Cook Inlet Soccer Club

PLAYING COMPETITIVE SOCCER FOR COOK INLET SOCCER CLUB

WHY SHOULD I OR MY CHILD BE INTERESTED IN COMPETITIVE SOCCER?
The CISC Competitive soccer program provides training and development to qualified players to assist them in advancing to play at the highest levels available. Many of the local high school teams are predominantly comprised of players who have demonstrated their ability through competitive programs. If your child has progressed through recreational soccer and wants to take their game and skills to the next level, our competitive program can take them as far as they want to go. In the last eight years CISC has crowned more state champions than any other program in the state.

WHAT DOES THE U IN "U11" MEAN?
In the United States, teams are formed based on the player’s age and not school grade. The U means ’under’ and the players age must be under the number indicated to the right of the letter; this combination is referred to as the age group designator. The soccer year for the age group designation is from August 1st to July 31st of the following year.
EXAMPLE: If a player was born on November 25, 1995, they would be U14 age group for the August 2008 to July 2009 season. The player would be 13 or younger during the 2008-2009 soccer seasons.

HOW LONG IS THE SOCCER SEASON?
Competitive soccer can be a ‘year round’ activity. Teams generally start practicing outdoors in April and attend three to four tournaments during the summer months which may be local or out-of-state (tournaments are typically three to four days long and over a weekend.)
Competitive teams participate in a year end tournament called State Cup, which occurs during the first or second week of August. The fall indoor league season begins in early October and runs through the middle of December and the winter indoor league begins in early January to mid March.

MAY MY CHILD PLAY OTHER SPORTS?
Yes, particularly at the younger age groups it is easier and not as stressful to participate in multiple sports. As players get older different sport seasons tend to overlap, with the expectations and level of competition increasing, which makes it very difficult for the players to be highly competitive in multiple sports. In the fall and winter months especially, we understand that players may have other activities scheduled, however during the regular summer season, coaches will expect the players to commit 100% of their time to the soccer team practices and games.

WHAT TEAMS DO YOUR COMPETITIVE TEAMS PLAY AGAINST?
Beginning with the U-11 season, our teams participate in a city wide league against other club competitive teams. This league is administered by the United Anchorage Youth Soccer League (UAYSL). Every year our most competitive teams travel to elite invitational tournaments in San Diego, Denver, Las Vegas, Dallas, Orlando, and many other cities. These trips can last anywhere from a weekend to two weeks long.

HOW EXPENSIVE IS COMPETITIVE SOCCER?
Competitive soccer is more expensive than recreational programs, (see attached cost breakdown for the 2008-09 season). Higher fees cover the costs of the longer season, turf field expenses, full referee crews and practice fields. All annual fees and session fees are due within 30 days of the beginning of the session. Costs associated with team dues are paid first at the beginning of the season, but typically can occur year round in a team payment plan.
In addition to the above fees, competitive players pay a monthly coaching fee. Fees may vary from team to team depending upon the Coaches’ USSF License rating, his or her years of experience, the training frequency and locations, and travel expectations. A typical monthly coaching payment is $20.00 to $55.00 a month per player.

WHAT IS THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAM AND ARE THERE ANY HIDDEN COSTS?
There are additional costs associated with the sport. Certain costs are pass-thru and beyond the control of the club. The indoor turf (Change Point Dome), costs for the 2008 year increased 19% and is the biggest piece of the increase on the new season fees.
Each player is responsible for the travel costs to tournaments and games. Our most competitive teams travel throughout the state every 2-4 weeks.
Every odd numbered year, each player is required to purchase a new uniform kit that includes home and away jerseys, backpack, warm ups, etc. The kit is estimated at $225. Players are also required to have soccer shoes that range from $50 and up. It is not uncommon that a player will have firm ground (for hard grass fields in the summer), soft ground (for the grass fields in the rain), and field turf shoes for the all purpose turf fields (The Change Point Dome or Anchorage Football Stadium). In addition, teams may have team "dues". This money is calculated by the team manager and treasurer and covers the cost of entering tournaments, coach travel, renting additional field time when necessary, equipment, etc. This amount depends on the level of the team ("Blue" teams do more travel and enter more expensive tournaments so their team dues are higher).

WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?
Competitive soccer is a large time commitment, but it is fun and most players join because they love to play! Expect two to three practices a week that are from 1 1/2 to 2 hours long with the time of the day dictated by the coach and field availability. This means practice times and days can both change so some flexibility is needed. Tournaments are on weekends and coaches often use some weekends for "friendly" scrimmages set up with other CISC competitive teams or teams from neighboring clubs. These are all key factors in developing player skill, team unity, and game strategy so it’s important that every player is committed. During the fall season there is typically only one game per weekend, Friday or Saturday evening and on Sundays for older players. Game times vary and are dependent on field availability. Managing a competitive team is a big job and it takes a lot of help to make things run smoothly for the best possible experience for the team, but most team Managers will tell you that they treasure the experiences and wouldn’t trade it for anything!

WHAT IS THE MEANING BEHIND THE BLUE, WHITE, OR RED TEAM LABELS?
The Blue team; represents the highest competitive level within CISC, “Blue” players are typically very committed to soccer and participate in a program that encourages nearly year-round training. Coaching is provided by paid soccer professionals. Tryouts are extremely competitive and Blue teams tend to travel widely to both games and tournaments to find appropriate competition. Parents can expect to incur significant additional expense for training, equipment, uniforms, tournament fees, etc. These costs can range from $1,400 (U11-U13) - $1600 (U14-U18) per player annually. Travel to games and tournaments are additional.

Year round training activities
4.5 Hours a week training commitment
Two trips outside the state in addition to attendance to state cup and regional cup
Will travel to in-state events
Supplemental conditioning in the off-season
Commitment to invest in their development; individual training
Will play up for competition
Note: Blue team players that wish to take sessions “off” may coordinate their participation level with the coach, but they will be fully assessed player fees for all sessions

The White team; represents the second highest competitive level within CISC; Play and training for this age group is for players with above average ability who need more development with their skill. Emphasis is on developing soccer skills and enjoyment of the game, which will be the foundation for future soccer success. Coaching and training is provided by experienced soccer professionals.

Year round training activities with some time off or sessions off
3 Hours a week training commitment
One trip outside the state
Can attend state cup with DOC approval
Supplemental conditioning in the off season
Will attend travel tournaments in-state and out-of-state

The Red team; represents the third highest competitive level within CISC; Play and training for this age group is for players with average ability who aspire to play competitively and will need long term development of their skill. Emphasis is on developing soccer skills and enjoyment of the game, which will be the foundation for future soccer success. Coaching and training is provided by parent coaches and experienced soccer professionals.

Year round training activities with some time off or sessions off
3 Hours a week minimum commitment
Does not attend state cup
Supplemental conditioning
Can attend travel tournaments in-state and out-of-state with DOC approval

WHAT HAPPENS AT TRYOUTS?
CISC will hold two annual tryouts, fall and spring. The fall tryout period (Fall Invitational’s), is the primary process used in selecting the teams for the coming year of competition and travel. The spring tryout period (Spring Supplemental), is used primarily by the Pre-Competitive program to form teams at the U11 age group for the coming summer of competition and can be used by the other teams looking to fill final roster positions that were not selected at the fall tryout.
The tryouts are an opportunity for the players to demonstrate their individual and team skills, knowledge, energy and attitude in fitness or soccer activities, and scrimmages. They will typically be held over two days, but could be longer or shorter, and it is encouraged that the players attend each day to get a fair evaluation of their ability.
Teams are selected at the fall tryouts, with typical roster sizes less than the maximum number allowed for the age group. The remaining roster positions, up to 18, may be selected at a later period or at the spring tryouts. Once a player is selected to a team at the fall tryouts they are committed to the team for one full year and vice versa.
A team or player that wins state cup is not exempt from the fall tryouts. Every player must try-out to be eligible for selection and placement to a competitive team.

CAN MY CHILD BE ‘CUT’, REMOVED, OR SUSPENDED FROM A TEAM AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN SELECTED AT TRYOUTS?
Coaches will suspend players from the team for various reasons, but typically do not remove players from the roster unless there are extreme cases such as non payment of fees, lack of commitment (not attending practices), attitude or disciplinary reason, and conduct that is detrimental to the well being of another player or the team. Detrimental conduct is not limited to the youth player.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS USED TO EVALUATE THE PLAYERS AT TRYOUTS?
Each player will be evaluated at tryouts on their technical ability with a ball, tactical understanding in a game, physical attributes and fitness, as wells as psychological attributes and game awareness.
The evaluation process will be conducted by a minimum of three independent club coaches, typically the Head Coach, Age Group Director, and the DOC or his designee. Each player is assigned a numbered tryout bib or jersey to be worn at each tryout session. Players will be identified by that unique jersey number during the course of the tryout. Players are directed in activities, scrimmages, and speed and agility exercises during the tryout time (expect that there will be some periods of inactivity of players). Players will receive notification of their tryout results after the conclusion of the last tryout session. Results will be posted on the club website by unique number. If a player is not able to make the tryouts as scheduled they can make other arrangements with the team coach to be evaluated.

HOW WILL MY SON OR DAUGHTER BE PLACED ON A COMPETITIVE TEAM?
Players will be placed on a team based on their observed ability, skill level, and commitment on the day of tryouts. Typically CISC forms two or three teams at the Pre-Comp, U11, and U12 age groups and one to two teams at the U13 and higher age groups. Teams are designated as Blue (Tier 1), White (Tier 2), or Red (Tier 3). That said CISC can from more than two teams at any given age if we have the coaching staff in place to support it.

HOW WILL PLAYERS BE MOVED BETWEEN TEAMS IN THE SAME AGE GROUP?
Age groups with multiple teams or a pool of players will have opportunities for player movement during the club tryout period. Player movement must occur during the tryout process and players cannot be moved between teams unless expressly agreed upon by the Head Coaches and the DOC. There will be some instances where player movement will need to occur in the season during a period other than “tryouts”. When that is required it will be facilitated and approved by the Age Group Director (AGD) or the Director of Coaching (DOC). There is no strict requirement for player movement and a player on a Red team may move up to the Blue team if it is where they will best be developed and challenged. Any new player transferring into an age group or age pool will be evaluated and placed by the AGD and DOC or his designee.

DO I NEED TO REGISTER ONLINE OR CAN I WALK IN AND REGISTER THE DAY OF?
You can register for the tryouts online at www.ciscsoccer.org; as well as you can register as a walk-in the day of. Online registration will help speed up the check-in process and allows you to use a credit card to pay the tryout and state insurance fee assessed to all players.

WHAT DO I BRING TO TRYOUTS?
Bring an age appropriate size soccer ball marked with your name and phone number, water bottle with water, cleats or turfs, and other appropriate gear; i.e. shin guards, gloves, etc..
Arrive early, give yourself time to warm-up and get comfortable with the environment. If you are unfamiliar with the tryouts introduce yourself to one of the coaches on site and ask questions.

WHAT DO I WEAR AT TRYOUTS?
ODP affiliated clothing or club uniforms of any type are not to be worn during the tryouts. A player attending the tryouts with such clothing on may be asked to remove such items during the tryouts.
Please do not bring your dog (or animals) to tryouts, practices, games, etc. They are not allowed or welcomed. It is for the health and well being of our children and CISC rents/leases its fields from private and municipal organizations. If we fail to enforce their rules we will pay fines and may lose the use of those fields.