Capitol Hill League

Winter Indoor Capitol Hill League

Welcome to the Winter Indoor Capitol Hill League, a thrilling and engaging experience designed for children from preschool to 7th grade. From January 3rd to February 23rd, we invite your child to join our Futsal league, where the passion for soccer comes alive. 

At our league, we prioritize the essence of fun, friendship, and personal growth. From the moment your child steps onto the field, they'll embark on an exciting journey of games, laughter, and skill development. Our focus is on creating a positive and inclusive environment where every child can thrive. All players will have the opportunity to expand their social circle, meeting new friends who share a common passion for soccer.

League Schedule

Dates: January 3 - February 23 (8 weeks)

Time: Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays (all games will be inside)

  • Preschool Girls on Sundays @9:30-10:30 am at St Coletta of Greater Washington

  • Preschool Boys on Sundays @10:30-12:30 pm at St Coletta of Greater Washington

  • K-1st Grade Girls on Sundays @12:30-2:30 pm at St Coletta of Greater Washington

  • K-1st Grade Boys on Sundays @2:30-7:30 pm at St Coletta of Greater Washington

*Location and times for 2nd grade and up are currently being finalized and will be available soon. Stay tuned – registration will open in just a few days!

Ages & Game Day Format:

  • Preschool (ages 3-5): playing 3v3 and 4v4 | 8 players max

  • Kindergarten - 1st grade (ages 5-7): Futsal 5v5 | 10 players max

  • 2nd-3rd grade (ages 7-9): Futsal 5v5 | 10 players max

  • 4th-5th grade (ages 9-11): Futsal 5v5 | 10 players max

  • 6th-7th grade (ages 11-13): Futsal 5v5 | 10 players max

Girls can play in Boys Leagues!

Locations:

  • Please note that during the winter league, participants may attend games at various locations.

Price: Individual Spot $235

What to Bring: indoor shoes, water bottle, shin guards (optional)

Rules: The game is 40 minutes long. Teams will do a 10-minute warm-up, 20-minute halves, and 5-minute breaks. Each team will have a 1-minute timeout each half.

Coaches: All of the DC Way coaches are certified soccer coaches with extensive experience working with children. Our coaches have all passed mandatory background checks, have at least two years of experience working with children, and have received First Aid training.

*If a team wants to register, please email Coach Denis at denis@dcwayacademy.org.

Our youngest preschool players will play small-sided games 3v3 and 4v4. Before their match, we will do a short session working on important soccer skills such as passing, dribbling, balance, concentration, and more. But our older players, kindergarten through 7th grades, will play 5v5 which means playing FUTSAL!

WHAT IS FUTSAL?

It is a small-sided, indoor variation of soccer. Futsal is a form of soccer that is played indoors on a basketball-sized court with a low-bounce ball and is FIFA's official indoor soccer game. This game has no walls in play, which is a fun and proven way to develop skills and techniques. This fast-paced, exciting game is excellent for mastering creative footwork, ball control, touch, speed of play, quick thinking, dribbling, balance, concentration, decision-making, and passing in small spaces. Futsal also helps to build confidence and appreciation for teamwork!

WHY ARE WE OFFERING FUTSAL FOR K-7TH GRADES?

  • Futsal builds players’ confidence which leads to creativity. The game is played with a small number of players which allows more touches on the ball.

  • It teaches a good habit to keep the ball on the ground. Since it is harder to kick the futsal ball in the air, players keep it on the floor.

  • It improves players’ quickness of thought and decision-making. Due to the fast surface of the gym, tight spaces in games, and high-pressure situations, players make better and quicker decisions.

  • Players learn to keep possession. Since there are no walls in futsal, players try to keep possession instead of kicking the ball down the field.

The Winter Indoor Capitol Hill League combines at least 3 of these components:

  • We offer a different game format for every game day that will teach players technical, tactical, psychological, and mental skills in an entertaining and competitive environment.

  • We highlight one skill in each game (creativity, decision-making, shooting, dribbling, best touch, teamwork, and many others).

  • The league has all aspects of the game (with rules, scores, refs, etc).

  • The league is a good substitute for street soccer. Our players get the opportunity to make all the decisions on their own and are not being coached during the games.

In previous years, many school teams and neighborhood teams competed in our league and we hope to see more sign-ups this year! Each team will need a parent manager for sideline managing. Each game will be refereed by a DC Way coach who will run the game. We will offer one thematic activity before the game or during halftime. Each week, we will focus on a new topic such as:

  • Team chemistry

  • Space awareness

  • Dribbling and running with the ball

  • Change of direction

  • Passing and teamwork

  • Shooting

  • Creativity and anticipation

  • Defensive skills

  • Shielding

  • 1v1 moves

We focus on small-sided games. These games let children touch more often and make more decisions with the ball never too far away. Here are some statistics on small-sided games:

  • 300% more att. moves in 4v4 than in 8v8

  • 4x more touches in 4v4 than in 11v11

  • 3x more 1v1 situations in 4v4 than in 11v11

  • Ball in play 26% more in 4v4 than in 11v11

  • 135% more passes in 4v4 than in 8v8

  • Goal scored every 1.5 minutes in 4v4; 3.6 minutes in 8v8

All of the DC Way Academy coaches are certified soccer coaches with extensive experience working with children. Our coaches have all passed mandatory background checks, have at least two years of experience working with children, and have received First Aid training.

At DC Way Academy, we track players’ development in 4 different environments — practices (training), own development (homework), games (all kinds), and street soccer (with no supervision and total freedom). By analyzing each area carefully, we are better able to design a curriculum based on each player’s needs and develop a plan on how to maximize our players’ abilities.

Street soccer has been instrumental in developing world-class players. Nowadays children don't have the ability to play street soccer so we have to bring conditions where they can just play, learn from their own mistakes, and accumulate lots of soccer hours. Therefore, the main philosophy of our league is on enjoyment and freedom of expression with little coach involvement during the crucial moments.

Code of Conduct

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PLAYERS

As a Player I will:

  • Ensure that I arrive on time for all games.

  • Always play by the rules.

  • Wear the assigned uniform.

  • Respect referees and the decisions they make.

  • Understand the rules of the game.

  • Listen and follow the instructions of the coaching staff.

  • Respect my teammates and opponents at all times.

  • Not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct or negative communication with players, coaching staff, or families of the opposing team.

  • Maintain a positive attitude during all games.

  • Immediately report any injury to the coaching staff.

  • Never use vulgar or profane language.

  • Not engage in negative comments towards players or teams through any social networking sites.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS & GUARDIANS

As a Parent/Guardian I will:

  • Read, understand, and adhere to all applicable club policies.

  • Ensure the player arrives at games on time.

  • Not pressure my child in any way – I know that this is their game, not mine.

  • Applaud good plays/performances by both my child’s team and their opponents.

  • Not criticize game referees.

  • Encourage my child to respect the efforts of their opponents.

  • Not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct or negative communication with players, coaching staff, or families of the opposing team.

  • Communicate with respect to scheduling or any logistical concerns with the team manager.

  • Give positive comments that motivate and encourage continued effort.

  • Focus on my child’s and their team’s efforts and performance – not the score.

  • Learn the rules of the game.

  • Thank the coaches, officials, and other volunteers who give up their time to conduct the event for my child.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COACHES AND MANAGERS

As a Coach/Manager I will:

  • Never place the value of winning before the safety and welfare of all players.

  • Always show respect for players, other coaches, and game referees.

  • Lead by example, demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship at all times.

  • Be a positive role model for players and parents, by consistently acting in a positive, controlled, and mature manner.

  • Never use abusive or insulting language. I will treat everyone with dignity.

  • Not tolerate inappropriate behavior, regardless of the situation.

  • Provide a positive, enjoyable atmosphere for the players and parents.

  • Maintain the safety and well-being of their players.

  • Ensure that the competition site is safe at all times.

  • Be prepared to act quickly and appropriately in case of an emergency.

  • Encourage parents to support the team with their presence as much as possible.

  • Provide necessary guidance and equipment at games.

  • Discipline players in a fair and consistent manner.

  • Refrain from making negative comments about other coaches, players, parents, and referees.

  • Ensure that everyone is treated equally, regardless of age, color, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, place of origin, language, religion, athletic potential, disability, family status, gender identity, gender expression, sex, and sexual orientation.