Program FAQs

This is the "Frequently Asked Questions" or "FAQ" for Town and Country soccer. If you don't see an answer on here, please ask your league commissioner to get the question answered here.

Table of Contents

Section 1: General
Q: Who do I contact if my questions are not answered here?
Q: How does Town and Country notify me about my team and schedule?

Section 2: Registration
Q: Where do I go to register?
Q: Late registration is over; can I still get on a team?
Q: What is the refund policy at T&C?

Section 3: Leagues and children ages
Q: What does U-xx mean?
Q: What are the ages for the different leagues?
Q: Do boys and girls play on the same team?
Q: Can I play up into an older age bracket?
Q: Can I play down into a younger age bracket?
Q: What is the difference between DIV, DIII, and DII, levels of soccer?
Q: What is the "Academy" program? Go into very detailed answer
Q: Who is the Lonestar Soccer Club and how are they involved with T&C Soccer?
Q: Do I have to try-out for a team?


Section 4: Uniforms & Equipment
Q. What equipment do I need?
Q: Do we get a uniform?
Q: What size ball do we use?

Section 5: Teams
Q: How big are the teams?
Q: How are teams formed?
Q: Can I stay with my team from last season?
Q: Do I have to try-out for a team?
Q: How many people are on a team?
Q: Can I keep my coach from last season?
Q: Can I play on my friend’s team?


Section 6: Game Information
Q: Where are the games?
Q: When are the games played?
Q: Will we have to travel?
Q: How big are the fields?
Q: How long are the games?
Q: Why do we play some teams twice and not others?
Q: Do we keep scores/standings?
Q: What is the required playing time for each player?
Q: When can we substitute? Are the rules enforced for the little kids?
Q: How fast can our team make their kick in?

Section 7: Coaching
Q: What kind of coaching is provided at T&C?
Q: How does a team pick the coach?
Q: No one knows how to coach, or we need to learn more.
Q: I've never coached before, can I be a coach?

Section 8: Practices
Q: How often do we practice?
Q: Where are practices held?
Q: Does my child have to go to practice to play?

Section 9: Rescheduling games
Q: It rained and the field was closed. What about those games.
Q: How do I reschedule my game other than weather reasons?

Section 10: Volunteering
Q: Do I have to volunteer?
Q: I'm scheduled to volunteer this weekend, where do I go?
Q: If everyone's a volunteer why does it cost so much?

Section 11: Season Activities and Specific Dates
Q: Do we get pictures?
Q: Do we get trophies/medals?
Q: What are the seasons and when do they start and end?

Section 12: Referees
Q: Who referees the game?
Q: How old do you have to be to be a referee?
Q: Why do some referees call the game differently?

Section 13: Other
Q: What happens if I as a parent have issues with my child's coach?
Q: What is Town & Country Optimist Club and how are they involved with the Soccer program?
Q: Can I train in the development league and be on a Recreational team?


Section 1: General

Q: Who do I contact if my questions are not answered here?
A: Contact the age group commissioner for your child's age group from the list on the left margin under "Board & Office". Have them ADD THE ANSWER HERE FOR EVERYONE TO SEE.

Q: How does Town and Country notify me about my team and schedule?
A: All first-level communication is done by email. With just a handful of volunteers and thousands of players/parents, email is the only way to feasibly broadcast out information. Please make sure you register with an email address that you will check regularly. Once you have been assigned to a team, your coach may email or phone you about practices and other information. You can also check the web site directly to get game schedules and check on the rain-out status of the fields.

Section 2: Registration

Q: Where do I go to register?
A: All registration is on line. Please go to the T&C Soccer site and click on the registration tab at the left of the page.

Q: Late registration is over; can I still get on a team?
A: Once regular registration ends, the team counts are finalized. Certain divisions fill up very quickly. Late registration is open for two weeks after the regular registration is finished. When late registration is completed we will close the registration. If you still wish to be placed on a team, please contact James Crowder at jamescrwdr@aol.com for any division openings. We do not prorate the registration fees.

Q: What is the refund policy at T&C?
A: I understand that absolutely no refunds will be given once the season has begun. There is a 10% admin fee taken out of ALL refunds.  If a  refund is requested after team placement there will be a 40% fee along with the 10% admin fee.  NO REFUNDS will be granted after the first game has been played.  No refunds will be given due to team placement. There are no refunds to any late fees, donations, or decals.

Section 3: Leagues and children ages

Q: What does U-xx mean?
A: "U" stands for "Under".

Q: What are the ages for the different leagues?
A: A children is in a U-xx league when they are "under" the age of that leagure. For example, A U8 player is a player who is Under 8 years old at the beginning of the Fall season. The player may turn 8 at any point after the beginning of the season and still be a U8 player until the beginning of the next Fall season. There are many Spring Season U8 players who are already 8 years old. See the Age Group Chart under "DOCUMENTS" in the selections listed in the left margin.

Q: Do boys and girls play on the same team?
A: On U4-U6, boys and girls play on the same team. Starting in U7, boys and girls play on different leagues.

Q: Can I play up into an older age bracket?
A: Yes, an experienced or particularly talented player may choose to play up one age group. Under very exceptional circumstances, and only with commissioner approval, a player may play up two age groups.

Q: Can I play down into a younger age bracket?
A: No, regardless of how inexperienced the player is, s/he may NOT play down into a younger age bracket.

Q: What is the difference between DIV, DIII, and DII, levels of soccer?
A: DIV stands for 'Division 4', DIII stands for 'Division 3', etc., each of those categories defines a an age group and level of play.

* DIV is age groups U4 through U10 (Recreational)
* DIII is age groups U11 through U18 (Recreational)
* DII is age groups U11 through U18 where the teams are formed (selected) to compete at a higher level of competition

Q: What is the "Academy" program? Go into very detailed answer
A: For details of the Academy program please see here => http://www.lonestar-sc.com/

Q: Who is the Lonestar Soccer Club and how are they involved with T&C Soccer?
A: Lonestar Soccer Club provides competitive soccer programs. They utilize T&C fields for practice, games, and summer camps.


Q: Do I have to try-out for a team?
A: There are no try-outs for Recreational soccer. When you register, the age-group commissioner will place you on a team based on the guidelines described below. However, for Competative soccer, there will be tryouts conducted at the end of the Spring season for the next Fall season and prior to the Spring season if needed.




Section 4: Uniforms & Equipment

Q. What equipment do I need?
A: Every player needs their own ball, soccer-cleats or turf shoes (no baseball cleats!), shin guards, team jersey, soccer socks, soccer shorts, and a water bottle.

Q: Do we get a uniform?
A: The T&C soccer teams will have year round uniforms. In the Fall, you will receive a uniform kit which consists of a jersey, shorts, and a pair of socks. In the Spring, those who played in the previous fall season will use the uniforms that were given out at that time. All new players that register in the Spring will be required to purchase a uniform.
A: The U4 league only gets a jersey, not socks or shorts.

Q: What size ball do we use?
A: U4-U8 use a size 3 ball. U9-U12 use a size 4 ball. U13+ size 5 ball

Section 5: Teams

Q: How big are the teams?
A: T&C uses small-sided teams. Small Sided Soccer is played with fewer players competing on a smaller sized field. These are fun games that involve the players more because fewer players are sharing one ball. Read more about small sided soccer at: http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/parents/lawsofthegame.asp
For more information about small-sided soccer, take a look here => http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/coaches/smallsidedgames.asp

Q: How are teams formed?
A: We build teams by first trying to keep together teams from the previous season, then by honoring "buddy requests", and then by grouping by school and neighborhood proximity.

Q: Can I stay with my team from last season?
A: Yes, we try to keep returning teams together and you can list your previous team's name and coach in the registration process and, if the coach returns the following season, the age-group commissioner will try to honor requests to return to the same team/coach.

Q: Do I have to try-out for a team?
A: There are no try-outs for Recreational soccer. When you register, the age-group commissioner will place you on a team based on the guidelines described below.

Q: How many people are on a team?
A: Each age group has a different system of play and as such there are different team sizes
- U4-U6 there are 4-6 players on the roster and the game is played 3-v-3.
- U7-U8 there are 5-8 players on the roster and the game is played 4-v-4.
- U9-U10 there are 9-12 players on the roster and the game is played 8-v-8.

Q: Can I keep my coach from last season?
A: Yes, we try to keep returning teams together and you can list your previous team's name and coach in the registration process and, if the coach returns the following season, the age-group commissioner will try to honor requests to return to the same team/coach.

Q: Can I play on my friend’s team?
A: You can enter a "buddy request" when you register and the age-group commissioner will try to honor it when creating the teams. Buddy requests work best when both players request each other. It is often not possible to honor buddy requests when a dozen players make a chain of requests with each child requesting someone different. We cannot guarantee that your request will be fufilled, though T&C makes every effort!

Section 6: Game Information

Q: Where are the games?
A: All of the Recreational games are held at the Town and country fields. See maps here => http://www.tandcsports.org/documents/TCMapField04_2_2009master.pdf

Q: When are the games played?
A: Games are scheduled on Saturdays and/or Sundays. Saturday games start between 8am and 5pm. Sunday games start between 1pm and 5pm. Once the teams are put together and coaches are rostered to the teams, you will get a call or email from the coach. Please be patient as team formation is not finished until just prior to the start of the season.

Q: Will we have to travel?
A: For Recreational teams from U4 to U10, games will be played at T&C fields. For players U11 and above, there will be travel required. T&C is part of the Capital Area Youth Soccer Assn (CAYSA) and we play other Recreational and Competitive teams that are also a part of CAYSA. Different levels of play may require more travel than other. For example, a Super2 team may travel to Corpus Christi, or Victoria. A Recreational CAYSA team may travel to Round Rock, Pflugerville, Georgetown, or Lampassas.


Q: How big are the fields?
A: U4-U5 play on 20x30 yard fields. U7-U8 play on 25x35 yard fields. U9-U10 play on 50x70 yard fields.

Q: How long are the games?
A: U4-U6 Games are 4 quarters of 8 minutes with 2 min breaks between quarters and a 5-min break at half. Including warm-up and post-game snacks, it is about an hour from start to finish.
A: U7-U8 games are 4 quarters of 10 minutes with 2-min breaks between quarters and a 5-min break at half. Including referee check-ins and post-game snacks, it is about an hour and 15min from start to finish.
A: U9-U10 games are 2 halves of 25 minutes with a 5-min break at half. Including referee check-ins and post-game snacks, it is about an hour and 15min from start to finish.

Q: Why do we play some teams twice and not others?
A: Some age groups have more teams than can be scheduled together as one group. In this situation, the age-group commissioner breaks the teams into two or more brackets and teams only play other teams in the same bracket. This also allows an opportunity to group teams by strength based on their previous season's performance and try to provide more even competition within each bracket.

Q: Do we keep scores/standings?
A: In U4-U6 no score is kept. In U7-U10 scores are kept by the referees and the winning coach will sign the game card which the referee submits. The Winning coach should also email the final score to the age-group commissioner. There are no official standings kept in the Recreational league. The scores are used by the commissioners to monitor the match-ups and form better matched brackets the following season.

Q: What is the required playing time for each player?
A: Recreational soccer has a 50% per game play rule, whereby all kids are given the opportunity to play 50% of the game. In some instances, this may be modified per the coaches discretion for player behavioral or attitude problems.

Q: When can we substitute? Are the rules enforced for the little kids?
A: There are firm rules on substitutions for U7 and up, but you can discuss with the ref and other coach if you need to make them more lenient. Officially, you can only sub on a goal kick, a mid-field kickoff (after a goal is scored), or when it's your possession on a kick in. You cannot make a substitution during the other team's kick-in, or on penalty kicks, or on corner kicks. In order to sub, you should have your players standing on the sideline ready to go in, then when you can make the substitution, get the ref's attention (usually by yelling "sub!") and wait for him to wave the players on to the field. Usually, you can ask before the game if it's ok with the ref and the other coach to sub on any kick-in instead of only your own. In any case, if play resumes before you get the refs attention for the sub, then you have to wait for the next chance.

Q: How fast can our team make their kick in?
A: The team kicking in can take their kick in as quickly as they want. There is no requirement that they wait for the other team. Many teams practice quick "set plays" for kick-ins specifically to take advantage of their opponent being out of position. If something else is going on that requires the game to be paused, the ref should halt the play directly and then blow the whistle to resume play. However, normally, the team with possession just places the ball and takes the kick whenever they're ready.

Section 7: Coaching

Q: What kind of coaching is provided at T&C?
A: All recreational soccer teams are coached by VOLUNTEER parent coaches. Professionally provided coaches would cost hundreds of dollars per season more than we pay in fees now.

Q: How does a team pick the coach?
A: Some teams have returning or assigned coaches. Others the parents should get together via email or in person and decide on the coach. One person can coach, several people can coach, one person can coach and another assistant coach, or every one can take turns coaching.

Q: No one knows how to coach, or we need to learn more.
A: There are lots of references that can be found for free on the web. Your age group commissioner is your first point of contact for questions. T&C also maintains a library of videos and books that can be checked out at the main club-house by field 2.

Q: I've never coached before, can I be a coach?
A: Yes, anyone can volunteer to coach a Recreational team. Obviously it helps if you're familiar with the rules and how the game is played, but many of the responsibilities of a Recreational coach are administrative in nature. Often two or three parents will work together with one being the "team manager" who handles all the communication with the parents and league, and other(s) helping run practices. Anyone who is a coach or assistant coach must go through the Kid-Safe background check and keep their Kid-Safe card with them during games and practices.

Section 8: Practices

Q: How often do we practice?
A: Practices are scheduled and managed by the volunteer coaches. Most U4-U5 teams do not practice during the week. U6-U7 teams often practice once a week. U8-U10 teams often practice twice a week.

Q: Where are practices held?
A: Practice locations are determined by the coaches and are usually at local schools or parks, in order to keep our fields in tip top shape practices are limited at the T&C Youth Sports Complex..

Q: Does my child have to go to practice to play?
A: Since it is a team effort, please make every effort to have your child at practice.

Section 9: Rescheduling games

Q: It rained and the field was closed. What about those games.
A: Rained out games are automatically rescheduled, check the schedule on Monday or so to see the rescheduling.

Q: How do I reschedule my game other than weather reasons?
A: Reschedule process -- Refer to the "SCHEDULES" section listed in the left margin.

Section 10: Volunteering

Q: Do I have to volunteer?
A: Volunteering is not mandatory but the only way we can make the T&C Soccer Association run successfully is to have volunteers.

Q: I'm scheduled to volunteer this weekend, where do I go?
A: Show up for volunteer duty early at the referee room next to the concession stand in the middle of the 20 fields.

Q: If everyone's a volunteer why does it cost so much?
A: Even though all the coaches, commissioners, and directors are 100% volunteer, there are still many fees and expenses that your fees cover. Maintaining the property and the associated utilities are the greatest expenses. There are also fees for rostering with CAYSA/US-Club soccer, insurance, uniforms, and referees.

Section 11: Season Activites and Specific Dates

Q: Do we get pictures?
A: In the Fall season, there is a picture day and everyone gets one print. You can purchase larger packages of photos at that time.

Q: Do we get trophies/medals?
A: Yes, all U4-U10 teams, both Recreational and Academy get medals at the end of each season. Many teams also decide to separately purchase trophies for their players. There are no championship or placement recognitions in the Recreational league.

Q: What are the seasons and when do they start and end?
A: There are two T&C soccer seasons, the main one in the fall, and a secon one in the spring. The fall season starts about 9/15 and runs through the middle to end of November, usually 10 weeks. The spring season starts about 2/01 and runs through the beginning of March, usually 10 weeks.

Section 12: Referees

Q: Who referees the game?
A: U4-U6, the coaches referee the game and keep game-play moving. U7 and higher have referees provided by the T&C organization.

Q: How old do you have to be to be a referee?
A: 12 years old. Contact the referee director or assigners for more information. Also, please go to the referee tab on the left of the soccer site for more information.

Q: Why do some referees call the game differently?
A: The refs have considerable discretion on how to run the game. As a coach, it is important to meet with the referee's briefly before the game and introduce yourself and get clarification on how they plan to call the game. If you have any specific preferences you can make them known then. Some of the things that can be variable from game to game are how rigidly they enforce substitution rules, whether they're going to end quarters exactly at 12-min, or let the play conclude and call the quarter at a dead ball, whether they do a new kick-off to start the 2nd and 4th quarters or bring the ball back into play where it was when the 1st/3rd quarters end, whether they're going to call every foul immediately or allow for "advantage" and let play continue for a bit to see if the foul actually affects the team controlling the ball.

Section 13: Other

Q: What happens if I as a parent have issues with my child's coach?
A: Contact the age group commissioner listed on the left-side column of this page under soccer board members.

Q: What is Town & Country Optimist Club and how are they involved with the Soccer program?
A: Town & Country is 35 YEARS...90+ ACRES...9 SPORTS...and 8,500 CHILDREN. For thirty-five years T&C has offered Northwest Austin families and their kids a great place to enjoy youth sports. During those years, foresighted members acquired a total of ninety-six acres of land that is now the T&C Sports Complex. The complex provides youth sports facilities and the complex is owned, managed, and maintained by the Town & Country Optimist Club. Today T&C offers 9 different sports for kids: Baseball, Basketball, golf, Football-Flag, Football-Tackle, Lacrosse, Miracle League Baseball (for special-needs children), Soccer, Softball, and Volleyball.

Q: Can I train in the development league and be on a Recreational team?
A: No, development league players scrimmage against themselves on weekends and are not placed on Recreational teams.