Rainbow Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How do I know what team my child is assigned to?
The only notification is that team rosters are posted at the Rainbow soccer fields. Some coaches may call players to let them know, but this is optional and voluntary on their part. We tried listing them on the web once previously, but have not continued this due to concerns raised by parents about making this information available on the web. Beginning in the fall of 2004 we are emailing each team member a roster listing. We think this will facilitate parents knowing other families on the team for communication (car-pooling, snack duties, etc), while not disclosing the team player information to everyone on the web.
Q: How do you decide what team to put my child (or me) on?
Rainbow works very hard to try to please everyone, as much as possible. We ask for your preferences on your registration form. We then try to match players and teams by hand for ~1500 players, given the preferences they have indicated. While it is impossible to make everyone perfectly happy :-), we want to come as close as we can. We welcome your input, and your calls if you have concerns about your team assignment. Please call ASAP after teams are assigned when we may have more flexibility to move players.
Q: How do I know whether games or practice are on due to weather conditions?
The weather phone hotline is updated to let you know whether fields are closed. Players or their families are responsible for calling. Call 990-3036 for Rainbow, Chapel Hill Bible Church and Smith Athletic fields by 1pm. Call 685-8277 for Cedar Falls, Southern Community Park and Homestead fields by 3pm. These are multi-line systems, so you should get directly through.
Q: How does Rainbow decide whether to hold practices or games?
The Rainbow staff goes and physically checks the fields, and several weather forecasts. If the fields are to wet to be playable, or it is heavily raining or lightning (or a high probability of these two in the near future based on the weather forecast), then the practices or games are cancelled. Our first concern is safety of the players, and also of the fields. The fields are our prime resource, and can be easily ruined by play when the fields are too wet. Please do not play on the fields, even informally, if the fields are closed.
Q: Why are my child’s games in a 7v7 format instead of 11 v 11? Is this still “real” soccer?
Beginning in 2003, recreational leagues within Rainbow changed to a 7v7 format to more closely follow the national and state youth soccer guidelines (references, US Youth Soccer guidelines). Smaller sided games offer more action for players, more touches on the ball, more play on both offensive and defense sides, more scoring, and in general more of a “soccer” experience.
Q: Why are there no goalies in the Peepers and Pippins leagues?
Beginning in the fall of 2004 we stopped having goalies for the Peepers and Pippins leagues. This is recommended by the state and national youth soccer organizations, whose guidelines we try to follow. Players playing goalie at such young ages are not learning useful skills, do not get as much exercise, and often receive a little too much encouragement or direction from parents. Also, by not having goalies many more kids get to have the wonderful feeling of scoring, and the emphasis is more on succeeding at scoring goals than the overall score.
Last updated 2005-05-27
