What should I expect on practice days?

Practices vary slightly from team to team but here are a few basics that you can expect to see from every team and coach.

Practices will start with a team meeting where the coach will greet the players and explain a bit about the practice before starting the drills.

At some point during the practice, the coach will call the team together for a huddle. In the huddle, the coach will share a 5 to10 minute devotion with the players and teach them that week’s scripture verse. Each devotion answers a question about God and life in a systematic yet simple manner.

After the devotion, the coach will share any info about the upcoming games or special events.

What should I expect on game days?

When you arrive, you will make your way to the field or court that your game will take place. You can ask your coach during practice, check the schedule, or check the display board when you arrive for the location of your game.

All players should arrive at the field about 15 minutes early.

Games will start on their scheduled time. This is to insure that all of the other games on the schedule can stay on schedule.

Rosters and starting lineups are carefully arranged to allow each child equal playing time and a chance to start the game therefore, it is important that you arrive on time or let your coach know if you will not be able to make it. If you arrive late your child will be able to enter the game the next time his/her slot in the rotation comes around. It is very important to your coach that your child plays an equal amount of time but they are not asked to rearrange the roster if a child arrives late.

Before the game the official will lead the teams in prayer.

During the game your coach will be there with your child to encourage him/her and give direction.

After the game your coach will gather the team together for snacks and to hand out stars to every player.

Score is not kept in any age group for any sport.

There are bleachers at the field but they usually fill up fast so feel free to bring a folding chair.

Games will follow the format listed below:

Baseball

Coming soon…

Basketball

Coming soon…

Cheerleading

Coming soon…

Football

* Games consist of 4 9-minute quarters with an 8-minute halftime

* The game clock will stop briefly at the end of each quarter for substitutions

* Each team has one 30 second timeout per half

* A 30 second play clock begins after the referee spots the ball as ready for play

* The clock will stop in the final minute of each half for the following situations

   - After an incomplete pass

   - After the ball carrier goes out of bounds

   - After a touch down

   - For an officials timeout

   - On a change of possession

Soccer

* Games consist of two 18-minute halves with an 8-minute half time

* The game clock with stop every 6 minutes for substitutions

* Teams will switch sides at half time

* No yellow cards or red cards are used in Upward Soccer

* There is no extended time in Upward Soccer

Parent Interaction

Parents are welcome and encouraged to interact with their child and other players in a positive way. We ask that parents understand that the goal of Upward at Bear Creek is to provide a positive environment to all children involved and refrain from negative comments or attitudes toward any of the players. If a parent is acting in a way that is detrimental to this goal, a referee or official may speak to that parent about their actions. Parents are expected to be receptive of any concerns voiced by referees and/or officials.

What if I don’t like a call by the official?

In Upward Sports, the official and coach actually work together as a unified team to help your child develop their skills and understanding of the game. The aspects that are taught in practice by the coach are reinforced during the game by the official.

Upward Sports has an illustration that shows their thoughts about the process of criticizing and affirming.

The circle of criticism starts with an official making a call. The coach then gives a negative response, the parents follow along, and the children respond to their parents by becoming critical of the official. As you can imagine and have probably seen, this cycle does not add to the enjoyment of the game.

The alternative to this cycle is the circle of affirmation and it starts with you, the parent.

Let’s say the official makes a call that is given a positive response by the coach. If the parents then follow the coach’s example, the children will then be more inclined to listen to the instruction given by the official.

At Bear Creek, we have a crew of talented and caring officials but they will be the first to tell you that they do make mistakes from time to time. If you do not understand a call or need to know why it was made, you are encouraged to talk to your coach about it in private. They will be happy address your concerns.

Who are the coaches / officials?

All of the coaches and officials are members of the church who have passed a background check and have agreed to volunteer their time for the pleasure of teaching and training your children.

Do you need team moms / dads?

Yes!!

Team Parents are always welcome and needed. The position of Team Parent is not something we take lightly. Here are some of the ways in which a Team Parent is asked to help:

Uniforms. Team Parents can help by making sure everyone gets the correct uniform and handling any size corrections that may be needed.

Picture day. Picture day can be hectic but the help of a Team Parent helps to make this a seamless event. Team Parents can help collect forms and payment, turn them into the photography company, obtain extra forms if needed and answer questions regarding the forms and process.

Schedules. Schedules are an important part of the season. Whether it is handing out game or uniform schedules or organizing and maintaining a snack schedule, this is an area where the Team Parent really shines.

Prayer Request. Each team will have an ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship) class that will be responsible for praying for the team during the season. The coach will ask if any child has a prayer request during practice. The Team Parent can help out a great deal by getting that prayer request to the ABF and the Prayer Commissioner.

Awards Night. On awards night, every child in the Upward program will be in the gym 15-30 minutes before making their way to the worship center. Needless to say, it can get a bit hectic at times. Team Parents can help out in a major way by assisting the coach in the gym and possibly in the worship center. Team Parents can also assist the coach with any decisions that are made during the ceremony by filling out decision cards and even making contact with the children at a later date.