Just Let the Kids Play
          Futsal is a player's game, and the Front Range Futsal League is designed to "Just Let the Kids Play" . The purpose of the League is to provide a venue for the development of skillful soccer players through the game of futsal. To maximize both the attainment of that goal and the enjoyment of the players, our referees will be asked to adopt the highest standards with regard to protecting the safety of the players, maintaining fair play and promoting a proactive form of sportsmanship known as "Honoring the Game".
          This idea of Honoring the Game is taken from FRFL partner the "Positive Coaching Alliance". Here competition that is "fierce but friendly" is encouraged, while sportsmanship is defined in terms of what you will do, not what you won't. It is based on the principle that each participant develop and demonstrate a respect for the ROOTS of the sport: The Rules, and one's Opponents, Officials, Teammates and Selves.

League Basics
           The League is open to boys and girls teams from U9 through U19. Each team will play 6 pairs of games per season, twelve games total. Games will consist of two 20-minute halves, switching ends at halftime. Games will usually be back-to-back, but may be separated by an intervening game.
           Outdoor teams can register as one large "Full Roster" team (useful if many of the players are involved in other winter activities / have extensive summer vacation plans), or as a "Split Roster" team - where the larger group is divided into two squads. Dual Roster teams will be scheduled to play their 2x2 games over 4-5 successive time slots on a given day. In either scenario, game day rosters are limited to 12 players. See "Establishing Your Roster" for additional details.
          Games will be played on Saturdays or Sundays. To accommodate the large number of players who participate in Gold Crown basketball during the winter, U12-13-14 games in January and February will usually be scheduled on Saturdays.

Tournament Basics
           There will be a five game minimum, with all preliminary games in an age group played on one day. Games will consist of two 20-minute halves per game, with teams switching ends at halftime. Competition rosters for tournaments are frozen at the time of tournament check-in and are limited to 12 players.

Tournament of Champions
           This will be a special end-of-winter tournament for champions and runners-up of the FRFL's various winter competitions. Team rosters will need to contain at least six players from the qualifying roster. Winners of the U12, U14, and U16 divisions of the tournament will be able to draw for a "wild card" berth in the USSF National Championships in mid-July of 2006. (We have been given two such slots, one for a boys team, one for a girls team)
          This tournament may be extended into late March or early April, on Sundays, if winter weather forces League play to extend into the weekend designated for the competition.

Age Groups
           The Front Range Futsal League follows the age group designations of the United States Youth Soccer Association (i.e. based on August 1 birthdays.) Play in FRFL competitions will be for teams in the U9-U19 age groups. Age groups may be combined for competitions (e.g. U9/10, U11/12), depending on the number of teams participating. There will be separate divisions in League play for recreational and advanced ("competitive") teams. Under-10 teams may not participate in the advanced team divisions of League or Tournament play.

Competition Scoring
          All competitions will be scored on using an 11 point system. Win=7 points. Tie=3 points. Loss=0 points. Goals scored=1 point/goal, to a maximum of 3 points. Shut-out=1 point.
          Deductions for red and yellow cards: Red card=5 points. Yellow card=2 points.
          Tie breakers: 1. Head to head. 2. Fewest red/yellow card points. 3. Fewest goals allowed. 4. Most goals allowed (maximum 7 per game).

Registration
          Much of the registration process for the Front Range Futsal League can be done on-line. Entry forms can be e-mailed to reserve a place in a FRFL competition, although final acceptance will not be granted until the hard copy (and the check!) are received.
          Coach, team and player registration can only be done on-line. To begin the process, go to "Registration Information".

          USFF Registration Software. The United States Futsal Federation has selected the same online registration software that is currently being used by Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association and many other USYSA state associations for team, player, coach and referee registrations as well as for league and tournament scheduling. The software is (mostly) simple to use and for returning teams as simple as placing a check mark by all returning players whose information has not changed.

          Requirements for On-Line Registration. Make sure your computer and browser meet the following requirements:

Fees and Payments          

League Play. The fee for the 10 game Winter League is $250 for one "Full Roster" team, $450 for a "Split Roster" Team (an outdoor team that plays as two Futsal teams).

Teams Registering for Both Winter Sessions (20 games):
"Full Roster" teams: $500, includes USFF registration for 10 players (save $60).
"Split Roster" teams: $900: includes USFF registration for 20 players (save $120).

A "Double Goal Coach Discount" of $15 per session for a "Full Roster" team or $20 per session for a "Split Roster" team is available.

          Tournament Play. The fee will vary, but will be in the neighborhood of $130 for a tournament with a five game guarantee. (Two teams based on a single outdoor team:: c. $250.) The "Double Goal Coach Discount" of $10/20 is available. Payment is due at the time of registration and should accompany the entry form.

          Referees. Each team will pay the referee in cash prior to each league or tournament game. For age U9/10: $6 per team. For U11/12: $7 per team. For U13/14: $ 8 per team. For U15-18: $10 per team. Where a tournament requires a 6 th or 7 th game, the League will pay the referee.

     USSF Registration. All Coaches and Players must register with the United States Futsal Federation (USFF). Registration covers the registrant with USFF secondary insurance. Registration is for the current 2005-2006 seasonal year ending 8/31/2006. The annual fee, set by USFF, is $10 per coach and $6 per player; it covers participation in any USFF or FRFL event through August 31, 2006. USSF registration is mandatory! Player registration with United States Youth Soccer through the Colorado State Youth Soccer Association (CSYSA) does not cover participation in USFF activities. These fees are due prior to a player's participation in FRFL activities. See "Registration Information" for details.

Entry Deadlines
      Entries are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, with a final application deadline (entries received by) three weeks prior to the start of the competition. Entries may be faxed to 303-838-9777 to reserve a space for the competition you wish to enter, but will not be formally accepted until the Entry Form and Fee are received. Mail these to: Front Range Futsal League, POB 17344, Golden, CO 80402

Scorekeepers
          Each team shall provide a scorekeeper for every League or Tournament game. For U15 and younger games, the scorekeeper must be at least 21 years of age. For U16 and above, the scorekeeper must be at least old enough to fall into that age group.
          Additional details about the duties of the Scorekeepers are found with the "Game Day" information

Fair Play, Sportsmanship and a "Kid Friendly" Environment
          The purpose of the Front Range Soccer League is to provide a venue for the development of skillful soccer players through the game of futsal. To maximize both the attainment of that goal and the enjoyment of the players, our referees will be asked to adopt the highest standards with regard to protecting the safety of the players and maintaining fair play and sportsmanship. In particular, tackles from behind, shirt pulling, dissent and failure to give ground on restarts will be dealt with swiftly and surely. Red and yellow cards will result in a loss of team points in league or tournament standings.
          In addition to the scorekeepers. only registered coaches and managers will be allowed on the Field Turf surface. During games, coaches are to remain seated on the sidelines. Coaches will also be encouraged to minimize instructions to players on the field, adopting the approach that "games belong to the players". The spectator areas for games will be behind the goals, off the artificial surface.

Winter Play Outdoors
          For the past two winters some of the League's founders have been playing Futsal outdoors, in the evenings using lighted tennis courts and parking lots. Even at night, the players were plenty warm. Non-playing coaches were less so. Most winters, the time from mid-November through mid-February provides a lot of great playing weather. But we will build in extra days to make up any lost due to snow on our fields.  

Looking Ahead
          This is the second year for the Front Range Futsal League. We will make every effort to make it a great one, although we anticipate that there will be moments that will help us to learn and improve.
          We have moved the League's activities to the Golden Goal Sports Complex in Golden (easily accessible from the 32 nd Avenue/Youngfield exit off of I-70. Golden Goal will soon have a new, lighted artificial surface field. A concession stand and indoor bathroom facilities are available.
          Using Golden Goal will allow us to expand our programs to include:

Like 11-a-side soccer, USFF has Cup com-petitions for youth and adult players, including Regional and National Championship tournaments.