What we’re about
Welcome to our pickup futbol group!
There is nothing better than people coming together for the sheer joy of...well, having fun! Fun is what futbol is all about. Yes, it's competitive and it's engaging! But, above all, its simply fun! That is why I would like to invite people like you, who share my love of the game, to come join us. Our games are usually held on weekdays and weekends. Keep an eye on the meetup site for details.
The group is entirely co-ed and all skill levels are invited. We do have a few basic ground rules that help to keep our games fun and safe. They're listed below. You'll need to read them and agree to follow them at all times in order to join our. I invite you to come join us.
We only ask for a small $10 per year contribution to help cover the cost of goals & other equipment.
VENMO ACCOUNT: @PickUpSoccer
_Tarás <br> Group Organizer
GROUP RULES <br>PLEASANTON PICKUP SOCCER GROUP
Each player, whether brand new or fairly seasoned, should know what to expect when he/she comes to our games. For that to happen, each player has to know the group rules. So, take a minute to read through the rules below.
RSVP ASAP
It’s a must to play. Your RSVP reserves your spot on the field for you and your guest(s), but only if you arrive on time. Spots are often limited by a healthy turnout for each game. So, if you can’t make it, be sure to change your RSVP ASAP so that a player waiting for an open spot gets a chance to play. If you RSVP, but show up more than 20 minutes after the posted game time, you may not be able to play (see below).
Guests
You can bring up to 2 guests to a game (Except some weekday games, which are in high demand). A guest can try out our group & see if they like us. If the guest wants to come to game 2+, he/she probably likes us. He/she will need to sign up for our group & RSVP to come to game 2+.
RSVP Cap
This is the maximum number of players allowed to RSVP to a game. The cap is set to keep the games fun for everyone by avoiding over-crowded fields.
Waiting List
Players trying to RSVP for a game that is already full will enter a waiting list. When a spot opens up, you will be automatically RSVP’d to the game. However, if you’d like to bring a guest, you will be automatically RSVP’d only when enough spots open up for you and your guest(s).
Wait-listed players and others who did not RSVP may also join our games IF players who did RSVP do not show up within 20 minutes of the posted game time.
Game Start Time
The posted game time is the intended arrival time, not the game-start time. We allow 15-20 minutes for people to arrive, stretch, lace up, and get ready to play. Sometimes, it takes a little longer. But, we try to get started as early as possible. If the game is scheduled for 8:00pm, you should aim to be on the field and ready to play by 8:15pm. We pick teams 20 minutes after the posted game time.
When is a player considered to be late?
If you are not on the field and ready to play (not getting ready to play) within 20 minutes of the posted game time, you are late.
Late-Arrival Policy
If you are late, you are not guaranteed to be able to play, regardless of whether or not you RSVP'd. When we start picking teams, we will choose from the players who are on the field and ready to play.
If you show up 20+ minutes after the posted start time, YOU CAN ONLY PLAY in the 2nd half of the game IF: (1) you do 30 pushups AND 30 squats upon arrival WHILE counting off out loud for everyone to hear; (2) you're willing to wait until half time to jump in; (3) the game has not reached the maximum players permitted. If you half-ass the pushups/squats (i.e. do less than 30 each or do not do complete ones), the group assistant organizers and I will interpret that to be disrespectful of the group rules and fellow players, which will be grounds for removal from the group, permanently.
No Shows
If you RSVP to a game but don’t show up, someone on the waitlist that wanted to play may not be able to because you did not hand over your spot. If you RSVP but later find out that you’re not able to come, please change your RSVP so that someone else gets a chance to play.
Players that do not show to a game after RSVPing will be warned on the first incident. But, we will remove players who repeatedly no-show. It's up to the Organizer's discretion to determine what constitutes as "repeated."
Attire & Equipment
All players are required to wear appropriate footwear and clothing for field sports. Each player should bring a light and dark shirt to every game (so we can easily break up into teams). Soccer cleats & shin guards are strongly recommended because they help to prevent injury. But, they are not required.
Good Sportsmanship
This group was formed for four main reasons:
To unite people in the enjoyment of the beautiful game of soccer, or fútbol, as you like;
To socialize, make new friends, and enjoy each other's company;
To get some exercise while having fun at the same time; &
To give players of all skill levels a safe and friendly environment to play in.
We can only accomplish our group purpose if everyone practices good sportsmanship at all times during our games. It’s a must. That means:
Welcoming and getting to know other players;
Helping with field setup and breakdown;
Passing the ball often (& not just to friends or people you’ve played with before);
Volunteering to play goal-keeper rather than waiting for someone to ask;
No aggressive behavior, negative comments about other players, whining, or excessive arguing over past plays; &
No dangerous plays, such as slide tackles, body checks, high kicks, & flying kicks or headers. No play, no matter how great, is worth the risk of hurting someone.
Our group is not about competitive league play. It’s about meeting new people, making new friends, enjoying a great game, and above all, having fun!
If you feel someone is treating you poorly or making you feel unwelcome on the field, please speak with an organizer, and we'll get it sorted out. We want all players to feel welcome and safe in our group.
Communication
E-mail is the primary way that we communicate with the group. So, all members must register a valid e-mail with Meetup.com. Players cannot effectively participate in the group, and they will be removed.
When discussing specific games, we often communicate through Meetup comments. So, be sure to check those out as well. For those of you with a smartphone, we recommend that you download the Meetup app. It’s free, and it will notify you when new comments and game changes are posted.
Inactivity
Inactive players are periodically removed from our roster. Any player who does not attend at least 1 game within 3 months is considered inactive. If you are removed due to inactivity, you can always re-apply to the group when you plan to become active again.
Removal Policy
If you get removed from the group for any reason, you may apply to re-join, but approval is not guaranteed. A second removal is likely to be permanent. If you are banned, you will not be allowed to re-join the group under any circumstances.
Enforcement Of Rules
The group organizers reserve the right to take any and all reasonable steps necessary to ensure that the above rules are respected by all group members in their broadest sense. All members are required to agree to the rules upon registration, and any member who fails to follow them may be removed from the group. Honestly, most of this stuff is common sense. We're not out to give anybody a hard time. We just want to make the group as enjoyable as possible for everyone. The rules help us do that, so please respect them.
Thank you for reading. If the rules sound fair to you and you agree to follow them, we invite you to become a part of our group.
Risk of Injury
Like most sports, playing futbol/soccer comes with the risk of serious injury. By agreeing to the above rules and participating in your games/events, you understand that there is a risk of injury to you, possibly through no fault of your own. By participating in our games/events you understand and agree that you may be seriously injured during our games/events.
