Games & Practices
1. What if it rains? (or snows, or...)
If it rains on a practice night, assume that practice will be held unless your coach tells you otherwise. Cancelling a practice is the coaches' responsibility, not HYR's. If it rains on a game day, you should assume that games will be played unless you are called and told otherwise. HYR will make the decision to cancel games. Soccer is often played in the rain, unless there is lightening.
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2. When will my child's games be played?
You should receive a season schedule on the first practice night. The schedule shows when and where games will be played. If you do not have a schedule but remember the team name, first check the schedules page on this site. If you do not know the team name or coach name, contact HCM Executive Director Stan Esterle at 451-3695, email us at HYRSports@aol.com or call Director Leslie Gross at 454-4488. HYR games will take place at Atherton High School or at Highland Middle School.
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3. Where will my child's games be played?
You should receive a season schedule on the first practice night. The schedule shows when and where games will be played. If you do not have a schedule but remember the team name, first check the schedules page on this site. If you do not know the team name or coach name, contact HCM Executive Director Stan Esterle at 451-3695, email us at HYRSports@aol.com or call Director Leslie Gross at 454-4488. HYR games will take place at Atherton High School or at Highland Middle School.
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4. When are practices?
You should receive a call from your child's coach the weekend before the first week of practice. Practices are scheduled to accommodate as many teams as possible. If you do not know the team name or coach name, contact HCM Executive Director Stan Esterle at 451-3695, email us at HYRSports@aol.com or call Director Leslie Gross at 454-4488.
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5. What does my child need to bring to practice?
For soccer, your child should bring a ball, shin guards, and water. For baseball, T-Ball, or softball, your child should bring a glove and water.
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6. Where are the bathrooms?
At Atherton, a port-o-potty is available. It is located by the main gate to the fields, behind the service wall. No bathroom is available at Highland Middle School.
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7. How long are practices and how often?
Practices are scheduled to last one hour, once a week, beginning the week of the first Saturday game. Practices for very young ages, such as soccer Division I & II, may be shorter. No team should be practicing more than once a week.
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8. Do I have to stay during my child's practice?
We request that you stay during your child' practice for several reasons. First, we encourage you to get involved by helping the coach if needed, or by encouraging your child during practice. Second, in the unlikely event your child is injured during practice, we do not want to have to find you, and your child cannot receive treatment unless you authorize such. Third, when practice is over, the coach should not have to be responsible for your child in case you are late getting back.
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9. How long is the season?
Soccer seasons generally are anywhere from seven to nine weeks long. Baseball season is usually eight weeks. For specific season info, check the soccer or baseball pages.
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10. When does HYR play soccer?
HYR offers soccer twice a year, in the spring and in the fall.
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11. When does HYR play baseball, T-Ball, and Softball?
HYR offers baseball, T-ball, and softball once a year, in the spring. The season usually begins right after Derby, around the second weekend in May.
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12. Does HYR offer any other sports?
No, HYR does not offer any other sports besides soccer, baseball, T-ball, and softball.
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13. Do I have to provide snacks?
Parents taking turns bringing snacks and drinks to games and/or practices is a long-standing tradition at HYR, however it is not a requirement, and you do not have to participate if you do not wish. If you do want to bring snacks and or drinks to a game or practice, your coach will usually pass around a sign-up sheet at the first practice.
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14. Can I request my practice night?
You will be given the opportunity to list two nights you cannot practice.
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Equipment & Clothing
1. Does my child have to have shin guards to play soccer?
Yes, shin guards are required for practices and games. Your child will not be allowed to play in a game unless he or she is wearing shin guards.
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2. Does my child have to wear cleats or special shoes?
No. Cleats may make it easier for your child to stay on his or her feet, especially in wet conditions, but no special shoes are required.
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3. Why can't my child wear baseball cleats to play soccer?
Baseball cleats usually have a toe cleat, while soccer shoes do not. A toe cleat is dangerous in soccer, where it is not uncommon for the toe to make contact with another player's foot or leg.
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4. What if I can't find my child's team shirt?
Your child may wear a shirt similar in color to the team shirt. Unfortunately HYR cannot replace lost shirts.
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5. What kind of pants can my child wear?
While shorts are preferable in soccer, there are no restrictions on what types of pants may be worn. In baseball, shorts are fine at younger ages, although older players (10 and up) may wish to wear long or baseball-type pants to avoid injury if sliding.
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6. Can my child wear jewelry?
The Laws of the Game prohibit anything which is dangerous to a player or other players. Referees determine if an item can be worn without being dangerous. We recommend that you not wear jewelry while playing a sport, especially soccer. Necklaces should be removed, and earrings are best removed or taped over for safety. Ultimately the decision is the referee's and must be respected.
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7. Do I need to buy a soccer ball?
While you are not required to purchase a soccer ball, the game is best learned by constant practice with the ball. Ideally each child should have a ball for practices.
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8. If I do buy a soccer ball, what size soccer ball should I buy?
Soccer ball size depends on your child's age. At HYR, Division 1 & 2 (ages 5-7) use a size 3 ball. Division 3, 4 & 5 (ages 8-12) use a size 4 ball, and Division 6 and up use a size 5 ball. Soccer ball size is usually indicated on the ball.
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9. What equipment will my child need to play baseball/softball/T-ball?
Your child will need a baseball/softball glove, and in some cases a baseball cap. Bats, balls, and if appropriate, tees, are provided. Baseball caps are provided in some divisions.
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10. Where can I get a cool HYR T-shirt or bumper sticker?
HYR T-shirts and bumper stickers are sometimes sold at sign-ups or on game days. If you haven't seen them for sale, or just want one NOW, Contact HYR director Leslie Gross at HYRSports@aol.com or 454-4488.
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HYR Administrative
1. Who are the referees?
HYR referees are often HYR players from older divisions, former HYR players, or parents. Referees are paid. Leslie Gross supervises the referees.
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2. How can I be a referee?
Contact HYR director Leslie Gross at HYRSports@aol.com or 454-4488. HYR referees are not required to be licensed referees, but appropriate experience with the game and knowledge of the Laws of the Game is required.
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3. Who are the coaches?
HYR coaches are you - the parents, grandparents, and even siblings of HYR players. We are always in need of coaches for soccer or baseball, T-ball, and softball. If makes no difference if you ever coached, or even played the sport - you can make a real difference.
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4. How can I be a coach?
When you fill out your registration form there is a space to indicate that you are willing to coach, or assistant coach. You don't have to go it alone either, you can partner with one or several other parents to coach a team. The pay isn't great, but the benefits are wonderful!
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5. How can I find out who my child's coach is?
Your coach will contact you the weekend before the first practice to let you know what time the practice is. Your coaches name and phone is printed on the schedule that you should receive at the first practice. If you do not have a schedule contact HCM Executive Director Stan Esterle at 451-3695, or HYR director Leslie Gross at HYRSports@aol.com or 454-4488.
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6. Who is in charge of HYR?
HYR is operated by a steering committee and director. You can find out more about them by clicking here.
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Miscellaneous
1. Why does the soccer coach take my child out of the game even if he or she is playing well?
Part of HYR's goal is to "have fun, to grow, and to learn the game." The best way to learn any game is by playing it. HYR strives to ensure that every child has equal learning time on the field. That means playing time is based on everyone getting an equal amount of time in the game, not on athletic ability. That keeps it fun for all, and lets everyone grow together.
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2. Why doesn't HYR keep score?
HYR's focus is on having fun and learning the game. Keeping score takes the focus off of learning the game and having fun, and puts it on winning. We stress equal learning time for all children, regardless of ability. That's not to say that we don't teach children how to win - just that it's not the most important part of the game. Children who grow up in the HYR community display the sportsmanship and fair play that they learn at HYR for the rest of their lives. And if that's not a satisfactory answer, just remember, the children always seem to know the score anyway.
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3. HYR is noncompetitive - what does that mean?
Noncompetitive means simply that competing is not all about winning. HYR's goal is to teach children the game, and to allow each child to develop his or her potential. Noncompetitive means we don't keep score, we emphasize equal playing time regardless of ability, and we encourage and cheer on every child regardless of whose team they're on.
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4. Why aren't the teams "even" sometimes?
Teams are built by dedicated volunteers who give up a very long night each season to put together the best teams possible. Consideration is given to which weeknights players can practice, carpool situations, gender, ages, and when the volunteer coaches can coach. Teams are not built based on skill level, since this is usually an unknown. Most of the time the teams are pretty even, sometimes they are not. Rest assured there is no "stacking" of teams, and that every effort is made to ensure an even set of teams in each division.
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5. When is picture day?
Picture day is normally four or five weeks into the season, on game day (Saturday). For specific dates, check your player's schedule that you received at the start of the season, the HYR Calendar or the online schedule for your child's division. Team pictures are taken immediately after your game that day. There are no individual pictures.
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6. Sometimes when our team is ahead our coach puts some of out better players in back, or tells them to pass the ball instead of scoring. Why?
Even though we don't keep score, and the emphasis is not on winning, children also do know when they are getting"beaten." We do not tolerate "racking up" the score at HYR, and it is up to the coaches and referees to find creative ways to keep this from happening without damaging anyone's esteem. Sometimes this can mean keeping the stronger players back at defense, sometimes it means telling children to try shooting with their opposite foot, sometimes it means asking them to focus on passing instead of shooting. It can be tricky not to make the game boring for one team just to keep the score down, but the end result is that the team who is getting scored on does not become demoralized or even lose interest in the sport.
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7. Can I request a coach?
No.
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