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 2023-2024, the youngest age group from travel soccer will be players born in 2016. We will aim to have teams for following birth years: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010. 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, and 2005. Players may be grouped together in different birth years for example; player born in 2006 may be grouped with the players born in 2005.

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 an appointment.

Can my child try out in a different age group?

Players cannot tryout or play in an age group 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 available online.

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 within 72 hours after the last tryout date 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 when the registration paperwork and the appropriate fees will be due. 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?

There are options available to you, such as Advanced Development Program (ADP), a skills training that is offered throughout the year (Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring) for boys and girls U8 to U16. 

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 training will take place at Cypress Park: 1301 Coral Springs Drive.  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 tryout and their ability levels. SSC will generally form two teams per age group for each gender. These teams are tiered, according to ability, as a ‘highly competitive’ team (Phantom) and a ‘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 season begins in August 2023 and ends in May 2024. 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 and post-season tournaments (3-4 games in a 2- or 3-day weekend). Players are expected to be available to play in tournaments. Specific age group tournaments will be shared with you by your coach. 

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 refere fees, assignor fees, registration fees, player insurance, city fee, and administration. In addition to player program fees, each player pays a “Team Fee” that covers tournaments fees, coach tournament travel expenses, referee fees for scrimmages, etc. for their team. A detailed team budget will be provided at the first team meeting. 

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.

 

 

Contact Information

Springs Soccer Club
Cypress Park
1301 Coral Springs Drive
Coral Springs, FL 33076

Phone: (954) 282-5215

Email: info@springssoccerclub.com