COMPETITIVE SOCCER TRYOUTS 2021-2022 SEASON

Springs Soccer Club Tryout FAQs

 

What is travel soccer and what are its benefits?

Springs Soccer Club (SSC) Travel is a competitive program for players with a strong drive to develop their soccer abilities and love of the game. Boys and girls that are ready to play competitive soccer, want to learn new skills, are ready to make the necessary commitment to play travel soccer and are ready to be coached by a professional, licensed coaching staff will benefit from playing travel soccer.

 

How will my son or daughter be picked for a team?

SSC will run open tryouts in May. All players are evaluated during these tryouts by the team coaches and additional evaluators. Selected players are placed on appropriate teams by the coaching staff.

 

How do I determine the right age group for my child?

Players will tryout based on their birth year. For the 2021-2022, the youngest age group from travel soccer will be players born in 2013, some 2014 players. We will aim to have teams for following birth years: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010. 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, and 2003. Players may be grouped together in different birth years for example; player born in 2002 may be grouped with the players born in 2003.

 

Why do I have to create an account in Demosphere to register for tryouts?

Demosphere is the registration platform used by SSC and therefore all players participating in tryouts MUST register through Demosphere BEFORE tryouts begin. This is the system we use to collect player information.  We also use Demosphere to communicate necessary information before, during and after the tryout process; so entering a valid email address during online registration is very important! 

 

How can someone register for tryouts if they do not have access to the internet or a computer?

Parents may make an appointment with a staff member to meet at the SSC office to register their player.  Please email: info@SpringsSoccerClub.com to schedule and apointment.

 

Can my child try out in a different age group?

Players cannot tryout or play in an age group for which they are too old.  Even if they miss the cutoff by one day, they cannot play ’down’ in an age group. Players will not be selected for an older age group, unless the technical staff determines that the player’s soccer development needs will not be met within their own age group. Players must receive approval from the Director of Coaching to attend tryouts for an older age group team. SSC's Director of Coaching will approve all roster offers for players eligible to play up. Please refer to the SSC “Play Up” Policy which is available on-line.

 

How many players will you take per team?

Different age groups in travel soccer play with different game formats—and have different roster sizes. Coaches usually carry fewer players than the maximum allowed—optimizing players’ playing time in games. The following are the roster sizes for the different age groups in SSC travel soccer program.

 

U8, U9 & U10 Teams 7 vs. 7 game format 10-12 players on each team.

U11 & U12 Teams 9 vs. 9 game format 12-14 players on each team.

U13 – U15 Teams 11 vs. 11 game format 16-18 players on each team.

U16 – U18 Teams 11 vs. 11 game format 16-18 players on each team

 

What should my player wear to tryouts?

Players should wear a white shirt, dark shorts, and dark socks, shinguards, soccer cleats and bring a ball and water. Note- players are asked not to wear their travel training gear or game jersey or any affiliated program jersey. The tryout process is independent and non-biased, so this policy will help enforce that.

 

What are the Coaches Looking For?

Often times, players and parents want to know what a coach is looking for in a player. It is difficult to truly see all that a player has to offer in just two or three sessions. However, the tryouts will be structured in a way to allow all participants a chance to showcase their talents. Here is a quick explanation of each criterion:

 

Technical Ability:

Technical skills: passing, dribbling, shooting, first touch, defending, etc.

Athletic Ability: Speed, quickness, agility, strength, body control, etc.


a. Pure Speed — Is the player fast from point A to B?


b. Technical Speed — Can the player handle the ball under pressure?

c. Tactical Speed — Can the player make fast decisions with and without the ball?

 

Awareness: Tactical skills: positioning, communication, decisions on and off the ball, etc.

 

Attitude/Work Ethic: We are looking for players who exhibit a positive attitude, take coaching points well, show good sportsmanship, and have an overall desire to improve as players.

 

Character:


a. Does the player like to compete?


b. Is he/she a positive influence on the group?


c. Does the player possess a high work rate?


d. Does the player bring passion and energy to the game?
Coaches and evaluators will use a Tryout Evaluation Form found to help with their evaluations.

 

Should my child come to all tryout dates?

While tryouts are mandatory and we expect all players interested in playing for SSC to attend each tryout session, we do understand that sometimes conflicts arise that cannot be rescheduled.  If there is an unavoidable conflict, and your child will not be at one or more of the tryout sessions, you must still complete online registration for tryouts.  During the registration process, you will be able to mark the days and reason for absence.  It is also helpful to contact the appropriate age group director to let him/her know about your child’s absence as well. 

 

Can my child get on a team at other times of the year?

Even after tryouts, many teams may have some roster spots open until late summer. Please email info@SpringsSoccerClub.com to learn more.

 

How can I contact the coach(es) for my age group?

You can find a list of the current year’s teams and coaches as well as their contact information on the Staff page.

 

When will I find out if I have made the team?

Players will begin to be notified at tryouts if they are selected. Player notification will continue throughout the tryouts and coaches will call the players to notify them if they made the team. You will be asked to commit 24 hours after receiving your invitation. Families of invited players will receive instruction from the team representative. A parent meeting will be held following the notifications at which time the registration paperwork will be due along with the appropriate fees. Selected players must make full season commitment to their team. Parents will need to register on-site as well as on the website.

 

What if I don't make the team? Will I get feedback on how to improve my chances for the following season?

There are options available to you such as Recreational play and/or skills training offered to help further your soccer development.

 

When does the season begin?

The season begins in August. There will be a pre-season camp before the start of training in mid-August.

 

When and where do travel teams practice?

The club is allocated fields throughout season from the City of Coral Springs Parks and Recreation Department.  The training will take place at N. Community Park, Cypress Park, or Mullins Park.  Each travel team will have a different practice schedule. Travel teams generally practice three times a week during the season, for 75 minutes to 90 minutes per practice.

 

How many travel teams will the Springs Soccer Club have in my son’s or daughter’s age group?

The number of travel teams formed in an age group will depend on the number of players who try out and their ability levels. SSC will generally forms two teams in the 2013 – 2006 age groups and for each gender. In the 2005– 2003 age group SSC strives to form one team per gender. These teams are tiered, according to ability, as ‘highly competitive’ team (Phantom) and ‘competitive’ team (Vapor).

 

How are the coaches selected for each team?

SSC employs a licensed, professional coaching staff, which is under the supervision of the club’s Director of Coaching. All coaches are hired and paid by the SSC. The coaches work for the club and are placed on teams to benefit the development of each player. The coaching staff is evaluated each year by the Executive Director and may be rotated among the teams for maximum player development benefits. A complete list of the program’s coaching staff, and credentials, is available on the SSC website.

 

How much time commitment is required?

The fall season begins in mid-August and goes until mid-November, and the winter begins in December and goes through February. Teams begin practicing in August. Most games are played on Saturdays and Sundays, but you should expect at least 1 or 2 Friday games per season. Teams usually play one or more pre-season scrimmages and 2-4 tournaments per year, depending upon the age group and competitive level of the team. Travel players are expected to attend all team practices, games, and tournaments.

 

When are tournaments held?

Teams often play in pre-season, mid-season or post-season tournaments (3-4 games in a 2- or 3-day weekend). Players are expected to be available to play in tournaments.

 

How much does travel soccer cost?

Each player pays a ’player program fee’ to play travel soccer with SSC. This player fee covers, coach salaries, league and referee fees, registration fees, player insurance, administrative expenses, and many other expenses. In addition to player program fees each players pays a “Team Fee” that covers team equipment, tournaments fees, coach tournament travel expenses, referee fees for scrimmages, etc. for their team.

 

Can I watch my child during tryouts?

Parents are welcome to stay and watch their child tryout, however there are designated viewing areas for spectators.  All parents must stay outside of the playing field area.  Please DO NOT sit or stand between fields, along the sidelines or behind the goals.  It is important that parents adhere to this policy for two reasons.  First, with the large number of participants we are expecting at tryouts, players and staff will be moving from field to field and we want to reduce the congestion around the fields.  Second, tryouts can be an anxious and stressful time for all involved so the less people we have crowded around the fields, the better.

 

Can I contact a coach or director during tryouts?

If you have any questions about the tryout or selection process, please feel free to email the age group director.  With that said, please do not contact coaches or staff during tryouts regarding the specific placement of your son or daughter.

 

How can I help prepare my child for their tryout experience?

For many children, this may be the first experience they will have with being selected. It’s important that you, as a parent, manage their expectations.  It is also important that you do not put too much pressure on them and focus on having fun. 

 

SSC makes a yearlong commitment to our professional coaching staff and to our players. We expect SSC travel players and families to make the same full year commitment and pay all fee including team fees.

Zone 1 (U8-U11) Birth Years 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011

• DirectorZone1@SpringsSoccerClub.com

 

Zone 2 (U12-U15) Birth Years 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007

• DirectorZone2@SpringsSoccerClub.com

 

Zone 3 (U16 -U19) Birth Years 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 

• DirectorZone2@SpringsSoccerClub.com