Pumas Futbol Club provides answers to some of the FAQs in select soccer

Released on = July 7, 2005, 3:30 pm

Press Release Author = T Harman

Industry = Non Profit

Press Release Summary = A list of common questions and answers about the world of youth select soccer.

Press Release Body = Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the difference between recreational and competitive soccer?

RECREATIONAL Guaranteed game time play
Practice - 1-2 times per wk
Shorter personal commitment
Player turnover
Less competitive play
Cost - under $200 per year
Coaching - usually volunteer
No tryouts - just sign up
May have a local club affiliation
for their recreational base
Purely recreational

COMPETITIVE
No game time play guarantee
Practice 2-3 times per wk
One year commitment
Low turnover
Competitive play
Cost - $1,000 + per year
Coaching - coaching licenses
Tryouts are required
to make the team
Fully Competitive, no recreational affiliation
Intended to provide step up college soccer

While the above list does not include everything, it should give you an idea of the differences of recreational vs. competitive soccer.

2) What are the cost’s for competitive soccer?
Each Club or team determines what their yearly fees will be. There are several fixed cost’s involved, they are: yearly league fees (Dallas/Lake Highlands, Plano,
Arlington), referee fees, NTSSA insur. Fees, uniform cost, DFW Qualifying tournament & Club dues. Coaching fees can be set per coach upon hiring, or by each individual team.

3) What determines where my child’s team will play?
Most teams, girls/boys, participate in the DFW Qualifying Tournament held this year (Aug. 6-14). Teams are ranked by age group according to the number of points earned in the tournament (points are awarded for wins, ties and shut-outs). Once the
ranking results are in each team will be notified as to where they have placed in their age division. The top tiered teams will play in the Dallas Classic League
(boys) and Lake Highlands League (girls) with the remaining teams being placed by choice in the Plano or Arlington leagues.

4) How many games do players play in during the soccer season? Generally, each team will participate in 17-20 league games, 16-19 tournament games
and 8-10 indoor games throughout a soccer season.

5) How do I know if my child’s coach is a good coach?
Many players already know their coaches style, because they have attended skills sessions or camps with them. If you have not had the opportunity to do this prior to tryouts, start asking around about a particular coach you may be interested in. Your child will let you know during tryouts if they like the coach or if they do not. As a bystander at tryouts parents will get an idea if the coach is right for their child. If you do not have this opportunity…..ask your child, most will give you an honest opinion. Remember, your child is the one who has to like the coach, not you.

6) What are my obligations to the team or Club if my child is chosen to become a part of the team?
First and foremost to be a contributing member of the Club or team. There are many things that go into organizing and running a Club or individual team. Helping out in even the small things helps tremendously. Second, and very important is paying your child’s fees in a timely manner. This allows your child to continue to play as well as make things easier on those collecting fees. Third, your child’s coach needs you to be supportive of his efforts and re-inforce what he is teaching……team skills,
individual skills, sportsmanship and game conduct (towards opponents, referees and by standers).

7) How many days a week are practices held?
Of course, this depends on the coach, but most competitive teams practice weekly two to three times per week.

8) In recreational soccer my child was guaranteed to play 50% of each game. Is it the same in competitive soccer? No. When signing a competitive contract to play it clearly states that by signing and joining a competitive team you are not guaranteed game time play. With that said, it is very important for parents to realistically evaluate where their child is skill wise against the rest of the players on the team. As important, is knowing the coach that will be coaching your child. Look for a coach who believes every player is important to the team and by choosing your child for the team it is his/her responsibility to TEACH that player to play at a level that will allow him/her to have game time play. Be cautious of the coach who will choose your child to fill a spot on the team only to increase that coaches monthly salary by the
addition of another player. We at the Pumas believe that if the child is good enough to be on the team then it is the responsibility of the coach to teach them to play soccer in order to play in games. If this is not accomplished then the Club is doing nothing
more than taking a families money while at the same time crushing a child’s spirit for the game of soccer.

9) When are tryouts held? Is it the same time each year? Tryouts in North Texas are held each year starting July 1 and ending July 10.

10) When and where is the DFW Qualifying Tournament held? Currently, the DFW Qualifying Tournament is held at the Richland College soccer
complex in Dallas, TX. The tournament is usually held each year during the first two to three weeks of August.

11) How do I learn more information about competitive or recreational soccer rules in North Texas? Your best source of information regarding soccer in North Texas is the following website, www.ntxsoccer.org. If playing competitive soccer each competitive league has its’ own set of rules and regulations to follow. Once you know where your child
will be playing then you can move forward on reading them.

Web Site = http://www.pumasfc.com

Contact Details = P.O. Box 936, Keller, TX 76244