Frequently Asked Questions
What is SAY East Soccer? SAY East Soccer is an all-volunteer organization of over 24 Districts (schools and neighborhoods) in eastern and central Cincinnati. The games are fun but competitive. SAY East is a part of SAY Soccer, a national organization dedicated to recreational soccer that promotes player participation, sound instruction and safe, enjoyable, fair play. You can find the SAY East Soccer website here.
SIGN UP AND SEASON DATES:
- When can I sign up for Fall soccer? TNSM Soccer registration will open near the end of May for the upcoming Fall season. Registration will remain open until the teams are full or until the 2nd week of each season. We recommend signing up ASAP as teams do fill up quickly. Emails will be sent to TNSM parents when registration is open.
- When can I sign up for Spring soccer? TNSM Soccer registration will open in early December for the upcoming Spring season. Registration will remain open until the teams are full or until the 2nd week of each season. We recommend signing up ASAP as teams do fill up quickly. Emails will be sent to TNSM parents when registration is open.
- How long is the season? The Fall Season runs from August to October. The Spring Season runs from March to May.
TEAM AGES AND SIZES:
- What are the team ages? All age groups are based on year of birth. Please see our age chart below to find where your child's age bracket. SAY league rules stipulate that the child’s age as of July 31st determines the level at which he or she will play for that year.
Passers: ages 6 – 7 (U8)
Wings: ages 8 – 9 (U10)
Strikers: ages 10 – 11 (U12)
Kickers: ages 12 - 13 (U14)
- What does the "U" mean? The "U" stands for under. So a player that is 7 years old on December 31 is considered "under" 8 years old. The player is a U8 for the entire soccer year, including fall and spring even though the player will turn 8 years sometime during the season.
- How big are the soccer teams? Team sizes change by age. For SAY East:
Passers (U8): 6 vs 6
Wings (U10) 8 vs 8
Strikers (U12): 11 vs 11 in fall / 9 vs 9 in spring
Kickers (U14): 11 vs 11 in fall / 9 vs 9 in spring
UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT:
- Do we need to buy uniforms? Yes, the required uniform is a green TNSM soccer jersey (designed by a student!) and green soccer socks. There are also optional black or green shorts for purchase. You can purchase any part of the uniform during the sign-up process each season. If the previous season's uniform still fits, you do not need to buy anything new. Uniforms will be distributed prior to the first game at either the Fall Kick Off Party or at school for students to pick up.
- What equipment do we need
- Soccer cleats and shin guards (Required for practices & games)
- Water bottle (bring to practices and games)
- Soccer Ball:
- Passers U8 - Size 3
- Wings U10 - Size 4
- Strikers U12 - Size 4
- Kickers U14 - Size 5
*Note: Coaches will provide several soccer balls for practices, but players should bring their own soccer ball just in case!
- How can I buy TNSM Soccer Spirit Wear? We sometimes hold sales of spirit wear at the beginning of each season. You can also buy FEAR THE LEAF spirit wear at our TNSM spirit wear website located here.
- What is TNSM Soccer's mascot? Our mascot is a flaming gingko leaf, and our cheer is FEAR THE LEAF!
PRACTICES, GAMES & EXPERIENCE:
- How many times a week do the teams practice? Most teams practice twice a week. Practices are strongly encouraged, but not required. If you need to miss sometimes, that is fine!
- Are games required? Teams have enough children assigned to field a team of players, plus a couple of extra substitutes so children can rotate on and off the field during games. We understand that sometimes children may need to miss a game here or there due to other activities. Please try to attend as many games as possible. If we don't have enough children to field a game, then we may need to forfeit the game.
- How long are games?
Passers U8: 4 ten minute quarters
Wings U10: 4 twelve minute quarters
Strikers U12: 4 fifteen minute quarters
Kickers U14: 4 fifteen minute quarters
- How many games are there? There are 10 games shceduled during the Fall season, and 8 games during the Spring season. Typically, there will be at least 1 game scheduled per weekend, but sometimes you may have 2 games in a weekend, and sometimes you may have none!
- What is the No Blowout Policy/Mercy Rule? SAY East enforces a "Mercy Rule," which limits teams to having more than a 5 goal advantage in a game. Once a team is up by 5 goals, the coach must begin to manage the game to avoid more goals.
- For Strikers and Kickers teams: if a team ends up with more than a 5 goal advantage, SAY East will penalize the winning team by only awarding 2 points for the win, instead of the 3 points typically awarded for a win. Not receiving 3 points for wins could affect qualification into the SAY East Tournament at the end of Fall season!
- Note for Parents: If you suddenly see a team playing keep away, not taking shots or only passing, this is likely because of the No Blowout Policy. Teams can be penalized if they do not abide by the No Blowout Policy. This policy can be found in detail here.
- Does my child have to try out to be on a team? No, there are no try-outs or "cuts" for recreational soccer.
- Does my child need soccer experience in order to play? Not at all. Our league accepts players of all skill and experience levels.
- Where do we hold practices and games?
- Practices - Teams will be assigned nearby practice fields by the TNSM Soccer District Representative.
- Games - Teams will be assigned a game field by SAY East. Fields will be located somewhere in the central Cincinnati area. Assigned field locations will be used throughout the playing season.
- Each Say East Soccer field can be found on this page.
- How do I know what team my child is on? Your coach will reach out a couple of weeks before the season starts to introduce themself, share information about the when and where of practices, and the team roster.
EVENTS:
- Are there other TNSM Soccer events outside of practices and games? Yes, there will be a Kick Off Party at the beginning of the year to pass out uniforms and an End of Season Celebration after most seasons.
VOLUNTEERING:
- What help do you need from parents? This is an all-volunteer effort, and we rely strongly on parents to assist. Please email us at tnsmsoccer@gmail.com to volunteer with us! Necessary roles include:
Coaching: We need parents to volunteer as coaches and assistant coaches. Don't be nervous! This is a great, encouraging atmosphere to learn how to coach and trust us, your kids will LOVE it if you're the coach! Background checks are required for all coaches.
Team Parent: Each team may elect a team parent to assist the coach with tasks such as assigning snack days and sending game reminders.
General Help: This program needs volunteers to help with tasks such as planning the Fall Kick Off Party, planning the End of Season Celebrations, passing out uniforms, helping SAY East set up goals each season, and other tasks.
SPECTATOR BEHAVIOR:
- SAY East is a recreational soccer league. The main objective is for the players of both teams to enjoy the experience and have fun playing soccer. Make an effort to create a congenial environment for everyone at the field. Encourage and support not only your own team but the opposing players, coaches, parents and referees as well.
- For the younger teams, the games will likely have youth referees that will be tentative and make mistakes. Always be kind to them and show your appreciation to all the referees. Lead by example and suppress the urge to disagree with the referees. The number one obstacle to retaining youth referees is their understandable reluctance to be yelled at by coaches and parents. Coaches are responsible for a team's parents and supporters. Parents must stay on the opposite sideline and can't be behind the goals.
- The SAY East Code of Conduct is located here.
REFEREEING:
- Refereeing a SAY East game is a fun way to make some extra money. Once you are trained, you decide which games you would like to referee so you are in control. SAY East fully supports the referees and will assist you from training through to your games. We are always in need of referees so please consider joining us! SAY East holds a Spring Season from late March/early April to May and a Fall Season from September to October. You must be 13 years old to referee a SAY East game. If you have any questions about refereeing, please email referees@sayeast.org.
MORE QUESTIONS:
- I have more questions. We can answer them! Please email us at tnsmsoccer@gmail.com for anything else!
