Crofton Athletic Council

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Crofton Soccer

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between CAC's soccer program and others in the area?
The major difference between CAC and other soccer programs in the area is the level of commitment to the community and kids.  CAC offers opportunities for all kids regardless of skill - whether they're ready for premier select teams or just looking for recreational leagues.

·       CAC soccer provides experienced licensed coaching combined with professional oversight from some of the world's finest trainers to emphasize player development.

·      CAC offers more for less.  The cost of playing for CAC is far less, in most cases, than comparable clubs in the area.

·      CAC offers the unique opportunity to play multiple sports within the club - baseball, wrestling, softball, lacrosse, basketball, volleyball, field hockey, etc.

·      CAC is committed to offering opportunities for toddlers all the way through high school.

·      CAC is one of the most successful clubs in Anne Arundel County with numerous teams in the highest divisions of the most competitive leagues in the area.  

2.  What is the difference between the Select and County teams? 

There are two types of soccer teams sponsored by CAC.  

·      CAC Select Teams – are for kids who possess above-average skills, determination, and are competitive.  The CAC Select teams play in the National Capital Soccer League (NCSL), Baltimore Beltway Soccer League (BBSL), Central Maryland Short-Sided League (CMSSL), and Washington Area Girls Soccer (WAGS), the area's premier youth soccer leagues.  CAC select teams will usually consist of the age group's most skilled players. 

·      Commitment - select teams require a one-year commitment spanning from the fall season through the spring season.  Most teams will also play one or two indoor soccer sessions during the winter.  Teams who play in these leagues must be ready for fierce competition and a realization that teams must win to avoid relegation.  Upon reaching the U-11 age group, teams that aren’t competitive are eventually relegated out of the more competitive leagues.

·      Playing Time - players must understand that playing time on a select team is not guaranteed.  Playing time must be earned and it usually depends on a player's ability, game situations, and  commitment. 

·      Positions - players will be placed in the positions that best help the team succeed.  The positions will be designated by the coaching staff based on team needs, an individual player's skill set, and what is seen in practice throughout the year.  Parents and players should refrain from requesting positional changes.  Many select teams will have a roster slot devoted to a full-time goalkeeper.

·      Games - NCSL games are generally played on Sundays throughout the Washington DC metropolitan area.  BBSL games are played on Sundays (Spring) and Saturdays (Fall) throughout the Baltimore metropolitan area.  CMSSL games are on Saturdays and Sundays during both seasons.  Teams will usually play four home games and four road games per season.   

·      Playing other sports – CAC offers other sports throughout the calendar year and every kid is encouraged to play multiple sports.  The coaching staffs will work to accommodate schedules, however, all players should remember that playing on a select team requires a stronger commitment. 

·      Tournaments – select teams usually play in preseason and postseason tournaments.  Most teams will play between four and eight tournaments per year.

·      Travel time – for the four/five road games per season may exceed 60 minutes.

·         CAC County Teams – are for kids that are interested in recreational, yet competitive soccer.  CAC county teams play in the Anne Arundel Youth Soccer Association (AAYSA) league.  CAC strives to sponsor one or multiple county teams per age group based how many kids register.  County teams will be placed in one of multiple divisions by AAYSA, which are usually established, by skill level, to accommodate all participating teams.  The commissioner, age group coordinator, and coach will usually have a meeting to determine the appropriate placement of a team; however, the league makes the final determination.

·      Commitment - county team players need only commit to the team one season (fall/spring) at a time.  It is possible that the team(s) will play indoor soccer during the winter - your coach will keep you apprised.  It is important to note that teams do not carry over from season to season.

·      Playing Time - coaches will attempt to ensure equal playing time for all players – in accordance with AAYSA divisional rules..

·      Positions - like the select teams, players will be placed in the positions that best help the team succeed.  The positions will be designated by the coaching staff based on team needs, an individual player's skill set, and what is seen in practice through the year.

·      Tournaments – county teams are encouraged to play in the annual Crofton Shootout. 

·      Games – are usually played on Fridays and Saturdays during the Fall and Sundays during the spring.

·      Travel time – games are played throughout Anne Arundel County.  Travel time for the four/five road games rarely exceeds 30 minutes.

How should I choose between select and county? – the most important part of the choice is the realization that the kids are active and playing soccer.  What level of competition a child plays is more of a personal choice based on the individual child’s aggressiveness, skills, competitiveness, etc.  CAC strongly recommends that all kids attend the tryout/placement sessions so they may be evaluated with other kids in their own age group.  After attending the tryout/placement sessions, the evaluators and age group coordinators will be able to determine the best team situation for all kids.

3. How do you register players?
Registration is done on-line through the CAC website.  When to register varies on the season.  It is vital that parents monitor the CAC website to stay in tune with club registration information and deadlines.  CAC will make every effort to accommodate all interested players.

4. How are teams formed? 
Select teams are formed though a tryout/placement process in late May and June. Coaches and evaluators will base their selections on player skill, athletic ability, potential, fitness, and positive attitude demonstrated during the process.  Select players will receive notification of the results within a few days after the conclusion of the last tryout/placement session.  Players not called/selected for the select teams will be called later in the summer as the county teams are formed.

County teams are generally formed by skill level and total amount of players registered – especially in the fall.  As previously stated, it is likely that CAC will sponsor multiple county teams across age groups.  To ensure proper placement, it is imperative that everyone show up for placements. In the event there are not enough players registered in a particular age group at the county level, CAC may at it’s discretion combine two age groups in order to field a team or decline to field a team in the age group.   

5. How are the age groups determined?

Age groups are determined by the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA – Rule 104) and cannot be modified by CAC or any other member organization.  The magical date for determining the correct age group is August 1st – which is the start of the soccer year.  Although there are those kids that fall into the August gap that exists between the soccer and scholastic year, it is important that USYSA rules are observed.  

Traditionally, youth soccer clubs have determined that players should not be “playing up” above their age level unless, in the opinion of the coaches/age group coordinators (and agreed to by the commissioner) the player is an "impact player" within the older age group. CAC’s best practices state that, “a player is not considered an "impact player" unless he or she is/would be one of the top players on a select or county team within the older age group”.  It goes without saying that players cannot tryout or play in an age group for which they are too old - even by one day.  In addition, a good rule of thumb is that U9-U10 select teams may have no more than two underage players on the roster and U11-U12 teams may have no more than three underage players on the roster.  Underage is defined as a player with a date of birth that would allow the player to be rostered to a U8-U10 or younger team in the current seasonal year.

CAC does realize that certain players, based on the scholastic year, may wish to tryout and play in an age group that is older than their group.  CAC further acknowledges that with regards to county soccer teams and for a select few players, it may be in the best interest of a player’s development to ‘play up’.  In this case, CAC’s coaches/coordinators/commissioner will evaluate each situation and determine what is best for everyone.

It is strongly recommended that each player tryout for teams in their correct age group.  

6. How does a player develop his skills?
Structured development takes place throughout the year in practice and in games.  More importantly, however, is the unstructured time the players spend with the soccer ball on their own.  Playing in the backyard, school ground, garage, etc. will provide them an unlimited amount of touches.  It is during this time that a player will begin to develop his creativity, dribbling, juggling, moves, and ball control.  The time a player spends on his own will directly correlate to how quickly skills develop.  The club has a team-first approach that calls for the players to work on their individual skills as they relate to the team concept.  Coaches will ask the players to focus on proper trapping which will lead to "positive" first touches - passes, shots, dribble, etc. 

Parents should focus on what takes place during practice and away from the team structure in gauging the development of a player.  Game day is merely the product of the time and effort put in during practice and on their own time.   

In addition, CAC's soccer program works very closely with Coerver® Coaching which has become one for the largest and most respected soccer education programs in the world with an unmatched list of endorsements from national federations, professional clubs, star players and leading coaches.

7. What will it cost me?
Each team may have different costs depending on such things as:

A.        Player registration fees

         i.   Annual CAC Family Fee (Select & County)

         ii.  Seasonal CAC Soccer Fee (Select & County)

B.        Tournaments

         i.   Tournaments entered decided on by coaching staff $400-600 (Select & County)

         ii.  Entry fee divided equally amongst parents $30-50 (Select & County)

Additional Select Team costs - example:   Crofton 07-08 Financial Plan

A.       Team equipment (usually updated every two-three years)

         i.  Team bags (approximately $35)

         ii. Team uniform w/players names (approximately $50)

         iii. Player cleats, shin guards, etc. (approximately $50)

         iv. Team equipment (approximately $35)

B.        The Select teams will play four to six tournaments per calendar year

         i.   One of the four will be the CAC-sponsored "Crofton Shootout" during the late summer

 ii.  Most select teams will play out of state tournaments, which will require overnight lodging

The player registration fees are listed on the Crofton Athletic Council website and the total annual costs of the program should be considered before attending the placements.  As with soccer programs across the country, select teams are more expensive than non-select teams.  Parents should be aware that similar select programs annually collect between $1,000-$3,000 per player per year.

8. When will the 2009 placements/tryouts take place?
CAC bylaws indicate that every age group will hold open tryouts every year for select teams.  It is not necessary to attend all placements/tryouts but all players should plan on attending as many sessions as possible to ensure evaluators get a fair look the players.  Players who are not selected for select team will likely have an additional placement session before the fall season starts in August.  Each age group coordinator is responsible for setting up and announcing their own placements.  Older age groups will usually have less placement sessions so it is important to monitor the CAC website for dates.  Specific days and times will be announced (via e-mails, newspaper ads, flyers, etc.) during the spring. 

9. What can I do to help?
Volunteers - parents can volunteer to help out in a variety of ways.  For select teams, coaches will likely require parents to assist with:

·         Field crew - lining the fields and tending to the corner flags

·         TSL - team sportsmanship liaison

·         STAR – assistant referees

·         Car pools - set up car pools for players that need rides for practices or games

·         First aid - ensure the team's first aid kit is always well stocked

·         Phone trees - in case practices or games are cancelled

·         Scorekeeper - to track the team's statistics

·         Fundraisers - to raise money for tournaments or equipment

·         Social coordinator - set up team functions and events