Suffern FC Fall 2026 Recreation — Team Structure & Rules

How Team Placement Works

We place every player using three factors, in this order:

1. School first — kids from the same school are grouped together, so practices and Saturday games feel like an extension of the classroom, not a stranger’s team.
2. Grade second — within each school group, players are slotted into the correct division for their grade.
3. Friend requests — if you requested a friend on your registration, we’ll do our best to place your child on the same team. This may move them off their default school-grouped team.

What we can’t guarantee: Friend requests are one-directional and depend on roster space. If a team is full, or if the requested friend isn’t registered in the same division, we may not be able to honor the request. We aim to accommodate every request we can — but not all of them can be fulfilled.

Divisions & Format

Division	Format	Max Roster	Gets a Team?
Pre-K / Tots	—	—	No — t-shirt only
K / 1st Grade	4v4	7	Yes
2nd / 3rd Grade	5v5	7–8	Yes
4th / 5th Grade	5v5	7–8	Yes
6th / 7th / 8th Grade	5v5	7–8	Yes

Game Day Rules

Rule	K/1st	2nd/3rd	4th/5th	6th–8th
Game length	30 min	40 min	50 min	60 min
Restarts	Kick-ins	Kick-ins	Throw-ins	Throw-ins (required)
Heading allowed	No	No	No	Yes
Scorekeeping	No	No	No	Yes
Slide tackling	Not allowed at any age
Cleats	Required starting 3rd grade
Shin guards	Required, every age, every game and practice — no exceptions
Socks (worn over shin guards)	Required, every age, every game and practice — no exceptions
Minimum playing time	Every player, every game — 50% minimum

Weather policy: Games and practices are cancelled if the feels-like temperature is below 40°F. In the event of lightning, play stops immediately and resumes only after 30 minutes have passed since the last flash.

Code of Conduct

Suffern FC is a family environment first. We expect respect from players, parents, and coaches at every practice and game. Violations are handled with a clear, consistent process:

1. Warning — a direct conversation about the behavior.
2. Sideline removal — removal from the current game or practice.
3. Suspension — removal from upcoming games, at the discretion of the club.

We want every Saturday to be something your family looks forward to. This process exists to protect that for everyone.

Refund Policy

Full refunds are available up through the end of Week 1 of the season. No refunds after Week 1, for any reason.

Photo & Media Release

By registering, you agree that Suffern FC may photograph and video your child during games, practices, and events, and use those photos/videos across our website, social media (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook), and marketing materials. If you do not want your child included, email us at info.suffernfc@gmail.com before the season starts.

What’s Included

• Full uniform kit (home + away jersey for K–8th; t-shirt only for Pre-K/Tots)
• 8 Saturday games, 8 weekday practices
• Volunteer parent-coach led sessions, built around a proven training curriculum focused on maximizing touches and small-sided game reps

Season Timeline

Milestone	Date
Registration opens	July 1, 2026
Late fee begins	August 24, 2026
Registration closes	August 31, 2026
Teams released	September 8, 2026
First practice	September 11, 2026
First game	September 12, 2026

Pricing:

• K–8th Grade: $225 (regular) / $245 (late, after Aug 24)
• Pre-K/Tots: $165 (regular) / $185 (late, after Aug 24)
• Sibling discount: SIBLING10 (10% off, 2 kids) · FAMILY15 (15% off, 3+ kids)

Volunteer Coach Requirements

Every volunteer parent coach must complete both of the following before stepping on the sideline for any practice or game:

1. Background check — completed through NCSI.
2. SafeSport training — completed and current.

No exceptions. A coach without both on file is not permitted on the sideline.

Spectator Code of Conduct

• Stay off the field of play at all times — sideline only.
• Do not coach from the sideline — including your own child. Let the coaches coach.
• No negative comments toward players, coaches, or referees, from either team.
• Applaud effort. Save corrections for practice, not game day.

Violations follow the same three-step process above: warning → removal from the sideline → suspension from future games.