Frequently Asked Questions
Many positions are available on a team basis: team manager, team reporter, snack parent, field maintenance, and tournament committee positions. All families are expected to volunteer to help with events sponsored by the Montgomery YMCA Capital City Streaks.. The team manager’s role is to facilitate the operation of the team throughout the soccer season. The time commitment varies but generally requires a couple hours per week. Being a team manager is an excellent way to positively influence your team and learn about the organizational aspect of soccer. All games are officiated by referees certified by the United States Soccer Federation and all referees are required to pass an annual written test for certification. Players can play other sports but are expected to participate in the team’s soccer training sessions and games. Parents or players should contact the coach when conflicts arise in order to determine a solution as the commitment to training is of primary importance to the coach/player and open communication between the coach and parent/player limits any misunderstandings. Other than club registration & dues, costs vary depending upon how much each team decides to do. Some tendencies: U10 are lower end of range, U11-U13 are sometimes higher end, U14-U17 are even higher.. In addition, players are required to purchase a club uniform kit ($145), players require a ball ($8-$20), a new pair of cleats each year ($20-$100), and shin guards every few years ($5-$25). Annual dues are set each season based on estimated club costs & income spread over the projected number of players. The head coach serves as the general manager of the team. Assistant coaches and the team manager support the head coach in the administration and operation throughout the soccer year. The Montgomery YMCA Capital City Streaks has defined expectations for coaches and the staff works with coaches throughout the year. No. Yes. Many players have moved onto a team at a higher level than their previous year’s team. Team placement occurs after tryouts. At the U10 level, the focus is on soccer development. Assignment to teams is generally based on overall soccer skills. At U11 and above, placement is determined by a combination of overall soccer ability and position specific skills exhibited by individual players. This is due to the increasing importance of team tactical development and the need for a team to have competitive players in each position. All team rosters are approved by the Montgomery YMCA Soccer Staff.. The Montgomery YMCA Capital City Streaks understands the stress that tryouts may bring to some players. We try to create an environment where participants are not “stressed” during tryouts. We want to see their best possible play and best possible attitude. Tryouts consist of skill testing and game play situations. Coaches will evaluate each athlete on their ability to complete individual and team skills, acceptance of instruction, effort and attitude. Each age group tryout will be different based on abilities of that age group. All parents are welcomed to watch tryouts. While everyone likes to play soccer with their friends, the Montgomery YMCA Capital City Streaks cannot make that a consideration for tryouts. With everything that is considered for team placement, it is too difficult to accommodate everyone’s friend request. Additionally, the Montgomery YMCA Capital City Streaks have seen a lot of benefit by players making friends with many players across the capital city area because they played club together. Everyone is evaluated at their age level during tryouts. Each tryout is separate and distinct from previous year—so if you played up one year, you may not the next. There are cases in which the Montgomery YMCA Capital City Streaks believes that placing a player in the next age group is beneficial to their development, however in most cases we believe that it is best for a player to play in their age group. When athletes have worked hard and attained a level of excellence it creates an opportunity for those teams to be more competitive at State Cup, ODP Regionals and at the National level. Typically if an exceptional player “plays up” they are reduced to a median status against the older players and potentially lose an opportunity to develop their leadership skills. The decision to move a player to an older age group is solely at the discretion of the Montgomery YMCA Capital City Streaks staff with parental concurrence. Not everyone is placed on a team for two reasons. First, not everyone is ready for the competition level that premier soccer provides. These individuals may not be placed on a team but instead given advice on how to improve their level of play in order to play premier soccer the next season. Secondly, the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) limits the number of players from a specific high school team from playing together. In those cases, we try to offer those players a position on the other Montgomery YMCA Capital City Streak teams in that age group. The Montgomery YMCA Capital City Streaks states up front that the growth and learning comes in the practices where every player has equal opportunity to grow and learn. At league games and tournaments, the coaches put forward the most competitive team they can to win. This means that there is not equal playing for all. Yes. Recreational soccer is much different than premier soccer. Premier soccer is a competitive league at the U11 and older age groups. Teams travel from across Alabama to compete against each other. Although there are different levels of competitiveness (divisions) within the league, usually teams at the lowest level of travel soccer are still higher than the typical recreational soccer team. Recreational soccer ≠ travel soccer. There are two basic levels of soccer: recreational and premier. Each of these differs in level of play, player, and parent commitment, amount of travel, and cost.. Recreational soccer is the least competitive and requires less time and commitment than premier soccer. Premier Soccer is designed for players who have an interest and the ability to benefit from additional soccer training and to compete at a higher level of play. Because it is competitive, the program requires more time, effort, and commitment from both the player and parents. This is a commitment matched by the coaches and staff of the Montgomery YMCA Capital City Streaks.. From this shared commitment, your child’s development as a soccer player should progress more rapidly than if they played only recreational soccer. Premier Soccer is competitive soccer played against like teams from other communities. The Montgomery YMCA Capital City Streak teams compete with teams from other clubs throughout Alabama area through the Alabama Youth Soccer Association.Premier
What volunteer opportunities/requirements are there?
What is the role of the team manager?
Who referees the games?
Can players also play other sports concurrently?
What is the cost to participate in Premier Soccer?
Who is in charge of a particular team?
Once a player is on a team, is he/she guaranteed a spot next year?
How are players assigned to a team?
What should I expect at tryouts?
Can I request to be placed on a team with my friend?
Am I allowed to “play up” to an older age group?
Does everyone who tries out make a team?
Does everyone get equal playing time in Premier Soccer?
Is there a minimum level of performance required for Premier Soccer?
How does Premier Soccer differ from Recreational Soccer?
What is Premier Soccer?