HOW TEAMS ARE FORMED & NEED FOR COACHES FOR GRADES 1-8:

1. Grade 1-8 Divisions: Coaches* for the teams in each division (Grades 1/2, Grades 3/4, Grades 5/6 & Grades 7/8) pick the teams. We also get as much input as possible from those familiar with player skill levels in each division (i.e., from travel team coaches, our travel director and director of coaching). We do our best to select balance teams based on skill levels. Other factors include:

• The number of boys and girls will be balanced as much as possible on the teams.
• Every effort is made to honor family requests for siblings to be on the same team and carpool requests for players with longer drives (e.g., Cannon Falls, Red Wing, Ellsworth).
• For the older divisions, coaches try to have players they know are willing to be goalies on each team.

* Coaches for grades 1-8 divisions are high school student volunteers for as many teams as possible. With the success of the indoor program, and the growing number of teams, we will likely also need some parent coach volunteers. Both high school players and parents can note interest in coaching when registering for the indoor coed rec soccer program. If a high school student is not playing this year, or a parent missed the spot to note coaching interest, email Indoor Coed Rec Coordinator Ceil Strauss to note interest.

Note: Being an indoor coed rec soccer coach can count for the required volunteer hours for HFC travel families or for service hours (i.e., for HS National Honor Society, church-related requirements, etc.).

2. High School Division: High School player captains pick the teams. We have a boy and girl captain for each team (if enough captain volunteers). Within a few days of the registration deadline the captains choose the teams. Other factors considered:

• The number of boys and girls on each team are balanced as much as possible.
• Every effort is made to honor family requests for siblings to be on the same team and carpool requests for players with longer drives (e.g., Cannon Falls, Red Wing, Ellsworth).
• Note that some captains focus on skill levels and others focus on having a "fun" team. If a player didn't like the team balance last season, volunteer to be a captain this season!