Practice areas and game fields. 

Since last summer, SASA and the county’s Parks and Recreation department have actively pursued ideas to see how we can better structure our program to produce less wear and tear on the fields.  As parents, coaches, and volunteers we must remember that all the fields in the county are maintained by the county.  The elementary and middle school fields are also maintained by the county staff.  We have to help keep these fields in good shape so the kids can continue to play on them.  This is why SASA, in partnership with the county, are looking at changing the way we schedule our practices. The underlying principle is as follows:

If we don’t change we will lose our fields or have unsafe playing areas.

As one solution, we are looking to have practice areas for teams to train on.  These practice areas will be marked out in 20x30 yard rectangles.  Our focus is to get the coaches and the players to concentrate on fundamental development while at the same time saving some of the fields for use in the games.

In the past, teams were allotted one half of a field and the teams predomominantly  ’played’ around the goal areas.  This has worn the goal areas out to a point where no grass grows.  Our plan is to have practice areas while also having GAME SPECIFIC FIELDS.

With game specific fields it should eliminate all the ’wear and tear’ that practicing every night puts on the field. We are looking to have good fields to play games on. The county believes that with the practice areas there should be enough room to move them around so the fields do not get torn up.

We as an organization require everyone’s help in this matter.  SASA will put a schedule together.  This schedule goes to the county.  They will know what team should be on the field or what game is taking place.  Teams can no longer go and play on any field.  County staff will be walking the fields and making sure nobody plays on the game specific fields.  If the county or a SASA representative sees a coach/team practicing on a game field, they will receive one written warning.  If they are uncooperative again their team will drop a game from the schedule.

Remember we are doing this in the best interest of the kids to produce better and safer fields for them.  We do not want to take games away from players but we have to ensure the fields are safe.

As Technical Director, I believe it is important that players continue to develop.  The older age groups also need to focus on the tactical aspects of the game.  Therefore, older (U14 and above) teams will have one technical session on the practice fields and one tactical session on half a large field.  There will be only 2 large fields in the county that are designed to hold older team technical sessions.

In summary

What our agreement with the county offers:

        Game specific fields

        Practice specific areas

        A designated area for all teams to practice

        No teams losing practice time because a game is taking place at the same field

It is required that:

        Coaches follow the SASA practice schedule

        Coaches educate parents and let them know why this is necessary

        U6 through U12 teams will train exclusively in practice areas

        U14 and older teams will have one weekly training session on a practice area (technical) and one session on half a field (tactical)

We hope to accomplish the following:

        Improve the condition of the fields

        Have game specific fields which will host games only

        Have practice areas where teams can train

        Focus on the fundamentals of soccer