All jewelry must be removed for games. This includes earrings and watches, in addition to things like necklaces. This is a matter of safety. We cannot deny that "taping" of earrings occurs on occasion, but it is not officially allowed, is not as safe, and a referee is well within her/his rights to insist that earrings (whether just recently pierced or not!) come out for games.

The only exception to this policy is medical braclets, but the referee will probably require it be taped their wrist.

The board voted this last meeting to change the rate structure for both the Recreational and Competitive leagues. We did not make these changes lightly. Many of the changes have been voted on and overturned for years. The Board felt that changes needed to be made and this was the best option available. If you can think of other ways to meet the stated goals of the changes, please do not hesitate to offer them to me or any board member.

Did I mention that we are still looking for board members. Elections will be held on May 25th, at 7:00. Location still to be determined.

Recreational Program Changes         Competitive Program Changes   

The Los Alamos Youth Soccer League lives only because of the service of its volunteers. It was founded by volunteers and is administered by a volunteer board of directors. This is YOUR club, and it runs on YOUR efforts and enthusiasm. Each of us can help out.

Among the most important volunteer positions within the club are those of the Parent Coach and Team Coordinator. Every team needs a Parent Coach to facilitate good practices under the direction of the staff coaches. All recreational teams are managed and ran by a parent of one of the players. The competitive often has a volunteer coach that has years of experience, but is not a parent of any of the players.

We need a little help from a lot of people for our tournaments. Put in a couple of hours directing traffic or selling concessions and help us raise funds for the club!

Roughly speaking, club jobs break down into four categories:

• Parent coaches
• Team Coordinators
• Members of the Board of Directors. These are elected each April, but openings for appointment are almost always available. The board sets policy for the club and arranges for most of our activities. If you are interested in being on the board, contact Paul Criscuolo.
• Tournament/Event Volunteers. The club runs events, such as the Blast Off Tournament, that require the services of volunteers to make them run. These one-time events are a great way to introduce yourself to working more with the club. Please let Paul Criscuolo know if you'd be willing to help out with such things if available.

• Helping to organize club-wide social events.
• Helping to mark fields.
• Other creative ways to support the club!

By Mike Woitalla

We continue to receive entertaining examples of what happens when children misinterpret, can't comprehend, or take literally adults' instructions since Susan Boyd's "Lost in Translation" column appeared last month.

Richard White recalls coaching U-10s and telling a boy to mark one of the opponent's wingers: "Jeff, where ever he goes, you go. Mark him, and stay with him." When that particular winger was subbed out by his coach, White saw him and Jeff sitting side-by-side on the other team's bench, chatting.

"Early in my soccer career I told the kids their positions," writes Richard Weishaupt. "Left this, right that, etc. Most of the kids dutifully went off to the correct place but one kid walked to the center and practically sobbed, 'Coach, I don't know left from right.'"

When Jim Madison's grandson was 6 years old, the coach told the boy to start at left back.

"Where does that mean I am supposed to play?" the boy asked.

"Here," responded the coach, pointing to a spot on the field at the left side of the back. Says Madison, "And here is precisely where the young man dutifully ran and stood, rooted to the spot on the ground even when the ball came within a step or two."

Heidi Flores' husband coaches a U-10 team. One of the team's new players was playing in defense and when an opposing player dribbled toward the goal, the coach yelled, "Go to the middle, Belle!"

"She proceeded to run smack dab to the middle of field, inside the center circle!"

And just last week at a kickaround, after some young players impressively strung passes together before a cross nearly resulted in a goal, I said, "Way to use the wings!"

An 8-year-old girl looked up at me, held up her arms, and said, "I don't have any wings."