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The Parent Standard
The FCA Sports Parent Standard FCA Sports exists to provide a safe, positive, and Christ-centered environment where athletes can grow physically, mentally, relationally, and spiritually. Parents help set the tone. The way we encourage, communicate, and respond teaches our athletes what matters most. Our priorities are: Safety. Fun. Growth. Our Ultimate Foundation Represent Jesus in every word, every reaction, and every relationship. “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” — Colossians 3:17 Our Five Parent Pillars 1. Encourage Loudly. Never Tear Down. Our sidelines should be filled with joy, energy, and encouragement. Celebrate effort, teamwork, courage, and growth. Never use your voice to embarrass, criticize, or place unnecessary pressure on an athlete. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.” — Ephesians 4:29 2. Respect Everyone—Especially Under Pressure. Treat athletes, coaches, referees, FCA staff, opposing teams, and other parents with dignity. Competition never gives us permission to insult, intimidate, argue, or tear someone down. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” — Romans 12:10 3. Let Coaches Coach and Referees Officiate. Encourage your athlete without coaching from the sideline. Allow coaches to lead and referees to make calls. Many FCA Sports referees are young people developing communication, confidence, command, and leadership skills. They will not make every call perfectly. Neither will our athletes or coaches. Parents may not yell at, argue with, insult, or approach a referee to dispute a call. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” — James 1:19 4. Protect the Athlete Experience. Our games belong to the athletes. Follow sideline boundaries, remain in designated spectator areas, and never allow adult emotions to take away an athlete’s safety, joy, or opportunity to grow. “Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” — Philippians 2:4 5. Keep the Mission Bigger Than the Score. We want to compete, improve, and pursue excellence—but winning is not the ultimate goal. Every game is an opportunity to help athletes grow and show families something different in the way FCA Sports competes and serves. “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31 Game-Day Expectations As an FCA Sports parent or guardian, I will: Bring a positive attitude. Encourage athletes from the sideline. Allow coaches to coach and referees to officiate. Treat everyone with dignity and respect. Use appropriate and positive language. Remain calm when I disagree with a decision. Communicate concerns directly and respectfully. Follow all facility and spectator boundaries. Place athlete safety and growth above the outcome of the game. Respecting Coaches Our coaches are volunteers who give their time to serve athletes and families. Parents should encourage without giving coaching instructions from the sideline. Multiple voices create confusion and unnecessary pressure for athletes. Questions should be discussed with the coach privately and at an appropriate time—not during the game or in front of athletes. Respecting Referees Parents and spectators may not: Yell at or argue with a referee. Make insulting or inappropriate comments. Question a referee’s character or integrity. Approach a referee to dispute a call. Encourage an athlete to disrespect an official. Questions involving rules, safety, or serious concerns should be brought calmly to the site coordinator or FCA staff. Respecting Opposing Families Competition should never become personal. Parents may not taunt, mock, intimidate, or argue with opposing athletes, coaches, or families. We can compete hard without tearing someone else down. Soccer Sideline Expectations Stay Away From the Goals Parents and spectators may not stand or sit beside or behind either goal. All spectators must remain in the designated viewing area along the sideline. This protects the athletes, gives referees a clear view, and prevents distractions behind the goal. Parent Side and Athlete Side For our older soccer divisions serving athletes ages 8–12: One side of the field is reserved for athletes and coaches. The opposite side is reserved for parents and spectators. Parents may not stand or gather on the athlete side. Spectators must stay away from team areas, corner areas, and both goals. This separation helps athletes focus, allows coaches to lead, and creates a safer and more organized environment. Communicating a Concern We want parents to communicate with us. Concerns should be handled calmly, directly, and at the appropriate time. Unless there is an immediate safety concern: Allow the game or practice to finish. Avoid addressing the issue in front of athletes or other families. Speak privately with the coach, site coordinator, or FCA staff. Email the League Director Troy Farley @tfarley@fca.org Focus on facts, safety, and possible solutions. Allow FCA Sports time to gather information and respond. When emotions rise, pause, lower your voice, and remember who is watching. Accountability Behavior that does not meet the FCA Sports Parent Standard may result in: A reminder or warning A conversation with FCA staff Removal from the playing area Suspension from future games Removal from the league in serious or repeated situations Any behavior that threatens the safety of an athlete, coach, referee, staff member, or family will be addressed immediately. The Standard We Carry Encourage loudly. Respect everyone. Trust the leaders. Protect the athletes. Keep the mission bigger than the score. Above it all: Represent Jesus in every word, every reaction, and every relationship. Every game should finish with athletes feeling safe, coaches feeling supported, referees feeling respected, and families seeing something different in the way FCA Sports competes and serves. Meet The Team Troy Farley — FCA Sports League Director — tfarley@fca.org Zach Lewison — Associate Director & Bethel Game Day Coordinator — zlewison@fca.org Amber Lewis — Operations Coordinator — amberlewis@fca.org Hannah Fiocchi — Volunteer Coordinator — hfiocchi@fca.org Preston Jonas — Flag Football Game Day Coordinator — prestonjonas123@gmail.com
September 11, 2026 • 5 Minute Read
The Parent Standard
The FCA Sports Parent Standard FCA Sports exists to provide a safe, positive, and Christ-centered environment where athletes can grow physically, mentally, relationally, and spiritually. Parents help set the tone. The way we encourage, communicate, and respond teaches our athletes what matters most. Our priorities are: Safety. Fun. Growth. Our Ultimate Foundation Represent Jesus in every word, every reaction, and every relationship. “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” — Colossians 3:17 Our Five Parent Pillars 1. Encourage Loudly. Never Tear Down. Our sidelines should be filled with joy, energy, and encouragement. Celebrate effort, teamwork, courage, and growth. Never use your voice to embarrass, criticize, or place unnecessary pressure on an athlete. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.” — Ephesians 4:29 2. Respect Everyone—Especially Under Pressure. Treat athletes, coaches, referees, FCA staff, opposing teams, and other parents with dignity. Competition never gives us permission to insult, intimidate, argue, or tear someone down. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” — Romans 12:10 3. Let Coaches Coach and Referees Officiate. Encourage your athlete without coaching from the sideline. Allow coaches to lead and referees to make calls. Many FCA Sports referees are young people developing communication, confidence, command, and leadership skills. They will not make every call perfectly. Neither will our athletes or coaches. Parents may not yell at, argue with, insult, or approach a referee to dispute a call. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” — James 1:19 4. Protect the Athlete Experience. Our games belong to the athletes. Follow sideline boundaries, remain in designated spectator areas, and never allow adult emotions to take away an athlete’s safety, joy, or opportunity to grow. “Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” — Philippians 2:4 5. Keep the Mission Bigger Than the Score. We want to compete, improve, and pursue excellence—but winning is not the ultimate goal. Every game is an opportunity to help athletes grow and show families something different in the way FCA Sports competes and serves. “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31 Game-Day Expectations As an FCA Sports parent or guardian, I will: Bring a positive attitude. Encourage athletes from the sideline. Allow coaches to coach and referees to officiate. Treat everyone with dignity and respect. Use appropriate and positive language. Remain calm when I disagree with a decision. Communicate concerns directly and respectfully. Follow all facility and spectator boundaries. Place athlete safety and growth above the outcome of the game. Respecting Coaches Our coaches are volunteers who give their time to serve athletes and families. Parents should encourage without giving coaching instructions from the sideline. Multiple voices create confusion and unnecessary pressure for athletes. Questions should be discussed with the coach privately and at an appropriate time—not during the game or in front of athletes. Respecting Referees Parents and spectators may not: Yell at or argue with a referee. Make insulting or inappropriate comments. Question a referee’s character or integrity. Approach a referee to dispute a call. Encourage an athlete to disrespect an official. Questions involving rules, safety, or serious concerns should be brought calmly to the site coordinator or FCA staff. Respecting Opposing Families Competition should never become personal. Parents may not taunt, mock, intimidate, or argue with opposing athletes, coaches, or families. We can compete hard without tearing someone else down. Soccer Sideline Expectations Stay Away From the Goals Parents and spectators may not stand or sit beside or behind either goal. All spectators must remain in the designated viewing area along the sideline. This protects the athletes, gives referees a clear view, and prevents distractions behind the goal. Parent Side and Athlete Side For our older soccer divisions serving athletes ages 8–12: One side of the field is reserved for athletes and coaches. The opposite side is reserved for parents and spectators. Parents may not stand or gather on the athlete side. Spectators must stay away from team areas, corner areas, and both goals. This separation helps athletes focus, allows coaches to lead, and creates a safer and more organized environment. Communicating a Concern We want parents to communicate with us. Concerns should be handled calmly, directly, and at the appropriate time. Unless there is an immediate safety concern: Allow the game or practice to finish. Avoid addressing the issue in front of athletes or other families. Speak privately with the coach, site coordinator, or FCA staff. Email the League Director Troy Farley @tfarley@fca.org Focus on facts, safety, and possible solutions. Allow FCA Sports time to gather information and respond. When emotions rise, pause, lower your voice, and remember who is watching. Accountability Behavior that does not meet the FCA Sports Parent Standard may result in: A reminder or warning A conversation with FCA staff Removal from the playing area Suspension from future games Removal from the league in serious or repeated situations Any behavior that threatens the safety of an athlete, coach, referee, staff member, or family will be addressed immediately. The Standard We Carry Encourage loudly. Respect everyone. Trust the leaders. Protect the athletes. Keep the mission bigger than the score. Above it all: Represent Jesus in every word, every reaction, and every relationship. Every game should finish with athletes feeling safe, coaches feeling supported, referees feeling respected, and families seeing something different in the way FCA Sports competes and serves. Meet The Team Troy Farley — FCA Sports League Director — tfarley@fca.org Zach Lewison — Associate Director & Bethel Game Day Coordinator — zlewison@fca.org Amber Lewis — Operations Coordinator — amberlewis@fca.org Hannah Fiocchi — Volunteer Coordinator — hfiocchi@fca.org Preston Jonas — Flag Football Game Day Coordinator — prestonjonas123@gmail.com
September 11, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Fall Sports Game Day
Coaches, Tomorrow is GAME DAY! This is the day we get to step back a little and let the kids truly PLAY. My challenge for every one of us tomorrow is simple: BE THE THERMOSTAT. Help me set the right temperature for your athletes and families. See the opposing coach as a partner, not an opponent. Don’t overcoach. Let your players play. Let them make mistakes. Let them figure some things out. Constantly being loud from the sideline does not mean good coaching is taking place. Teach during the week. Encourage on Game Day. There will certainly be moments to coach, but give these kids room to compete, make decisions, make mistakes, and grow. PRE-GAME ROUTINE This applies to every team—younger soccer, older soccer, and flag football. 10 MINUTES BEFORE KICKOFF — COACH + REF MEETING Meet with the opposing coach and referee. For 4–7 Soccer, remember that the coaches are also the referees. Take a minute to: Greet and introduce yourselves. Connect on any questions before the game. Say a quick prayer for one another. Remind yourselves that we're working together to create a great experience for these kids. 5 MINUTES BEFORE KICKOFF — FCA BREAK Bring both teams and coaches together at center field. As ONE group, do an FCA BREAK on 3! Then both teams take a lap around the field, high-fiving the parents and families along the way. FLAG FOOTBALL: Our cheer athletes will form a tunnel for you to run through after the FCA Break before beginning your lap around the field. Once the lap is complete, LET'S PLAY! POST-GAME ROUTINE How we finish matters just as much as how we start. Celebrate the other team.
Gather your team and on 1-2-3 yell the other team's name. Good Game Line.
Both teams meet and go through the traditional post-game line. Circle Up + Pray.
Bring both teams together and end the game in prayer. We encourage an athlete to lead the prayer. Give them the opportunity! If no athlete wants to step up, one of the coaches can lead. Win or lose, we leave the field together. KNOW YOUR RULES Please take a few minutes TODAY to review the rules for your sport and age division before tomorrow's first game. These rules pages will remain LIVE throughout the season, so bookmark them and use them as a reference whenever you need them.SOCCER RULESFLAG FOOTBALL RULES WEEK 1 = LOTS OF GRACE Coaches, this is Week 1 of games. Please bring LOTS OF GRACE tomorrow. Athletes are learning. Parents are learning. Coaches are learning. And our young referees are learning too. Please refrain from complaining about missed calls or calls you disagree with. Our referees are going to miss things. That's part of youth sports, especially in Week 1. If you're frustrated with something that happens during a game, come to me. Let me handle it. Don't let one call change your sideline. Don't let frustration change your body language. Don't let the temperature rise because something didn't go your way. I'll say it one more time: YOU ARE THE THERMOSTAT. Your players and families will feed off your energy, your demeanor, and your response. Tomorrow, let's set the temperature together. Encourage. Celebrate. Compete. Have fun. Let them PLAY. Let's have an incredible first Game Day! Meet The Team Troy Farley (509-430-7222) — FCA Sports League Director — tfarley@fca.org Zach Lewison (641-590-4900) — Associate Director & Bethel Game Day Coordinator — zlewison@fca.org Amber Lewis — Operations Coordinator — amberlewis@fca.org Hannah Fiocchi — Volunteer Coordinator — hfiocchi@fca.org Preston Jonas (509-619-2748) — Flag Football Game Day Coordinator — prestonjonas123@gmail.com Win The Day, Troy Farley FCA Sports Leagues Director
September 6, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Fall Soccer
FCA Coach's Corner | Week 3 Coaches, We are officially two weeks into the season! Thank you for the way you've jumped in, adjusted, learned your teams, and started building relationships with your athletes and families. We're getting into the rhythm now—and this is where the season really starts to take shape. THIS WEEK: STAY TEACHABLE Our Growth Mindset journey this season is: Learn → Trust → Serve → Teach While we're in Week 3 of our soccer season, we're in Week 2 of our Growth Mindset devotional, which means we're still focused on that first step: LEARN. This week, our athletes are learning that growth isn't about pretending to have everything figured out. It's about being honest enough to admit we still have room to grow and staying teachable when someone helps us get better. Here's the line I want us carrying into this week: “A closed heart stays stuck. A teachable heart keeps growing.” That's a great lesson for our athletes, but it's also a great reminder for us as coaches. Keep listening. Keep learning. Keep adjusting. We never stop learning, growing, and teaching. WEEK 2 GROWTH MINDSET HUDDLE Please continue making your Growth Mindset Huddle a priority at every practice. This week's Huddle focuses on progress over perfection. Our athletes don't have to pretend they have everything figured out. Neither do we. Help them understand that a teachable athlete: Listens. Learns. Takes coaching. Makes adjustments. Keeps growing. Don't let the Huddle become the thing you squeeze in if there's time. It's part of why we're here. Our mission: To see every coach, athlete, and FAMILY be in a growing relationship with Jesus and His Church. UNIFORMS Most of you have now received your team uniforms to hand out to your athletes. If you haven't received yours yet, you will be getting them this week. COACHES: If you have uniform needs—wrong sizes, missing uniforms, additional needs, etc.—and you have not already communicated those needs to me, I need you to TEXT ME ASAP. Troy: 509-430-7222 Please don't assume we know what your team is missing. Help us get ahead of it by communicating your needs as soon as possible. AGES 4–7: PLEASE SHUT THE TRAILER A quick but important reminder for our 4–7 divisions practicing at Bethel: The equipment trailer has been left open after the 5:30 final practice window. If you are one of the final teams practicing, please make sure the trailer is completely shut and secured before you leave each night. It takes just a minute and helps us tremendously. Thank you for helping us take care of our equipment and facilities. TEAM PHOTOS Rob Palmer, our FCA Sports photographer, will be reaching out directly to coaches to schedule your team photo time for the upcoming weeks. You do not need to contact Rob. Rob will contact YOU. Once your time is scheduled, please communicate that information clearly with your families. VOLUNTEER ONBOARDING If your FCA volunteer onboarding is still incomplete, please get this finished. Hannah is continuing to follow up with coaches who have outstanding steps. Please respond to her and help us get everyone across the finish line. This is an important part of providing a safe and prepared environment for every athlete and family. KEEP BUILDING We're two weeks in. The newness is starting to wear off, and that's actually when some of the best coaching begins. Keep learning names. Keep connecting with parents. Keep making practice fun. Keep Huddling. Keep encouraging. Keep pointing kids toward Jesus. And remember this week: A closed heart stays stuck. A teachable heart keeps growing. Let's model that for our athletes. MEET YOUR FCA SPORTS TEAM We're here to serve you throughout the season. If you have questions or need help, reach out. Troy Farley — Leagues Director
tfarley@fca.org | 509-430-7222 Zach Lewison — Associate Director
zlewison@fca.org | 641-590-4900 Amber Lewis — Operations Coordinator
amberlewis@fca.org Hannah Fiocchi — Volunteer Coordinator
hfiocchi@fca.org Preston Jonas — Flag Football Coordinator
prestonjonas123@gmail.com You're not coaching alone. We're in this together. Have a great Week 3! Win The Day, Troy Farley
FCA Sports Tri-Cities
September 6, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Parent Corner #30 | Winning Isn't the Point
Winning matters. There. I said it. Keep score - Compete - Practice hard Want the ball when the game is on the line. Learn how to win—and learn how to lose. I love competition. I don't want our athletes walking onto a field or court thinking the outcome doesn't matter. But winning can't be the point. Don't mistake that for weakness. Because when I zoom out and look at a life in sports—from a four-year-old playing their first season all the way to the rare athlete who gets paid to play—the actual games make up only a fraction of the journey. Think about everything else. Practices. Workouts. Film. Meetings. Road trips. Early mornings. Late nights. Conversations with coaches. Conversations with teammates. Sitting on the bench. Extra reps when nobody is watching. Injuries. Disappointment. Failure. Trying again. We spend far more time becoming than we ever spend competing on game day. So if winning the game is the ultimate goal... What are we doing with all that other time? Grow Where You're Planted A while back, I sat on a bucket with a local Tri-Cities coach named Craig Lukens for one of my Inning Intermissions conversations. Craig said something that has stayed with me: "Grow where you're planted." That's it. That's the point. Grow. Sports give our kids this incredible environment where growth gets put under pressure. Mental growth. Physical growth. Spiritual growth. Relational growth. It's why I believe sports can be so powerful. The practices that nobody cheers for matter. The conversation in the car matters. How you respond after getting benched matters. How you treat the official matters. How you encourage a teammate after their mistake matters. How you respond when the scoreboard doesn't go your way matters. Because all of it is growing something inside of you. The question is: What are you growing? Jesus Talked About Growth Too Jesus once described God's Kingdom using something incredibly small. A seed. "God's kingdom is like a mustard seed... It is the smallest of all seeds. But when it grows, it is one of the largest garden plants."
Matthew 13:31–32, ERV I love that picture. Because growth doesn't always look impressive while it's happening. Sometimes it's one practice. One conversation. One failure. One decision to get back up. One small seed. But give it time. God can do a lot with something that's willing to grow. Meet Ray Ray's team lost. And he hated losing. On the drive home, he barely said a word. Finally, Dad asked, "What did you learn today?" Ray looked confused. "We lost." "I know," Dad said. "I didn't ask what the scoreboard said." Ray thought for a second. "I probably could've encouraged Zach more after he dropped that pass." Dad nodded. "Anything else?" "I gave up on a play after I thought I was beat." Another nod. Then Ray understood. They hadn't won the game. But there were still places he could grow. Before getting out of the car, Dad looked at him. "Keep wanting to win, Ray." Then he smiled. "Just don't miss who you're becoming while you're trying." The End Game Parents, let's cheer. Let's compete. Let's celebrate wins. Let's let losses hurt. Sports should matter. But let's remember what we're actually preparing these kids for. Because eventually... The jerseys get turned in. The cleats get put away. The final whistle blows. Even for the professionals. And when that happens, the scoreboard doesn't come with them. The person they became does. That's the end game. Did they grow? Did they learn perseverance? Did they become a better teammate? Did they learn to lead? Did they learn how to fail without quitting? Did they learn how to win without making winning their identity? Did they discover more about who God created them to be? Because maybe the greatest victory sports can give our kids isn't something that appears in the standings. Maybe it's becoming the kind of person who can walk into whatever God has next for them and... Grow where they're planted. Winning matters. It just isn't the point. More than a league. It's a mission. Troy Farley FCA Sports Leagues Director
September 5, 2026 • 7 Minute Read
Fall Sports Referee Standard
FCA Sports Referees FCA Sports referees do more than enforce the rules. They help create a safe, positive, and competitive environment where athletes, coaches, and families can grow. Our goal is to prepare every referee to lead with confidence, protect the athletes, communicate clearly, and represent FCA well at every game. More Than a Game FCA Sports is about more than competition. We want athletes to grow: Physically Mentally Relationally Spiritually Referees help set the tone for the entire game. Every call, conversation, and interaction is an opportunity to demonstrate leadership and represent Jesus well. Our three game-day priorities are: Safety. Fun. Growth. Professionalism and Leadership Serving as an FCA Sports referee is a job, and professionalism is expected. Throughout the season, referees will have opportunities to develop valuable skills, including: Clear communication Confidence and command Decision-making Conflict management Personal responsibility Leadership under pressure These skills will serve referees both on and off the field. Creating a Positive Athlete Experience Every athlete should feel seen, valued, and encouraged during an FCA Sports game. Referees can help create that experience by: Greeting athletes and coaches before the game Using positive and respectful language Giving clear, calm instructions Listening before reacting Correcting athletes without embarrassing them Remaining present and approachable Leading with confidence without becoming confrontational Fall Sports Locations Referees may be assigned to one of four FCA Sports locations: Bethel: Soccer Reata: Soccer Columbia: Soccer Calvary: Flag Football Field assignments, schedules, parking information, and additional site instructions will be communicated with each assignment. Site leadership includes: Bethel: Zach Lewison Calvary: Preston Jonas Referees should check in with the site coordinator immediately upon arrival. Referee Arrival Times Please arrive on time and ready to help with setup. Bethel: 8:15 AM or 11:00 AM, depending on the assigned shift Reata: 8:15 AM Columbia: 8:15 AM Calvary: 8:00 AM Arriving at the listed time is part of the assignment. Referees should not arrive immediately before their first game. Before the Game Before officiating, every referee should: Check in with the site coordinator Confirm the field assignment and game schedule Help complete the required field setup Inspect the playing area for safety concerns Check the game equipment Meet the coaches Review any age-specific or division-specific rules Ask questions about any rule that is unclear Athlete safety should always be addressed before play begins. Field Setup Responsibilities Bethel Soccer Referees assigned to Bethel may be responsible for a complete field setup, including: Corner flags Field number flags Game balls Cones Yard signs Reata and Columbia Soccer These locations operate using a “Show and Go” setup. Referees should still: Confirm that the field is ready Inspect goals and equipment Check for hazards Report any concerns to the site coordinator Calvary Flag Football Referees assigned to Calvary may assist with: Yard markers Pylons Footballs Athlete flag belts Game-Day Timeline To keep games running on time, referees should follow this schedule: 10 Minutes Before the Game Meet with both coaches Confirm the division and game format Review any important age-specific rules Address questions before play begins 5 Minutes Before the Game Connect with the athletes Offer high fives and encouragement Check equipment Prepare both teams for the opening play Game Time Start the game on time Keep the game moving Communicate time and game situations clearly Do not sacrifice athlete safety to stay on schedule During the Game Referees are expected to: Communicate calls clearly and respectfully Use confident signals and instructions Remain calm and professional Work together as a referee team Apply the rules fairly and consistently Keep the game moving at a steady pace Watch for unsafe play Treat athletes, coaches, parents, and other officials with respect Referees should be firm, fair, consistent, and approachable. After the Game At the conclusion of every game: Confirm that the substitution periods were handled correctly Bring the teams together for the postgame circle Pray with the athletes and coaches Report injuries or unusual incidents Report major conduct concerns Reset the field promptly for the next game Begin cleanup if it is the final game of the day Field Cleanup Referees may be asked to help collect and return: Game balls Corner flags Field number flags Yard signs Cones Yard markers Pylons Athlete flags Trash Lost-and-found items Everyone is responsible for leaving the facility better than we found it. Scheduling and Weekly Assignments Zach Lewison will communicate with referees regarding available weekly assignments at all four locations. Referees can contact Zach at zlewison@fca.org with scheduling questions. Please remember: Weekly assignments are not promised or guaranteed. The number of available games may change each week. If you do not receive a message, there may not be an available slot that week. Coach and staff feedback will help determine future assignments. Communication, reliability, professionalism, and conduct will also affect scheduling decisions. Approximate weekly referee openings include: Bethel: 6 Reata: 2 Columbia: 2 Calvary: 2 The 24-Hour Rule Referees must respond to an assignment offer within 24 hours. If no response is received within that time, the assignment may be offered to another referee. Once an assignment is accepted, FCA Sports and the participating teams are counting on that referee to be there. If an emergency or unavoidable conflict prevents a referee from working an accepted assignment, the referee must communicate with FCA Sports immediately. Do not wait until game day if the conflict is already known. Referee Pay The referee pay structure is: $25 per game $100 for a three-game assignment Referees must submit their payment information through Databasics every Monday. Payment options include: Direct deposit Check Direct-deposit payments are generally processed by the end of the week. Payments are processed through National FCA. New referees must complete all required digital paperwork before payment can be issued. No payment will be processed until the required paperwork is complete. Referee Uniform and Equipment FCA Sports will provide referee jerseys and whistles. Referees are responsible for these items throughout the season and must return them at the end of the season. The cost of equipment that is not returned may be deducted from the referee’s pay. Referees should arrive wearing the required uniform and bring all assigned equipment to every game. Referee Expectations Every FCA Sports referee is expected to: Arrive early and prepared Wear the required referee uniform Know the rules for the assigned sport and division Treat everyone respectfully Remain calm under pressure Communicate confidently without being confrontational Avoid arguing with coaches or spectators Never use inappropriate language Keep phones put away while officiating Stay engaged throughout the entire assignment Ask the site coordinator for help before a situation escalates Remember that athlete safety is more important than keeping the game moving Handling Difficult Situations When a coach, parent, or athlete becomes upset: Stay calm. State the call clearly. Set a respectful boundary. Contact the site coordinator if the situation continues. Referees should not argue with coaches or spectators. Explain the call briefly, remain professional, and return attention to the game. If a situation begins to feel unsafe or unmanageable, pause the game and involve the site coordinator. Know the Rules Referees should review the rules for their assigned sport before accepting games. Soccer Rules HERE Important soccer topics include: Game length and substitutions Offside rules by division Fouls and restarts Handball Slide tackling Heading restrictions Coach and spectator conduct Review the FCA Sports Soccer Rules Flag Football Rules HERE Important flag football topics include: Game length and possession Starting play and the line of scrimmage Flag guarding Rushing and blitzing Running restrictions Passing requirements Blocking and contact Interceptions and turnovers Scoring Penalties and enforcement Score-management rules Coach and spectator conduct Age-specific modifications Review the FCA Sports Flag Football Rules Never Guess at an FCA-Specific Rule If you are uncertain about a rule: Pause the game if necessary Ask the lead referee Consult the site coordinator Confirm the correct ruling before continuing It is always better to ask than to guess. Final Referee Reminder Protect the athletes. Communicate clearly. Stay consistent. Represent FCA well. Every game should finish with athletes feeling safe, coaches feeling respected, and families seeing something different in the way FCA Sports serves.
Collections
August 24, 2026 • 1 Minute Read
FCA Basketball is BACK!
FCA Basketball is BACK! Registration is now open for winter basketball: November–December 4–5 and 6–7-year-old divisions (Weekday programming) January–February 8–9, 10–11, and 12–13-year-old divisions (Saturday games) Spots are limited, so don’t wait! Learn more about FCA Basketball HERE Register now HERE
June 10, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
2026 Summer Volleyball Roster/Schedule Release
FCA Volleyball Families, Summer Volleyball is here! Rosters and schedules have now been released. You should have received a separate email from TeamSnapONE inviting you to join your team. Once connected, you'll be able to view your schedule and begin communicating with your coach. Dates To Know Practices begin the week of June 22nd. Week of July 6th Games Begin Season Concludes August 13th Picture Day Details coming soon As you review your schedule, please pay close attention. Our league continues to grow, and with that comes the use of multiple facilities. This summer, practices will take place at both Bethel Church and Tri-Cities Calvary Chapel. We are incredibly thankful for our church partners who provide places for our athletes to play, learn, and grow. The Team I'd also like to introduce you to the team behind FCA Sports. Throughout the season, you'll see these names helping support our athletes, coaches, and families: Troy Farley — Director of FCA Sports, overseeing leagues and programming year-round across the Tri-Cities. (tfarley@fca.org) Amber Lewis — Engagement Lead, helping oversee schedules, games, and league administration. (amberlewis@fca.org) Hannah Fiocchi — VIP Specialist, assisting with volunteer onboarding and FCA requirements. (HFiocchi@fca.org) Zach Lewison — Game Day Coordinator, helping practices and games run smoothly. (zlewison@fca.org) Michael Groth — FCA Volleyball Specialist, helping with rules, league structure, and coaching best practices. (mgroth@libertychristian.net) One additional resource we'd love to point you to is our subscription page. By subscribing, you'll receive Parent Corner resources, league updates, registration announcements, and other FCA Sports news directly to your inbox.Subscribe Here: News & Updates Season Theme Also, stay tuned for next week's email as we introduce this summer's FCA Sports theme. Throughout the season, athletes will participate in weekly chapel and huddle experiences centered around this theme as we seek to engage, equip, and empower them both on and off the court. Thank you for being part of the FCA Sports family and for choosing to invest in your child through our leagues. We are looking forward to a great summer season together! Win The Day, Troy Farely FCA Sports Leagues Director
April 14, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
FCA Sports Updates
FCA Sports Families, As we head into the close of spring and prepare for the summer season, here are MULTIPLE easy ways to stay connected with everything happening at FCA Sports: 🏋️♂️ Summer Fitness Opportunities through Equip Fitness 📍 NextGen CrossFit Summer Session
June 16 – August 27 Tuesdays & Thursdays | 8:00–9:00 AM
For incoming 6th grade and up
focused on speed, agility, coordination, strength training, conditioning, and post-workout huddles to engage, equip, and empower athletes. 📍 KidsFit Summer Clinic
August 19–20 2:00–4:00 PM
For incoming 1st–5th graders
Held at Bethel Gym (600 Shockley Rd, Richland)
A fun, high-energy clinic focused on running, jumping, lifting, gymnastics, games, and building confidence. 🤝 Learn more and register at: Equip Fitness Registration Page ⚽ 🏈 📣 Fall Sports Registrations Are LIVE Head to Tri-Cities FCA Sports to view available fall programs and register. Fall Soccer, Cheer, and Flag Football are all LIVE at TriFCAsports.org ‼️ REGISTER HERE 🤞Subscribe to Stay in the Know Subscribe to my page for registration updates, Parent Corner resources, encouragement, and other FCA updates as we continue to transition to the new registration system that national FCA has introduced: SUBSCRIBE HERE 😜 FOR THOSE THAT SKIP TO THE END... 📌 Next STEPS to stay connected and plugged in with FCA Sports this summer. ⬇️ ✅ Equip Fitness Registration. Equip Fitness Summer Opportunities
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September 12, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Parent Corner #31: Your Suitcase Was Never Supposed to Have Wheels
Parent Corner #31 — Your Suitcase Was Never Supposed to Have Wheels There is a word I have grown to dislike. Convenience. We love it. Faster. Easier. Delivered. Automated. Anything that removes another obstacle from our day. And then I heard Sylvester Stallone—one of my heroes—talking about how much easier life continues to become. His example made me laugh. Suitcases have wheels now. Something designed to be carried doesn't even have to be carried anymore. His bigger point stuck with me: Force yourself into tough situations. And it got me thinking about our kids. About sports. About FCA Sports. And about growth. Because convenience and growth rarely travel together. We Aren't Trying to Make Everything Easy I'll say something that might sound strange coming from someone who runs youth sports: Convenience is not one of our goals at FCA Sports. Of course, we want to communicate clearly. We want to be organized. We want to serve families well. But our mission isn't to remove every difficult thing from the experience. Not for our athletes. Not for our coaches. Not for our parents. Because growth is rarely convenient. Sometimes practice is at a difficult time. Sometimes the weather isn't perfect. Sometimes your child gets a coach who challenges them. Sometimes they don't play the position they wanted. Sometimes they lose. Sometimes the official misses the call. Sometimes they have to sit on the bench. Sometimes they have to apologize to a teammate. Sometimes they have to keep showing up when they'd rather quit. And our first instinct can be: How do I make this easier? Maybe that's the wrong question. Maybe we should ask: What could God grow through this? Jesus Never Promised Convenient Following Jesus has never been about finding the easiest road. Jesus actually said: "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me."
Luke 9:23 Take up your cross. Follow me. There isn't much convenience in those words. Jesus wasn't calling people toward comfort. He was calling them toward something worth giving their lives to. And I think there's something incredibly important there for our kids. We don't need to manufacture hardship. Life will provide plenty of it. But we also don't need to remove every ounce of resistance from their lives. Because resistance can build something. Perseverance. Discipline. Courage. Faith. Character. Growth. Meet Ray Ray hated conditioning. His coach blew the whistle. "One more!" Ray put his hands on his knees. His legs hurt. His lungs burned. And he had already decided the last sprint was supposed to be the last sprint. "Come on, Ray!" Zach yelled. Ray looked toward Coach. For half a second, he hoped Coach would tell him he had done enough. Coach didn't. He just pointed toward the line. Ray stood up. He ran. It wasn't his fastest. It definitely wasn't pretty. But he finished. Walking off the field later, Ray told his dad, "That was hard." Dad smiled. "I know." Ray waited for something else. Nothing. Finally Ray asked, "That's it?" Dad laughed. "Yep." Then he put his hand on Ray's shoulder. "Not everything hard needs to be made easier." Ray thought about that one all the way home. Takeaway Parents, I wonder if sometimes we're putting wheels on things our kids were meant to learn how to carry. We call the coach. We solve the conflict. We make the excuse. We remove the consequence. We carry the bag. And yes—there are absolutely times our kids need us to step in. But there are also times they need us to step back. To encourage. To listen. To remind them they can keep going. And maybe even allow something to remain hard. Because someday the challenges will be bigger than youth sports. There won't always be a parent standing on the sideline who can make it easier. That's why this matters now. Sports give us a training ground for life. A place to practice doing difficult things before the stakes get much higher. So this week, before removing an obstacle from your child's path, maybe ask: Does this need to be fixed? Or... Does this need to be carried? Because your suitcase was never supposed to have wheels. And maybe... Neither was everything in your child's life. More than a league. It's a mission. Win The Day, Troy Farley FCA Sports Leagues Director
September 11, 2026 • 5 Minute Read
The Parent Standard
The FCA Sports Parent Standard FCA Sports exists to provide a safe, positive, and Christ-centered environment where athletes can grow physically, mentally, relationally, and spiritually. Parents help set the tone. The way we encourage, communicate, and respond teaches our athletes what matters most. Our priorities are: Safety. Fun. Growth. Our Ultimate Foundation Represent Jesus in every word, every reaction, and every relationship. “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” — Colossians 3:17 Our Five Parent Pillars 1. Encourage Loudly. Never Tear Down. Our sidelines should be filled with joy, energy, and encouragement. Celebrate effort, teamwork, courage, and growth. Never use your voice to embarrass, criticize, or place unnecessary pressure on an athlete. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.” — Ephesians 4:29 2. Respect Everyone—Especially Under Pressure. Treat athletes, coaches, referees, FCA staff, opposing teams, and other parents with dignity. Competition never gives us permission to insult, intimidate, argue, or tear someone down. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” — Romans 12:10 3. Let Coaches Coach and Referees Officiate. Encourage your athlete without coaching from the sideline. Allow coaches to lead and referees to make calls. Many FCA Sports referees are young people developing communication, confidence, command, and leadership skills. They will not make every call perfectly. Neither will our athletes or coaches. Parents may not yell at, argue with, insult, or approach a referee to dispute a call. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” — James 1:19 4. Protect the Athlete Experience. Our games belong to the athletes. Follow sideline boundaries, remain in designated spectator areas, and never allow adult emotions to take away an athlete’s safety, joy, or opportunity to grow. “Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” — Philippians 2:4 5. Keep the Mission Bigger Than the Score. We want to compete, improve, and pursue excellence—but winning is not the ultimate goal. Every game is an opportunity to help athletes grow and show families something different in the way FCA Sports competes and serves. “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31 Game-Day Expectations As an FCA Sports parent or guardian, I will: Bring a positive attitude. Encourage athletes from the sideline. Allow coaches to coach and referees to officiate. Treat everyone with dignity and respect. Use appropriate and positive language. Remain calm when I disagree with a decision. Communicate concerns directly and respectfully. Follow all facility and spectator boundaries. Place athlete safety and growth above the outcome of the game. Respecting Coaches Our coaches are volunteers who give their time to serve athletes and families. Parents should encourage without giving coaching instructions from the sideline. Multiple voices create confusion and unnecessary pressure for athletes. Questions should be discussed with the coach privately and at an appropriate time—not during the game or in front of athletes. Respecting Referees Parents and spectators may not: Yell at or argue with a referee. Make insulting or inappropriate comments. Question a referee’s character or integrity. Approach a referee to dispute a call. Encourage an athlete to disrespect an official. Questions involving rules, safety, or serious concerns should be brought calmly to the site coordinator or FCA staff. Respecting Opposing Families Competition should never become personal. Parents may not taunt, mock, intimidate, or argue with opposing athletes, coaches, or families. We can compete hard without tearing someone else down. Soccer Sideline Expectations Stay Away From the Goals Parents and spectators may not stand or sit beside or behind either goal. All spectators must remain in the designated viewing area along the sideline. This protects the athletes, gives referees a clear view, and prevents distractions behind the goal. Parent Side and Athlete Side For our older soccer divisions serving athletes ages 8–12: One side of the field is reserved for athletes and coaches. The opposite side is reserved for parents and spectators. Parents may not stand or gather on the athlete side. Spectators must stay away from team areas, corner areas, and both goals. This separation helps athletes focus, allows coaches to lead, and creates a safer and more organized environment. Communicating a Concern We want parents to communicate with us. Concerns should be handled calmly, directly, and at the appropriate time. Unless there is an immediate safety concern: Allow the game or practice to finish. Avoid addressing the issue in front of athletes or other families. Speak privately with the coach, site coordinator, or FCA staff. Email the League Director Troy Farley @tfarley@fca.org Focus on facts, safety, and possible solutions. Allow FCA Sports time to gather information and respond. When emotions rise, pause, lower your voice, and remember who is watching. Accountability Behavior that does not meet the FCA Sports Parent Standard may result in: A reminder or warning A conversation with FCA staff Removal from the playing area Suspension from future games Removal from the league in serious or repeated situations Any behavior that threatens the safety of an athlete, coach, referee, staff member, or family will be addressed immediately. The Standard We Carry Encourage loudly. Respect everyone. Trust the leaders. Protect the athletes. Keep the mission bigger than the score. Above it all: Represent Jesus in every word, every reaction, and every relationship. Every game should finish with athletes feeling safe, coaches feeling supported, referees feeling respected, and families seeing something different in the way FCA Sports competes and serves. Meet The Team Troy Farley — FCA Sports League Director — tfarley@fca.org Zach Lewison — Associate Director & Bethel Game Day Coordinator — zlewison@fca.org Amber Lewis — Operations Coordinator — amberlewis@fca.org Hannah Fiocchi — Volunteer Coordinator — hfiocchi@fca.org Preston Jonas — Flag Football Game Day Coordinator — prestonjonas123@gmail.com
September 6, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Parent Corner #30 | Winning Isn't the Point
Winning matters. There. I said it. Keep score - Compete - Practice hard Want the ball when the game is on the line. Learn how to win—and learn how to lose. I love competition. I don't want our athletes walking onto a field or court thinking the outcome doesn't matter. But winning can't be the point. Don't mistake that for weakness. Because when I zoom out and look at a life in sports—from a four-year-old playing their first season all the way to the rare athlete who gets paid to play—the actual games make up only a fraction of the journey. Think about everything else. Practices. Workouts. Film. Meetings. Road trips. Early mornings. Late nights. Conversations with coaches. Conversations with teammates. Sitting on the bench. Extra reps when nobody is watching. Injuries. Disappointment. Failure. Trying again. We spend far more time becoming than we ever spend competing on game day. So if winning the game is the ultimate goal... What are we doing with all that other time? Grow Where You're Planted A while back, I sat on a bucket with a local Tri-Cities coach named Craig Lukens for one of my Inning Intermissions conversations. Craig said something that has stayed with me: "Grow where you're planted." That's it. That's the point. Grow. Sports give our kids this incredible environment where growth gets put under pressure. Mental growth. Physical growth. Spiritual growth. Relational growth. It's why I believe sports can be so powerful. The practices that nobody cheers for matter. The conversation in the car matters. How you respond after getting benched matters. How you treat the official matters. How you encourage a teammate after their mistake matters. How you respond when the scoreboard doesn't go your way matters. Because all of it is growing something inside of you. The question is: What are you growing? Jesus Talked About Growth Too Jesus once described God's Kingdom using something incredibly small. A seed. "God's kingdom is like a mustard seed... It is the smallest of all seeds. But when it grows, it is one of the largest garden plants."
Matthew 13:31–32, ERV I love that picture. Because growth doesn't always look impressive while it's happening. Sometimes it's one practice. One conversation. One failure. One decision to get back up. One small seed. But give it time. God can do a lot with something that's willing to grow. Meet Ray Ray's team lost. And he hated losing. On the drive home, he barely said a word. Finally, Dad asked, "What did you learn today?" Ray looked confused. "We lost." "I know," Dad said. "I didn't ask what the scoreboard said." Ray thought for a second. "I probably could've encouraged Zach more after he dropped that pass." Dad nodded. "Anything else?" "I gave up on a play after I thought I was beat." Another nod. Then Ray understood. They hadn't won the game. But there were still places he could grow. Before getting out of the car, Dad looked at him. "Keep wanting to win, Ray." Then he smiled. "Just don't miss who you're becoming while you're trying." The End Game Parents, let's cheer. Let's compete. Let's celebrate wins. Let's let losses hurt. Sports should matter. But let's remember what we're actually preparing these kids for. Because eventually... The jerseys get turned in. The cleats get put away. The final whistle blows. Even for the professionals. And when that happens, the scoreboard doesn't come with them. The person they became does. That's the end game. Did they grow? Did they learn perseverance? Did they become a better teammate? Did they learn to lead? Did they learn how to fail without quitting? Did they learn how to win without making winning their identity? Did they discover more about who God created them to be? Because maybe the greatest victory sports can give our kids isn't something that appears in the standings. Maybe it's becoming the kind of person who can walk into whatever God has next for them and... Grow where they're planted. Winning matters. It just isn't the point. More than a league. It's a mission. Troy Farley FCA Sports Leagues Director
July 29, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Parent Corner #29: The Gift of Struggle
Parent Corner 29: The Gift of Struggle "It is never the duty of a leader to struggle for someone else; a leader must encourage others to struggle and assure them that the struggles are worthwhile."
— Andy Andrews, The Traveler's Gift This week I'm writing from FCA Camp at Seattle Pacific University. Around me are hundreds of athletes, coaches, huddle leaders, volunteers, and FCA staff. There's energy everywhere. Sports are happening on every court and field you can think of. Conversations happening late into the evening. This year felt different for me. Not because of the schedule. Not because of my role. Because my daughter Vail came with me. She's not old enough to be an athlete at this camp. She isn't here to compete. She's simply here alongside me as a staff kid—watching, listening, asking questions, and taking it all in. And honestly...I wouldn't have it any other way. One of my greatest hopes as a dad isn't simply that my daughters attend church or camp because it's what we do. It's that they begin building a faith that becomes their own. That they see people who genuinely love Jesus. That they watch older athletes serve younger athletes. That they hear stories of lives being changed. That they experience environments where faith isn't just talked about...it's lived. As I watched the week unfold, one quote kept coming back to me. "It is never the duty of a leader to struggle for someone else; a leader must encourage others to struggle and assure them that the struggles are worthwhile." The Gift of Struggle Every parent wants to protect their child. I know I do. We want to smooth the road. Solve the problem. Call the coach. Fix the friendship. Remove the obstacle. Because watching our kids struggle hurts. But what if our greatest responsibility isn't removing every challenge? What if it's preparing our kids to walk through challenges with courage, wisdom, and faith? There is a difference between rescuing our kids...and raising them. Growth almost always requires resistance. Muscles grow through resistance. Faith grows through testing. Character grows through perseverance. Why would parenting be any different? Maybe one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the opportunity to discover that—with God beside them—they can do hard things. Jesus Didn't Remove Every Struggle When Jesus sent His disciples into the world, He didn't promise them an easy road. He promised them His presence. Jesus didn't remove every struggle. He prepared them for it. My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering. If you let that patience work in you, the end result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be. -James 1:2-4 (ERV) Because He knew something we often forget. Strength isn't built by avoiding difficulty. It's built by walking faithfully through it. Meet Ray Ray had never been away from home for an entire week. The first night at camp felt exciting. The second felt lonely. By the third day, he wanted to call home. His huddle leader noticed. "Everything okay?" Ray shrugged. "I kind of miss home." His leader smiled. "That's okay." After a moment, he added, "Sometimes missing home means you're growing somewhere new." Ray thought about those words all week. By the end of camp, he still missed home. But he also realized something. He had made new friends. He had learned new things. He had discovered he could do hard things with God beside him. Takeaway As parents, let's keep giving our kids opportunities to grow. Not because struggle is the goal. Growth is. Let's prepare them before the challenge comes. Walk beside them while they're in it. Remind them that God is with them through it. And when they want to quit...Let's be the steady voice reminding them, "This is hard. But it's worth it." Because one day, our children won't remember every time we rescued them. They'll remember the moments they discovered—with God's help—they were stronger than they thought. Maybe this week...The action is giving your child the gift of a struggle that helps them grow. We are all one thought...One word...One action away from a totally different life. Win The Day, Troy Farley FCA Sports Leagues Director
July 23, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Parent Corner #28: The Detour
"The path to personal and professional fulfillment is rarely straight."
— Susan David, Emotional Agility Life rarely goes according to plan. At least mine hasn't. Unexpected detours. Disappointments. Closed doors. Conversations I never wanted to have. Dreams that took longer than I imagined. Days where I simply didn't feel like showing up. Maybe you've had a few of those too. As parents, we spend so much time trying to keep our kids from experiencing detours. We want the path to be smooth. The friendships to work out. The team to make itself. The coach to be fair. The season to be perfect. But that's not life. And maybe...That's not where growth happens. Feelings Are Wonderful... They're just terrible leaders. One of the biggest ideas Susan David shares is this: We don't have to wait until we feel like doing the right thing before we do it. Think about that. How many of us have waited to: Feel patient. Feel forgiving. Feel motivated. Feel joyful. Feel ready. But what if growth begins when we choose our values over our feelings? Not ignoring our emotions. Not pretending they don't exist. Simply refusing to let them drive. Because feelings make wonderful passengers. They just shouldn't hold the steering wheel. Jesus in the Garden One of the most powerful moments in Scripture happens the night before the cross. Jesus prays. "Father, if you are willing, take away this cup of suffering from me. But do what you want, not what I want." (Luke 22:42 ERV) Notice something? Jesus didn't pretend. He didn't hide His emotions. He brought them honestly before God. But He didn't let His feelings determine His obedience. He chose faithfulness anyway. That may be one of the greatest examples of emotional maturity in all of Scripture. Meet Ray Ray woke up grumpy. He didn't want to go to practice. He was tired. School had been hard. His team had lost the week before. Nothing inside him wanted to get in the car. His mom looked over and simply said, "You don't have to feel excited to keep your commitment." Ray didn't say much. He went anyway. Practice wasn't amazing. But afterward, on the drive home, he smiled. "I'm glad I went." Years later, Ray wouldn't remember why he didn't feel like practicing. He'd remember that showing up mattered. Takeaway Every family experiences detours. Every athlete. Every parent. Every marriage. The question isn't whether they'll come. The question is: Who will we become when they do? This week...Don't wait until you feel like encouraging. Encourage anyway. Don't wait until you feel like forgiving. Forgive anyway. Don't wait until you feel like praying. Pray anyway. Don't wait until you feel courageous. Take the next step anyway. Because the path God uses to shape us...Is rarely straight. Maybe this week...The action is simply taking the next faithful step. We are all one thought...One word...One action...Away from a totally different life. More than a league. It's a mission. Win The Day, Troy Farley FCA Sports Leagues Director
July 16, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Parent Corner #27 – What's the Point?
"If I'm not willing to live to what I wrote, then what's the point?"
— I Play Rocky A few days ago I heard a quote from the upcoming movie I Play Rocky that hasn't left me. "If I'm not willing to live to what I wrote, then what's the point?" The more I thought about it, the more it felt less like a quote...and more like a mirror. Because if I'm honest, I've been guilty of words. Fancy words. Encouraging words. Words I've written. Words I've spoken from a stage. Words I've shared in these Parent Corners. But I've also spoken impatient words. Broken words to my wife. Frustrated words to my daughters. Words I wish I could take back. As I sat with that quote, I realized something. It's possible to know the right words...without living them. The Greatest Lesson As parents, we spend so much time teaching. Be kind. Tell the truth. Work hard. Respect your coach. Trust God. All important lessons. But what if the greatest lesson our children will ever learn...isn't what we say? What if it's what they watch us live? Because whether we realize it or not... Our kids are reading us every single day. Our patience. Our forgiveness. Our marriages. Our reactions. Our integrity. Long before they remember our words...They'll remember our example. Jesus understood this. He didn't simply tell people how to live. He lived among them. He served. He forgave. He loved. Then He said, "I did this as an example for you. So you should serve each other just as I served you."
(John 13:15 ERV) Jesus didn't just preach the message. He became the message. The Dream That quote challenged me in another way too. God has written dreams on every one of our hearts. Some of us are nine. Some of us are forty-one. Some of us are eighty. Age doesn't erase purpose. Maybe God has been asking you to take a step. To forgive. To apologize. To serve. To start. To trust. To finally become the person He's been shaping you to be. If we're not willing to live what God has written on our hearts...What's the point? Meet Ray Ray loved talking about being a great teammate. He knew all the right things to say. Encourage others. Work hard. Stay positive. Then one day his coach pulled him aside after practice. "Ray," he smiled, "You already know what a great teammate looks like." Ray nodded. His coach continued, "Now go become one." That conversation stayed with Ray. Not because he learned something new. But because he realized the difference between knowing...and becoming. Takeaway Maybe this week isn't about learning something new. Maybe it's about living something you already know. Showing more patience. Offering forgiveness. Choosing encouragement. Taking one courageous step toward the life God has been inviting you into. Because our kids won't remember every speech we gave. But they'll remember the life we lived. We are all one thought...One word...One action... Away from a totally different life. Maybe this week...The action is simply living what we've already said we believe. More than a league. It's a mission. Win The Day, Troy Farley FCA Sports Leagues Director
July 6, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Parent Corner #26: The Moments That Matter Most
"The chance to re-live the moments that meant most."
— Matt Haig, The Midnight Train A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to spend the week at kids camp with Faith Tri-Cities and NW Kids. On the surface, it looked like I was simply helping at camp. But something much deeper was happening. This wasn't just any camp. It was the same camp where I spent my summers beginning around eleven years old. The same camp. The same lake. The same chapel. The same places where God quietly began shaping the direction of my life. Places where I learned to trust Him. Places where I began hearing His voice. Places that helped shape who I am and what I still do today. God began shaping my life as an eleven-year-old. And this summer, I had the privilege of watching my own daughter experience that same place. Almost the exact same age I was. As I watched her from a distance (because let's be honest... having Dad at camp is both cool and not cool), I realized something. I wasn't just watching my daughter at camp. I was getting the chance to relive the moments that have meant the most. Standing outside the same chapel where God first began stirring my heart. Jumping off the high dive with Vail—something I had done decades earlier myself. Watching kids worship. Hearing laughter echo across the camp. I couldn't help but look back over my own life. I saw God's fingerprints everywhere. Prayers I didn't even know He was answering. Doors He opened. Miracles I couldn't have planned. The calling He slowly revealed over years—not days. And for a moment, it all came rushing back. The Long Game As parents, we spend so much time thinking about the next game. The next season. The next team. The next opportunity. But what if God is playing a much longer game? What if He's far more interested in shaping hearts than schedules? One of my deepest prayers isn't that my daughters become great athletes. Or successful adults. Or even accomplish big things. My greatest prayer is much simpler: That they would learn to recognize the voice of God. Because when you know His voice...Everything changes. Listening One of my favorite moments in Scripture comes from a young boy named Samuel. God called his name during the night. At first, Samuel didn't realize who was speaking. Finally, Eli told him: "If God speaks to you again, say, 'Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.'"
(1 Samuel 3:9, ERV) That simple prayer has shaped generations. Maybe it's one we need to pray more often too. Speak, Lord. I'm listening. Meet Ray Camp was always Ray's favorite week of the summer. One night after chapel, he sat on a bench overlooking the lake. Everyone else had already headed back to their cabins. His counselor walked over and sat beside him. "You okay?" Ray nodded. "I think so." After a long pause he finally said, "I think God might be trying to tell me something." His counselor smiled. "What do you think He's saying?" Ray shrugged. "I don't know yet." His counselor nodded. "That's okay." "Keep listening." Years later, Ray wouldn't remember every game he played. He wouldn't remember every trophy. But he'd remember that quiet bench. Because sometimes the moments that change our lives don't happen in front of a crowd. They happen when we're finally quiet enough to listen. Takeaway As parents, we all chase moments. First steps. First games. First home runs. First championships. They're all wonderful. But may we never miss the moment that matters most. The moment our children begin to recognize the voice of God. Because I truly believe: We are just one thought, one word, or one action away from a totally different life. And sometimes...That one word: Is His. More than a league. It's a mission. Win The Day, Troy Farley FCA Sports Leagues Director
June 21, 2026 • 5 Minute Read
Parent Corner #25: Presence over Perfection
Parent Corner #25 – My Hero Today is Father's Day. And when I think about Father's Day, I think about my Dad. I think about a father who played catch with me. A father who showed up to every game he possibly could. A father who taught me what hard work looked like. A father who introduced me to Jesus. A father who extended grace in seasons of my life when I didn't deserve it. And now, years later, I watch him do the same thing for my daughters. He's still showing up. Still encouraging. Still loving. Still teaching. Still present. As I've gotten older, I've realized something. Many of the most important things my dad taught me weren't taught through words. They were taught through presence. By simply being there. The Gift of Presence One of my favorite quotes about fatherhood comes from author Clarence Budington Kelland: "My father didn't tell me how to live. He lived, and let me watch him do it." The older I get, the more I understand that. Because kids are always watching. They're watching how we handle adversity. They're watching how we treat people. They're watching how we respond when things don't go our way. They're watching what matters most to us. And whether we realize it or not, we're painting a picture of life for them every day. Not through perfection. Through presence. A Better Picture of God One of the greatest gifts my dad ever gave me was introducing me to Jesus. Not because he had all the answers. Not because he was perfect. But because he pointed me to the One who is. Every good father reflects a piece of God's heart. His love. His patience. His grace. His faithfulness. And while earthly fathers will always fall short, God never does. One of the things I've come to appreciate most about my dad is that he showed up. At games. In hard seasons. In moments when I needed encouragement. In moments when I needed grace. And as I look back, it reminds me of Jesus. In John 21, Peter had failed Jesus. Three times he denied even knowing Him. Peter thought the story was over. So he went back to fishing. But Jesus wasn't finished with him. Jesus showed up on the shore. He didn't show up to shame Peter. He didn't show up to remind Peter of his mistakes. He showed up to make breakfast. He showed up to restore him. He showed up to remind Peter that failure wasn't the end of his story. Looking back, that's one of the greatest gifts my dad has given me: Not perfection. Presence. The kind of presence that keeps showing up even when life gets messy. For some of us, Father's Day is a celebration. For others, it's complicated. Maybe your father wasn't present. Maybe the relationship is strained. Maybe there's hurt. The good news is that our story doesn't end there. Through Jesus, we discover a God who never stops pursuing us, never stops loving us, and never gives up on us. Meet Ray Father's Day always felt a little different for Ray. His parents were divorced. Some weekends looked one way. Some weekends looked another. Sometimes he found himself comparing his family to everyone else's. One afternoon after a game, Ray sat quietly in the car. His dad noticed. "What's up, buddy?" Ray shrugged. "I wish things were different." His dad sat for a moment before answering. "I do too sometimes." Then he smiled. "But different doesn't mean bad." Ray looked over. His dad continued. "One thing I want you to always know is this: no matter where you are, whose house you're at, or what life looks like, I'm your dad and I love you." Years later, Ray would remember that conversation. Not because it fixed everything. But because it reminded him of something important. Love shows up. Love stays. Love keeps coming back. Takeaway This Father's Day, take a moment to thank the people who showed up. The dads. The grandpas. The coaches. The mentors. The men who invested in us. Not because they were perfect. But because they were present. And if you're a father reading this, remember: Your kids won't remember every score. They won't remember every lesson. They won't remember every speech. But they will remember your presence. Because sometimes the greatest gift a father gives isn't perfection. It's showing up. Dad, thank you for showing up. I love you. Happy Father's Day. A Final Thought Over a year ago, I had the opportunity to sit down with my dad on my podcast for an episode of Inning Intermissions. We talked about life, faith, family, sports, and many of the lessons that helped shape me into the person I am today. If you'd like to learn more about the man behind this story, I invite you to listen to that conversation and celebrate a life that continues to impact not only me, but now my daughters as well. Watch or listen to the episodes below Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 More than a league. It's a mission. Win The Day, Troy Farley FCA Sports Leagues Director
June 14, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Parent Corner #24: The Thermostat
Championship Sunday This weekend I spent time watching my daughter's softball team compete in a tournament. Saturday felt different than Sunday. Saturday was relaxed. Parents laughed.
Coaches coached.
Umpires made calls.
Kids played. Nobody seemed overly concerned with the outcome. Then Sunday arrived. Single elimination. Lose and go home. The thermostat changed. Voices got louder. Coaches became more intense. Parents became more invested. Every call felt bigger. Every mistake felt heavier. And if I'm being honest, I felt it too. The pressure was real. Which got me thinking. Why do I have so much grace for other people's young athletes but not always for my own? Why do I allow the title of the game to change the way I view the game? Fred Rogers once said: "Who you are inside is what helps you make and do everything in life." Championship Sunday reminded me how easy it is to focus on outcomes while forgetting what may be happening inside our kids. After all, it was still softball. The bases didn't move. The rules didn't change. The girls were still kids. But somehow the stakes felt different. And when the stakes felt different, my perspective started to change. The Real Opponent Maybe the biggest challenge in youth sports isn't the team in the other dugout. Maybe it's what pressure does to us. Pressure has a way of shrinking our perspective. Instead of seeing growth, we see mistakes. Instead of seeing effort, we see results. Instead of seeing kids, we see outcomes. And when that happens, we begin evaluating moments differently than God does. What if God isn't nearly as concerned about the scoreboard as we are? What if He's paying attention to something deeper? Character. Courage. Perseverance. Joy. Teamwork. The things that last long after the tournament bracket is forgotten. Jesus and the Pressure One of the things I love about Jesus is that pressure never seemed to change Him. Crowds got bigger. Opposition got louder. The stakes got higher. Yet Jesus continued to see people. He saw individuals where others saw outcomes. He saw hearts where others saw performance. He extended grace when others expected perfection. As parents, that's the challenge in front of us. Can we continue to see our kids the way God sees them, even when the pressure rises? Meet Ray Ray's team found themselves in a championship game. The gym felt different. Everyone knew what was on the line. Late in the game, Ray made a mistake that led to the other team scoring. Immediately his shoulders dropped. The drive home felt long. Finally, Ray looked over and said, "I cost us the game." His dad paused before responding. Then he asked a simple question. "Is that what you'd tell one of your teammates if they made the same mistake?" Ray thought for a moment. "No." "What would you tell them?" "I'd tell them it's just one play." His dad smiled. "Then maybe that's what you need to tell yourself." Takeaway The title of the game shouldn't change how we view the game. Whether it's pool play or a championship. Whether it's a practice or a playoff. Whether they win or lose. They're still kids. They're still learning. They're still growing. This week, when the pressure rises, ask yourself: Am I seeing my child through the lens of performance? Or through the lens of grace? Because one day they'll forget most of the scores. But they'll remember how we responded when the thermostat changed. More than a league. It's a mission. Win The Day, Troy Farley FCA Sports Leagues Director
May 31, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Parent Corner #23
The Goal is to Go Recently, I received a message from one of our coaches—a coach I have a tremendous amount of respect for. He shared that his family would be moving on to another club this fall. He thanked us for the years together and explained that his boys were ready for a new challenge. As I read his message, I found myself smiling. Not because they were leaving. But because this is exactly what we hope happens. That might sound strange. Most leagues, teams, and organizations measure success by how long they can keep people around. But our goal has never been to keep you forever. Our goal is to prepare you to go. More Than a League From the beginning, FCA Sports has been built around three simple ideas: Engage.
Equip.
Empower. We want to engage athletes, coaches, and families where they are. We want to equip them with tools, habits, and truth that help them grow. And then we want to empower them to go live it out. Because eventually every athlete moves on. Every parent moves on. Every coach moves on. The question isn't whether we'll move on. The question is: What will we take with us when we do? Jesus Did the Same Thing When you look at the life of Jesus, His ministry wasn't built around keeping people close forever. It was built around preparing them to go. He spent time with His disciples. He taught them. He challenged them. He corrected them. He encouraged them. And then He sent them. The goal was never simply information. The goal was transformation. And transformation always leads to movement. Meet Ray Ray had spent several years playing in the same environment. The coaches knew him. His teammates knew him. Everything felt familiar. Then one day a new opportunity came along. Ray wasn't sure what to do. Part of him wanted to stay where he was comfortable. His dad listened and finally asked a simple question: "Do you think you're ready?" Ray thought for a moment. "I think so." His dad smiled. "Then maybe it's time." A few months later, Ray found himself in a new environment with new teammates, new coaches, and new challenges. Some things were harder. Some things were better. But what surprised him most was realizing how much he had already learned. The lessons came with him. The habits came with him. The character came with him. And that's what mattered most. Takeaway Whether your child stays with FCA Sports for one season or ten, our hope remains the same. We want to help develop athletes. But even more than that, we want to help develop people. People who know how to compete. People who know how to encourage teammates. People who know how to handle success and failure. People who know how to live out their faith wherever life takes them. Because the goal isn't simply to stay. The goal is to go. To take what you've learned and live it out in your team, your school, your workplace, your church, and your community. That's how movements grow. More than a league. It's a mission. Win The Day, Troy Farley FCA Sports Leagues Director
May 23, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Parent Corner #22
The Secret Isn’t a Secret A few weeks ago on my Inning Intermissions Podcast, I was interviewing a friend when he said something that stuck with me: “There’s no secret recipe. It’s just consistency.” That line hasn’t left my head. Because the more I think about it, the more I believe it’s true for almost everything in life. The secret isn’t a secret. So why do we struggle with this so much? As parents of young athletes, we’re constantly looking for the formula. The right trainer. The right team. The right schedule. The right camp. The right opportunity. But what if there isn’t a secret formula? What if growth is usually found in consistency? Showing up. Practicing. Encouraging. Learning. Failing. Trying again. Let the consistency of whatever they are chasing play itself out. And honestly, this doesn’t just apply to our kids. It applies to us too. If I could pass along one “secret” that really isn’t a secret for all of us to consistently dive into, it would be this: The Bible. The greatest story ever told. A story that is still unfolding. A story we are invited into. From creation in Genesis to eternity in Revelation, the Bible points us to one central figure: Jesus. The apostle Paul wrote these words while sitting in prison, reminding believers that the true secret to life was never success, status, or power. It was always Jesus. Colossians 1:27 says: “God decided to let his people know this rich and glorious secret, which is for all people. The secret is this: Christ is in you. He is our hope for glory.” We are all being guided by something. The question is: what? Culture? Social media? Success? Comparison? Fear? Or the Word of God? The secret to life really isn’t a secret. It’s a relationship with Jesus. And God’s Word leads us to Him page after page. Honestly, if I had my way, every athlete who came through FCA Sports would leave with a Bible in their hands. (I’m working on it. 🙏) FCA has an Athlete Bible. An FCA Coaches Bible. And now a brand-new Kids Bible. Because we don’t just want to develop athletes. We want to help guide people. Meet Ray After practice one night, Ray stayed behind helping put basketballs away. As the gym emptied out, his coach walked over and handed him something. It was a Bible. Ray looked surprised. His coach smiled and said, “You spend a lot of time working on your game. Don’t forget to work on your heart too.” That night Ray flipped through the pages before bed. He didn’t understand everything yet. But one verse caught his attention: “The secret is this: Christ is in you. He is our hope for glory.” The next morning, Ray brought the Bible with him in the car. Not because he had everything figured out. But because he wanted direction. Takeaway The secret isn’t a secret. Consistency matters. Consistency in practice. Consistency in encouragement. Consistency in faith. This week, make space for God’s Word in your home. Read one verse together. Ask one good question. Start one small habit. Sometimes the biggest transformation begins with the smallest consistent step. More than a league. It’s a mission. Win The Day, Troy Farley FCA Sports Leagues Director
February 18, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Parent Corner #21
The Picture in Their Head A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to speak at Hungry Gen Youth. During the message I shared a simple idea that has stuck with me since. Every person carries a picture in their head of who they think they are. That picture forms over time. It can come from a lot of places. Sports. Parents. Coaches. Friends. Social media. Success. Failure. Labels. Over time, the picture in our head becomes the way we see ourselves. For young athletes, that picture can change quickly. One bad game. One injury. One coach’s decision. One comparison. Suddenly the picture in their head starts saying things like: “I’m not good enough.” “I always mess things up.” “I’ll never be that good.” As parents, this is where our voice matters more than we realize. Because sometimes the picture our kids are carrying simply isn’t the right one. Truth – The Story of Peter In John 21 we find Peter carrying a wrong picture of himself. Just days earlier, Peter had denied Jesus three times the night Jesus was arrested. Even though Jesus had risen from the dead, Peter was still carrying the weight of that moment. Imagine the picture in Peter’s head: “I failed Him.” “I blew it.” “I’m not the leader anymore.” So Peter does what a lot of people do when they feel like they’ve failed. He goes back to what he used to do. John 21:3 says Peter told the others, “I am going fishing.” But Jesus wasn’t finished with Peter. When Jesus meets the disciples on the shore that morning, He doesn’t shame Peter. He doesn’t lecture him. He cooks breakfast. Then Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Why three times? Because Peter denied Jesus three times. Three denials. Three restorations. Jesus wasn’t reminding Peter of his failure. He was restoring his identity. Peter showed up that morning believing, “I’m the guy who failed.” Jesus tells him something different: “Follow me.” Not “try harder.” Not “earn your way back.” Just follow me. Jesus gives Peter a new picture of who he is. Meet Ray Ray had a tough game. Nothing seemed to go right. Missed shots. Turnovers. A couple mistakes that stuck in his head long after the game ended. On the drive home Ray sat quietly and finally said, “I think I’m just not very good.” His dad glanced over and said, “Who told you that?” Ray shrugged. “It just feels like it.” His dad paused for a moment and then said, “One game doesn’t get to decide who you are.” Later that night Ray thought about that. The mistakes were still real. But they didn’t get to define him. The picture in his head started to shift. Takeaway Our kids are forming pictures of who they think they are every day. Our job isn’t just to coach their performance. It’s to help shape their identity. Remind them: You are loved. You are chosen. You are capable. You belong. And most importantly, their identity isn’t built on a scoreboard or a stat line. It’s built on who God says they are. Sometimes the greatest thing we can do as parents is help our kids exchange the wrong picture in their head for the right one. Win The Day, Troy Farley FCA Sports Leagues Director
September 11, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Fall Sports Game Day
Coaches, Tomorrow is GAME DAY! This is the day we get to step back a little and let the kids truly PLAY. My challenge for every one of us tomorrow is simple: BE THE THERMOSTAT. Help me set the right temperature for your athletes and families. See the opposing coach as a partner, not an opponent. Don’t overcoach. Let your players play. Let them make mistakes. Let them figure some things out. Constantly being loud from the sideline does not mean good coaching is taking place. Teach during the week. Encourage on Game Day. There will certainly be moments to coach, but give these kids room to compete, make decisions, make mistakes, and grow. PRE-GAME ROUTINE This applies to every team—younger soccer, older soccer, and flag football. 10 MINUTES BEFORE KICKOFF — COACH + REF MEETING Meet with the opposing coach and referee. For 4–7 Soccer, remember that the coaches are also the referees. Take a minute to: Greet and introduce yourselves. Connect on any questions before the game. Say a quick prayer for one another. Remind yourselves that we're working together to create a great experience for these kids. 5 MINUTES BEFORE KICKOFF — FCA BREAK Bring both teams and coaches together at center field. As ONE group, do an FCA BREAK on 3! Then both teams take a lap around the field, high-fiving the parents and families along the way. FLAG FOOTBALL: Our cheer athletes will form a tunnel for you to run through after the FCA Break before beginning your lap around the field. Once the lap is complete, LET'S PLAY! POST-GAME ROUTINE How we finish matters just as much as how we start. Celebrate the other team.
Gather your team and on 1-2-3 yell the other team's name. Good Game Line.
Both teams meet and go through the traditional post-game line. Circle Up + Pray.
Bring both teams together and end the game in prayer. We encourage an athlete to lead the prayer. Give them the opportunity! If no athlete wants to step up, one of the coaches can lead. Win or lose, we leave the field together. KNOW YOUR RULES Please take a few minutes TODAY to review the rules for your sport and age division before tomorrow's first game. These rules pages will remain LIVE throughout the season, so bookmark them and use them as a reference whenever you need them.SOCCER RULESFLAG FOOTBALL RULES WEEK 1 = LOTS OF GRACE Coaches, this is Week 1 of games. Please bring LOTS OF GRACE tomorrow. Athletes are learning. Parents are learning. Coaches are learning. And our young referees are learning too. Please refrain from complaining about missed calls or calls you disagree with. Our referees are going to miss things. That's part of youth sports, especially in Week 1. If you're frustrated with something that happens during a game, come to me. Let me handle it. Don't let one call change your sideline. Don't let frustration change your body language. Don't let the temperature rise because something didn't go your way. I'll say it one more time: YOU ARE THE THERMOSTAT. Your players and families will feed off your energy, your demeanor, and your response. Tomorrow, let's set the temperature together. Encourage. Celebrate. Compete. Have fun. Let them PLAY. Let's have an incredible first Game Day! Meet The Team Troy Farley (509-430-7222) — FCA Sports League Director — tfarley@fca.org Zach Lewison (641-590-4900) — Associate Director & Bethel Game Day Coordinator — zlewison@fca.org Amber Lewis — Operations Coordinator — amberlewis@fca.org Hannah Fiocchi — Volunteer Coordinator — hfiocchi@fca.org Preston Jonas (509-619-2748) — Flag Football Game Day Coordinator — prestonjonas123@gmail.com Win The Day, Troy Farley FCA Sports Leagues Director
September 6, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Fall Soccer
FCA Coach's Corner | Week 3 Coaches, We are officially two weeks into the season! Thank you for the way you've jumped in, adjusted, learned your teams, and started building relationships with your athletes and families. We're getting into the rhythm now—and this is where the season really starts to take shape. THIS WEEK: STAY TEACHABLE Our Growth Mindset journey this season is: Learn → Trust → Serve → Teach While we're in Week 3 of our soccer season, we're in Week 2 of our Growth Mindset devotional, which means we're still focused on that first step: LEARN. This week, our athletes are learning that growth isn't about pretending to have everything figured out. It's about being honest enough to admit we still have room to grow and staying teachable when someone helps us get better. Here's the line I want us carrying into this week: “A closed heart stays stuck. A teachable heart keeps growing.” That's a great lesson for our athletes, but it's also a great reminder for us as coaches. Keep listening. Keep learning. Keep adjusting. We never stop learning, growing, and teaching. WEEK 2 GROWTH MINDSET HUDDLE Please continue making your Growth Mindset Huddle a priority at every practice. This week's Huddle focuses on progress over perfection. Our athletes don't have to pretend they have everything figured out. Neither do we. Help them understand that a teachable athlete: Listens. Learns. Takes coaching. Makes adjustments. Keeps growing. Don't let the Huddle become the thing you squeeze in if there's time. It's part of why we're here. Our mission: To see every coach, athlete, and FAMILY be in a growing relationship with Jesus and His Church. UNIFORMS Most of you have now received your team uniforms to hand out to your athletes. If you haven't received yours yet, you will be getting them this week. COACHES: If you have uniform needs—wrong sizes, missing uniforms, additional needs, etc.—and you have not already communicated those needs to me, I need you to TEXT ME ASAP. Troy: 509-430-7222 Please don't assume we know what your team is missing. Help us get ahead of it by communicating your needs as soon as possible. AGES 4–7: PLEASE SHUT THE TRAILER A quick but important reminder for our 4–7 divisions practicing at Bethel: The equipment trailer has been left open after the 5:30 final practice window. If you are one of the final teams practicing, please make sure the trailer is completely shut and secured before you leave each night. It takes just a minute and helps us tremendously. Thank you for helping us take care of our equipment and facilities. TEAM PHOTOS Rob Palmer, our FCA Sports photographer, will be reaching out directly to coaches to schedule your team photo time for the upcoming weeks. You do not need to contact Rob. Rob will contact YOU. Once your time is scheduled, please communicate that information clearly with your families. VOLUNTEER ONBOARDING If your FCA volunteer onboarding is still incomplete, please get this finished. Hannah is continuing to follow up with coaches who have outstanding steps. Please respond to her and help us get everyone across the finish line. This is an important part of providing a safe and prepared environment for every athlete and family. KEEP BUILDING We're two weeks in. The newness is starting to wear off, and that's actually when some of the best coaching begins. Keep learning names. Keep connecting with parents. Keep making practice fun. Keep Huddling. Keep encouraging. Keep pointing kids toward Jesus. And remember this week: A closed heart stays stuck. A teachable heart keeps growing. Let's model that for our athletes. MEET YOUR FCA SPORTS TEAM We're here to serve you throughout the season. If you have questions or need help, reach out. Troy Farley — Leagues Director
tfarley@fca.org | 509-430-7222 Zach Lewison — Associate Director
zlewison@fca.org | 641-590-4900 Amber Lewis — Operations Coordinator
amberlewis@fca.org Hannah Fiocchi — Volunteer Coordinator
hfiocchi@fca.org Preston Jonas — Flag Football Coordinator
prestonjonas123@gmail.com You're not coaching alone. We're in this together. Have a great Week 3! Win The Day, Troy Farley
FCA Sports Tri-Cities
June 10, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Volleyball: The Coaches Corner
Welcome to the Weekly Coaches Corner Recap 🏐 This is your one-stop spot for everything you need as an FCA Sports Volleyball Coach. Whether you attended one of our Coaches Meetings or are catching up afterward, you'll find key dates, expectations, resources, and next steps below. Thank you for saying "yes" to investing in athletes and families this summer. We believe sports are a powerful platform to Engage, Equip, and Empower people through the Gospel, and we're excited to see how Jesus uses you this season. Action Items Attended a Coaches Meeting? Thank you for joining us this week. We are grateful for your willingness to serve and lead. Missed Both Coaches Meetings? Please contact Troy as soon as possible by replying to this email. If we do not hear from you by Friday, we will move forward with other coaching candidates for those teams. Until we hear from you and complete the required coaching process, you are not cleared to coach this season. Upcoming Dates Week of June 22 Practices Begin Week of July 6th Games Begin Season Concludes August 13th Picture Day Details coming soonHave Questions? Reach Out! Volunteer Onboarding (VIP) Hannah will be reaching out to every coach regarding volunteer onboarding requirements. This includes: VIP Registration Background Check Child Abuse Prevention Training E3 Training Please watch for her email and complete these items as quickly as possible so we can prepare for the season. Questions? Reach out to Hannah directly: HFiocchi@fca.org This Seasons Chapel Theme Proven: Faith That Holds Up Under Pressure
| John 15:8 We’re all trying to prove something: our spot on the team; being captain material; being accepted by our peers; earning success and accolades; even love. We put time and energy into doing all we can to fit into these spaces, but it leaves us exhausted and unfulfilled. But we don’t have to keep striving to prove our worth; God has proven everything for us through His Son Jesus Christ. We simply receive what has already been done for us. We are proven in Him. Learn what it looks like to go from living for approval to living from the love of God with this 4-Day Devotional — What Are You Trying to Prove? FCA Sports Coaching Expectations As an FCA Sports Coach: Be Positive Be Prepared Be an Example Communicate Well with Parents Develop Athletes On and Off the Court Create a Fun and Safe Environment Help Athletes Take Their Next Step with Jesus Remember our E3 Strategy Engage: Build relationships with athletes and families. Equip: Use practices, devotionals, and conversations to point athletes/families toward Jesus. Empower: Challenge athletes and families to live out their faith beyond the season. Resources Coach's Corner: Weekly coaching encouragement and ministry resources while in season. Parent Corner: Resources to help families grow beyond the game. The FOUR: A simple way to share the Gospel using four biblical truths. Learn more HERE. TeamSnap App: Communication, schedules, rosters, and season updates. Looking Ahead Over the next two weeks we'll be: Completing volunteer onboarding Preparing for practice week 1 Thank you again for serving with FCA Sports. We are praying for you and looking forward to seeing how Jesus works in and through our coaches, athletes, and families this summer. Stay Connected Troy Farley — Director of FCA Sports leagues happening year-round across the Tri-Cities (tfarley@fca.org) Amber Lewis — Engagement Lead helping oversee schedules, games, and administration (amberlewis@fca.org Hannah Fiocchi — VIP Specialist assisting with volunteer onboarding and FCA requirements (HFiocchi@fca.org) Zach Lewison — Game Day Coordinator helping practices and games run smoothly. (zlewison@fca.org) Michael Groth — FCA Volleyball Specialist helping with rules, structure, and coaching best practices. (mgroth@libertychristian.net) Subscribe and never miss an FCA Sports Update again!Subscribe Here Win The Day, Troy Farley FCA Sports Leagues Director
September 5, 2026 • 7 Minute Read
Fall Sports Referee Standard
FCA Sports Referees FCA Sports referees do more than enforce the rules. They help create a safe, positive, and competitive environment where athletes, coaches, and families can grow. Our goal is to prepare every referee to lead with confidence, protect the athletes, communicate clearly, and represent FCA well at every game. More Than a Game FCA Sports is about more than competition. We want athletes to grow: Physically Mentally Relationally Spiritually Referees help set the tone for the entire game. Every call, conversation, and interaction is an opportunity to demonstrate leadership and represent Jesus well. Our three game-day priorities are: Safety. Fun. Growth. Professionalism and Leadership Serving as an FCA Sports referee is a job, and professionalism is expected. Throughout the season, referees will have opportunities to develop valuable skills, including: Clear communication Confidence and command Decision-making Conflict management Personal responsibility Leadership under pressure These skills will serve referees both on and off the field. Creating a Positive Athlete Experience Every athlete should feel seen, valued, and encouraged during an FCA Sports game. Referees can help create that experience by: Greeting athletes and coaches before the game Using positive and respectful language Giving clear, calm instructions Listening before reacting Correcting athletes without embarrassing them Remaining present and approachable Leading with confidence without becoming confrontational Fall Sports Locations Referees may be assigned to one of four FCA Sports locations: Bethel: Soccer Reata: Soccer Columbia: Soccer Calvary: Flag Football Field assignments, schedules, parking information, and additional site instructions will be communicated with each assignment. Site leadership includes: Bethel: Zach Lewison Calvary: Preston Jonas Referees should check in with the site coordinator immediately upon arrival. Referee Arrival Times Please arrive on time and ready to help with setup. Bethel: 8:15 AM or 11:00 AM, depending on the assigned shift Reata: 8:15 AM Columbia: 8:15 AM Calvary: 8:00 AM Arriving at the listed time is part of the assignment. Referees should not arrive immediately before their first game. Before the Game Before officiating, every referee should: Check in with the site coordinator Confirm the field assignment and game schedule Help complete the required field setup Inspect the playing area for safety concerns Check the game equipment Meet the coaches Review any age-specific or division-specific rules Ask questions about any rule that is unclear Athlete safety should always be addressed before play begins. Field Setup Responsibilities Bethel Soccer Referees assigned to Bethel may be responsible for a complete field setup, including: Corner flags Field number flags Game balls Cones Yard signs Reata and Columbia Soccer These locations operate using a “Show and Go” setup. Referees should still: Confirm that the field is ready Inspect goals and equipment Check for hazards Report any concerns to the site coordinator Calvary Flag Football Referees assigned to Calvary may assist with: Yard markers Pylons Footballs Athlete flag belts Game-Day Timeline To keep games running on time, referees should follow this schedule: 10 Minutes Before the Game Meet with both coaches Confirm the division and game format Review any important age-specific rules Address questions before play begins 5 Minutes Before the Game Connect with the athletes Offer high fives and encouragement Check equipment Prepare both teams for the opening play Game Time Start the game on time Keep the game moving Communicate time and game situations clearly Do not sacrifice athlete safety to stay on schedule During the Game Referees are expected to: Communicate calls clearly and respectfully Use confident signals and instructions Remain calm and professional Work together as a referee team Apply the rules fairly and consistently Keep the game moving at a steady pace Watch for unsafe play Treat athletes, coaches, parents, and other officials with respect Referees should be firm, fair, consistent, and approachable. After the Game At the conclusion of every game: Confirm that the substitution periods were handled correctly Bring the teams together for the postgame circle Pray with the athletes and coaches Report injuries or unusual incidents Report major conduct concerns Reset the field promptly for the next game Begin cleanup if it is the final game of the day Field Cleanup Referees may be asked to help collect and return: Game balls Corner flags Field number flags Yard signs Cones Yard markers Pylons Athlete flags Trash Lost-and-found items Everyone is responsible for leaving the facility better than we found it. Scheduling and Weekly Assignments Zach Lewison will communicate with referees regarding available weekly assignments at all four locations. Referees can contact Zach at zlewison@fca.org with scheduling questions. Please remember: Weekly assignments are not promised or guaranteed. The number of available games may change each week. If you do not receive a message, there may not be an available slot that week. Coach and staff feedback will help determine future assignments. Communication, reliability, professionalism, and conduct will also affect scheduling decisions. Approximate weekly referee openings include: Bethel: 6 Reata: 2 Columbia: 2 Calvary: 2 The 24-Hour Rule Referees must respond to an assignment offer within 24 hours. If no response is received within that time, the assignment may be offered to another referee. Once an assignment is accepted, FCA Sports and the participating teams are counting on that referee to be there. If an emergency or unavoidable conflict prevents a referee from working an accepted assignment, the referee must communicate with FCA Sports immediately. Do not wait until game day if the conflict is already known. Referee Pay The referee pay structure is: $25 per game $100 for a three-game assignment Referees must submit their payment information through Databasics every Monday. Payment options include: Direct deposit Check Direct-deposit payments are generally processed by the end of the week. Payments are processed through National FCA. New referees must complete all required digital paperwork before payment can be issued. No payment will be processed until the required paperwork is complete. Referee Uniform and Equipment FCA Sports will provide referee jerseys and whistles. Referees are responsible for these items throughout the season and must return them at the end of the season. The cost of equipment that is not returned may be deducted from the referee’s pay. Referees should arrive wearing the required uniform and bring all assigned equipment to every game. Referee Expectations Every FCA Sports referee is expected to: Arrive early and prepared Wear the required referee uniform Know the rules for the assigned sport and division Treat everyone respectfully Remain calm under pressure Communicate confidently without being confrontational Avoid arguing with coaches or spectators Never use inappropriate language Keep phones put away while officiating Stay engaged throughout the entire assignment Ask the site coordinator for help before a situation escalates Remember that athlete safety is more important than keeping the game moving Handling Difficult Situations When a coach, parent, or athlete becomes upset: Stay calm. State the call clearly. Set a respectful boundary. Contact the site coordinator if the situation continues. Referees should not argue with coaches or spectators. Explain the call briefly, remain professional, and return attention to the game. If a situation begins to feel unsafe or unmanageable, pause the game and involve the site coordinator. Know the Rules Referees should review the rules for their assigned sport before accepting games. Soccer Rules HERE Important soccer topics include: Game length and substitutions Offside rules by division Fouls and restarts Handball Slide tackling Heading restrictions Coach and spectator conduct Review the FCA Sports Soccer Rules Flag Football Rules HERE Important flag football topics include: Game length and possession Starting play and the line of scrimmage Flag guarding Rushing and blitzing Running restrictions Passing requirements Blocking and contact Interceptions and turnovers Scoring Penalties and enforcement Score-management rules Coach and spectator conduct Age-specific modifications Review the FCA Sports Flag Football Rules Never Guess at an FCA-Specific Rule If you are uncertain about a rule: Pause the game if necessary Ask the lead referee Consult the site coordinator Confirm the correct ruling before continuing It is always better to ask than to guess. Final Referee Reminder Protect the athletes. Communicate clearly. Stay consistent. Represent FCA well. Every game should finish with athletes feeling safe, coaches feeling respected, and families seeing something different in the way FCA Sports serves.
September 5, 2026 • 8 Minute Read
Flag Football Rules
Flag Football Rules FCA Flag Football is built around three priorities: Safety, Fun, and Growth. Our referees will focus on the rules that protect athletes, maintain fair competition, and keep the game moving. Officials should communicate calls clearly, briefly explain violations when needed, and avoid turning games into constant rule stoppages. Game Format Games are played 6 versus 6. Referees will lead both teams in prayer at midfield before the game. The visiting team will call the coin toss. The winner of the coin toss may choose possession or which goal to defend. The team that begins the game on defense will begin the second half on offense. Teams switch ends of the field at halftime. There are no physical kickoffs or punts. Possessions begin at the offensive team’s 5-yard line. The team possessing the ball at the end of a period keeps possession when play resumes. Game Clock Games are 36 minutes long. The clock will stop briefly for scheduled substitution periods. Halftime is eight minutes. Each team receives one 30-second timeout per half. Unused timeouts do not carry over. Teams have 30 seconds to begin their next play after the referee spots the ball. During the final minute of each half, the clock will stop for: An incomplete pass A ball carrier going out of bounds A touchdown An extra-point attempt A timeout An official’s timeout A change of possession Downs and Possession The offensive team has four downs to cross midfield and earn a first down. After crossing midfield, the offense receives four additional downs to score a touchdown. If the offense does not cross midfield or score within four downs, possession changes. Fourth-Down Options In older divisions, a team may: Attempt to earn a first down or score a touchdown Declare a punt and give the opposing team possession at its own 5-yard line No physical punt will take place. Scoring Touchdown: 6 points One-point conversion: From the 5-yard line and must be a pass Two-point conversion: From the 10-yard line and may be a run or pass Safety: 2 points Following a safety, the scoring team receives possession at its own 5-yard line. Starting the Play The offense must have at least three players on the line of scrimmage. Only one offensive player may be in motion when the ball is snapped. Older divisions must snap the ball between the center’s legs. Younger divisions may use a side snap. The quarterback must clearly receive possession from the center before handing off, pitching, or passing. A false start, multiple players in motion, or an illegal formation may result in a penalty. Running the Football Quarterback Runs The player who receives the snap is considered the quarterback. The quarterback may not run across the line of scrimmage. The quarterback may: Hand the ball off Pitch the ball Throw a forward pass After receiving a handoff or pitch, another player may run or throw a pass from behind the line of scrimmage. Handoffs and Pitches Handoffs and pitches must occur behind the line of scrimmage. Multiple handoffs are permitted behind the line of scrimmage. Handoffs and laterals are not permitted after the ball crosses the line of scrimmage. Only the quarterback may make the initial pitch. No-Run Zones No-run zones are located within five yards of: The midfield first-down line The goal line When a play begins inside a no-run zone, the ball must be passed forward beyond the line of scrimmage. The quarterback may not run, and a running back may not run directly through the no-run area. No-run zones do not apply to the youngest division. Spotting the Ball The ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet are located when the flag is pulled—not where the football is being held. Passing The quarterback has seven seconds to throw the ball. If the quarterback does not pass within seven seconds, the play is ruled an incomplete pass and the offense loses the down. A handoff or pitch ends the seven-second count. Only one forward pass is permitted during a play. A forward pass must be thrown from behind the line of scrimmage. Inside a no-run zone, the pass must travel beyond the line of scrimmage. Intentional grounding is not permitted. Receiving All six offensive players are eligible to receive a pass. The quarterback becomes an eligible receiver after handing off or pitching the ball. A receiver must control the football and have at least one foot in bounds for a completed pass. If a receiver catches the ball with a knee on the ground, the play is immediately dead at the location of the catch. Quarterback Rush and Blitz Rules The defense may use one immediate blitz during each set of four downs. Only one defensive player may rush the quarterback on an immediate blitz. On all other plays, defenders must wait until the referee completes the seven-second count before crossing the line of scrimmage. Once the seven-second count is completed, any number of defensive players may rush the quarterback. A defender who begins a rush from inside the seven-yard rush line will be called for an illegal rush. Interceptions and Turnovers Interceptions may be returned. An interception made in the end zone may be returned. If the interceptor’s flag is pulled inside the end zone, the play results in a touchback and the ball is placed at the 5-yard line. Bad Snaps and Fumbles The ball remains live following a bad or botched snap. A loose ball may be recovered by either the offense or defense. Once a player gains possession of the loose ball by falling on it, the play is immediately dead at the spot of recovery. The player may not advance the ball. If the offense recovers the ball, it retains possession and the next down begins from the recovery spot. If a defensive player recovers the ball, the play remains live and the player may advance it until their flag is pulled, they step out of bounds, or they score. Dead-Ball Situations The play is over when: The ball carrier’s flag is pulled The ball carrier’s flag falls out The ball carrier steps out of bounds The ball carrier’s knee touches the ground The football touches the ground A pass is incomplete A touchdown or safety is scored The referee blows the whistle Contact and Blocking FCA Flag Football is a limited-contact sport. Players may not: Tackle Push Hold Shove Stiff-arm Lower a shoulder into an opponent Initiate unnecessary contact Pull or grab clothing Make contact with a receiver while the ball is in the air Offensive players may shield a defender by maintaining their position, but they may not initiate contact with their hands or arms. Any dangerous or unnecessary contact should be called immediately. Flag Guarding The ball carrier may not use a hand, arm, elbow, or the football to prevent a defender from pulling a flag. Flag guarding may be intentional or unintentional. Examples include: Swatting a defender’s hand away Holding an arm over the flag Stiff-arming Lowering the football over the flag belt Spinning with an arm extended to block access to the flag Diving Ball carriers may not dive toward: The end zone The first-down line A defender A player may jump to avoid a collision, but may not dive forward to gain additional yardage. Pass Interference Defensive Pass Interference A defender may not: Push or hold a receiver Make early contact before the ball arrives Pull a receiver’s flag before the catch Prevent a receiver from making a play on the ball through illegal contact Defenders may make a play on the football but must avoid unnecessary contact with the receiver. Offensive Pass Interference An offensive player may not: Push a defender away Hold a defender Create an illegal pick or screen Initiate contact to create separation Primary Penalties Referees should focus on clear and meaningful violations that affect safety or give a team an unfair advantage. Defensive Penalties Encroachment Illegal rushing Pass interference Holding, pushing, or illegal contact Pulling a receiver’s flag before the catch Offensive Penalties False start More than one player in motion Illegal formation Quarterback crossing the line of scrimmage Running inside a no-run zone Illegal forward pass Delay of game Flag guarding Stiff-arming or illegal use of the hands Offensive pass interference Diving Illegal blocking Penalties occurring near the end zone may be enforced at half the distance to the goal. Player Conduct Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to demonstrate respect and self-control. The referee may stop the game and contact the site coordinator when there is: Dangerous or aggressive play Repeated intentional fouling Inappropriate language Disrespect toward an official Continued misconduct by a player, coach, or spectator Athlete safety is always more important than keeping the game moving. Referee Approach Our referees are learning and developing just like our athletes. Officials are expected to: Prioritize athlete safety Call clear violations Communicate confidently and respectfully Briefly explain calls when helpful Keep the game moving Remain consistent for both teams Ask the site coordinator for help when uncertain Referees should not guess at an FCA-specific rule. If there is uncertainty, play should be paused while the referee checks with the lead referee or site coordinator.
September 5, 2026 • 9 Minute Read
Soccer Rules
FCA Soccer Rules FCA Sports soccer leagues are designed around three priorities: Safety, Fun, and Growth. These rules help create an age-appropriate environment where athletes can learn the game, develop their skills, and enjoy playing together. Ages 4–5 and 6–7 Game Format Ages 4–5 Games are played 4 versus 4. Goalkeepers are not used. Ages 6–7 Games are played 5 versus 5. Goalkeepers are used. Teams are required to play two offensive players and two defensive players. Coaches will facilitate and manage the games. Officials will not be used for these divisions. Game Length and Substitutions Games consist of two 18-minute halves. Each half is divided into three 6-minute periods. The clock will stop every six minutes for substitutions. Halftime is five minutes. Coaches may choose whether to switch goals at halftime. A parent or coach will manage the game clock. FCA Sports does not officially keep score in these divisions. Coach Meeting Head coaches are required to meet before the game to discuss game management and establish a team-focused approach. The goal is for both coaches to work together so the athletes can have fun, stay safe, and learn the game. Starting and Restarting Play A kickoff is taken from the center circle at the beginning of each half and after a goal. The first touch does not have to travel forward. A goal may not be scored directly from a kickoff. At the beginning of a new 6-minute period, play will restart with the team that had possession when the previous period ended. If the ball remains live inside the goal arc during a scoring attempt, the offensive team may finish the play. Throw-Ins Throw-ins will be used when the ball crosses the sideline. Coaches should use incorrect throw-ins as teaching opportunities while keeping the game moving. Corner Kicks A corner kick is awarded when the defending team last touches the ball before it crosses the end line. Defending players must remain at least six adult strides away from the ball until it is put into play. Goal Kicks Goal kicks are taken from the end line. The defending team must retreat to midfield and remain there until the ball is put into play. Fouls and Free Kicks General fouls include: Handballs Pushing Tripping Dangerous play These fouls will result in a direct free kick from the location of the foul. All opposing players must remain at least four adult strides away from the ball until it is put back into play. Coaches must explain all rule violations to the player involved. A player who commits two fouls resulting in direct free kicks during the same game must sit out for the remainder of the game. Handballs are excluded from this rule. Player and Spectator Misconduct Misconduct by players or spectators will be reported to the FCA Sports League Director. If a player is required to sit out because of misconduct or aggressive or dangerous play, a meeting will be held with the player’s family, coach, and League Director. Goal-Area Development Coaches should teach defenders not to remain directly in front of the goal for the entire game. Defenders may protect the goal area but must remain outside the goal arc unless the ball enters the arc. Recommended Positions Ages 4–5 Coaches are encouraged to use: One defensive player Three offensive players The defensive player should stay primarily on their team’s defensive half of the field, while the offensive players stay primarily on the attacking half. Coaches may gradually introduce and rotate the defensive position throughout the game. Ages 6–7 Teams are required to play: Two offensive players Two defensive players Defensive players should stay primarily on their team’s defensive half of the field, while offensive players should stay primarily on the attacking half. The goal is to teach proper soccer spacing and positions while preventing all players from crowding around the ball in a “beehive.” Dangerous Play Players may not kick at the ball while lying or sitting on the ground. Player Equipment — Ages 4–7 Toe cleats are not permitted. Toe cleats are most commonly found on football, baseball, and lacrosse cleats. Athletes may wear warmer clothing underneath their uniforms. Warm hats and gloves are permitted. Jewelry should be removed whenever possible. Ages 8–9 and 10–12 Game Format Ages 8–9 Games are played 7 versus 7. Offside will not be called. Ages 10–12 Games are played 9 versus 9. Offside is in effect and will be called to the best ability of the referee crew. Goalkeepers are used in both divisions. Game Length and Substitutions Games consist of two 21-minute halves. Each half is divided into three 7-minute periods. The clock will stop every seven minutes for substitutions. Substitution periods should last no longer than 60 seconds. Substitution periods are not coaching timeouts. Coaches must ensure that every athlete plays at least 50% of the game. Halftime is five minutes. Teams will switch goals at halftime. Extended time will not be played. Players should have opportunities to play both offense and defense during the game. Pregame Meeting Head coaches are required to meet with the referees before the game to discuss game management. Coaches and referees should work together to create an environment focused on safety, fun, learning, and growth. Starting and Restarting Play A kickoff is taken from the center circle: At the beginning of each half After a goal is scored The first touch does not have to travel forward. The player taking the kickoff may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player. A goal may not be scored directly from a kickoff. Before the kickoff: Both teams must be on their own half of the field. The opposing team must remain outside the center circle. Players must remain in position until the first touch is made. The team that did not begin the game with the kickoff will begin the second half with the kickoff. End-of-Period Restarts When a period ends, the team that had possession will restart play from the appropriate location. The restart may be: A throw-in A goal kick A corner kick Ball In and Out of Play The entire ball must cross the boundary line to be considered out of play. If any part of the ball remains on or above the line, play will continue. Throw-Ins During the first game of the season, athletes will receive one additional attempt after an incorrect throw-in before possession is awarded to the other team. After the grace period, an incorrect throw-in will result in a turnover. Referees will work to keep the game moving. Extended instruction should be handled by the head coach rather than stopping the game repeatedly. Goal Kicks Goal kicks are taken from the top of the goal box. Any player may take the goal kick. Opponents are encouraged to retreat to their own half of the field. The team taking the goal kick does not have to wait for the opposing team to retreat. The ball is in play after it has been kicked out of the penalty area. Goalkeeper Rules Goalkeepers may use their hands inside the penalty area. Goalkeepers may not pick up a ball that was intentionally kicked back to them by a teammate. Goalkeeper drop kicks are permitted in both divisions. Corner Kicks A corner kick is awarded when the defending team last touches the ball before it crosses the end line. Opposing players must remain at least seven adult strides away from the ball until it is put into play. Offside Offside is not enforced in the 8–9 division. Offside is enforced in the 10–12 division. Offside will be called to the best ability of the referee crew. Penalty Kicks A penalty kick will be awarded when the defending team commits a direct-free-kick foul inside its own penalty area. Indirect Free-Kick Fouls An indirect free kick may be awarded for: Obstructing or impeding an opponent Extending an arm to prevent an opponent from moving toward the ball Preventing an opponent from getting off the ground High kicking above the waist of an opposing player Delaying the game A goalkeeper handling a ball intentionally passed back by a teammate Intentionally heading the ball Shoulder-to-shoulder challenges are permitted when performed safely. Direct Free-Kick Fouls A direct free kick may be awarded for: Handball, including contact with the arm below the shoulder Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent Hitting or attempting to hit an opponent Pushing Charging Tripping Jumping at an opponent Holding an opponent Unsportsmanlike conduct Slide tackling Kicking at the ball while on the ground when the referee considers the action dangerous Opposing players must remain at least eight adult strides away from the ball until it is put into play. Major Fouls and Player Removal The referee or coach should explain rule violations to the player involved. A player who commits two major fouls during the same period must sit out. A player who commits two fouls resulting in direct free kicks during the same game must sit out for the remainder of the game. Handballs are excluded from this rule. Misconduct Misconduct by players or spectators will be reported to the FCA Sports League Director. If a player is required to sit out because of misconduct or aggressive or dangerous play, a meeting will be held with the player’s parent or guardian, coach, and League Director. Slide Tackling and Heading Slide tackling is not permitted. Intentional heading is not permitted. Scoring Own goals will count. A goal may only be scored from the attacking team’s offensive half of the field. A goal may not be scored directly from a kickoff or goal kick. This rule encourages athletes to pass the ball and play as a team instead of attempting to score from the opposite end of the field. Player Equipment — Ages 8–12 Toe cleats are not permitted. Toe cleats are most commonly found on football, baseball, and lacrosse cleats. Athletes may wear warmer clothing underneath their uniforms. Warm hats and gloves are permitted. Hoodies are discouraged. Bracelets and rings are not permitted. Earrings should be removed during games whenever possible. A newly pierced ear may have one small post if removal is not possible. The post must be covered with athletic tape on both sides of the earlobe.
July 8, 2026 • 6 Minute Read
Volleyball Rules
FCA Volleyball Game Rules & Regulations REGULATIONS: Each team will have a 10 minute warmup before their match 4 minutes shared for ball-handling/stretching 2 minutes each full court to themselves (team serving first for the match will get the first 2 minutes) 2 minutes shared serving. All divisions will be based on time. For the first two sets, the team to the left of the scorekeeper will serve first. If match is tied 1-1, a coin toss will determine which team serves first in set 3. The winner of the coin toss may decide on serve/receive or side. If the winner of the coin toss chooses serve or receive, the loser of the coin toss will get to choose which side they play on. If the winner of the coin toss chooses which side they play on, the loser of the coin toss will get to choose whether their team serves or receives first. If first two sets are won by one team, a 3rd set can be played if time permits. Skip a coin toss, teams can stay on the same side, and the team down 0-2 may serve first. Matches will end after 60 minutes. If a set ends with less than 8 minutes left on the clock, a new set will not be played. If there is about 8-12 minutes left on the clock, teams can play an abbreviated set to 11 points, cap at 11. This just allows for opportunity to play. There will be one (30 second) time out per team, per set. Unused timeouts will not carry over to new sets. Rally scoring will be used for every game. Teams must win by two (2) points, with a cap of 27 points for the first two sets and 17 for the third set. Teams will get a minute and a half (90 seconds) between sets, whether they are switching sides or not. AGE DIVISION REGULATIONS Age Division Net Height Game Length Ball Size: 8-9: 6’8 | 2 out of 3 (25-25-15) or 60 minutes | Volley Lite 10-12: 6’8 | 2 out of 3 (25-25-15) or 60 minutes | Volley Lite RULES SERVING All players should strive to successfully serve from behind the end line (it may not happen during the season). The server may not serve until the referee has blown the whistle. Overhand and underhand serves are allowed. All serves should be progressive until service line is reached. Any serve that contacts the ceiling, net, or basketball backboard (and doesn’t go over) is an automatic side out. However, there are accommodations for this league (see below). Serving by Age divisions: In the 8-9 y.o. division, players may step 10’- 15’ into the court as needed for player success. If a player is able to serve the ball over the net, then 10’ in is preferred. The 15’ line is for novice players that need the additional help. Be gracious. In the 10-12 y.o. division, players are encouraged to step forward no more than 7’ into the court (about 3 steps). Please be gracious if a player needs a few more steps. When the serving team wins the rally, the player who served on that point serves again. For the 8-9 y.o. division, if the server wins 3 points in row, the opposing team rotates one position and gains the serve. The opposing team does NOT receive a sideout point. For the 10-12 y.o. division, if the server wins 5 points in row, the opposing team rotates one position and gains the serve. The opposing team does NOT receive a sideout point. After the whistle, the server is allowed to commit tossing errors (letting the ball bounce without hitting it or catching the ball after tossing it up for a serve) per serve. Be gracious to opposing players, but encourage players to progressively work on only getting one re-serve. For every new service turn, all players are allowed a second service attempt, if their first attempt did not cross over the net. Should first serve clear, or go over the net, it is in play even if going out of bounds. A second attempt will NOT be allowed. For the 10-12 y.o. division, we will strongly encourage players to attempt their first serve overhand. If this first attempt does not clear, their second attempt can be another overhand try, or they may switch to underhand. If the overhand serve is successful, that player will have to take a step back per each successful serve until behind the service line (Coaches are to enforce this rule). GENERAL RULES Each team will have three (3) hits to return the ball. On a volley, if the ball contacts the ceiling, hoop, or anything attached to the ceiling, it still may be played as long as the ball comes down on the side of the court of the team who caused the contact, and that team still has one or more hits remaining. If the ball hits the ceiling and goes over the net, the ball is considered out of bounds. Side walls/backgrounds are at no time playable. All serves can be received with open hands. Serves may not be blocked or spiked. Centerline: a player can cross the centerline on a return or block if the player does not touch the net or interfere with the opposing player. Net violations will be called as a safety precaution following the same protocol, or while making an attempt on the ball. If any object disrupts a point, the whistle will stop play and a replay will be issued. Standard Volleyball Rules Reminders If two players contact the ball at the same time it is considered one hit. Either player may make the next contact. A ball hit over the net must cross between the two antennas. Players may run out of bounds to hit a ball back into playing area for other teammates to play. If any portion of the ball contacts a line it is considered “in”. SUBSTITUTIONS/ROTATIONS For the 8-9 y.o. and the 10-12 y.o. division, each team will start the game with six players on the court. The remaining players will rotate into play when a side-out is called. Players will sub in and out in the substitution zone between the 10-foot line and center line. Everyone on the team will serve. Looking forward, we will strive to get the 10-12 y.o. division doing standard substitutions. Each team will start the game with six players on the court. The remaining players will rotate into play using the NFHS/USAV high school substitution rule (coaches, please use the honor system). A player may only enter the set in one of six rotational positions. The player may not enter the court until the official signals to come in. Coaches, please be fair in giving as many players as possible the chance to play “all-around” and having their turn subbing in and out. Please be sure all players are getting a chance to serve.
