What is travel soccer and what are its benefits?
The Arlington Soccer Association sponsors a travel (select) soccer club, known as the Arlington Travel Soccer Club (ATSC). The ATSC is a competitive program for players with above average skills and 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 for the ATSC.
How will my son or daughter be picked for a team?
The ATSC runs open tryouts in late spring for all age groups (U9-U19; Boys & Girls) to form teams for the following soccer year (fall and spring). 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. ATSC teams are re-formed each year through this tryout process.
How do I determine the right age group for my child?
The "magical date" for determining a player’s age group is August 1 (during the year of the tryout). A player that turns 9 before August 1 of this year plays U-10 in the upcoming fall, and must attend the U-10 tryouts in the spring of this year. A player that turns 9 on August 1 of this year, or later, plays U-9 in the fall of this year—and participates in the U-9 tryouts in the spring of this year.
| Soccer Age Group |
|
Birth date is between: |
| U9 |
|
August 1, 1999 — July 31, 2000 |
| U10 |
|
August 1, 1998 — July 31, 1999 |
| U11 |
|
August 1, 1997 — July 31, 1998 |
| U12 |
|
August 1, 1996 — July 31, 1997 |
| U13 |
|
August 1, 1995 — July 31, 1996 |
| U14 |
|
August 1, 1994 — July 31, 1995 |
| U15 |
|
August 1, 1993 — July 31, 1994 |
| U16 |
|
August 1, 1992 — July 31, 1993 |
| U17 |
|
August 1, 1991 — July 31, 1992 |
| U18 |
|
August 1, 1990 — July 31, 1991 |
| U19 |
|
August 1, 1989 — July 31, 1990 |
Can my child tryout in a different age group?
Obviously, 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.
ATSC policy is that players should not be "playing up" above their age level unless, in the opinion of the coach, and agreed to by the Director of Coaching, the player is an "impact player" within his or her age group. As a general rule, a player is not an "impact player" unless he or she is playing a starting role on an "A" team within the older age group.
The club does realize that certain players may wish to tryout and play in an age group that is older than their soccer age group. It acknowledges that, for a select few players, it may be in the best interest of a player’s development to ’play up’. The club will look closely at each situation and determine, along with the team coach and the player’s parents, what is best for the player.
It is strongly recommended that each player tryout for the club in their correct age group.
How many players are selected for each 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 the ATSC.
|
| Under 9 & Under 10 Teams |
7 vs. 7 game format |
10-12 players on each team |
|
| Under 11 & Under 12 Teams |
8 vs. 8 game format |
11-14 players on each team |
|
| Under 13 - Under 16 |
Teams 11 vs. 11 game format |
16-18 players on each team |
|
| Under 17 - Under 19 Teams |
11 vs. 11 game format |
16-22 players on each team |
|
How are players evaluated and selected for travel teams?
Players are evaluated using several criteria. The three most important areas of evaluation are technical ability, speed and character.
-
Technical — Can a player handle the ball technically under pressure and in tight spaces?
-
Speed —
- Pure Speed — Is the players fast from point A to B?
- Technical Speed — Can the player handle the ball under pressure?
- Tactical Speed — Can the player make fast decisions with and without the ball?
-
Character —
- Does the player like to compete?
- Is he/she a positive influence on the group?
- Does the player possess a high work rate?
- Does the player bring passion and energy to the game?
Players are evaluated in these and other areas and, if selected, placed on teams that best meet each player’s developmental needs. Players that are not selected for the travel soccer program will be provided with information on appropriate soccer programs and teams.
When and where do travel teams practice?
The travel club is allocated fields throughout Arlington by the Arlington County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources (DPRCR). These fields are then assigned to travel teams based on team needs and coach preference. Each travel team will have a different practice schedule.
Travel teams generally practice a minimum of twice a week during the season, for 1½ to 2 hours per practice. Other programs for player development are also available to players within the travel club.
Who do ATSC teams play?
There are typically three leagues that ATSC teams participate in during the season. The National Capital Soccer League (NCSL) for boys teams; the Washington Area Girls Soccer League (WAGS) for girl’s teams; and the Old Dominion Soccer League (ODSL), who sponsor play for boys and girls teams. The club will determine placement of each team in the appropriate league. Each league also determines participation and divisional standings based on a team’s results during each season.
How many teams will the ATSC have in my son’s or daughter’s age group?
The number of teams formed in an age group depend on the number of players who tryout and their ability levels. ATSC generally forms 3 teams per age group, per gender, at the U9-U12 age groups. In the U13-U19 age groups the ATSC strives to form 2 teams for each gender. These teams are tiered, according to ability, as an ’A’ team and a ’B’ team.
Players that are not selected for a U9-U12 team during tryouts will have the opportunity to join the Academy Program. The Academy Program will provide training and competition for players on recreational teams who want additional soccer development opportunities.
How are teams formed and players selected for each team?
ATSC strives to balance the teams in the U9 age group. For the U10 and older teams, the ATSC forms teams based on the players’ ability levels. These teams are tiered, based on the competitiveness of each team.
How are the coaches selected for each team?
The travel soccer club is proud of its tremendous coaching staff, which is under the supervision of the club’s Director of Coaching (DoC), Grant Smith. All coaches are hired and paid by the ASA. These licensed, professional 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 DoC. Coaches may be moved from team to team for maximum player development benefits. The standard term for a coach to remain with a team is two years.
A complete list of the club’s coaching staff, and credentials, is available on the ATSC website.
How much time commitment is required?
The typical season is about 10 weeks, with about 9 games. Teams practice at least twice a week for 1½ to 2 hours per practice, beginning 3 to 4 weeks before the start of each season. A typical season includes 7 - 8 Sunday games and one or two Saturday or weeknight games. Teams usually also play one or more pre-season scrimmages and 1 to 3 tournaments each season. Travel players are expected to attend team practices and games.
When are the soccer seasons and when are tournaments held?
Fall Season: August to November.
Spring Season: March to June.
Teams often play pre-season, mid-season or post-season tournaments (3-4 games in a 2 or 3- day weekend). There are no league games on the following holiday weekends—Labor Day, Columbus Day and Memorial Day—so these are popular tournament weekends, along with preand post-season weekends.
The ATSC also conducts a winter player development program for players in all age groups.
How much does travel soccer cost?
Each player pays a ’player fee’ to play in the ATSC. This player fee covers the coach payment, the club uniform, league and referee fees, the club’s administrative expenses, State and National registration fees, player insurance, select tournament application expenses, player development programs and many other expenses. For the 2008-2009 year, this player fee is estimated to be $650-$800 per player, per season. Details on what this player fee will be, and what it includes, is available on the ATSC website.
Additional costs can vary, depending on the number of tournaments entered, personal player equipment and team travel.
The ATSC believes that financial status should not prevent talented players from participating in soccer. The ATSC offers financial assistance for families in need. Many ATSC teams also do fundraising activities to offset the costs.
Official Equipment Supplier
of the Arlington Travel Soccer Club
Arlington Travel Soccer Club — www.atsc-va.org — Tel: 703-241-0309 — Lizzy Stell, Exec. Directors
