Frequently Asked Questions
| RELATED LINKS |
| League Officials |
| League Bylaws |
| League Rules in Full |
| Fair Play Comm. Guidelines |
| Key Rules |
| *AGM = Annual General Meeting. |
The League
Who are the Volunteers that manage the League? -------->
What are the League rules and rules of the game? -------->
What is the difference between the Vikings League and Vikings Club Microsoccer?
What are the important dates for this fall?
What is the AGM (Annual General Meeting)?
Team Formation
How are the teams organized?
What age group does our team fall under?
What if a player misses the age cutoff?
What if we are a U8 team with more than 12 players?
Registration
What are the important dates for fall?
What is the registration process?
How does a child register to play soccer?
How can we navigate the registration process successfully?
How do I get parents to get paperwork in to me in time for my appointment?
Do all teams that complete registration steps get into the Vikings League?
Coaches/Volunteers
If we have parent coaches, what do we need to know?
Where can we find qualified coaches?
What if the coach/es can't make it to a game?
What if a coach misplaces their F license card?
How can parents get more involved?
What does the coach need to have on the field?
Practices & Games
How do we get a practice field?
Why aren’t the game schedules available sooner?
Can we use our MicroSoccer uniforms in the Viking League?
Can we bring dogs to games?
What if parents are not following the “Spectator Code of Conduct\?
What does the coach need to have on the field?
What if the coach/es can't make it to a game?
What if we don’t have enough players for a game?
What if it looks like rain on gameday?
Where can teams play in spring?
What if our team does not play soccer in spring?
Should the coach hold onto passes and paperwork even after the season is over?
Do teams get any trophies or medals at the end of the season?
What if I have questions not addressed on this page?
What is the difference between the Vikings League and Vikings Club Microsoccer?
The San Francisco Viking Soccer Club organizes Fall and Spring MicroSoccer seasons as training to prepare children for the more structured and organized play experience in California Youth Soccer Association (CYSA) leagues such as the this league (SF Vikings League).Teams moving up from Microsoccer into the Vikings League, will find the registration process more complicated. All teams need to register their team, coaches, and individual players with the Viking League (California Youth Soccer Association is the affiliated organization). Team membership in the California Youth Soccer Association is for one year (fall through the following spring). All Vikings teams must register at least one F licensed coach at their team’s registration appointment in order to register their team. If you play in the PAL League in spring, they will require two F-licensed coaches.
MicroSoccer may have had different team sizes. Be sure to check the Vikings League chart for team minimums and maximums. Only 13 players maximum are allowed on U8 teams. Please click here to view the age chart.
What are the important dates for this fall?
The registration process begins as early as April 1.
For important dates and deadlines please click here.
The AGM is the Annual General Meeting where Vikings team representatives come together to vote on proposals, elect league officials, discuss issues, and award coaches and referees for exceptional work. This is a mandatory meeting that must be attended by one representative from each team in order for the team to remain in "good standing". Each representative will get to place one vote. The AGM agenda, minutes, and presentation can be found here. The AGM usually takes place at the beginning of February and is different than the Mandatory Coach Meetings that take place in September. At the September meeting coaches recieve their player and coach passes/paperwork and important information needed on the field.
Teams are organized by age group (U8-U14) and gender (boys/girls). It is possible to register a team of mixed gender. However, it is important to understand that mixed teams play in the boys division. For games, there are subdivisions within each age/gender division.
What age group does our team fall under?
The age group of your team (U8, U9, etc) is determined by the oldest player on your team. Please click here to view the age chart.
What if a player misses the age cutoff?
The age group of the team is determined by the oldest player on the team. The Vikings League no longer grants age waivers to players that are too old for the team. If your team decides to play in the age group appropriate for the majority of the players on your team, then any remaining older players will need to find an older team to play on. If the player is young for the team, this is acceptable but not recommended. Click here to see the age chart.
What if we are a U8 team with more than 12 players?
If you have too many players for U8 (maximum is 13) we suggest that a few players find another team to play on.
What is the registration process?
Please see the registration link for specific registration instructions and links.
How does a child register to play soccer?
Vikings League runs a Fall recreational soccer season for boys and girls ages U8-U18. For information about Microsoccer (ages U5-U7), visit the Vikings Club website or call (415) 753-3111. Vikings League registers teams in April/May to play Sept-Nov. Parents must first find a team for their son/daughter to play on before submitting the proper paperwork to the team manager for registration. Instructions for how to submit paperwork may vary depending on the team and time of year. For parents who need to find a team for their son/daughter we recommend parents first inquire at their child’s school, ask parents of their child’s friends, or sign up on our “Players Looking for a Team” list. Please go here for more tips on how to find a team and how to register a player.
How can we navigate the registration process successfully?Find a dependable point person (Primary Team Contact/Manager) to manage the paperwork and registration details. Due to the large amount of teams to manage, the Vikings office will only communicate through ONE point person for the team.
This person will need to facilitate the completion of the following:
1) register the team, players and coaches online
2) gather the forms/paperwork/fees from the players and coaches
3) have the coach complete the online a team census (the strength and experience of the team) and any scheduling requests (not all requests are granted)
4) find a parent to volunteer as an Assistant Referee (for U9-U14 teams only)
5) make/attend a registration appointment with the league to complete registration
6) request a practice field or ensure that the coach requests one
7) ensure that the coach attends the mandatory meeting in Aug/Sept in order to obtain passes/paperwork and important information.
8) communicate between the Vikings office and parents/coaches throughout the season.
Having a meeting at your local coffee shop or park is a good idea! We recommend that you refer parents to the Player Registration Checklist for brand new players (to Vikings League) and coaches to the Adult Registration Checklist which explains in detail the items they need to give to you. Be sure to give them a deadline well in advance of your registration appointment.
Do all teams that complete registration steps get into the Vikings League?
Most of the teams do get in. However, our capacity is based on the fields we are able to obtain from Rec and Park.
If we have parent coaches, what do we need to know?
All coaches need to be F licensed or registered for an F clinic (with clinic fees paid) by the team’s registration appointment in May. The Viking League requires teams to have at least one F licensed coach for the fall (although we recommend two). The PAL League requires two F licensed coaches for the spring.
Vikings will offer F clinics in the summer. These classes fill up quickly. All coaches must submit a signed Form 1628, copy of their F License (card they receive when clinic is completed), and a passport size/quality photo. These items must be submitted for at least one coach at the team’s registration appointment.
If we do not have parent coaches, where can we find qualified coaches?
Some coaches post their availability on various bulletins such as the one at Sunset Soccer at 3214 Irving Street. There are a few organizations that handle the registration process and provide certified coaches for additional fees.
What if the coach/es can't make it to a game?
To avoid a forfeit and associated fees, one of your team coaches must be present for the game. If your coach/es can not make it to a game, check the schdule to see which team is playing before/after your game and ask if that coach can cover. Ask them to submit a photo to Vikings during office hours prior to the game so we can make a pass for him/her.
What if a coach has misplaced their F license card?
For a small fee, coaches can request a duplacate card from CYSA.
Please note that it can take up to several weeks for the process.
How can parents get more involved?
Parents can get more involved by becoming a Volunteer Assistant Referee, Coach, Age Group Commissioner, and/or sign up as a Volunteer. Please send us an email for volunteer opportunities.
How do we get a practice field?
The San Francisco Park and Recreation Department manages the practice field permits for Vikings League teams. Shortly after completion of registration, the primary contact will recieve instructions and a “paperwork complete code” via email in order to request a practice field online through Park & Rec. Practice field requests are good for the season of play only.
Note: The most sought after days for practice fields are Monday and Friday. Many of the older league players participate in school-sponsored sports that practice Tuesday through Thursday freeing these players to practice for Viking soccer on Mondays and Fridays only. To increase your odds of receiving your requested playing field, time, and date, a mid-week practice day may be your best bet. Even then, it may be difficult to secure your first choices so have alternate days/times ready.
Why aren’t the game schedules available sooner?Often, we do not receive our field permits until August. In the weeks prior to season start, the office staff is busy helping the schedulers post the schedules and require as little interruption as possible. Your patience is appreciated.
Can we use our MicroSoccer uniforms in the Viking League?
You can use your MicroSoccer uniforms in Viking League games if they are numbered on the back and every child has a unique number (no duplicates allowed). All players are required to wear shinguards. Cleats are not required.
Sorry, no dogs allowed!
What if parents are not following the “Spectator Code of Conduct”?Coaches are responsible for the good conduct of parents and spectators supporting their team. If, in the opinion of the referee, the coach has failed to control his or her sideline or team parents/spectators an appropriate yellow or red card may be given to the coach.
What does the coach need to have on the field?
See our Coach Game Day Check List.
What if we don’t have enough players for a game?In order to start playing a game, a team must have present at least 7 players for U12-U14 teams and 5 players for U8-U11 teams. If a team does not meet this minimum within 10 minutes of the scheduled start time of the game, a $100 forfeit fee applies and a win will be awarded to the other team.
What if it looks like rain on gameday?Games are usually played rain or shine. However, there are some cases where a field might close which means games scheduled on that particular field will be rainouts. The Vikings homepage will be updated with any field closure (rainout) information.
Where can teams play in spring?
Teams will need to sign up as a guest team in the PAL League for spring recreational play and submit the required fees and paperwork by PAL's deadlines. However, any roster changes (adds, releases, or transfers) are done through the team's home league of registration (Viking League). At the time of this writing, PAL requires two F-licensed coaches.
What if our team does not play soccer in spring (disbands before the end of the full season)?Even if your team is only playing in the fall, you will still need to hold onto all passes and paperwork through spring and keep them accessible for any players that might continue to play in spring. Team membership in the California Youth Soccer Association is for one year (i.e. Fall 2009 through the following Spring 2010).
Should the coach hold onto passes and paperwork even after the season is over?
YES!! Even if your team is not playing in spring or has players that do not show up to fall games, it is important to hold onto all passes from fall through the following spring. Depending on the season, Vikings may require the player pass and 1601 form of all players that are transferring or releasing from your team, as well as a Team Official's signature on a roster change form #1606.
Do teams get any trophies or medals at the end of the season?
Yes! All U8-U9 teams get medals and all U10-U14 get medals or trophies, depending on the championship standings. Medals and trophies will need to be picked up the week/s before the team’s final game. Vikings will email the Primary Team Contact/Manager when they are ready for pickup at Vikings.
What if I have questions not addressed on this page?Answers to many of your questions can be found on our website. If you are unable to find them, you can email the Vikings office. This is the best way to communicate with us! Be sure to include your name, team name, and Team Identification Number (TIN) in all communications.