Game day

What to bring

• Shin guards and cleats
• A full water bottle
• Clothes for the weather. See Weather & cancellations.

Please leave jewelry at home.

Rec game day

• When: once a week during the season, usually Saturday mornings. Your kickoff time and field are in TeamSnap.
• Where: the fields in your own area. Find yours on Fields & Dates.
• Format: small-sided games that grow with age; see the laws of the game by age. At U6 and U8 coaches may be on the field to help players find space.
• Is it on? If in doubt, ask your coach. See Weather & cancellations.

LSC United families: usually two tournaments a season, plus friendly games, and NMSA league games for the older teams. See Teams.

On the sideline

Keep it positive: it takes at least five good comments to undo one bad one, for players, coaches and referees alike. At U12 and younger especially, cheer effort and good play.

Up to U10, the club’s own rules put fun and touches on the ball ahead of the scoreto be confirmed. Worrying about winning and losing at these ages gets in the way of learning.

Help your child improve at home

The more your child touches a ball, the better they get. A few minutes in the yard counts.

• Talk about soccer. Ask about practice: what they liked, what was hard, what the coach said. You’ll be surprised how much they have to say.
• Play together. Pass, let them shoot on you, play keep-away. Keep it fun: the more touches, the better.
• Watch soccer. College, Major League Soccer, international games, highlights online or a local high-school game. Ask your child what they see.

Coaches’ practice activities work at home too.