Team Formation Policy

Columbus Soccer Club is committed to player development and fostering a love of the game. This is accomplished by offering soccer players of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities an opportunity to learn not only the technical skills required to play soccer, but also the importance of teamwork, integrity, and sportsmanship to help establish new and lasting friendships through soccer.

Columbus Soccer Club has developed the following Team Formation Policy as a guide for parents and coaches to better understand our mission and purpose as a soccer organization. This policy was created with the best interest of every individual soccer player in mind to maximize their potential while creating an environment for learning, participation, and fun. While it is natural for players, parents, and coaches to want to win every game they play, the focus of this policy is to put our players and teams in a position to learn, grow, and excel at their own unique pace. Many great lessons can be learned from a challenging match or hard-fought loss. Few lessons are learned from winning or losing in a blowout.

Following the model of our Player Development Pathway, Columbus Soccer shall form rosters based upon the following guidelines:

1. At all levels of our development pathway, players will be appropriately challenged and encouraged to experiment with new tactical skills. This learning will happen in a low-pressure environment where players are free to make mistakes to determine more appropriate options in the future. As part of this growth, coaching is limited to just the team coach (and not parents and spectators) so that the players can learn and not just follow orders.
2. Recreational soccer will be offered for every soccer player in our community who wishes to play. The recreational soccer pathway is not available for players enrolled in our competitive pathway (club/travel teams).
3. At the youngest ages, club team rosters are not as locked in. While players may spend the majority of their time with a particular team, coaches are encouraged to have teams train together, mix up rosters for various events or scrimmages, and limit the number of subs on each team to maximize playing time. Winning should not be stressed as the primary goal is to allow for player discovery and development.
4. As players get older, ID nights and eventually tryouts will be held to determine the most appropriate placement for each player. These decisions are not based on personal favoritism or a continuation of a previous year's roster. Rather, players will be scored on a variety of factors by each of the coaches for their respective age bracket and with input from our Directors of Coaching.
5. Depending on the abilities of a player at that moment in time, rosters will be organized in a way to group similar abilities together on the same roster. Several players may get the chance to continue playing with teammates from prior seasons, while other players may be moved onto more or less competitive roster environments. Because players will pick up proper technique and tactical interpretation faster or slower than others, it is only appropriate for each player's individual development that they be placed on a roster with others of similar ability. Likewise, players may eventually stall out after getting a good jump on their peers, or catch up to others as the year goes along, resulting in a need for a roster adjustment. While parents may request a review of their child's current roster placement, the Director(s) of Coaching will make the final determination that is most appropriate for the player.
6. Players will not be placed on a roster simply because that is the team he/she has grown up with. When rosters include players of widely different skillsets and abilities, some players may receive significantly less playing time, limiting their development and reducing their enjoyment of the game. When rostered with others of similar skillsets, players receive a more equal distribution of playing time, increased touches on the ball, and an overall better playing experience. Team rosters that are made up of similar skillset players are also better positioned to compete in an appropriate bracket for NYSL league play and some tournaments.
7. Just because a player is placed on a roster does not mean they are considered to be any better or worse than another. We are all members of the same soccer club pulling toward the same goal of improving player development. As mentioned earlier, every player is unique and learns the proper technique at their own pace. It is our goal as a soccer club to maximize their development and long-term potential in the sport. Players will have the opportunity to have their roster assignment adjusted as necessary based upon their individual development and ability. Sometimes, these opportunities may be temporary to determine if it is appropriate to move a player into a more or less challenging environment. Other times, these changes may be permanent until the next ID night or tryouts are held.
8. At any time, a player from the club pathway may decide the competitive environment is no longer right for them, and a move back to the recreational soccer program is available to continue to enjoy the sport of soccer. 
9. Similarly, a recreational soccer player may develop the skills and love of the game that warrants a jump to the competitive pathway for more advanced skill development and higher levels of competition.
10. At any time, a parent may discuss with their coach or our Director(s) of Coaching any decision regarding the most appropriate level or team roster placement for their child. This is a great opportunity to learn the reasoning for a child's current placement and may potentially provide some additional skill areas a player may want to focus on to improve their opportunities within the club.

 

If you are interested in joining one of our club teams, please click here to complete our "ID Nights/Tryouts" form to let us know. There is no cost to complete this form, and the information you provide by completing this form will allow our club to put you in contact with the appropriate coach when a roster spot is open or if enough interest exists to form a new team. Playing club soccer does require a level of commitment including attending weekly soccer practices and some travel for league games and tournaments. Players are responsible for purchasing a uniform and will need basic soccer equipment (shoes, shin guards, and a ball) to participate. If you are unable to cover some of these expenses, our club does have incentives and scholarships available to help with those costs. 

Or, if you are just looking for a fun, recreational soccer option in Columbus, visit our Recreational Soccer page for more details and the next available league.