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SFSA PROGRAMS |
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SFSA runs programs for boys and girls
as a member of PAWest, the ruling state soccer
association and also attempts as much as possible to
follow the guidelines recommended by PAWest and US
Youth Soccer (USYSA). Ages are determined by the
USYSA and do not match exactly the child's calendar
age. |
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See this chart to determine your
child's official age. |
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2010-2011 |
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U14 |
8-1-96 to 7-31-97 |
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U13 |
8-1-97 to 7-31-98 |
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U12 |
8-1-98 to 7-31-99 |
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U11 |
8-1-99 to 7-31-00 |
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U10 |
8-1-00 to 7-31-01 |
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U9 |
8-1-01 to 7-31-02 |
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U8 |
8-1-02 to 7-31-04 |
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U6 |
8-1-04 to 7-31-06 |
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In-house Crickets & Recreation |
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SFSA manages an In house intramural
playing and league program as recommended by PAWest
for ages 5-10. The main objectives for the In-house
program are, to introduce as many youths as possible
to the game of soccer, to get them excited enough to
continue playing, to teach basic individual and team
skills, and to prepare teams for entry into the
travel program. We promote, fair play, equal
playing time, and emphasize player and coaching
development over wins and losses. To that end, we
maintain no team records, or team scores or
individual scores. We follow the guidelines set by
PAWest, no recruitment or tryouts are used to
construct teams. Teams are assembled by the
coaching committees in an effort to ensure the most
even distribution of talent among all teams. SFSA
conducts 2 In-house sessions per year, fall and
spring. Many other local clubs only do in-house in
the fall. Your fall registration fee covers both
the fall and spring sessions. Teams are maintained
fall to spring and new signups in the spring are
equally distributed to existing teams. |
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All In-house games are Saturdays at
the El Rancho fields on Hickory Grade Road.
Practices are held there as well, and the schedule
is worked out among the coaches to choose a set day
each week. |
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The Cricket program is for ages 5 & 6 |
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The main objective is
to have fun for all, players, coaches and parents.
The Crickets play only on Saturday mornings, from
9-10 AM at the El Rancho field complex. Each session
consists of about 1/2 hour of light training and
drills, and 1/2 hour of small sided games. 1 hour
is about the limit of the attention span for this
age group. The kids have great fun. We follow the
USYSA and PAWest guidelines for no goalies at this
age level. Each child is required to have shin
guards a PAWest, and USYSA rule. Each child needs
to have their own size 3 ball. Player provided
soccer spikes are optional but recommended as it can
get quite slippery at 9 AM at the fields.
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The recreation program currently consists of the U8
and U10 programs. |
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U8 is for 7 and 8 year olds, and U10
is for 9 & 10 year olds. We follow the guidelines of
USYSA and PAWest for these age group development
recommendations and have found them to be the best
method for young player development. They include
smaller sided team games on smaller fields, smaller
goals, and no goalies until U10. Each child needs to
have their own size ball (U8 Size 3 and U10 Size
4). Player provided soccer spikes are recommended.
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The U8 program
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Players play 4 on versus 4 on a small
field with very small goals and no goalies. Each
team is assigned between 10 - 14 players. On game
day, the teams are broken into 2 squads, and A and B
based upon their current development level. At the
same time, each team's A squad competes with the
team's B squad , again 4 v 4. This usually leaves
each squad with 1-3 subs for rest. We require that
all players play an equal amount of time. Having
10-14 players on a squad ensure also that enough
players will be available for the required 1 day a
week practice. Practice is very important, as this
is where the coaches can provide instruction for
improvement. |
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The U10 program
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Also follows the USYSA guidelines.
Players play on a team of 6 v 6 with a goalie, but
on a reduced field size and smaller goals than older
players and adults play on. |
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Travel |
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PAWest does not permit travel teams
under the age of 10. Generally most clubs start
their travel programs at the U10-U16 age level.
Travel is permitted for a true age 10 level (but
U7-U9 are allowed to roster if they’re assessed,
evaluated and possess the skills/athleticism to
perform), but generally SFSA does not have enough
players to roster a U10 travel team. Generally
PAWest runs leagues in the even year ages, U12, U14,
U16 & U18. The odd years players are grouped with
the above, i.e. U11s play in the U12 league.
Occasionally there are enough players of both the
odd age years and even age years to consider an odd
age year team. Each child needs to have their own
size 5 ball. Player provided soccer spikes are
optional but recommended. |
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It is the SFSA board which decides,
with input from players, parents and coaches, which
division each team plays. Our philosophy is to
attempt to put players and teams in the most
appropriate challenge division, where players/teams
will have a sufficient level of competition to
advance development each year. |
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PAWest conducts travel play on
Sundays. Generally the locations for away games are
close, but occasionally can be as far as Uniontown
and Wheeling WV. |
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For a larger challenge to highly
advanced, skilled, or interested players. PAWest
allows special clubs called Classic Division play,
or otherwise known as CUP play. PAWest does not
allow the same team to compete in both travel and
CUP. There are no restrictions based on geography
for CUP teams. They hold tryouts and there is
usually a fee to play. They become all star teams
of a sort, and thus the reason not to allow them to
compete in the Sunday travel league. Individual
players may play on both a travel and CUP team.
There are rules as to how many CUP players a travel
team has to guard against circumventing the
crossover rule above, and also at the division
level, for example any team with 6 CUP players must
play in the most competitive division on travel, 1
or A, even if the 6 players don't play on the same
cup team. Classic division plays on Saturdays and
usually enters a few out of state tournaments each
year. |
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Camps |
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Player camps:
SFSA currently doesn't sponsor a soccer camp
directly. We publish some local camp information
that run by the High school program to help develop
proper soccer skills and enthusiasm for the game for
the young soccer player. We also will post some
information for advance camps that is put on by some
of the cup soccer coached in this area.
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Coaching camps:
The director of coaching runs coaching camps before
the fall session each year. The first is for
beginner and first time coaches. We focus on
helping the newcomer coach learn how to run a team,
practice, game day, and what fundamentals we expect
at each age level. A second coaching camp is held
for more experienced coaches to discuss new coaching
techniques and strategies the SFSA would like the
coaches to employ. Occasionally SFSA will host a
PAWest sponsored free youth coaching clinic on
site. They require a minimum attendance and
coordination. |
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