West Virginia United Soccer Club Soccer Website Software By GOALLINE.ca

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is club soccer and what are its benefits?
West Virginia United Soccer Club (WVUSC) 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 club soccer and are ready to be coached by a professional, licensed coaching staff will benefit from playing for the WVUSC.

How will my son or daughter be picked for a team?
WVUSC 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. WVUSC 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 calendar year must try out for U‐10 for the upcoming fall and spring seasons. , and must attend the U‐10 tryouts in the spring of this year. A player that will turn 9 on or after August 1 of this calendar year, or later, must participate in the U9 tryouts for the upcoming seasons.

AGE MATRIX
2010 - 2011

DIV	AUG	SEPT	OCT	NOV	DEC	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL

U19	91	91	91	91	91	92	92	92	92	92	92	92
U18	92	92	92	92	92	93	93	93	93	93	93	93
U17	93	93	93	93	93	94	94	94	94	94	94	94
U16	94	94	94	94	94	95	95	95	95	95	95	95
U15	95	95	95	95	95	96	96	96	96	96	96	96
U14	96	96	96	96	96	97	97	97	97	97	97	97
U13	97	97	97	97	97	98	98	98	98	98	98	98
U12	98	98	98	98	98	99	99	99	99	99	99	99
U11	99	99	99	99	99	2000	2000	2000	2000	2000	2000	2000
U10	2000	2000	2000	2000	2000	2001	2001	2001	2001	2001	2001	2001
U09	2001	2001	2001	2001	2001	2002	2002	2002	2002	2002	2002	2002
U08	2002	2002	2002	2002	2002	2003	2003	2003	2003	2003	2003	2003
U07	2003	2003	2003	2003	2003	2004	2004	2004	2004	2004	2004	2004
U06	2004	2004	2004	2004	2004	2005	2005	2005	2005	2005	2005	2005
U05	2005	2005	2005	2005	2005	2006	2006	2006	2006	2006	2006	2006
U04	2006	2006	2006	2006	2006	2007	2007	2007	2007	2007	2007	2007

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.

WVUSC policy is that a player may try out to “play up” above his/her soccer age‐level if the player attends school in the higher grade (e.g., U9 – third grade, U10 – fourth). A player may also try out in an older age group, with the express permission of the Director of Coaching, if in the opinion of the coaching staff, the player’s soccer development needs are not being met at his/her natural soccer age‐group. For a player to try out in an older age group, that player must also attend at least one tryout session in his/her natural soccer age group.

The club realizes 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’. Because the mission of WVUSC is player development and competitive soccer, the club strongly encourages players to play in the age group that affords them the best opportunity to play on a top level team. When the Club’s technical staff believes that a player currently playing in an older age group would be better served by moving to their natural age group, the player’s coach and the Director of Coaching will encourage the player and the family to do so.

How many players are selected for each team?

Different age groups in club soccer play with different game formats – and have different roster sizes. The following are the roster sizes for the different age groups in the WVUSC.

Under 9 & Under 10 Teams	7 v 7 game format	10-12 players on each team
Under 11 & Under 12 Teams	8 v 8 game format	11-14 players on each team
Under 12 Teams	11 v 11 game format	14-16 players on each team
Under 13 thru Under 16 Teams	11 v 11 game format	16-18 players on each team
Under 17 thru Under 19 Teams	11 v 11 game format	16-22 players on each team

How are players evaluated and selected for club teams?

Players are evaluated using several criteria. The three most important areas of evaluation are technical ability, speed and character.

1. Technical – Can a player handle the ball technically under pressure and in tight spaces?

2. Speed–

a. Pure Speed – Is the players 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?

3. 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?

Players are evaluated in these and other areas and, if selected, placed on teams that best meet each player’s developmental needs.

When and where do club teams practice?

The majority of WVUSC teams practice at Laurel Point Fields. Each team will have a different practice schedule.

Teams generally practice twice a week during the season, for 1.5 - 2 hours per practice. Other programs for player development are also available to players within the club.

Who do WVUSC teams play?

WVUSC typically participate in various divisions of Pennslvannia West (PaW.) Each season our Director of Coaching consults with each team’s coach to determine the appropriate division within the league. Additionally, some WVUSC teams play in the WV Country Roads league and various local and regional tournaments.

How many teams will the WVUSC 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 try out and their ability levels. WVUSC generally forms 1 team per age group, per gender. WVUSC 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 particular team may be offered a “training” position that allows them the same professional training and gives them a chance to develop into a ‘full time’ player. They will not be rostered or play in league games. They may be asked to “guest play” in a tournament. In some cases where there is a great number of players that do not make the “A” team, a “B” team may be formed. This is decided on a case by case basis.

How are the coaches selected for each team?

WVUSC employs a licensed, professional coaching staff which is under the supervision of the club’s Directors of Coaching (DoC.) All coaches are hired and paid by WVUSC. 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 DoC and may be rotated among the teams for maximum player development benefits. A complete list of the club’s coaching staff, and credentials, is available on the WVUSC website.

How much time commitment is required?

WVUSC soccer teams play in two seasons per year. The Fall season lasts about 10 weeks from September to November. The Spring season lasts about 10 weeks from April to June. Additionally, the teams have a winter (indoor) training season that runs from January through mid- March. During the Spring and Fall seaons, teams typically play 8-10 games. Most games are played on weekends. Teams usually play in 1-3 tournaments per season, depending upon the age group and competitive level of the team. Practices are from 1.5 - 2 hours per session and take place at least twice a week. WVUSC players are expected to attend all team practices and games.

When are the soccer seasons and when are tournaments held?

Fall Season: August to November.

Winter Training: January to February

Spring Season: March to June.

In addition, WVUS offers additional training clinics and other player development opportunities.

How much does club soccer cost?

Each player pays a ‘club fee’ to play in WVUSC ($220-$310) per spring and fall season. This player fee covers coaches salaries, state and league registration and facility fees. There may also be additional tournament and/or referee expense. The average cost of a season (spring or fall) is $400.00. The winter training sessions are less costly because there is no “club fee.” They typical cost for winter training is approximately $150.00.

WVUSC believes that financial status should not prevent talented players from participating in soccer. WVUSC offers financial assistance in the form of scholarships for families in need. WVSC teams may also do fundraising activities to offset the costs.