Tryout Guidelines & Info
Overview
The following information and guidelines were created to provide an overview of the PSC Select teams tryout process and to set expectations for both parents and players regarding the implications of participating on a PSC Select team. The guidelines outlined below for team formation, team management, and other matters are required for an effective Select program operation.
Getting Started
Each year, a tryout schedule is published by age group and posted on the PSC website. Prospective players should either register online (preferred) or complete the tryout registration form, bring all required documents, and attend the appropriate tryouts based on age and/or skill level. Registration and required documents must be filled out for all players wishing to try out, including those who are unable to try out due to injury, illness, or family absences which are pre-approved in advance by the club President or a club Director. Players who do not make their intentions known to try out for a Select team at the initial tryout date may not be further considered for a Select team for that season. Proof of age is required before any player can be offered a spot on a team roster. Proof of age can be provided via a copy of a certified birth certificate or passport. There are no exceptions for providing proof of age.
What to Expect at Tryouts
Each player will be assigned a bib number when they first arrive for tryouts, including those players that are unable to tryout on that specific day due to injury, illness, or approved family absence. Stated another way, even those players who are unable to physically participate in tryouts are expected to show up and obtain their number unless prior arrangements have been made with club personnel, Director level or higher. Players will keep this number throughout the entire tryout process.
Players will be divided into small groups and asked to participate in small sided games and other exercises designed to demonstrate skill and knowledge of the game. Players trying out for a goalkeeping position should make this intention known at registration.
Things to Bring to Tryouts
How Players are Evaluated and Chosen
Each year at tryouts, players are evaluated for skill and knowledge of the game. Evaluators are instructed not to evaluate their own children if their kids are also trying out. All players, including returning players, are required to try out each year in order to be eligible for the team. Roster spots are not guaranteed from year to year.
Player tryout scores are evaluated, and players are given a ranking from 1 to the total number of players in their age group. Players not possessing the skills and maturity to play select will be encouraged to join our Pro-Training program and play another year in Rec soccer to improve their skills. Those players on the border between Select and Rec may be offered a chance to improve their skills and participate in Select practices and be part of a player pool used to fill Select roster spots that may come available for games or tournaments.
At the close of try outs, evaluations will be collected by the Director of Coaching and review by the Team Formation committee and final results determined. No parent or player will be provided information about a player’s specific evaluation score or ranking, including their relative rank when compared to other players. There is a strict confidentiality around player rating and performance.
Number of Teams to be Formed
The number of teams formed at each age/gender group will vary depending on the number and level of players trying out. The strongest full roster will be selected for the first team in each group, and if numbers of remaining players allow a second team will be formed, and the process repeated until there are not enough qualified players to form another team. There are several different leagues and divisions the Club competes in, and each team will be matched according to their level of play.
It is important to note that coaches do not “own” teams, and no coach has the authority to communicate any information relative to team status. In other words, no coach has the authority to disband a team or communicate that a team will be disbanded, regardless of their coaching status. Coaches will be selected to teams after the team formation is completed by all roster spots being formally accepted by players notified AND required payment being made. As team formation is a fluid process, no player or parent will be given any information on the team roster until the team formation is complete.
Tryout Results Notifications
Emails will be sent usually within 1 week of your tryout day. Players who have received an offer for a roster spot will have 24 hours to consider the offer, either accept or decline, and make the required payment. Payment plans are available. Not responding within the time frame specified in the offer letter may result in that spot being offered to another player.
Offer Protocol Violations
All coaches and Parents are prohibited from:
Any coach violating the offer protocol may be removed from all coaching responsibilities with the Club.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Parents/ players must also agree to honor certain responsibilities to the club, coaches, and team:
Acceptance of a roster spot constitutes acceptance of these Rights and Responsibilities. Failure to uphold these responsibilities may result in suspension from the club or team, or affect club eligibility in subsequent seasons.
The following information and guidelines were created to provide an overview of the PSC Select teams tryout process and to set expectations for both parents and players regarding the implications of participating on a PSC Select team. The guidelines outlined below for team formation, team management, and other matters are required for an effective Select program operation.
Getting Started
Each year, a tryout schedule is published by age group and posted on the PSC website. Prospective players should either register online (preferred) or complete the tryout registration form, bring all required documents, and attend the appropriate tryouts based on age and/or skill level. Registration and required documents must be filled out for all players wishing to try out, including those who are unable to try out due to injury, illness, or family absences which are pre-approved in advance by the club President or a club Director. Players who do not make their intentions known to try out for a Select team at the initial tryout date may not be further considered for a Select team for that season. Proof of age is required before any player can be offered a spot on a team roster. Proof of age can be provided via a copy of a certified birth certificate or passport. There are no exceptions for providing proof of age.
What to Expect at Tryouts
Each player will be assigned a bib number when they first arrive for tryouts, including those players that are unable to tryout on that specific day due to injury, illness, or approved family absence. Stated another way, even those players who are unable to physically participate in tryouts are expected to show up and obtain their number unless prior arrangements have been made with club personnel, Director level or higher. Players will keep this number throughout the entire tryout process.
Players will be divided into small groups and asked to participate in small sided games and other exercises designed to demonstrate skill and knowledge of the game. Players trying out for a goalkeeping position should make this intention known at registration.
Things to Bring to Tryouts
- Appropriate gear including shin guards and soccer cleats and/or turf shoes
- Water
How Players are Evaluated and Chosen
Each year at tryouts, players are evaluated for skill and knowledge of the game. Evaluators are instructed not to evaluate their own children if their kids are also trying out. All players, including returning players, are required to try out each year in order to be eligible for the team. Roster spots are not guaranteed from year to year.
Player tryout scores are evaluated, and players are given a ranking from 1 to the total number of players in their age group. Players not possessing the skills and maturity to play select will be encouraged to join our Pro-Training program and play another year in Rec soccer to improve their skills. Those players on the border between Select and Rec may be offered a chance to improve their skills and participate in Select practices and be part of a player pool used to fill Select roster spots that may come available for games or tournaments.
At the close of try outs, evaluations will be collected by the Director of Coaching and review by the Team Formation committee and final results determined. No parent or player will be provided information about a player’s specific evaluation score or ranking, including their relative rank when compared to other players. There is a strict confidentiality around player rating and performance.
Number of Teams to be Formed
The number of teams formed at each age/gender group will vary depending on the number and level of players trying out. The strongest full roster will be selected for the first team in each group, and if numbers of remaining players allow a second team will be formed, and the process repeated until there are not enough qualified players to form another team. There are several different leagues and divisions the Club competes in, and each team will be matched according to their level of play.
It is important to note that coaches do not “own” teams, and no coach has the authority to communicate any information relative to team status. In other words, no coach has the authority to disband a team or communicate that a team will be disbanded, regardless of their coaching status. Coaches will be selected to teams after the team formation is completed by all roster spots being formally accepted by players notified AND required payment being made. As team formation is a fluid process, no player or parent will be given any information on the team roster until the team formation is complete.
Tryout Results Notifications
Emails will be sent usually within 1 week of your tryout day. Players who have received an offer for a roster spot will have 24 hours to consider the offer, either accept or decline, and make the required payment. Payment plans are available. Not responding within the time frame specified in the offer letter may result in that spot being offered to another player.
Offer Protocol Violations
All coaches and Parents are prohibited from:
- Recruiting any player currently rostered or offered a spot on another team;
- Colluding with players and/or parents in an attempt to circumvent the tryout and team selection process
Any coach violating the offer protocol may be removed from all coaching responsibilities with the Club.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Parents/ players must also agree to honor certain responsibilities to the club, coaches, and team:
- To remain true to your acceptance of the roster spot and not engage in a “bait and switch” game between different clubs and teams.
- To refrain from derisive and/or derogatory comments about teams, teammates, or coaching staff for any team.
- To not be disruptive during team instruction, sessions, games, and other team/ club activities.
- To treat teammates and coaching staff with respect.
- To be supportive and encouraging of teammates.
- To learn the rules of the game and treat all league officials with courtesy.
- To refrain from any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing, taunting, refusing to shake hands, or using profane language or gestures.
- To uphold the spirit and laws of the game.
- To not bring loss of honor, reputation, or respect to the Club through actions or words.
- To not blame, criticize or cause intentional harm to teammates.
- To keep academics as a priority and ensure grades will not suffer for the sake of personal soccer goals.
- To inform their coach and parents of any injury, and to follow treatment guidelines as prescribed by medical professionals while maintaining a presence at team events during recovery.
Acceptance of a roster spot constitutes acceptance of these Rights and Responsibilities. Failure to uphold these responsibilities may result in suspension from the club or team, or affect club eligibility in subsequent seasons.
