Premier
Development
 Program

For more information on SAYSO's PDP!, use these links:
Teams
Tryouts
Sign-Ups
About PDP!

SAYSO's Fall Premier Development Program (PDP!) targets youth players with above-average playing abilities. PDP! players receive training by experienced and credentialed coaches using curricula appropriate for each player's age group and maturity level. Until the age of 10 (U11), SAYSO's PDP! emphasizes skill development, rejects winning as a success criterion, delays teaching of complex strategy, rejects strict field positioning, and selects players on the basis of future potential rather than current size and speed. PDP! training is consistent with the concept of using short-sided teams, smaller goals, and down-sized fields for the youngest players.

Each Fall, SAYSO selects boys and girls to play on PDP! Gryphons teams. Fall PDP! consists of approximately 28 practice sessions (2 per week) and 8-10 weekend (Saturday or Sunday) games. Practicing begins in late July or early August and continues into mid-November. Games begin in early September. U9 games are played on Sundays. U10 and older games may be played on Saturdays or Sundays, depending on the league.

U9 PDP! teams play in Class-3 competitive leagues. U10 and older PDP! teams become eligible to play in Class-1 leagues. U14 PDP! teams compete for spots to play in elite summer leagues. U16 PDP! teams compete for spots to play in premier leagues.
 
PDP! players may elect (and, are encouraged) to try out for and participate in local Olympic Development Programs (ODP).

Advantages of PDP!
for Elite-Track Players
Formal curriculum: For U8-U11 teams, SAYSO coaches follow a specific curriculum at every practice. All essential skills are introduced and periodically revisited in a logical and progressive pattern. Coaches of older teams follow a similar strategy, with "elective time" and "review" practices scheduled to cover specific team needs.
 
Qualified coaches: All SAYSO head coaches are credentialed ("licensed") by CYSA, USYS, FIFA, or equivalent. SAYSO's minimum coaching license for head coaches is a state/national "D". All SAYSO head coaches have previously coached their respective age groups and are experienced competitive coaches. SAYSO coaches take the "role model" aspect of their responsibilities seriously and follow SAYSO's behavioral guidelines.

Head start: SAYSO uses age-appropriate methodology to introduce teams to the skills, strategies, and psychologies of competitive players approximately 2-3 years before most other teams. This head start is rarely overcome by players who stay in recreational soccer until older ages.

Development enhanced by association: By associating and playing with other elite-track players, your child's achievement won't be limited by new players who, each year, struggle with basic skills and strategies. Association with other elite-track players removes the growth, learning, and achievement ceilings present with most other options, and such association provides an incentive for continued progress.

 Experienced and accountable administration: SAYSO's administration is experienced in recruitment, team formation, and management of competitive teams.
Team Placement

Once they are formed, age-pure PDP! teams generally stay together until graduation from high school.

Players are grouped into PDP! teams based on a combination of (1) performance in SAYSO Spring programs, (2) assessment in public and private tryouts, and (3) performance at SAYSO summer camps.

Players are assigned to teams based on availability of qualified coaches. SAYSO cannot accommodate requests to play on teams with specific coaches.

SAYSO tries to accommodate the requests of players to play with friends. However, it is often not possible to honor such requests.

SAYSO is generally unable to accommodate parental requests for siblings to play on the same team unless siblings are of similar abilities and ages.

 Players are permitted to "play up" (i.e., play in an older age group) in certain instances. Players are never permitted to "play down."

SAYSO permits girls to play on boys teams.
Registration Fees

 The registration fee covers the services of a trained, credentialed (non-parent) coach for approximately 28 practices and 10 league games, CYSA and/or USCS league/association membership fees, a uniform (shorts, numbered jersey, and socks), insurance, field rental (where required), payments to USSF-licensed referees for the home games, all required team equipment (balls, cones/disks, goals, and supplies), and participation awards for all players. Actual registration fees depend on the planned activities (e.g., tournaments, camps, trips), the team's staffing (paid coach and trainer), and the team's equipment needs ("away" uniforms, bags, jackets, etc.)

Qualifying players are accepted regardless of financial need. Timed-payment plans are available for players in need. Award of scholarships is governed by SAYSO's scholarship policy.

Return to SAYSO home