Recreational
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I want a program where my child will be accepted,
regardless of skill level. Recreational soccer programs (such as Fall AYSO) are great for players who just want to have fun. Such programs accept everyone who registers; and, everyone who registers is guaranteed to play at least 50% (usually, 75%) of every game. Teams are balanced (i.e., each team has the same numbers of "good", "medium", and "poor" players) by the sponsoring league. Teams generally have new-to-soccer players at every age group. Teams will contain players from a 24-month date of birth age group. (That is, 6- and 7-year olds will be combined into a U8 group, 8- and 9-year olds will be combined into a U10 group, etc.) Playing "up" is generally not permitted. The emphasis is on inclusion, character building, and acceptance. At the younger ages (i.e., up to about U10), leagues are for only for fun, and game statistics/standings are not maintained. At the younger ages, everybody gets a trophy. At the end of each season, teams are disbanded. There is no way to assemble a team of specific players or to make sure that a player will have the same coach or play with the same teammates in a subsequent year. Teams are coached by unpaid parents, and games are refereed by unpaid volunteers. There is no (or, very little) travel outside of one's city. Cost is approximately $75-$125 per season, and a full uniform is included. These programs are typically city-based - there is one in each major peninsula city - even though they are not offered through the city parks and rec departments. For a player who doesn't even know if he/she is going to like playing soccer, recreational soccer programs are perfect. |
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I want a program where my child will be playing at a
higher level. Approximately 15% of all soccer players leave recreational soccer by the age of 10-12 to play competitive soccer. Competitive soccer (also known by various monikers such as "club soccer", "select soccer", "classic soccer", and in California, "CYSA soccer" and "CY soccer") offers players an opportunity to play soccer at the highest levels available for each age group. To join a club team, a player would have to attend a team or club tryout and be selected. Since teams are limited in the numbers of players, it may be necessary to try out repeatedly for various local teams. In competitive soccer, playing time is not guaranteed. Teams are not balanced by either the league or the club; rather, players are grouped into "A" and "B" (etc.) teams. Only at the youngest ages do teams contain "new-to-soccer" players; most players on competitive teams have several years of soccer experience. Teams generally contain players from a 12-month date of birth age group. Playing up is permitted. Emphasis is on skill, teamwork, and strategy. Team standings and statistics are maintained at all ages, and only the players on top-standing teams receive awards. At least one-third of such teams are coached by paid trainers; and, although parent coaches are not uncommon at the youngest ages, such parents generally have credible soccer backgrounds and credentials. Games are refereed by paid, USSF-certified referees. Teams and coaches are relatively stable; and, it is conceivable that a player will have the same coach and teammates from age 8 to 18. Cost varies greatly from team to team and club to club, but rarely is less than $200-$300 per season (spring and fall are separate seasons), which would not include the cost of a uniform, the coach's fee, and participation in tournaments. Adding it all together, it isn't unusual for an "A" team player to pay $400 for a spring season $600 for fall. Competitive teams are formed by competitive clubs such as SAYSO's Gryphons Soccer Academy. (All clubs have scholarship programs of various types.) There may be considerable travel to games. For a player who loves to play soccer, who has been among the top players on his/her recreational teams, who wants the highest level or instruction, who needs/wants to be challenged each year with increasingly strong competition, and who has aspirations to play in high school, college, the Olympics, semi-pro, and pro, competitive soccer is the only real option. |