REAL LANSING FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Parent & Player Handbook

Fall 2026 Season

Our Mission

To provide every child with the opportunity to play soccer in an environment that develops the whole person—academically, athletically, and socially—regardless of financial background or playing experience.

Table of Contents

  1. Welcome to the RLFL

  2. Why the RLFL?

  3. Who Can Play?

  4. League Format

  5. Player Evaluation Days

  6. Developing the Whole Player

  7. A Week in the RLFL

  8. Parent Code of Conduct

  9. Player Code of Conduct

  10. Coach Expectations

  11. Safety & Weather Policies

  12. Equipment & Uniforms

  13. Frequently Asked Questions

  14. Contact Information

1. Welcome to the RLFL - Register Here!

Welcome to the Real Lansing Football League! This is a grassroots soccer training program, delivered by Real Lansing Football Club. Learn more about our club at www.reallansingfc.org

We're excited to have your family join a community that believes soccer should be accessible, educational, and fun.

The RLFL was created to remove barriers that prevent children from playing the world's game while providing an environment where every player can improve both on and off the field.

Whether your child has never kicked a soccer ball before or has years of experience, our goal is the same:

Help them develop.

Help them enjoy the game.

Help them become better people.

2. Why the RLFL?

Every child deserves the opportunity to play soccer.

Unfortunately, rising costs, busy schedules, and increasing financial barriers have made youth sports inaccessible for many families.

The Real Lansing Football League was created to change that.

We believe children and their families shouldn't have to choose between academics and athletics. We believe soccer should be accessible to every family. Most importantly, we believe youth sports should help children become better players, better students, and better people.

Our goal isn't simply to build great players.

Our goal is to build great people.

More Than Soccer

Soccer is a team sport that teaches leadership, resilience, teamwork, discipline, and confidence.

Those lessons become even more powerful when paired with academic success.

That's why every RLFL practice day includes tutoring or enrichment before players step onto the field. We want our players to succeed on and off the pitch.

Development Over Results

Our coaches teach players how to think, solve problems, and play creatively—not simply how to win the next game.

Mistakes are part of learning, and we provide a supportive environment to learn from mistakes.

Success is measured by growth, not goals.

Our Vision

The RLFL is the foundation of Real Lansing Football Club.

Our long-term vision is to serve more than 1,000 young players across Lansing, while creating a pathway from recreational soccer to our Elite teams and beyond.

3. Who Can Play?

The RLFL is open to everyone.

Eligibility

  • Players born between 2011–2018

  • Boys and girls divisions

  • No residency requirements

  • No previous soccer experience required

  • Players from all clubs are welcome

  • We hold the right to make exceptions to this rule for players older or younger than these ages

Ninth-grade students who are not participating on a high school soccer team may be eligible. Please contact us to discuss your situation: admin@reallansingfc.org

Registration

  • FREE registration 

  • Approximately 500 roster spots for Fall 2026

  • Registration remains open until teams are full

Friend Requests

Players may request to play with friends during Player Evaluation Days.

We'll do our best to honor requests while maintaining balanced teams.

4. League Format (August 31 - October 31)

Boys

Each age group includes:

  • 6 teams: 

  • 3 Division 1 teams, and 3 Division 2 teams

Age Groups for Fall 2026:

  • U9–U10 (7v7)

  • U11–U12 (9v9)

  • U13–U15 (11v11)

Girls

Each age group includes:

  • 3 teams

  • One division

Age Groups:

  • U9–U10

  • U11–U12

  • U13–U15

Regular Season

Boys:

  • Play every team in their division once.

  • Play two crossover matches against local area teams.

  • All teams qualify the RLFC Halloween Open Cup.

Girls:

  • Play every team twice.

  • Play two outside opponents from the local area.

  • All teams qualify for the RLFC Halloween Open Cup.

RLFC Halloween Open Cup

The season concludes with our championship event, held on October 31st.

  • Pool Play: All teams in a division will be in the same group, playing most of the teams, if not all, teams in the pool.

  • Pool winners advance directly to the Championship Match

  • Second and third place compete in a penalty shootout for the second championship match berth

Every team participates.

No League Standings

We will not keep league standings.

Our focus is player development—not league tables.

5. Player Evaluation Days

Player Evaluation Days help us create balanced teams.

No players are cut.

Players participate in:

  • Small-sided games

  • Technical activities

  • Match play

Our coaching staff evaluates:

  • Technical ability

  • Soccer IQ

  • Athleticism

  • Coachability

  • Effort

  • Sportsmanship

Teams are formed after all evaluation days are complete. Evaluation days are the first four scheduled practice days- August 31st, September 2nd, 9th, and 11th.

Late registrants will attend a practice evaluation before being assigned to a team.

6. Developing the Whole Player

Academics are a required part of the RLFL experience.

Players needing additional support will participate in tutoring at Gardner Elementary School before soccer practice. Dependent on the release time of each school, tutoring will start at 3:30 or 4:30 PM.

Students proficient in Math and English will participate in enrichment programming.

Possible enrichment opportunities include:

  • Chess

  • Financial Literacy

  • Media training

  • Leadership

  • Nutrition

  • Guest Speakers

  • College & Career Readiness

We strive for a 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio, but this is dependent on volunteer and fundraising.

Food is provided daily for Lansing School District students. If your child is outside of the district, the program will work with you.

TBD- Transportation may be available from participating schools. Stay tuned!

7. A Week in the RLFL

The league will run from August 31 to October 31st.

Mondays & Wednesdays

2:50–5:30 PM

  • Transportation to Gardner School

  • Meal

  • Tutoring / Enrichment

6:00–7:15 PM

Soccer Training

Fridays

Game Nights

Games begin as early as 5:15 PM and conclude by approximately 7:45 PM.

All activities take place at:

Gardner International Magnet School

8. Parent Code of Conduct

Parents agree to:

  • Encourage every player.

  • Respect coaches.

  • Model good sportsmanship.

  • Allow coaches to coach and referee.

  • Help create a positive environment.

Negative behavior toward players, referees, coaches, or spectators may result in removal from league events. 

There are many ways for parents to support Real Lansing FC, as volunteers, to help with transportation, or to donate to our organization. We welcome all assistance to provide a positive environment for the players in Real Lansing FC.

9. Player Code of Conduct

Players agree to:

  • Respect teammates.

  • Respect opponents.

  • Respect referees.

  • Give maximum effort.

  • Arrive ready to learn.

  • Encourage teammates.

  • Represent RLFC with pride.

10. Coach Expectations

All coaches complete:

  • RLFC Coaching Course

  • Background Check

  • SafeSport

  • Concussion Training

Coaches are expected to:

  • Prioritize development.

  • Teach positive soccer.

  • Encourage their players 

  • Communicate professionally and specifically.

  • Provide meaningful playing time.

  • Continue learning.

11. Safety & Weather

Practices

  • Cancelled for rain.

  • Cancelled when temperatures reach 93°F or higher.

Games

  • Played in rain unless fields become unsafe.

  • Cancelled when temperatures reach 93°F or higher.

Player safety always comes first. Cancellations will be communicated to players and parents in as timely a way as we can. This will typically be communicated by the coach of each team.

12. Equipment & Uniforms

RLFC Provides:

  • Official training top

Players Should Bring:

  • Cleats (or athletic shoes)

  • Shin guards

  • Soccer socks

  • Athletic shorts

  • Water bottle

  • Soccer ball

Ball Sizes

  • Size 4: U9–U12

  • Size 5: U13–U15

Need equipment?

Please contact us. We never want equipment to prevent a child from participating.

13. Frequently Asked Questions

How can I register my child?
Click here!

Can beginners play?
Absolutely.

Can my child play with friends?
Yes. Let us know during Player Evaluation Days.

What if my child misses practice?
Please communicate with your coach.

What if it rains?
Practices are canceled. Games are generally played unless conditions become unsafe.

Can I volunteer?"
Yes! Parents and community members are encouraged to get involved. Please complete our volunteer signup form

Can players from other clubs participate?
Yes.

Is there a registration deadline?
No. Registration remains open while roster spots are available.

Is there insurance?
Yes. On the first day of arriving, parents must sign documentation to ensure insurance.

14. Contact Information

Real Lansing Football League

Website: reallansingfc.org/rlfl

Email: paul@reallansingfc.org