyone for practices.
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For all non-travel divisions (U6-U10), regular games are on Saturday mornings at either 10am or 11am, and Tuesday evenings at 6pm. All U6 and U8 games are played at home at the Caro Soccer Complex located at 1365 E Caro Rd, Caro, MI 48723. Please reference the map on the CSC website for the field layout.
The U10 division will usually have 1 or 2 travel games just to give them an idea of what it's like before they move up to U12. These are usually played in Cass City.
Travel divisions (U12 and up) have varying schedules and locations due to having to coordinate with other organizations. Schedules will be posted on the CSC website as soon as they are available. There will also be links to the locations of all travel games on the CSC website.
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We can't begin making schedules until we know for sure how many teams we will have, and we can't begin making team rosters until we know for sure how many players we will have at the close of registration. That means that rosters and schedules generally won't be available until at least two before the season starts. The CSC board will get that information out as quickly as possible, and coaches will begin contacting their players as soon as they get a roster from the board.
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Soccer is played in varying weather conditions, and is only cancelled for safety concerns. In the event of a thunderstorm (thunder heard or lightning seen), all games will be paused and players removed from the fields until the weather has been clear of thunder and lightning for 20 minutes. Anyone can bring up safety concerns, and coaches have the right to pull their players from the field, however only referees and board members have the authority to cancel games. Cancellations will be based on current weather conditions, forecasts, and weather radar. Please don't assume games are cancelled just because it's raining or snowing. Cancellations will be announced via email, text, Facebook, and in person.
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The only required equipment is the player's uniform. A proper uniform consists of:
- Caro Soccer Club Jersey
- Black Shorts or Pants
- Black Soccer Socks
- Shin Guards
- Closed-Toe Athletic Shoes
Caro Soccer Club Jersey
A reversible 2-color Caro Soccer Club jersey will be issued to each player at the beginning of the season, and is to be turned back in at the end of the season. There is a $30 fee to be charged for any jerseys not returned to Caro Soccer Club, and the player will not be able to play again until either the jersey is returned or the fee is paid. NOTE: Black = Home , Yellow = Away
Black Shorts/Pants
Players are allowed to wear either shorts or pants as long as they are black. Leggings/tights are not acceptable as pants alone, and must be covered by either shorts or pants. Shorts/pants must be free of extraneous zippers and other adornments that may be hazardous on the field. Logos, stripes, and graphics on clothing are permissible, though we ask that they be tasteful and minimal.
Black Soccer Socks
Socks will be black in color and long enough to completely cover the player's shin guards. This is a safety rule and will be strictly enforced. There are often new soccer socks available in the CSC Clubhouse for purchase.
Shin Guards
Shin guards are required for all games and practices. Shin guards must be completely covered by socks. This is a safety rule and will be strictly enforced. There are occasionally used shin guards available in the CSC Clubhouse for free and/or exchange. See a board member with questions.
Closed-Toe Athletic Shoes
Shoes must be fully closed-toe; no sandals, flip-flops, or other open shoes are allowed. Soccer cleats are strongly recommended, but not required. Baseball cleats are not acceptable unless the toe cleat has been cut off. Absolutely no metal cleats will be allowed. There are often used soccer cleats available in the CSC Clubhouse for free and/or exchange. See a board member with questions.
Coaches and Board Members have the right to refuse to allow a player to take the field if they are not in a proper and appropriate uniform.
Your player will also need a soccer ball to practice at home. Balls will be provided to each coach for official practices and games, but these are reserved for team use, not personal use. See your team coach or a board member for recommendations on types and sizes.
IMPORTANT: Bring water! Even on cooler days, be sure your player brings water with them. Dehydration is a big health concern and a primary cause of injuries and exhaustion with athletes of all ages.
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Caro Soccer Club generally follows the standard FIFA "Laws of the Game" with the exception of a few necessary changes mostly to accommodate younger learning players. CSC generally references U.S. Youth Soccer and AYSO as examples as well. Please speak with your team coach or a board member to learn about specific rule variances.
For parents who want to learn more or are just plain new to soccer/CSC, we hold a "Parent's Meeting" before each season. This meeting is a good way to get familiar with the club, the basics of soccer, meet the CSC Board of Directors, and is open to everyone - not just new parents. Watch the calendar on the CSC website and the CSC Facebook page for announcements on the date and time of the next Parent's Meeting.
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Not just "allowed" - ENCOURAGED! Please, feel free to tell your friends and family members about Caro Soccer Club. We are a community organization, so the more, the merrier! Each team will have its own "Team Site" on the CSC website. Once you have access to it, you can share the roster and schedules with your family members. The game schedules will also be available to the public on the CSC website (schedules only on the public website - not rosters).
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Caro Soccer Club is a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit organization. That means everything is done by people who are willing to give up their own personal free time to help provide the youth in our community a safe place to enjoy a great sport. While we don't have any specific requirements for volunteering, we really do need all the help we can get. On average, we have about 190 players each season. That means we probably have anywhere between 200-300 adults as a part of our community organization. During a "good season", the entire organization is run by a team of 11 board members, 4-5 occasional helpers, and about 20 coaches (many of our board members and helpers double as coaches). That's less than 10% of our community doing 100% of the work - and we tend to think we've been doing a pretty good job sustaining a pretty good organization. Imagine how much more we could accomplish with so much less work for everyone if more people would help! There are lots of volunteer opportunities, some which are a lot of work (board members, coaching, etc.) and some not so much (concessions, line painting, etc.). Please, ask a board member how you can help. They'll work with you to find something that you can enjoy doing without the stress of another added responsibility. The more people we get to help, the less work we all have to do.
If you don't have time but can afford to provide financial support, CSC is always looking for sponsors. Sponsorships help keep the costs down for our players, help us provide more improvements to the organization, and can help get the word out about your business or organization. It's a win-win! See a CSC board member for more details on becoming a sponsor.
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Every season we hear comments and questions like: "How hard is it to coach?" "How much do I need to know? I don't really know very much about soccer." "I don't think I CAN coach." Those can be tough questions to answer without knowing everybody's experience, but coaching soccer is absolutely nothing to be afraid of if you're willing to try. There's many different levels, and most of them are very easy to work with. It's definitely possible for even someone with absolutely no experience to coach soccer, especially if you have any desire to learn. There are tons of free resources available, and it's really not as hard to learn as you might think. It definitely takes natural skill and practice to be a great soccer player, but anyone who wants to can learn to be a great coach, especially at these young age groups. Keep in mind that almost 80% of our players are under 12 years old, and we all know 12 year olds don't know everything as well as they think they do. ~wink~
Let's see if we can help with some real-world descriptions of the age groups.
(Remember, the "U" in each age group means "Under", meaning U8 players will be Under 8, so 6-7 years old.)
U6 = Herding Cats
If you've ever even babysat for a 4-5 year old when there was a ball in the room, you know there's about as much chance of getting them to sit still long enough to learn soccer "skills" as there is of training cats to march in line. With these kids, it's really about making sure they learn not to use their hands and to run the right direction. There are a few simple rules to work on, like throw-ins and goal kicks, but it's introductory and very easy to learn. Not many at this age are really "soccer players"; they're just kids who want to play soccer. It's all about fun for them, and they're a ton of fun to coach and watch.
No hands at any time!!!
Penalty kicks do NOT apply
Ball Size: 3
At this level is it not about winning or losing, it’s having fun and learning the game
Players: 4 vs 4, if a team is short players, you may borrow from opposing team to make teams even and fair
NO GOALIE
NO OFFSIDES
Arrive to game field minimum of 15 minutes before game to warm kids up
Referees: Coaches or volunteer parent are encouraged to be on field to help young players learn the game and guide them during play time (not interfering with ball play)
Unlimited Subs - encouraged to do during a dead ball (ball that has gone out of bounds or a scored goal)
Not mandatory, but a few practices are encouraged prior to season to teach the basics and get to know your players so they are comfortable once games to begin
At this level, many players need to be encouraged while making the game a fun experience for them. (see above resources for games to be played while teaching the skills of soccer)
Game Length: 24 minutes
Throw-ins or Kick-ins on out of bounds play
If the ball is kicked out the side of the field = throw in
If the ball is kicked out the end line by offense = goal kick by defense
If the ball is kicked out the end line by defense = corner kick by offense
U8 = Soccer Basics
At ages 6-7, a few of them have decided they're soccer players and want to learn some skills, but most of them are still there just because it's fun to play. They're ready to learn the concepts of offense vs defense and learn *about* positions and a few skills, but nothing too intense. They still don't even have goalies at this age because this is where they just start to learn the basic soccer skills. There's nothing they're ready to learn that you can't teach yourself with a few minutes of reading and/or watching videos.
No hands at any time!!!
Penalty kicks do NOT apply
Ball Size: 3
At this level the player is learning the name of positions to the game and sticking to their designated areas.
It still remains about having fun, as some may still want to keep score
Players: 5 vs 5, if a team is short players, you may borrow from opposing team to make teams even and fair
Teaching of the term OFFSIDES - defense may not cross midfield at any time (this is a coachable moment. Do not call the term, but if needed, stop and explain what may have gone wrong)
Arrive to game field minimum of 15 minutes before game to warm kids up
Referees: Coaches or volunteer parents are encouraged to be on field for coachable moments but to not interfere with play time.
There are no real referees at this level, so coaches need to make calls when needed
Unlimited Subs - encouraged to do during a dead ball (ball that has gone out of bounds or a scored goal)
Not mandatory, but practices are encouraged
HAVE FUN and manage/share play time evenly amongst players
Game Length: 40 minutes
Throw-ins or Kick-ins on out of bounds play
If the ball is kicked out the side of the field = throw in
If the ball is kicked out the end line by offense = goal kick by defense
If the ball is kicked out the end line by defense = corner kick by offense
U10 = Soccer Players
Around age 8-9, most of these kids have decided they're soccer players and want to learn how to win. They're not quite as ready to learn advanced skills as they think, but they'll surprise you how quickly they can pick things up. They're not all permanent soccer players either. This is usually the last age group that fun players will stick around, but they are still there. This is still a good age group for a beginning coach as long as you've got the ambition to teach yourself along the way. U10 players really want to learn, and they'll need to learn to stay competitive, but the skills they're learning are not difficult, and there are tons of free resources any adult can use to teach themselves how to coach U10. By now, they should understand offense vs defense, and they should know *about* some of the positions on the field. Now, they're ready to actually learn the different positions (forwards, defenders, sweeper, etc). This is the first time they'll get to have a goalkeeper, and they'll all want to try it just like every other position. It's even more important to help them learn ball handling. Don't let that scare you! Remember, these are 8 and 9 year old kids. If you've got basic coordination, you can watch a few videos online and learn enough to teach them some good passing techniques and how to properly kick a ball. Your organization (CSC) will be there to help you too. There's really no reason anybody can't coach U10 if they're willing to try.
No hands at any time!!!
Penalty kicks “MAY” be awarded
Ball Size: 4
There is a designated GOALKEEPER
At this level the player has knowledge of soccer terms and positions of the game and sticking to their designated areas.
Keeping score is not necessary, but the game becomes more competitive
Heading the ball is not allowed at this level (if happens, stop and explain it’s not allowed at this level for safety purposes)
Players: 7 vs 7
1 goalie - stay in position
3 offense - run the whole field or 4 offense
3 defense- stay behind midfield or 2 defense
The term OFFSIDES should be familiar now, so coaches/referee should be making the call or giving a warning (if needed at beginning of season) to teach the importance of the term while game play
Arrive to game field minimum of 15+ minutes before game to warm kids up
Referees: coaches or designated referees will make the call but not interfere with play time. (Parents on the sideline are NOT referees!)
There are no MANDATORY referees at this level, so coaches need to make calls when needed if a referee is not present
Unlimited Subs - encouraged to do during a dead ball (ball that has gone out of bounds or a scored goal)
Practices are encouraged (one a week if coach feels necessary)
HAVE FUN and manage/share play time evenly amongst players
Game Length: 50 minutes
Throw-ins or Kick-ins on out of bounds play
If the ball is kicked out the side of the field = throw in
If the ball is kicked out the end line by offense = goal kick by defense
If the ball is kicked out the end line by defense = corner kick by offense
U12 = Soccer Team
By the time kids are 10-11 years old, they've probably been playing soccer for at least 2-4 years or more, and they're back because they love it. There will still be some new players occasionally, but most of them have been playing soccer for about half their lives now. These are soccer players ready to become a real soccer team. They're familiar with the positions on the field, and many of them have a specialty where they play best. They're ready to work on increasing their individual skills and combining them to make one effective team. Even if you're an experienced player yourself, coaching U12 is probably easiest after a couple seasons working with the younger groups to help you understand where they should be skill-wise. You want to be able to help them increase their teamwork with passing and defensive plays while always working on improving their individual ball-handling skills, but you have to be able to do this at their level. U12 players will be determined and competitive, so it's easy for a coach to get over-excited about what they're capable of and expect too much. By this time, these kids are great soccer players and will impress you with their physical skills, but they're still just 10-11 year old kids who need to be nurtured and cared for as the children they are. They're ready for consistent practices, but they're not all 100% sure they're ready to commit their lives to being soccer players.
No hands at any time!!!
Penalty kicks will be awarded
Tripping players
Unnecessary roughness
Ball Size: 4
There is a designated GOALKEEPER
At this level the player has knowledge of soccer terms and positions of the game and sticking to their designated areas.
Keeping score is not necessary, but the game becomes more competitive
Heading the ball is allowed at this level (keep in mind, players need to know how to properly head the ball for personal safety)
Players: 9 vs 9
1 goalie - stay in position
4 offense - run the whole field or 5 offense
4 defense- stay behind midfield or 3 defense
The term OFFSIDES is enforced at this level (this is a penalty)
Arrive to game field minimum of 15+ minutes before game to warm kids up
Referees: referees will make the final call unless no ref is necessary then the coach(es) will make the call. (Parents on the sideline are NOT referees!)
Unlimited Subs - encouraged to do during a dead ball (ball that has gone out of bounds or a scored goal)
Practices are encouraged (one a week if coach feels necessary)
HAVE FUN and manage/share play time evenly amongst players
Game Length: 60 minutes
Throw-ins or Kick-ins on out of bounds play
If the ball is kicked out the side of the field = throw in
If the ball is kicked out the end line by offense = goal kick by defense
If the ball is kicked out the end line by defense = corner kick by offense
U15 = Soccer Athletes
If kids are still signing up to give up their weeknights to play soccer instead of video games when they're 12-13 years old, you can bet they really want to play soccer. There will still be a few fun players in every age group, but they're few and far between by U14. Many of these kids have been playing soccer for 8+ years, and half of them will join the competitive high school team next year. These kids mean business. They know the game. They know the field. They know the positions. They know how to play soccer. What they want is a coach who can help them hone their skills both as individuals and as a team so they can work together as one mighty effective machine made of many different parts. They'll be expecting consistent practices, and they need practice to help them grow and be better prepared for the school team next year. A U14 coach needs to be ready to take charge of practices with some effective drills and skills to help experienced players grow even more. As a coach, you'll be amazed at how much they improve each game. At this point, with good guidance and leadership they'll learn a lot on their own as they play together, and they'll absorb every new skill you take the time to teach them.
No hands at any time!!!
Penalty kicks will be awarded
Tripping players
Unnecessary roughness
Ball Size: 5
There is a designated GOALKEEPER
At this level the player has knowledge of soccer terms and positions of the game and sticking to their designated areas.
Develop high end ball control and team work utilizing all players
Keeping score is not necessary, but the game becomes more competitive
Heading the ball is allowed at this level (keep in mind, players need to know how to properly head the ball for personal safety)
Players: 11 vs 11
1 goalie - stay in position
5 offense - run the whole field or 6 offense
5 defense- stay behind midfield or 4 defense
The term OFFSIDES is enforced at this level (this is a penalty)
Arrive to game field minimum of 15+ minutes before game to warm kids up
Referees will make the final call not coach(es) and/or parents on the sideline
Unlimited Subs - encouraged to do during a dead ball (ball that has gone out of bounds or a scored goal)
Practices are encouraged (one a week if coach feels necessary)
HAVE FUN and manage/share play time evenly amongst players
Game Length: 80 minutes
Throw-ins or Kick-ins on out of bounds play
If the ball is kicked out the side of the field = throw in
If the ball is kicked out the end line by offense = goal kick by defense
If the ball is kicked out the end line by defense = corner kick by offense
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