We are always interested in seeing new players who for our Travel Program. To get tryout information, interested parties should contact the Travel Program Administrator, Azka Imran (admin@manahttankickers.org). Tryouts may be held on a rolling basis whereby interested players are invited to attend team practices as well as at official tryout sessions at the end of each season. The primary criterion for player selection will be soccer skill level. Other criteria include physical and emotional maturity, attitude, behavior, and commitment level. Participation on a team one year does not guarantee selection the next year.

Each player is responsible for putting forth his/her best effort, cooperating with coach, manager and teammates, and at all times behaving in a sportsmanlike manner. Each player is expected to be on time for practices and games and to wear the appropriate equipment.

1. Each player is issued two Manhattan Kickers practice shirts and a game uniform. Players must wear issued practice shirts to each practice and the uniforms to games.

2. Shin guards are mandatory at practice and games.

3. Players are responsible for bringing their own pumped up ball and water to practice

Playing in the Travel Program requires a substantial commitment, September through June of each year. Selected players, along with their parents, must agree to this commitment to the team. We recognize that many of our players are involved in a variety of activities and conflicts may arise. 

Players registered with MKSC may not guest for other teams without written permission from their coach. If a player changes clubs during the commitment period, no refund will be given.

PRACTICES

Scheduled team practices are mandatory. There are normally two team practices per week during the fall and spring. During the winter teams will practice once or twice per week. Players must inform their coach in a timely manner if they are not able to make it due a specific reason (illness or holidays).

COMPETITION

League Games

League games are mandatory. Games are normally played on Saturdays for Boys & Sundays for Girls (very occasionally it may change) unless it is a make up or TBD game. Players must inform their coach or team manager in a timely manner if they are not able to make it due a specific reason (illness or holidays).

State Cup and Tournaments

Teams will normally schedule tournaments during the year. The number & frequency depends upon the age group & level at which the team plays & will be a decision for the coach and manager of each team. For topl evel teams at older age groups attendance may be expected at Columbus Day,

Memorial Day, and State Cup Tournaments. Winter tournaments (Dec-March) are at the discretion of the coach and manager. Coach and Travel Director will decide if the team is participating in State Cup each year (U10 teams and above). The cost of the tournaments is additional to the seasonal cost and is split between the team parents.

Summer Tournaments

Older teams (U12 and above) may participate in Summer Tournaments and Showcases. Attendance is highly recommended, as this is an opportunity for our players to be seen by college coaches and get recruited. A decision will be made early in the season (Fall) if teams will be participating in a Summer Tournament.

Players who frequently miss practices, games, or are unavailable for tournaments will be subject to the following disciplinary action:

1. Verbal warning from coach
2. Reduction in playing time
3. Meeting with Player, Parents, Coach and Boys Director
4. Suspension.
5. If lack of commitment continues after all of the above, the player will be asked to leave the club. 

1. Provide a Safe Learning Environment: The coach is responsible for creating a safe and encouraging learning environment for our players.

2. Determine Playing time: Playing time is determined by skills, attendance at practices, attitude and behavior during practice, and is at the final discretion of thecoach. Please talk with your coach if you have concerns.

3. Provide a structured environment: A coach may dismiss players from his team for unsportsmanlike conduct or disciplinary reasons, after first orally warning the player and her parents of possible dismissal, and informing and discussing the situation with Travel Program Director.

4. Work with Team Manager and Travel Program Director to choose Tournaments for the team.

5. He is expected to behave in an exemplary, sportsmanlike manner at all times. A coach may be dismissed, in accordance with the bylaws, for unsportsmanlike conduct.

6. Each coach is also expected to maintain or increase his soccer knowledge and coaching skills by attending workshops or clinics, obtaining progressively higher coaching license levels, and/or playing the game. Coaches of competitive-level teams are expected to hold an appropriate level of coaching license.

7. Each coach is responsible for recruiting parents to be assistant referees. During practices, games, and tournaments, coaches are also responsible for assisting in supervising players during this timeframe to make sure players represent our club appropriately.

8. Coach is responsible for player passes, team rosters, medical forms, and traveling papers.

1. All Parents are responsible for delivering their children to, and picking them up from, practices and games on time, and for volunteering to help the team.

2. Parents are expected to give positive, encouraging comments to their children both on and off the field. Parents are to refrain from making any coaching comments or negative statements of any kind during games to players on or off the field.

3. To remain consistent with our League rules, all parents must remain on the opposite side of the field from the player’s bench. Verbal abuse by parents of referees, coaches, or players, will not be tolerated. Repeated offenses may result in barring a parent from the soccer field during all games and practices.

4. Parents should make sure to check their emails and respond to information from team manager, coach and/ or boys director. If email communication is not done on a daily basis they should communicate that to the team manager to keep the communication line open.

5. Financial responsibility for a child’s involvement in the program lies with the parent. If fees are not paid on time, player is subject to have playing card revoked. MKSC offers a scholarship process to give those an opportunity in need, to participate in our programs.