Franklin Township Soccer Club Home

Frequently Asked Questions

Registration

Q.	When and where can I register to play soccer for FTSC?
A.	Players can register either online or at one of our on-site registration dates. Online registration is a quick and easy way to register 24 hours a day but payment must be made by credit card. If you want to pay by check, players must register at one of our on-site registration dates. Players should register early to avoid being placed on a wait list due to full age divisions. Refer to the Recreational Teams tab on our website for registration dates, times, and locations.

Q.	How much are registration fees?
A.	For registration fees, refer to the Registration tab on our website. A uniform is included in the registration fee for recreational soccer.

Q.	How old does my son or daughter have to be to start playing soccer for FTSC?
A.	In order to play in the fall session, players must be 4-years old as of July 31st. Players must be 4-years old as of December 31st in order to play in the spring session.

Q.	How do I request a refund?
A.	Requests for refunds must be received in writing no later than l week after the end of late registration and is subject to a $15 administrative fee.

Q.	I missed the registration period. Can I still get my child registered for soccer?
A.	In some cases, players may be allowed to complete registration if there are still openings in the particular age division. If the particular age division is full, players will be placed on a wait list and contacted later if an opening becomes available.

Q.	How do I know what age group my child will be in?
A.	Players are placed in an age group based on their age as of July 31st. The player will remain at this age group level for both the fall and spring seasons. Players will change age groups at the beginning of the fall season if necessary. For example, if a player is 5 years old as of July 31st and his/her birthday is September 1st, the player will be in the under-6 division. He/she will move up to the under-8 division the following fall season.

Q.	Can my children play on the same team?
A.	Siblings in the same age group (see above) are placed on the same team. Since our registration system assigns players to teams randomly, please add a comment in the appropriate box when registering the players that each has a sibling in the same age group.

Q.	Can I request that a neighbor, friend, or relative be on the same team as my child?
A.	In most cases, FTSC does not honor requests for teammates, unless the parents volunteer to coach together (example: coach and assistant, or coach and team manager, etc).

Coaching

Q.	What are the responsibilities involved in being a coach or assistant coach?
A.	The Coach is the primary leader for the team. He or she schedules and runs the practices. The Assistant Coach helps and supports the coach, especially if the coach is unavailable for an occasional game or practice.

Q.	What are the responsibilities involved in being a team manager/parent?
A.	The team manager/parent helps by coordinating uniform pick up and distribution, snack schedule, concession stand duty, and (especially for the younger teams) monitoring the players on the bench while the coach is helping the players on the field.

Q.	What if I do not have any soccer experience?
A.	No experience is necessary! FTSC is about learning and having fun, even for the coaches! We have a coaching clinic before the start of each season. For new coaches, it is a great opportunity to learn from experienced coaches about the sport, rules, practice ideas, and the FT Soccer Club. A certain level of competence is necessary to coach the older teams, but there are always ways to help.

Q.	How do I know who is on my team?
A.	Teams are randomly assigned by a computer software program. Your child is automatically on your team. Coaches will receive a roster with names and contact information when they attend the coach’s clinic. Coaches will need to contact each child/family and introduce themselves. Coaches should tell players the team name and the time of the first practice. It is helpful if the coach makes a sign with the team name for the first practice for easy identification.

Q.	What do the letters and numbers mean (U6N, U8E, etc?)
A.	The U stands for under, so the players on the U6 team are under six years old (depending on when their birthday falls). Because there are so many teams in the younger divisions, we separate them into N=north, E=east, W=west. Make sure you and your players know which you are.

Q.	How will I know about any special needs of the children on my team?
A.	Your roster should have any immediate information such as allergies or disabilities, but it is a good idea to check with the parents.

Q.	What is the Risk Management Disclosure?
A.	The Risk Management disclosure is a background check required by the Indiana Youth Soccer Association. All coaches and assistant coaches must complete this every 2 years. You will find the link for it on our website under the Volunteers tab and coaches heading.

Practices and Games

Q.	Where are the practices and games played?
A.	Practices and games are played on the fields at Mary Adams Elementary School at 7341 E. Stop 11 Rd, Indianapolis. Please use half of the field for practice to allow as many teams as possible practice at the same time. If necessary, due to crowded or wet, muddy fields, you can practice on the outlying areas of the grounds.

Q.	Isn’t Adams expanding the school? What then?
A.	The school is expanding in several different directions, limiting the amount of land that we have available to us. FTSC is actively seeking new field space to accommodate our continually expanding club. If you have any information concerning any land opportunities for the club, please contact someone on the Board.

Q.	Will the parents be at practice?
A.	The Soccer Club rules state that parents should attend all practices. The coaches should not be responsible for players following the conclusion of practices and games.

Q.	How do I know when my first practice is? Are practices scheduled by the club?
A.	The first practice is scheduled by the club to insure that all teams get a field for their first practice and to allow the coaches and players meet each other for the first time. Coaches may determine their own practice schedule after the first practice. Occasionally we have difficulty with limited field space on the larger fields and the Board may assist teams in coordinating their practice schedules to make room for everyone.

Q.	How often do we practice? How long is practice?
A.	Practice is two times per week until the first game. After the first game, teams are allowed one practice a week. Practices can last up to one-hour.

Q.	What do the players need for practice and games?
A.	FTSC requires shin guards and socks that cover the shin guards for all practices and games. Cleats are optional but are recommended, especially for those days when the grass may be wet from dew or rain. Uniforms consisting of the jersey, shorts, and socks are required for games. Warm clothes for inclement weather must be worn under the uniform. Players should bring a water bottle and be prepared for any kind of weather.

Q.	Do we play in the rain?
A.	It is up to you if you practice in the rain, snow, whatever. Games are generally played in the rain or snow, with the exception of severe weather or lightening in the area. Your age group coordinator will contact you if games and/or practices must be postponed due to weather or adverse field conditions. We're also planning to add field status information to the website as well

Q.	Will postponed games be rescheduled?
A.	In most cases, postponed games will be rescheduled as soon as possible. Coaches are notified of rescheduled dates and times so that this information can be passed onto the players. This information will also be posted on the website.

Concessions and Snacks

Q.	Is there a concession stand?
A.	Yes, we have a concession stand open at all games. This is our major fundraiser so that you do not have to sell door-to–door. Additionally, we have a picnic every season during the Sunday games. Please support the concession stand and the Sunday Picnic.

Q.	When do we receive the concession stand volunteer schedule?
A.	We need parents to volunteer to work a shift at the concession stand! Teams will receive a schedule with their team’s assigned time before the games start. Coaches are responsible for making sure that their team’s time slot is filled.

Q.	What if our team cannot or does not want to work the concession stand during our scheduled time?
A.	Teams have the opportunity to “opt-out” of working the concession stand. Through a new program that we have started, teams can pay a “fee” to the Concessions Coordinator in exchange working at the concession stand. This “fee” will be used to pay someone else to work in that team’s time slot. Teams should contact the Concessions Coordinator for more information on this program.

Q.	What about game snacks?
A.	Most teams organize a “snack schedule” and either have players sign up for or assign players to bring a small snack and drink on game days. The concession stand will also give each player a free “game gum” after the game.

Uniforms, Pictures, Misc.

Q.	When do we get our uniforms?
A.	Uniforms are generally distributed about one week before the first scheduled games. Coaches will be contacted about a pick up time and location.

Q.	What if the uniform does not fit or is the wrong size?
A.	Uniforms are ordered by the sizes provided during the registration process. For on-site registrations, parents should choose the appropriate sizes by referring to displayed uniforms. Online registrants should contact us via e-mail if there is a question about uniform sizes. If the uniform is not the correct size that was ordered, the club will replace the incorrect item free of charge. Charges can be applied to any re-orders due to the incorrect selection at the time of registration.

Q.	When do the FTSC player books arrive?
A.	Once we put together all the rosters, game, concession stand, and picture day schedules, we publish them in the FTSC League Guide. These are usually ready and distributed with the uniforms.

Q.	When is picture day?
A.	Picture Day is usually scheduled after the first weekend of games. The Age Group Coordinators will contact the coaches with scheduled dates and times.

Q.	What recognition do the players receive?
A.	Because FTSC promotes fitness, fun, and learning about soccer, all recreational players receive a trophy after their last game. Don’t forget your cameras!

Q.	Who do I contact if I need help?
A.	Most information that you need is on our website. We try to keep it updated with pertinent information and dates to keep you better informed. Coaches should be contacted with any team questions. General questions can be submitted via e-mail at help@ftsoccerclub.org or you can contact us via our hotline at 317-767-1077.