FAQ - Discovery Athletic Club

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register online?

There are two ways you can register:

Click on the “Register Here” button on the home page of the website.

OR

Click on “Shop” on the upper right top of the screen.

Select Open Play or Academy and answer all related questions. While you’re in the shopping area you can pick out any Discovery swag you may like.

When you’re finished, you should receive a confirmation email.

Can I join DAC if my child is already playing for another team or another sport?

Definitely!

We don’t card players and limit them to only one club. Some of our kids play exclusively with us but others play in other leagues around the city. As we don’t play at Heartland Soccer Association or any other organization you are free to join us with zero restrictions.

Multiple sports? YES! We encourage kids to try many activities and especially sports. We are fully aware of the studies showing it’s very healthy for the body and reduces injury when performing multiple types of motions. We are also working on adding in more youth (and adult) sports utilizing our philosophy so hopefully we can be your one-stop-shop for being healthy!

What size ball does my child need? What gear does my child need?
While we supply all of the balls needed at practice, you may wish to purchase one for home use. Children 8 and under will use a Size 3 while those 9 and over will use a size 4.

Gear is determined based upon safety so it is important you follow the proper guidelines.
- Soccer cleats to prevent slipping on the grass. Sharp turns are common in soccer so cleats will help prevent some falls. Football and baseball cleats are NOT allowed as they have a stud on the front that can be dangerous to other players. No metal studs are allowed at this age level.
- Shin Guards are required at all practices. There are many sizes and styles so take the time to find a pair that is comfortable for your child. Many kids don’t like the feeling of shin guards so a lightweight pair of socks can be worn under them and then a regular pair over the guards.
- Socks must be long enough to fully cover the shin guards. This is a safety issue so other cleats don’t get caught during a tackle.

Do I need a uniform?

How are teams divided? Who is my child's coach?

We don’t have set teams. Keeping everything in house allows us to constantly rotate players to create even competition across any age and gender.

The coaches work together each utilizing his/her own preferences and specialities. There is no HEAD or ASSISTANT coach so if you have a question you can ask anyone.

How will my child improve without playing outside teams or weekend games/tournaments?

Glad you asked. By keeping everything in house we can easily monitor each child’s development using our own club-wide philosophy and practice plans. This means everyone is on the same page and coaches aren’t skipping steps in the name of immediate winning.

Not playing outside games/tournaments is similar to the above answer. Too often teams are only out to “win now” and don’t play to improve at younger ages. This sets a bad example for long term athletic development (LATD).

How do I get involved if i want to help coach? Do I need a license? Is there an age restriction?

Reach out to lance@discoveryathleticclub.org or talk to Lance at any practice.

While some of our coaches have advanced licenses and diplomas, we don’t require any licensing or credentialing because we believe we can do a better job helping you to improve your coaching abilities than any generic governing body can. Having our own club-wide philosophy not only makes things easier for the kids but makes it easier to understand our style of play.

Unlike “competitive” clubs we don’t have the financial resources to pay our coaches thousands of dollars per team per year so if you want to join our team please note that you must be doing it because you love the game, love working with kids, and want to pass along your knowledge to the next generation.

The only age restriction we have for coaches is being of high school age. At times you’ll notice some high school players stop by to help out and get some service hours for graduation.

What is your club philosophy?
1. Everyone plays
2. Have fun
3. Learn how to play properly