LAWTON SOCCER CLUB Recreational Soccer
LAWTON SOCCER CLUB What are the differences between Competitive, Traveling Recreational, & Recreational soccer? Recreational Soccer Is that soccer program that is primarily devoted to the enjoyment and development of soccer players without the emphasis on travel or high level competition. The purpose of recreational soccer is to provide an opportunity for the participants to have fun, learn the sport and develop life skills including a life long love of the game.
Traveling Recreational Soccer Is a “bridging” program between recreational and competitive soccer and it is devoted to player and team development in a more competitive environment. As players become more skilled, desire a more competitive soccer environment, and become willing to commit greater time to training, the Travel program exists for them as a higher level athletic experience. It introduces parents and players to a more committed emphasis on learning and developing in the sport and requires travel to play against similar programs at the city, county, or state level.
Competitive Soccer Is for those players and families fully committed to pursuing future playing opportunities within the sport at the highest levels of competition. This requires significantly more time, effort, and commitment in order to grow and develop players to their fullest potential. This includes increased financial cost and greater travel than what is required of recreational programs
LAWTON SOCCER CLUB Characteristics of Competitive, Traveling Recreational, & Recreational soccer Recreational Soccer 1.
The use of tryouts, invitations, recruiting, or any similar process to roster players to any team on the basis of talent or ability is prohibited 2. The club administering the league accepts as participants in the league any eligible youths (Oklahoma Recreational Teams must be formed by one or more of the five methods listed below that fit the needs of the Club best: 1. School Attendance 2. Geography 3. Neighborhood Concept 4. Player Draft 5. Random Draw) 3. League rules require that each player must play at least one-half of each game (50% rule) except for reasons of injury, illness, or discipline 4. Teams are formed in age groups U5 thru U19 5. Recreational players may not be “cut” from a team 6. Coaches are generally parent volunteers 7. Registration is by season (Fall or Spring) 8. Cost: Registration only (Team uniform and tournament fees are optional) 9. Practices are generally 1-2 times a week for approx. an hour based on player’s age and coaches preference 10. Travel is not required for local recreational teams. All games are played at the host club’s fields.
LAWTON SOCCER CLUB Characteristics of Competitive, Traveling Recreational, & Recreational soccer Traveling Recreational Soccer Has the same policies and characteristics as recreational soccer with the following exceptions: 1. Teams are formed by coaches following OSA guidelines 2. Teams are only formed from U9 thru U19 3. Designated club uniforms are required 4. Coaches are usually licensed and paid fees for travel and expenditures 5. Recreational Select Teams – These teams are traveling teams that have performed well enough in travel leagues to merit being placed in the most competitive travel league divisions. They are also referred to as “Rec +” 6. Practices are 2-3 times per week for 1 to 1 & ½ hours based on players age and coaches preferences 7. Travel is required
LAWTON SOCCER CLUB Characteristics of Competitive, Traveling Recreational, & Recreational soccer Competitive Soccer 1. Teams are formed thru a tryout process following OSA guidelines 2. Teams are only formed from U11 thru U19 3. Commitment is for a full year (Fall and following Spring season) 4. Coaches must be licensed and are paid fees for travel and expenditures 5. Designated Club Uniforms are required 6. Practices are from 2-4 times per week for up to 2 hours based on coaches preference 7. All fees are due by a designated date and failure to fulfill obligations may result in your player sitting out until they are fulfilled 8. Playing time is NOT guaranteed. (50% rule does not apply) Playing time is earned in practice 9. Players playing competitive level soccer may not participate in recreational soccer during the course of the competitive season unless granted an exception by OSA 10. Travel is required
LAWTON SOCCER CLUB How do I know what’s right for my child and my family? Before committing to a competitive soccer team, you should evaluate several things about your child and your lifestyle: 1. Am I, the parent, willing to make the financial commitment of the club fees and travel expenses for a seasonal year? 2. Am I, the parent, willing to make the commitment of getting my child to practice 2-4 times per week during the season? (Competitive teams usually go from August thru November and February thru May for U11-U14. August thru February for U15-U19) 3. Am I, the parent, willing to make the commitment of getting my child to games on the weekend, even outof-town games, which could require extensive travel? 4. Am I, the parent, willing to allow my child to play on Sunday, or even during a weeknight in the event of a re-schedule? 5. Am I, the parent, willing to make the commitment of getting my child to tournament/playoff games if their team advances which requires additional travel expenses (i.e. lodging, food) 6. Does my child have time in their schedule? Can they balance school, homework, school sports and /or other extra-curricular activities to commit to a competitive team? 7. Does my child want to play soccer competitively for a year rather than only 8-10 weeks in a recreational program? If you answered “Yes” to the questions above, then competitive is right for you!
Traveling Recreational Soccer Is a “bridging” program between recreational and competitive soccer and it is devoted to player and team development in a more competitive environment. As players become more skilled, desire a more competitive soccer environment, and become willing to commit greater time to training, the Travel program exists for them as a higher level athletic experience. It introduces parents and players to a more committed emphasis on learning and developing in the sport and requires travel to play against similar programs at the city, county, or state level.
Competitive Soccer Is for those players and families fully committed to pursuing future playing opportunities within the sport at the highest levels of competition. This requires significantly more time, effort, and commitment in order to grow and develop players to their fullest potential. This includes increased financial cost and greater travel than what is required of recreational programs
LAWTON SOCCER CLUB Characteristics of Competitive, Traveling Recreational, & Recreational soccer Recreational Soccer 1.
The use of tryouts, invitations, recruiting, or any similar process to roster players to any team on the basis of talent or ability is prohibited 2. The club administering the league accepts as participants in the league any eligible youths (Oklahoma Recreational Teams must be formed by one or more of the five methods listed below that fit the needs of the Club best: 1. School Attendance 2. Geography 3. Neighborhood Concept 4. Player Draft 5. Random Draw) 3. League rules require that each player must play at least one-half of each game (50% rule) except for reasons of injury, illness, or discipline 4. Teams are formed in age groups U5 thru U19 5. Recreational players may not be “cut” from a team 6. Coaches are generally parent volunteers 7. Registration is by season (Fall or Spring) 8. Cost: Registration only (Team uniform and tournament fees are optional) 9. Practices are generally 1-2 times a week for approx. an hour based on player’s age and coaches preference 10. Travel is not required for local recreational teams. All games are played at the host club’s fields.
LAWTON SOCCER CLUB Characteristics of Competitive, Traveling Recreational, & Recreational soccer Traveling Recreational Soccer Has the same policies and characteristics as recreational soccer with the following exceptions: 1. Teams are formed by coaches following OSA guidelines 2. Teams are only formed from U9 thru U19 3. Designated club uniforms are required 4. Coaches are usually licensed and paid fees for travel and expenditures 5. Recreational Select Teams – These teams are traveling teams that have performed well enough in travel leagues to merit being placed in the most competitive travel league divisions. They are also referred to as “Rec +” 6. Practices are 2-3 times per week for 1 to 1 & ½ hours based on players age and coaches preferences 7. Travel is required
LAWTON SOCCER CLUB Characteristics of Competitive, Traveling Recreational, & Recreational soccer Competitive Soccer 1. Teams are formed thru a tryout process following OSA guidelines 2. Teams are only formed from U11 thru U19 3. Commitment is for a full year (Fall and following Spring season) 4. Coaches must be licensed and are paid fees for travel and expenditures 5. Designated Club Uniforms are required 6. Practices are from 2-4 times per week for up to 2 hours based on coaches preference 7. All fees are due by a designated date and failure to fulfill obligations may result in your player sitting out until they are fulfilled 8. Playing time is NOT guaranteed. (50% rule does not apply) Playing time is earned in practice 9. Players playing competitive level soccer may not participate in recreational soccer during the course of the competitive season unless granted an exception by OSA 10. Travel is required
LAWTON SOCCER CLUB How do I know what’s right for my child and my family? Before committing to a competitive soccer team, you should evaluate several things about your child and your lifestyle: 1. Am I, the parent, willing to make the financial commitment of the club fees and travel expenses for a seasonal year? 2. Am I, the parent, willing to make the commitment of getting my child to practice 2-4 times per week during the season? (Competitive teams usually go from August thru November and February thru May for U11-U14. August thru February for U15-U19) 3. Am I, the parent, willing to make the commitment of getting my child to games on the weekend, even outof-town games, which could require extensive travel? 4. Am I, the parent, willing to allow my child to play on Sunday, or even during a weeknight in the event of a re-schedule? 5. Am I, the parent, willing to make the commitment of getting my child to tournament/playoff games if their team advances which requires additional travel expenses (i.e. lodging, food) 6. Does my child have time in their schedule? Can they balance school, homework, school sports and /or other extra-curricular activities to commit to a competitive team? 7. Does my child want to play soccer competitively for a year rather than only 8-10 weeks in a recreational program? If you answered “Yes” to the questions above, then competitive is right for you!
