General Information

  • Evaluations are only for U9 and older players.
  • Note that we use the word “evaluation” and not “tryout”.  The goal is to find an appropriate team for every player when possible.
  • Details on how teams are organized can be found in the SSC Standing Rules sections C, D, E, and F.
  • All teams are dissolved at the end of the spring to allow for fair consideration of all players for all fall teams.
  • Teams are generally organized so that children of equal skill are on the same team.  This allows for every child to grow at the appropriate pace.
  • You MUST attend the evaluation for your age group in order to be considered for the primary team in the age group.  If a team doesn’t exist in your age group, you should attend the assessment for the age group above.
  • At evaluations, coaches and evaluators, both affiliated and not affiliated with  the team, will rank all players.  The general criteria evaluators are looking for can be found below.
  • The coach will choose players based primarily on all the rankings.  A player who is “playing up” an age group from their natural age must be ranked in the top 8 at assessments to play up.  The SSC executive board has the final say on team composition.
  • If numbers permit, a secondary team will be created in an age group and/or age groups may be combined to form a team.
  • Parents should feel free to ask a member of the SSC executive board for clarification regarding the team organization process.  Our goal is to make this process as transparent as possible.
  • If you own a SSC uniform jersey, wear it to evaluations.  If you don’t own a SSC jersey, wear another shirt with a number on it.

***Evaluation Dates, times and locations will be provided by the board if required***

 

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluators will use the following general criteria to assess players.  These criteria have been modified from Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association’s (EPYSA) Olympic Development Program (ODP).  While most SSC players are not ODP caliber players yet, this general list is relevant for players of all age and talent levels.

  1. Speed – Pure speed is a huge benefit in any sport but often times in soccer, mental speed (decision making with and without the ball under pressure) can allow players to compensate for lack of pure speed.
  2. Touch – First touch may be the most critical technique for a soccer player. Receiving balls on the ground or air swiftly and in preparation for their next decision, with a sense of comfort, makes the game easier to play.
  3. The use of both feet in passing and finishing makes for more opportunities for every player. Watching a player take extra touches to get the ball to his or her strong foot may result in losing possession or a poor decision. Using the proper foot surface inside or instep for passing or shooting also comes into play.
  4. Transition – Moving from attack to defense and defense to attack quickly, from any position, is a strong indicator of a high level player.
  5. Determined play on fifty – fifty balls (tackles) add to a player’s worth in the eyes of evaluators. In tackles we are looking for the player to go in hard and regain possession.
  6. Overall comfort with the ball, with not a sense of panic when in possession. Confidence and enthusiasm are recognized quickly.
  7. Decision making, when to possess the ball or take a player on with not a sense of panic, especially in the attacking third.
  8. Talk from an individual, especially on the defensive side of the ball, makes the game easier for the entire team.
  9. Passionate play within the penalty box, whether on attack or defense, is important.
  10. Pace and endurance during the evaluation and recognizing when there is a time to recover in play are also areas that we look for during evaluations.