Below are some commonly asked Questions and Answers
(or where to find the answers)
Q. What ages can register to play for the NRSC?
A. We offer 3 programs for players ranging from 4 – 15 years old.
Bears Academy, Recreation (Rec) League, and Travel League.
Bears Academy is broken by gender into U5 (Under 5) and U6 age groups*.
Rec League is broken by gender into U8, U9, U11, and U14 age groups*.
CLICK HERE to see our full Rec/Academy Age Chart.
Travel League is broken by gender and birth year groups ranging from around 7 to around 14 years old*.
*All groups depend on the number of players registering.
Q. When is registration for the Bears Academy and Rec Soccer?
A. Fall registration is typically around May and June. Fall registration is for the Full year. Fall & Spring.
Spring-only registration is typically around Mid January to Mid February.
Go to NRSC.net/registration for exact dates.
Q. When is registration for Travel Soccer?
A. Travel soccer has sign-ups for tryouts typically in early May. Tryouts are typically the week of Memorial Day and are at various days and times depending on the player’s birth year. Once a player makes the team, they will be able to register for the team.
Go to NRSC.net/travel for more details.
Q. How Much does it cost to register a player to play on the NRSC?
A. The Fees to register for all of our programs can be found on NRSC.net/registration.
Q. When is registration for Travel Soccer?
A. Travel soccer has sign-ups for tryouts typically in early May. Tryouts are typically the week of Memorial Day and are at various days and times depending on the player’s birth year. Once a player makes the team, they will be able to register for the team.
Go to NRSC.net/travel for more details.
Q. If we played in the Fall, do I need to register again for the Spring?
A. No, registering for the Fall is for both the Fall and the Spring seasons.
Q. What? We play in the Spring also?
A. Yes. After the Fall season, your team stays together to play more games in the Spring season.
Q. How many games are scheduled in a season?
A. Bears Academy is scheduled for 14-16 training sessions during the Fall & Spring.
Rec League is scheduled for 15-20 games during the full season, which includes the Fall, the Spring, and Soccer Days.
Travel League will normally have 16-24 games. 8 games each for Fall and Spring Seasons. 4 home and 4 away that can be anywhere in N.E.O.
Travel will also typically be scheduled for 2 tournaments (1 each season) where teams could play between 3 and 4 games.
Q. Can I register my child for JUST Spring Soccer?
A. Yes. We have some Rec players who only play Spring soccer. Registration for Spring soccer is typically in Mid January.
Go to NRSC.net/travel for more details.
Q. I want my child to play in a different age group. How do I do that?
A. First, register your child in the age-appropriate group based on their birth year. Than…
Bears Academy & Rec League players can email our Registrar to talk about what options there are and what is best for the player.
Travel League players can email our Travel Director.
Q. OK then, how ARE teams made up?
A. Our goal is to have a balanced league. Each team should have a reasonable chance to win all of their games. Doing that is incredibly tough. Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we don’t. We do our best to make sure each team has a mix of players of different ages and different experience levels.
Q. Are there make-up dates due to weather-related cancellations?
A. Bears Academy & Rec League: Unfortunately no. With close to 60 rec teams and a 200-player Academy program, the schedule doesn’t have room for any rescheduled dates.
Travel League requires rescheduling games through the OHTSL. Rescheduling is done through the Travel Director, OHTSL, and the opposing team management.
Q. What kind of gear do players need for the season?
A. Cleats, shin guards, a ball, and a water bottle.
- Soccer Cleats
- Metal cleats or cleats with a toe cleat in the front are not permitted (like baseball or football cleats)
- Look for our Dick’s Sporting goods coupon in the Fall and our Frontline Soccer Shop coupon in the Spring
- Shin Guards completely covered by socks
- Water bottle labeled with the player’s name
- Size-appropriate ball labeled with the player’s name
- Size 3 ball for U5 and U6 Bears Academy
- Size 4 ball for U8 thru U11 Rec and Travel teams under 11 years old
- Size 5 ball for U14 Rec and Travel teams over 11 years old
- Weather-appropriate clothing (the end of fall and the start of Spring can be cold & wet)
Q. Do we need to buy a uniform?
A. Bears Academy & Rec League jerseys are included in the registration fee and will be given to each player before the first game/training session. Academy & Rec does not require uniform shorts or socks.
Travel League players will need to purchase a full uniform kit. CLICK HERE to see our travel uniforms.
Q. How can I volunteer to help the program?
A. Great question and we are glad you asked! Just talk to any member of the NRSC Board of Directors. They can give you more information about our program. You can also reach out to any of us from our CONTACT US PAGE.
Q. I volunteered to coach, why did I do that?
A. Because you are a wonderful person! You and the players will cherish this time for the rest of your lives. Not to mention, you get a free coach’s shirt!
Q. What is Soccer Days and when is it?
A. Soccer Days is a tournament at the end of the Season. It’s not playoffs, it’s a fun time for all of our rec players and teams to showcase everything they have been learning the entire year. Every rec team will play 4 games over that weekend. It is a tournament and a competition. While winning in a competition is the point and can be important, it’s just not the MOST important thing. We try to make it a fun, exciting, and competitive atmosphere. Over the weekend, there is a Skills Challenge, 50/50 and Basket raffles, Expanded Concession, NRSC Spirit Wear tent, we even have Kona ice come out. (And more!)
Soccer Days games are played over a Fri night, Sat, and Sun. It is normally the weekend before the Memorial Day weekend.
Go to our CAMPS & EVENTS page to see last year’s champions and for more information as it becomes available.
Q. Does the Bears Academy participate in Soccer Days?
A. Yes, they have a special program on Soccer Days Sat. The program is designed to showcase what they have been learning all season.
Q. Do travel teams play in Soccer Days or other tournaments?
A. Travel League does not participate in Soccer Days. However, they are typically scheduled for 2 tournaments (1 each season) where teams could play between 3 and 4 games.
Q. Is there a Summer Camp?
A. Yes, We run a Summer Camp every year that is run with the help of Players and Coaches from North Royalton High School. The Camp is normally held for 4 days in the middle of July. Go to our CAMPS & EVENTS page for more information as it becomes available.
Q. Does the NRSC do a Picture Day?
A. We do. Normally at the end of April during the Spring season. Information will be sent to coaches to share with their teams.
Q. When does practice start?
A. Bears Academy doesn’t have weekday practices, they only have Saturday training sessions..
Rec League practices for the Fall usually start near the end of August.
Travel League practices for the Fall usually start the first week of August.
Travel and Rec spring practice are both at the end of March. Schedules will be sent to coaches and players after registration closes.
Q. What are practice times and locations?
A. Practices for both Rec and Travel are on weekdays from 5p-6:30p or 6:30p-8p* at Churches and Schools around North Royalton. Coaches choose the specific time and place from our options. Players will be notified when and where practices are the week before practices start. CLICK HERE to see the current practice schedule.
Rec League practices once a week.
Travel League practices twice a week.
*In the Fall we start to lose daylight (typically in the middle of Oct.) We shift practices slightly to accommodate. Coaches will let their teams know when this officially happens.
Q. Do the Bears Academy have practices during the week?
A. The Bears Academy does not have weekday practices. They meet on Saturday for their training session. The sessions are broken into small stations and mini-games.
Q. I have not heard from my coach yet and I am freaking out!
A. That’s not really a question, but Don’t freak out. Players will typically hear from their coach a week or two before practices are supposed to start. If you haven’t heard from your coach by mid-Aug (for the fall) and mid-March (for the spring), you could freak out, OR just email the Rec League Director and we’ll figure out what is going on.
Q. When will the game schedules be available and where can I find them?
A. Bears Academy: Schedules will be posted on www.QuickScores.com/NRSC about a week before the first training session is supposed to start.
Rec League: If all goes smoothly, about a week before practice is supposed to start. Schedules* will be posted on www.QuickScores.com/NRSC.
*Schedules are subject to change for a variety of reasons. Always check the site and with your coach about an upcoming game.
Travel League: If all goes smoothly, about a week before the games are supposed to start. Schedules will be posted in TeamSnap, the app we use for our Travel Teams.
Q. Where are the games played?
A. Rec League & Bears Academy: The majority of our games are played at Lucille Heasley Soccer Field (Heasley) on Saturdays. In the Spring, when the weather isn’t great, we have some games at Serpentini Stadium or other locations. Check the schedule for details.. www.QuickScores.com/NRSC.
Travel league: Home games are typically played at Lucille Heasley Soccer Field (Heasley) on Sundays. Some games can be at Memorial Park Field. Away games can be anywhere in N.E.O.
Q. Where is Heasley?
A. Lucille Heasley Soccer Field, Commonly referred to as “Heasley” is located at
5100 Walings Rd, North Royalton, OH, 44133.
Near the corner of Wallings and State.
Across the street from the NR Library and YMCA.
Q. How long are games?
A. The length of our games can vary from age to age and from season to season.
CLICK HERE to see the Rules of Play for our current Rec League.
CLICK HERE for the OHTSL Travel League rules.
Q. What are the rules for soccer?
A. As well as FIFA’s “Laws of the Game”, our Rec League has a few other in-house rules.
CLICK HERE to see our in-house ‘Rules of Play’ and the FIFA laws.
Q. My child just got their ears pierced, what should we do?
A. Take them out. Earrings and other jewelry are NOT ALLOWED.
Almost certainly someone will show up for week one with earrings. They cannot play with earrings. They have to come out, even if they were just pierced. No, you cannot put tape over them.
CLICK HERE to see the jewelry policy and all of our other policies.
Q. Are players allowed to play with a cast?
A. For the safety of everyone on the field, players with casts, braces, splints, etc. will not be allowed to play, unless it is covered by padding or similar material. The padding may be done by wrapping the cast in foam, bubble wrap, or another soft material.
The wrap MUST cover the entire cast, be inspected, and be approved by a Referee prior to the player taking the field.
Players need to have a “return to play’ note from a doctor.
Q. Can I bring a dog to our game?
A. No, North Royalton city ordinance prohibits dogs (pets) on city game field properties.
CLICK HERE to find the city ordinance. Yes, signs are posted at Heasley.
For “Service Animal” expectations, please talk to a board member BEFORE bringing a pet to Heasley.
Q. What do we do if it’s raining?
A. We play. Soccer is played in the rain and other bad weather as long as it is safe for the players. If the fields are unplayable, practices and games will be canceled.
If there is thunder or lightning, games will be paused for 30 minutes beyond the last heard thunder. Generally, that means the whole game will be suspended because if you start it up 30 minutes or more after the thunder it will back up all the other games.
Q. Why can’t we play on soft/soggy fields?
A. There are two reasons we can’t play on soft fields.
The first, and most important, is injuries. Not only for today but for the future. What ends up happening is we get “divots” in the ground which increases the chances for future injuries, not to mention injuries received playing on the soggy field.
The second reason is that it hurts the fields for the rest of the season. When we “tear it up” early in the season, it makes it harder for the rain to absorb in future storms causing even more long-term damage to the fields. This is one of those instances where caution is king.
Q. The referee is really bad. I want to yell at them. Can I?
A. No. Absolutely not! It’s a game, and this is a learning league for EVERYONE! The players are learning, the coaches, the referees, and even the parents sometimes need to learn how to be a spectator.
It is very hard to find referees. Nationally there is a huge shortage because no one wants to get yelled at anymore. Most of our referees are kids and they WILL make mistakes. Referees make mistakes at all levels including professional matches. And, chances are, the referee knows a lot more about the soccer rules than anyone on either sideline. Yelling at a kid over a call at a recreational (or youth travel) game is stupid. Don’t do it.
If there is a problem with a referee during a game, coaches should make a note on the back of the scorecard when they sign it. We will look into it. If you feel strongly that you would like to complain, wait 24 hours! If you still feel like there is a problem, contact a Member of the Board of Directors. CONTACT US PAGE. We would be happy to listen to you.
Q. But the game is getting too rough and the referee isn’t calling it. Someone is going to get hurt!
A. What you think is rough, someone else might think is just playing hard. It’s subjective. Take two kids, give them a ball to chase after running at full speed, and some of them are going to bump into each other, get their feet tangled up, trip, and fall. Some of the falls will look horrific. Then one or both of the kids will cry.
Someone will surely yell, “Come on ref! You gotta call that!”
Even if the ref did call it, the kids would still be on the ground crying. You’d still be mad, and most likely both kids will be fine once they stop crying. Do some games get out of hand? Yes, and the referees are given instructions on how to handle that. But yelling at them is not going to help. It’s actually going to make things worse.
If you are a coach and you think the game is getting too rough, politely ask the referee to be more strict on the calls. Usually, it’s one or two players who are playing too rough, and asking the referee to keep an eye on them is the best way to handle that.
Q. What is offside?
A. What? You want to yell at the ref about their calls but you don’t know what off-sides is?
That’s ok, a lot of people get confused by this one.
Offside is basically a form of “cherry-picking.” Staying close to the opposition’s goal waiting for the ball.
Here is the rule simply put:
- An attacking player, when in the opposition half, must have at least two opposition players, including the goalkeeper, between them and the opposition goal when a pass is played forward to them.
Q. Does the NRSC have any indoor soccer?
A. No, we don’t have those kinds of facilities at this time.
Q. Do we practice in the rain?
A. We do normally practice in the rain but leave it up to the coaches to use their discretion. If the fields become unplayable and unsafe, the Board of Directors will close the fields and email the leagues.
We will also post a message on the front page of www.QuickScores.com/NRSC for our Bears Academy & Rec League and a message will be sent over TeamSnap for our Travel League.
Q. Are players allowed to use their heads?
A. We would hope that all players, coaches, referees, and parents use their heads regularly. But NO, heading is not allowed in any of our Bears Academy or Rec League age groups.
Travel Soccer allows heading at the U12 age level and above.
Q. What if it’s cold?
A. By October and usually early in the Spring, it WILL BE COLD. Come prepared, dress warmly.
Not often, but we have played in the snow before. We still live in Northeast Ohio.
