How do I pick a Soccer Program for my child?
Choose from the options below.
I want a program where my child will be accepted, regardless of skill level.
Recreational soccer programs are great for players who just want to have fun. Such
programs accept everyone who registers; and, everyone who registers is guaranteed to
play at least 50% of every game.
Teams are balanced (i.e., each team has the same numbers of "good", "medium", and
"weak" players) by the team formation committee.
Teams generally have new-to-soccer players at every age group.
Teams will contain players from a 12-month date of birth age group (age as of July 31).
Playing "up" is generally not permitted. (Our goal is to try to find a spot for every child
to play and sometimes this does require some players to play up to fill teams).
The emphasis is on inclusion, character building, and acceptance. At the younger ages
(i.e., up to U8), leagues are for only for fun, and game statistics/standings are not
maintained. At the younger ages, everybody gets a participation award. At the end of
each season, teams are generally disbanded and re-formed the next season.
Teams are coached by unpaid parents who attend at least one coaching clinic and have
passed a background check (KidSafe). These programs are typically city-based. There is
no travel for U5-U6 players and travel to neighboring towns for ½ of games for U7 – U10
players. Please see details on Team Formation page of Registration / Information link at
our website.
For a player who doesn't even know if he/she is going to like playing soccer, recreational
soccer programs are perfect. We encourage a local summer soccer camp to “try out the
game” for these players.
I want a program where my child will be playing at a higher level.
Approximately 15% of all soccer players leave recreational soccer by the age of 10-12 to
play competitive soccer. Competitive soccer (also known by various monikers such as
"Div II", "blue & super blue", etc.) offers players an opportunity to play soccer at the
highest levels available for each age group.
To join a competitive team, a player has to attend a tryout and be selected.
Only at the youngest ages do teams contain "new-to-soccer" players; most players on
competitive teams have several years of soccer experience.
Teams generally contain players from a 12-month date of birth age group. Playing up is
permitted based on player evaluation. Emphasis is on skill, teamwork, and strategy.
Team standings and statistics are maintained at all ages, and only the players on top-standing
teams receive awards.
Volunteer Parent coaches generally have credible soccer backgrounds and are required to
have current coaching license. In addition, a professional trainer works with the team
one night a week during the season.
Games are refereed by paid, USSF-certified referees. Teams and coaches are relatively
stable; and, it is conceivable that a player will have the same coach and teammates from
age 10 to 18. Cost varies greatly from team to team and club to club, but rarely is less
than $150, which may or may not include the cost of a uniform. There will be more
travel to games. See our Age / Fees page under Registration tab at www.baytownsaints.org
For a player who loves to play soccer, who has been among the top players on his/her
recreational teams, who wants the highest level or instruction, who needs/wants to be
challenged each year with increasingly strong competition, and who has aspirations to
play in high school, college, the Olympics, semi-pro, and pro, competitive soccer is the
only real option.
Please see the NCAA Clearinghouse website for details concerning soccer in College and
beyond. https://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/NCAA/common/index.html
The Probability of Competing Chart is very eye-opening.
http://www.ncaa.org/research/prob_of_competing/