Frequently Asked Questions - Rec League Only

Please note: Information on this page is subject to change.

General Registration Questions

• How old does my child have to be to play soccer?
  For the FALL season, a child must be 4 before August 1st of the current calendar year in order to be eligible to play. For the Spring season, a child must be 4 before August 1st of the previous calendar year in order to be eligible to play. This is a state rule. There are no exceptions.

• Where can I get a registration form/How do I register?
  Once registration begins, forms may be obtained at the Madison County Public Library (both Berea and Richmond locations), Berea Parks and Recreation Department, Richmond Parks and Recreation Department, or by downloading them from the Madison United Soccer Association (MUSA) website. You must fill out the form completely, attach the proper proof of age documentation and the appropriate fees, and mail to: MUSA, P.O. Box 517, Richmond, KY 40476. Applications that are not filled out completely, have incorrect fees, or do not have proof of age will be returned.

• My child has played soccer before. Do I still have to submit proof of age?
  MUSA began requiring proof of age in the Fall 2004 season. If your child has not played for MUSA soccer since then, you must submit proof of age. Your form will be returned if it is lacking documentation. If your child has played for MUSA since Fall 2004, you do not have to submit a copy of your birth certificate. If you have questions, please call the secretary.

• When should I register my child?
  Registration for Fall is in early June, while Spring registration is in early January. It is advisable to mail your registration form as early as possible. In the event that we are unable to place all children on teams, we use the postmark date as the method for determining what child gets first priority. Example: Seven kids register to play. There are only five openings. The first five children who registered will be awarded the spots while the others will be placed on the waiting list. Waiting list children will have their fees returned if MUSA is unable to place them on a team at some point during the season. Please note: MUSA uses this method even if all seven kids registered before the deadline. Submitting an application does not guarantee a spot to play.

• Which registration form should I use - the Select Form or the Recreational form?
  When registering, only use the Select Registration Form if your child has tried out and been selected to play on a Select team. The majority or players will use the Recreational Form.

• Are registration fees refundable?
  Once a child has been placed on a team, we are unable to refund registration fees. If we are unable to place a child on a team, he/she will be placed on the waiting list. If we are still unable to place that child, his/her fees will be refunded.

• How much does it cost to play?
  Current fees are located on the application. Please make sure you read the complete description on New vs. Returning Player (during the Spring session). Failure to pay the correct fees will result in your application being returned. If you have questions, please contact the secretary.

• My child played during the Fall season but would like to switch teams in the Spring. Is that possible?
  Children are automatically placed on the same team in the Spring. If you wish your child to be placed on a different team you must make a detailed request in writing (this is EXTREMELY important) and you must pay the "New Player" fee as detailed on the registration form. Failure to either of those will mean your child will remain on the same team. Please note: You may not request that your child be placed on a specific team. You can request that your child be removed from his/her current team and redrawn. There are no exceptions to this rule.

• I forgot to request that my child move up, switch teams, etc. Is it too late?
  Once the child has been placed on a team, it is too late. You may not request to switch teams. You must make all special requests in writing (detailed writing) on your application form prior to the teams being drawn.

• Can I request a specific coach?
  No. Requesting a coach is not permitted. There are no exceptions. Please note: If your child plays for a coach in the Fall Season, he/she will be assigned to the same coach for the Spring season (and will keep the same uniform) provided that the registration form/fees are not late.  In the event that the form/fees are late, if there is space on the team, the child will be placed on the same team.  If there is not space, an additional uniform fee will be charged and the player will be placed on another team.

• My daughter and my niece are the same age. Can you place them on the same team?
  No. We cannot place friends, cousins, neighbors, etc. on the same team. We can only place siblings on the same team, if their ages are appropriate.

• Is my child guaranteed a position on a team if I complete a registration form?
  No. In some cases there are too many players and not enough positions. In this case, MUSA uses the postmark date as the method for determining what child gets first priority. Example: Twenty-five kids register to play U5. There are six kids per team and four teams. The child with the latest postmark will be on the waiting list. Please note: MUSA uses this method even if all kids registered before the deadline. We can not add "just one more player" to accomodate extra kids. State and league guidelines have set numbers of players on teams.

• What is the difference between Berea and Richmond Requested Pool?
  For the Berea Pool, all practices and the majority of games will be played at the Berea facilities. For the Richmond Pool, all practices and the majority of games will be played in Richmond. Berea teams will play a few games in Richmond. Richmond teams will play a few games in Berea. If your child is willing to play in either league, please mark so on your application as it will allow the league more flexibility in placing children.

• What is the difference between the Mixed League and the Girls League?
  Mixed League is co-ed (boys and girls), while the Girls League is strictly girls. Both the U5 Program and the U6 Program are Mixed League only. Beginning with the U7 League, the parent has the option of allowing their daughter to play on a mixed team (with boys) or allowing her to play on a girls only team. Boys can only play in the Mixed League. Please note: Due to the lower number of participants in the Girls Only U7/U8 age group, their leagues are combined. This means that the Girls U8 consists of U7 AND U8 girls.

General Soccer Questions

• When does MUSA offer soccer?
  MUSA consists of two seasons: Fall and Spring. Separate registration and fees are required for each season.

• How do I know in which age group my child will be playing?
  The age group is based upon your child's birthday. Age ranges can be found on the registration form. If you wish for your child to play at an older age level, you must make that request in writing (a note detailing what you want and why). If there are openings in that age group, we will accomodate your request. If there are no openings in that group, we will be unable to move your child up. Your child may only play up one level.

• What is the difference between Recreational (Rec) and Select?
  Players on a select (competitive) team are selected through a tryout process. Tryouts are held in the spring for teams that play in the fall and in the late fall for teams that play in the spring. Notices are mailed to all known players in the eligible age groups prior to tryouts. Typically, select teams may play more games in a season than a recreational team, and will travel throughout Kentucky and surrounding states for games and tournaments. There are additional fees (other than the MUSA fees) select players may have to pay.

• Is my child guaranteed a specific amount of playing time?
  Because this is a recreational league, all children will play a minimum of 50% a game. It is the discretion of the coach as to how that time is allotted. For example: A child may play all of quarters 1 and 3, but sit out quarters 2 and 4; or, a child may play half of all four quarters.

• What equipment do I need to purchase for my child?
  All children must wear shinguards at all times. It is highly recommended that children wear soccer cleats as well; however, gym shoes are permitted. Please note: children may not wear baseball cleats. A baseball cleat is defined as a shoe that has a toe cleat (i.e. a cleat at the tip of the toe). If a child comes to a game in baseball cleats, the referee will not permit that child to play. There are no exceptions, as this is a safety issue.

• What size ball does my child need?

  Size 3	Size 4	Size 5
  U5	U10	U14
  U6	U12
  U7
  U8

• Is travel required?
  Most teams will travel within the county (between Richmond and Berea). U12 and U14 teams will travel outside of Madison County. U10 teams will travel occasionally.

• Who do I contact to volunteer as a coach or assistant coach?
  We are always in need of people willing to coach. Please contact the Director of Coaching. The appropriate contact information for that person is listed on the MUSA web site.

• Who do I contact to obtain information about becoming a referee?
  Please contact the Director of Referees. The appropriate contact information for that person is listed on the MUSA web site.

• Where do we play?
  All U5 games are played at Million Park in Richmond or at the Berea Athletic Complex. Other teams will play their games at Lake Reba, the Berea Athletic Complex, or the American Greetings Complex. Please note: U12 and U14 teams will be required to travel outside the county. U10 teams will occasionally be required to travel outside the county.

Scheduling Questions

• When does the Fall Season begin, and how long does it last?
  The Fall Season begins at the middle to end of August, and ends around the middle to end of October. We do not schedule games on Labor Day Weekend.

• When does the Spring Season begin, and how long does it last?
  The Spring Season begins at the middle to end of March, and ends around the middle to end of May. We do not schedule games on Easter Weekend. The season is over before Memorial Day Weekend.

• What days of the week do we have games?
  The majority of games are played on Saturday and Sunday. Teams that have an end of the season tournament will play during the week (for one week). Older teams that travel out of the county may have Friday night games.

• How many games will my child play?
  All teams are scheduled a minimum of 10 games.

• Will soccer conflict with any other sports (baseball, softball, football, etc.)?
  More than likely, yes. We cannot guarantee that there will not be conflicts. We will not move players from one team to another to resolve conflicts with a child's other activities.

• What is the procedure for inclement weather?
  Soccer games are played in the rain and the snow. Games are not generally canceled prior to game time unless the fields are totally under water. In the event that games are canceled for an entire day, an announcement will be posted on the web site. Unless your coach has contacted you, or the cancellation is posted on the website, always go to the field. In the event of thunder/lightning, the referee will clear the field, wait 20 minutes and then allow the game to continue or cancel. Please note: If the referee clears the field, all players are required to find shelter immediately. Teams may not congregate under trees or in the open fields. In Richmond, we request that players return to their vehicles. In Berea, they may wait under the football stadium or in their vehicles. This is for the safety of the players.

• Where do we practice?
  This depends on the age group and whether the team is a Berea or Richmond team.

• When do we practice?
  This depends on the coach. Coaches select their practice times using a lottery procedure at the team draw. The coach who draws #1 gets first choice on when he/she practices, the coach who draws #2 gets second choice, etc. We can not accommodate a parent's request to be placed on a team that "only practices on Tuesdays (Wednesdays, Thursdays, etc.)." We will not move players from one team to another to resolve conflicts with a child's other activities.

• If a game is canceled, when will it be rescheduled?
  We do not currently reschedule cancel games unless it is a tournament game. In the event that a team has more than 2 games cancelled, we will reschedule for that team.

• Does the league offer tournaments?
  The U5, U6 and the U7 teams do not have tournaments. The U8 and U10 age groups have a tournament. The U12 and U14 only have tournaments if there are enough teams in the league.