PITTSFIELD
FAIR PLAY & CLUB POLICIES
General overview
- Program: Brazilian United Soccer Academy (BUSA) travel program with coaching provided by Brazilian United Corporation (BUC); Brazilian methodology and integrated player development across technical, tactical, physical, and mental areas.
- Seasonal approach: Focus on long-term player development rather than winning every match; aim to develop players for high school, college, or professional pathways.
- Objectives and player expectations
- Primary goals: Develop skills, maintain health and fitness, foster enjoyment and community, and help players realize potential.
- Reasons a regular player can be dismissed for the next game: injury; lack of practice attendance; missed games or tournaments; poor communication with head coach; disruptive or bad behavior at practice; lack of interest/energy during practice; others.
Game days — roles, conduct, and timing
- Roles
- Players: play, respect coach and referee, and have fun.
- Coaches: instruct players, manage interactions with other coaches and referees.
- Parents: enjoy the game, give positive encouragement, and allow players to make their own decisions.
- Sideline etiquette: Parents must not give in-game coaching or argue with referees or opposition; coaches will provide most feedback at practice.
- Game-time seating: Parents should sit well away from the team/bench; ideally on the opposite side of the field or opposite half of the bench if opposite side is not possible.
- Arrival: Plan to arrive 30 minutes before kick-off for warm-up, pre-game coaching, and lineups.
- 24hour policy: No immediate post-game communication with coaches; any coach decisions should be discussed no sooner than 24 hours after the game.
- Playing time policy: U7–U11 teams in AAYSL will respect an approximate 50% game time for players present at the game; final playing time remains at coach discretion.
- Substance policy: Zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use by any BUSA player.
Attendance and double rosters
- Communication requirement: Notify coach if you cannot attend practice or a game; weekly schedule posted on website, e-mail, Facebook, and team managers.
- Excused absences: School-related obligations, family emergency, or excused illness; other reasons require communication with the coach.
- Consequences for practice absences before a game: One absence may prevent a player from starting; two absences in the same week can remove opportunity to play the first half or the entire game depending on team roster and double-roster needs.
- Double rosters: If roster spots are open, coaches may call up double roster players for games; decisions made and communicated Wednesday afternoons based on team needs, commitment, and attendance.
Misconduct guidelines and discipline process
- Expectations: All players must show respect and sportsmanship on and off the field; coaches hold university-level physical education qualifications and emphasize character alongside skill development.
- Disciplinary steps
- First intervention: One-to-one conversation with coach; player may be suspended from practice.
- Second intervention: Coach speaks with parent; player may be suspended from practices and games.
- Third intervention: Player may not be invited back for the next season or may be suspended for the rest of the season; for severe incidents the club may proceed directly to third intervention.
Tryout procedures
- Current players: Automatically participate in tryouts and do not need to re-register; yearround plan enrollees are automatically accepted for the following season though team adjustments may occur.
- Fall-only enrollers: Must notify the coach if they want to remain for the next season; spots for current players are not guaranteed and depend on performance and coach evaluation.
- New players: Must sign up online for tryouts, attend two days, and practice with the team; if unable to attend tryout week, request alternate dates via e-mail.
Weather policy and field closure notifications
- Queen Anne’s County: Use the Rainout Line app or call field closure phone number for Old Love Point Park; alerts will advise if fields are closed.
- Frederick County: Check TeamSnap or coach e-mail for cancellations or changes.
- General guidance: If not notified, sessions remain scheduled; coaches prioritize safety while attempting to hold practices, scrimmages, and games—stay tuned for lastminute changes.
Contact and additional information
- Where to check schedule and updates: Website, e-mail communications, Facebook, TeamSnap, and team managers.
- For more information: Use the contact options listed on the BUSA site.