Eyeglasses

EyeGlasses are allowed if they are sports spectacles and are safe for the players themselves and for other players. Referees should show tolerance when authorizing their use, particularly for younger players. Materials such as metal or glass are not acceptable. In recreational and house league games referees are expected to show common sense and allow spectacles as long as the basic principals of Law 4 are met.

Youth Soccer Shoes or Cleats Guide for Parents

Soccer cleats should fit closely, and it's better to buy soccer shoes that fit children at the time of purchase rather than getting a larger pair and planning that the child will "grow into them". Too-big soccer cleats, like shoes everywhere, will slip and rub, causing blisters and affecting stance and balance.

If you're planning to buy soccer cleats and other soccer gear for your child or adolescent, start shopping in the summer, before soccer season really starts. Spending a lot of money for children's soccer cleats may not be justifiable, since they will probably be outgrown by the end of the school year. As long as they fit well, meet the team regulations, and provide support, you can get away with spending less money. Put the money you save away, though: by the time your little soccer hero gets into third or fourth grade, you may expect wrangling over the most popular--and expensive--brands.

The soles of your cleats should be rubber, and it's best to buy regulation soccer cleats, since other sports cleats are not allowed in soccer. Kids' cleats are unisex, which makes buying them easier on parents. Like shoes, girls' and womens' cleats will tend to be narrower than boys' and mens': women with wider feet may find men's cleats fit their feet better. On the other hand, (or foot), men with narrow feet may find that women's cleats fit them better without in any way diminishing their masculinity! Don't let silly marketing ploys con you into buying soccer cleats that don't fit you properly when the perfect size is the next aisle over.

When trying on soccer cleats, wear them with the socks and shin guards that will be used in practice and at games. It's important to feel the way each item matches its fit with the others.

For beginning soccer players who don't have grand notions, synthetic uppers with rubber soles will do just fine, preventing the problems other players will have with leather shoes. Leather uppers can become stiff and out of shape if they get wet and are improperly dried: synthetics tend to be more forgiving. If your cleats to get wet, stuff them with newspaper and let them dry naturally, without added heat.

If you are playing indoors, or if your child plays in a gym, you may decide to use sneakers or cross-trainers for soccer. They should be stable, without built-up soles or heels, and they should have rubber soles for adequate traction on smooth floors.

Soccer shoes that fit right enhance the enjoyment of the game as well as the skill level of the player. Take the extra time and energy to find the best soccer shoes for your feet and the conditions under which you are playing.

Shin Guards for Your Young Soccer Player
All soccer players, from utter novices to total experts, have to wear shin guards. It only makes sense in a sport whose primary method of locomoting the ball involves kicking it out from under your opponent’s (also kicking) leg! We’ve all banged a shin into a table at some point, and have hopped around in amazement that such an innocuous accident can be so painful.

Shin guards should fit closely around the bones of the ankle, and end underneath the knee. They should protect the shin by creating a semi-rigid armor while allowing free movement of the leg.

When trying on shin guards, make sure to wear soccer socks, which are made to hold shin guards where they belong. Try them on with cleats or soccer shoes to make sure all the elements work well together. To make sure the fit is correct, wear new shin guards to practice several times before wearing them to an actual game. Never wear shin guards without soccer socks.

Some shin guards are machine-washable, but you may prefer to wash them by hand to help them stay new longer. Straps should be fastened before laundering. Players may want to powder them before use to help absorb perspiration.

Make sure the shin guards you buy are appropriate for the age of the wearer, and if a shin guard cracks, replace it right away. After all, a cracked shin guard can lead to a cracked –and extremely painful--shin!

CONGRATULATIONS! You have chosen Toronto Azzurri Soccer Club as the organization responsible for providing top quality education to your child, within a professional atmosphere.  Before becoming part of this wonderful soccer experience, there is a responsibility of parents to abide by the following expectations:

• On the day of scheduled games, parents are expected to bring players to the designated soccer fields, at least 20 minutes prior to the commencement of the game, or as specified by the coach.

• Parents are to bring children to all practices punctually and regularly.  In the event of an absence from either a practice or a scheduled game, parents are expected to call either the coach or the team manager and justify the absence.

• During the course of a scheduled game, parents are expected to stay at least three (3) meters away from the sidelines.

• During all games, parents are expected to encourage by applause and by words of praise the efforts of all team members.

• Under NO circumstances are parents ever permitted to engage in any form of verbal, racial or physical abuse towards any other person while representing the Toronto Azzurri Soccer organization.

INFRINGEMENT OF THIS REQUEST WILL RESULT IN THE IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL OF THAT PARENT'S PLAYER FROM THE TEAM.

• Parents are encouraged to assist the Club in taking all necessary precautions to prevent its players, official's and spectators from threatening or assaulting any person present at the game.

• Parents are encouraged to remind their children that persistent misconduct, abusive language, violent conduct, persistent criticism or disputing of referee's decisions, and deliberate physical contact carry an automatic suspensions as well as fines, and should, therefore, be avoided at all times.

• Finally a reminder to us that as adults we have the responsibility to act as models of sportsmanship and fair play and show our children, by direct example, civilized and mature standards of behavior.

As parents you are responsible, therefore, to adhere to the above-mentioned standards of conduct otherwise your association with this club shall be terminated and your child shall be dismissed from the team.

THE ABOVE MENTIONED STANDARDS OF CONDUCT SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS A CONDITION FOR PLAYING SOCCER WITH THE TORONTO AZZURRI SOCCER CLUB.