1.   Key Dates (subject to change)

 7/26: Registration for Fall CLOSES and our waitlist opens

 7/28: Deadline for submitting Coaches' Interest Form

 7/27: AHPD starts building teams and practice schedules

 8/3: Practice schedule assignments sent to you via email

 8/10: Deadline for confirming your practice schedule

 8/14: Rosters and practice schedules sent to you and team via email

 8/17: Mandatory Coaches Meeting 7:15pm @ ARC

 8/19: Deadline for sending Introduction email to team

 8/21: Game schedules go live on TeamSideline

 8/24: First week of practices

 8/29: First weekend of games

 10/17: Last weekend of games

 10/24: Reserved for make-up games

2.   Key Practice and Game Locations (Subject to Change)

Carefree Park 9v9 - Belmont Ave. & White Oak St.

Carousel Park 7v7 - 1925 E. Suffield Dr.

Dunton/D25 Admin 5v5 - 1200 S. Dunton

Frontier Park 7v7 - 1933 N. Kennicott Dr.

Heritage Park 7v7 - 506 W. Victoria Ln.

Miner/Windsor School 4v4 & 7v7- 1101 E. Miner St.

Recreation Park 4v4 & 5v5 – 500 E. Miner St.

Thomas Middle School 4v4 and 5v5 – 1430 N. Belmont Ave.

Wildwood Park 9v9 - 2321 N. Prindle Ave.

3.   How do I arrange my practice schedule?

ALL coaches regardless of commitment level must complete this Fall 2026 Coaching Interest Form. This form allows you to request a practice schedule and co-coach partnership that works best for you. Failure to complete this form before July 24^th forfeits your ability to make said requests. Please do not send your preferences via email.

4.   How often do we practice?

Each team is given one 1-hour time slot per week to practice. Keep in mind, as coach, you are fully within your right to cancel practice if need be. You may request a make-up time slot, however they cannot be guaranteed.

5.   Will my practice or game be cancelled due to bad weather?

Most importantly, please be patient. ALWAYS assume everything is still on unless you’ve heard otherwise. If a cancellation has been determined, the coaches are the FIRST people to find out. If you haven’t received a notification, it is because a decision has not been made. Note: Soccer is played in the rain, wind, and cold. Only lightning and extreme, dangerous weather conditions will warrant cancellations.

Practice cancellations will be left to the coach’s discretion. Given the last-minute nature of weather-related cancellations, please allow up to 3 days before expecting communication regarding make-ups. Make-up practices cannot be guaranteed.

Game cancellations may only be decided by the park district or the referees. While cancellations will be communicated as soon as possible, we cannot guarantee advanced notice. Save the weekend of October 24^th-25^th for make-up games.

6.   How will I know about a cancellation?

All cancellations will be communicated through our automated email system in TeamSideline and via online alert site Rainout Line - Extensions.

7.   How are teams decided?

We primarily place players on teams based on reciprocal friend requests and school enrollment. A coach’s child will automatically be assigned to the same team. Rosters are typically rolled over from previous seasons.

8.   Who is the head coach vs. assistant coach?

We do not assign head coach or assistant coach positions. Please work with your co-coach(es) to determine responsibilities as you see fit.

9.   When and where are the games?

The game schedule will go live on TeamSideline - House Soccer no later than August 21^st.

Most games are played on Saturdays in the morning or early afternoon, starting no earlier than 9am. Sunday games may be added depending on the number of teams in a given division and will start no earlier than 11am. Teams may have bye weeks or double header weekends. See Key Practice and Game Locations above for field directions and information.

10. How do we get our player jerseys?

Players may wear the same jersey year after year. Any player who needs a new jersey may buy one for $20 at Pioneer Park’s front desk during their business hours. Jerseys requested/purchased at the time of registration will be distributed by each team’s coach(es) at the first practice of the season.

11. Is there any equipment provided for coaches?

Each team will receive an equipment bag containing 10 cones, a clip-board, a soccer ball, a goalie pinnie, a first-aid kit, and goalie gloves. We ask that all equipment bags be returned to Pioneer at the end of the season.

12.   What is covered in the Coaches Meeting?

We review general topics such as division-specific rules, program philosophy, expectations, logistics, coaching tips, and more. We will also hand out equipment bags, criminal background check forms, and coaching T-shirts for any new coaches.

Monday, August 17^th at 7:15pm  at the Arlington Ridge Center

If you have any additional questions or concerns please contact:

Laura Husko - Athletic Supervisor - Lhusko@ahpd.org - (847) 506-2734 OR

Teagan Boyle – Athletic Coordinator – tboyle@ahpd.org – (847) 577-3015



1.. Rainout Line App 

Download the free Rainout Line app from your phone’s app store

In the search box, type Arlington Heights Park District or 60004

Select AHPD

Scroll the list for Aces House Soccer League

Highlight the star to remember the location for future viewing

2. Online/Web - www.Rainoutline.com

From any computer or mobile browser visit www.rainoutline.com

·In the search box, type Arlington Heights Park District or 60004

Select Arlington Heights Park District

Scroll the list for Aces House Soccer League

Highlight the star to remember the location for future viewing

3. Call the Rainout Hotline

Dial 847-574-2233 

When prompted, enter extension 28 for Aces House Soccer updates

More information coming soon

ARLINGTON ACES HOUSE LEAGUE SOCCER RULES

IFAB Laws of the Game apply except as modified below

YOUTH SPORTS PHILOSOPHY

The AHPD Aces House League program is designed to give young athletes a safe, fun, and supportive environment to learn and play soccer. While all sports at all levels have a competitive element, our rec league will decentralize scoring, winning, and losing whenever possible in favor of teamwork, participation, and learning. 

This program is designed for beginner to mid-level young players. For players seeking a more competitive level and style of play, the Park District offers a Travel level Aces program to help more advanced players improve their technical skills in a competitive environment.

All rules and procedures are designed and enforced with this philosophy in mind.

GAME CONDUCT

1.      Be ready to play on time! Referees will not delay kick-off for missing/late players or coaches.

2.      At least one coach must be present for each team; if a coach is ejected by the referee and no coach is present to continue the game, the coach-less team must forfeit.

3.      No one — coaches, players, or spectators — may stand behind either team’s end line. Parents and spectators must stay on one sideline, with coaches and players on the other. All attendees and participants must remain at least 5 yards from the mid-line and 10 feet from the sideline.

4.      Both teams should line up and high-five at the conclusion of the game. The AHPD will harshly and swiftly deal with any observed or reported unsportsmanlike conduct during this period. This applies to players, coaches, and spectators.

5.      No players or coaches will be allowed onto the field without referee permission. Spectators are not allowed onto the field of play. The penalty for any such offense will be a Yellow Card. If a player is injured, the referee will stop play to allow for spectator/coach assistance.

6.      When an injury leads to a stoppage in play and requires assistance from an adult, the injured player must leave the field. The referee must check and clear any injured players before they can return to play. Players with suspected head injuries MAY NOT return to play. This applies to all divisions.

7.      For 5^th to 8^th grade divisions, play will not automatically stop unless a referee determines an injury is severe and/or urgent. Otherwise, the player will be checked at the next whistle.

RULES – BY DIVISION

See Rules – Explained below for detailed definitions and guidelines.

Kindergarten - 4v4

Game duration: Four 8-minute quarters; 2-min break between quarters and 5-minute break at half-time.

Number of players: 4 max / 3 min

Ball Size: Size 3

Field size: 40 x 35 yards

Goalkeeper: None

Scoring: Goals may only be scored from the attacking half of the field. If a player takes a shot from the defending half of the field and scores without another player (from either team) touching the ball, no goal is awarded.

Substitutions: Allowed at any stoppage in play with referee permission/attention.

Penalty Kicks: None; an indirect kick will be awarded instead.

Throw/Kick-ins: No throw-ins. All out-of-bounds calls will result in the non-offending team taking a kick-in at the point that the ball went out of bounds.

Goal-Kicks: Can be taken from any point on the goal line.

Offside: Not enforced

Build-Out Line: Not enforced

Heading: No intentional heading allowed; penalty will be indirect kick at point of infringement.

1^st Grade - 5v5

Game duration: Four 10-minute quarters; 2-min break between quarters and 5-min break at halftime.

Number of Players: 5 max (including goalkeeper) / 3 min

Goalkeeper: Yes; no punting

Ball size: Size 3

Field Size: 40 x 35 Yards

Goal width: 4 yards

Scoring: Goals may be scored from anywhere on the field, excluding indirect kicks/throws.

Substitutions: Players may be subbed at any appropriate stoppage in play.

Penalty Kicks: None; indirect kick will be awarded instead.

Throw/Kick-ins: No throw-ins. All out-of-bounds calls will result in the non-offending team taking a kick-in at the point that the ball went out of bounds.

Goal Kicks: Taken from halfway between the goal and penalty lines.

Offside: Not enforced

Build-out line: Enforced

Heading: No intentional heading allowed; penalty will be indirect kick at point of infringement or on the goal line if the infringement occurs within the penalty area.

2^nd Grade - 7v7

Game duration: Two 25-minute halves

Number of players: 7 max (including goalkeeper) / 4 min

Goalkeeper: Yes; no punting

Ball size: Size 4

Field size: 60 x 40 yards

Goal width: 6 yards

Scoring: Goals may be scored from anywhere on the field, excluding indirect kicks/throw-ins.

Substitutions: The clock will not stop for substitutions. Referees will stop play approximately halfway through each half to allow for substitutions, but players may be subbed at any appropriate stoppage in play.

Penalty kicks: Yes, at the referee’s discretion.

Throw/kick-ins: Throw-in, two attempts allowed.

Goal kicks: By the rule

Off-sides: Not enforced

Build-out line: Enforced

Heading: No intentional heading allowed

3^rd/4^th Grade - 7v7

Game duration: Two 25-minute halves

Number of players: 7 max (including goalkeeper) / 4 min

Goalkeeper: Yes; no punting

Ball Size: Size 4

Field Size: 60 x 40 yards

Goal width: 6 yards

Scoring: Goals may be scored from anywhere on the field, excluding indirect kicks/throw-ins.

Substitutions: The clock will not stop for substitutions. Referees will stop play approximately halfway through each half to allow for substitutions, but players may be subbed at any appropriate stoppage in play.

Penalty kicks: Yes, by the rule.

Throw/kick-ins: Throw-ins, one attempt.

Goal-kicks: By the rule

Off-sides: Enforced

Build-out line: Enforced

Heading: No intentional heading

5^th/6^th Grade - 9v9

Game duration: Two 30-minute halves

Number of players: 9 max (including goalkeeper) / 6 min

Goalkeeper: Yes; punting allowed

Ball size: Size 4

Field size: 80 x 55 yards

Goal width: 7 yards

Scoring: Goals may be scored from anywhere on the field, excluding indirect kicks/throw-ins.

Substitutions: The clock will not stop for substitutions; referees will notify both teams’ coaches approximately 3-4 minutes before the midpoint in each half so coaches can plan their subbing. Players may substitute at any appropriate stoppage in play.

Penalty kicks: Yes, by the rule.

Throw/kick-ins: Throw-ins, one attempt.

Goal-kicks: By the rule

Off-sides: Enforced

Build-out line: Not enforced

Heading: No intentional heading

7^th/8^th Grade - 9v9*

Game duration: Two 30-minute halves

*Number of players: 9 max (including goalie) / 6 min

Goalkeeper: Yes; punting allowed

Ball size: Size 5

*Field size: 80 x 55 yards

*Goal width: 7 yards

Scoring: Goals may be scored from anywhere on the field, excluding indirect kicks/throw-ins.

Substitutions: The clock will not stop for substitutions; referees will notify both teams’ coaches approximately 3-4 minutes before the mid-point in each half so coaches can plan their subbing. Players may substitute at any appropriate stoppage in play.

Penalty kicks: Yes, by the rule.

Throw/kick-ins: Throw-ins, one attempt.

Goal-kicks: By the rule

Off-sides: Enforced

Build-out line: Not enforced

Heading: No intentional heading allowed

*Number of players and field size are subject to change based on enrollment.

RULES - EXPLAINED

Substitutions

Substitutions may be made at dead-ball situations. Common dead-ball scenarios are:

-         Throw-ins/Kick-ins

-         Goal kicks

-         After a goal has been scored

-         During an injury-related stoppage

-         After a player receives a Yellow Card (only the player who received the card may be subbed)

All substitutions must be made with the referee’s attention and permission.

Throw-ins

In order for a throw-in to be considered legal and allowable, the following criteria must be met:

1.      Player must have both hands on the ball for the entirety of the movement

2.      Both feet must stay on the ground for the entire movement

3.      No part of a player's body, or the ball, can cross onto the field until the ball is released

If a player’s throw-in does not meet the criteria above, the throw-in will be transferred to the opposing team. 2^nd Grade teams are given two attempts before a throw-in is transferred.

Heading

Based on recent rule changes favoring the safety of young athletes, absolutely no deliberate heading will be allowed in AHPD House Soccer, regardless of age, level, or technique. Referees are instructed to penalize players for attempting to head the ball, even if contact is not directly made.

If a ball deflects off of a players head unintentionally, no call will be made.

Offside

“Offside” refers to the position of a player who is not in possession of the ball. A player is in an offside position if they are standing on the attacking half of the field, behind the opposing team’s last field defender. I.e., the closest player to Team A’s goalie is Team B’s forward.

An offside call will be made if the ball is passed to a player who is in an offside position. Penalty is an indirect free-kick for the opposing team in-line with the offside player’s position at the time of the call.

Build-out Line

The Build-out line is a line between the goal box and half-field. Any time a goalkeeper takes possession, or anytime a defending team has a goal kick, all attacking players must move behind the Build-out line.

The attacking team has 6 seconds to drop behind the Build-out line after the defending team has possession. If a team takes longer than 6 seconds to drop back, the team’s coach will receive a verbal warning. If delays continue, the team’s coach will receive a Yellow Card.

If a team does not drop back in time, the defending team will also be given the chance to move their goal kick or goalie restart into an indirect kick from any point on the Build-out line.

Equipment/Attire

All players are required to meet the following criteria in order to play:

-         Footwear must be soccer cleats (recommended) or flat-sole gym shoes. Cleats with metal spikes or toe spikes are not allowed.

-         Aces reversible jerseys must be worn on the field at all times. Home teams wear white while away teams wear navy blue.

-         Goalkeepers must wear a brightly colored jersey/pennie that is not blue or white. Pennies are provided for this purpose.

-         Shin guards are mandatory, and must be fully covered by soccer socks.

-         Non-sports glasses must be secured with an athletic strap behind a players head. Contact lenses and sports goggles are allowed.

-         Players are permitted to wear soft layers and/or knit beanies in addition to their uniform during cold weather. All hoods must be tucked under jerseys.

-         No watches, bracelets, necklaces, or hard hair clips are allowed. Earrings must be covered by athletic tape or bandages. Medical alert bracelets should be taped and secured to the body.

-         Casts and braces must be covered by soft material, and may not contain any sharp or metal elements.

Violations and Penalties

To ensure safety and sportsmanlike conduct, the following penalties have been established

If a coach is shown a Red Card – he/she will receive a minimum 30-day suspension, with potential expulsion from the league. Red-carded coaches must leave the park and vicinity immediately.

If a player is shown a Red Card – he/she will receive a 1-game suspension for the first offense. Any subsequent offenses will result in a 3-game suspension.

Any red-card suspensions incurred at the end of a season will be rolled over and served at the beginning of the following season.

Please contact Teagan Boyle with any rules-related questions or concerns