Tryouts dates for the 2010 season are as follows:

ALL THE TRYOUTS WILL BE HELD AT SUNY ON THE GREAT LAWN

The U9 and U10 tryouts will take place during the regular Friday sessions on Fri, May 21.

U9 (current U8) and U10 (current U9) girls from 3:45-4:45 (check in and registration at 3:30).

U9 (current U8) and U10 (current U9) boys from 4:45-5:45 (registration at 4:30).

It will be important that the trainers compare only next year's U9 players with other U9 players, and next year's U10 players with other U10 players.  There will be an U9 and U10 tryout going on simultaneously for each gender.  Same as we did last year.

The U11-12 tryouts will take place on Sat, June 5 in the following schedule:

U11 girls from 2:30-3:30 (we will have them check in and register at 2:15pm)

U12 girls from 3:45-4:45 (registration at 3:30)

U11 boys from 5-6pm (registration at 4:45)

U12 boys from 6:15-7:15pm (registration at 6pm)

(Raindate for the U11/12 tryouts is Sat, June 12)

Please bring the following to the tryouts:

1.  1"x1" head shot photo with name written on the back;

2.  An original and one copy of a newly executed WYSL medical release form (available for download on this website under the "Documents" tab); and

3.  All NEW players in our program must also bring a copy of their birth cirtificate or passport.  

Harrison Youth Soccer Club

Player Selections and Tryouts Policy

The following rules shall apply with respect to player tryouts and team placement:

1.         Players should generally play within their age group.  Requests to move up to a higher age group will be addressed by the Board of Directors on a case-by-case basis.  Permission shall be provided by the Board at its discretion upon a showing of good cause by the player’s parents or relevant coaches.  Consideration may be given to, among other factors, what is in the best interest of the player, the player’s physical size, ability and skill level, the desire to play with other kids in the player’s grade level, the lack of a sufficient number of players within the player’s age group, etc.  This rule shall not apply to players who during the 2005 season have already played up.

2.         It is the objective of the Club to group players and to organize teams based on ability level.  In age groups where there are a sufficient number of players to form more than one team, players shall be grouped and assigned teams once a year prior to the Fall season based on the factors listed in section 4 below.  The U-8 development teams (for the purposes of U-9 play) will generally be divided into two equal teams based on tryouts before the Fall season.  All other age groups will be divided into A and B teams.  If there are enough players and coaches for three teams within any age group (including U-8), the players will typically be divided into an A team and two equal B teams.    

3.         Tryouts shall be held once a year before the Fall season for the U-8, U-9 and U-10 teams.  Tryouts for older age groups will be held as directed by the Board in its discretion or upon the request of an HFC coach on that gender/age group level.  Tryouts shall be advertised and scheduled in accordance with WYSL rules.  All such tryouts shall be held on a no-name basis by unbiased, objective professional trainers hired by the Club, with the assistance of coaches who do not have players in the affected age and gender group as appropriate.  The results of the tryouts shall be kept confidential by the coaches of each age group.

4.         When grouping players and assigning them to a team, the following factors shall be considered in the following order of priority:

Ø      If the player is an active player, her/his performance during the past season in league and tournament play;

Ø      The player’s commitment to the program as reflected by practice and game attendance;

Ø      Other relevant factors such as a player’s demeanor and attitude; and

Ø      The relative ranking or grade the player receives during the tryouts held in accordance with Section 3 above. 

Players should be evaluated, among other criteria, based on their ball control, speed of play and decision making, use and creation of space with and without the ball, transition and mobility.

5.         The coaches for the U-9 age groups and above (for purposes of U-10 play and above) shall be jointly responsible for grouping players and assigning them to teams based on the above-listed factors.  As appropriate to facilitate the tryouts, the head coaches in each age group shall, at least ten (10) days prior to the tryouts, rate each of the players on their teams (A, B+, B, B- and C) by applying the factors set forth in Section 4above.  Ratings shall be exchanged between the coaches in each age group, and the coaches shall jointly prepare a preliminary rating and team assignment list in an effort to focus the tryouts on specific players who are relatively close in ability level and “on the cusp” as to team assignment.  Any of the coaches on the affected grade level may request the Board to assign a coach of a different age group from the Club to observe the tryouts and assist in the final rankings and team assignments in the event of a disagreement.  Any disagreement between the coaches shall be resolved by the Board who may rely on the observations of the disinterested coach, if any, appointed by the Board to witness the tryouts.

6.         Ranking and grouping players among the U-8 age group (for U-9 play and above) shall be made by disinterested coaches appointed by the Board and shall be primarily based upon the evaluation of the professional trainers hired by the Club following the Spring development play program and the tryouts.   Each parent who may want to coach during the U-9 play season shall prepare and submit an application for consideration by the Board in the form designated by the Board, which is available on the Club website at www.HarrisonTravelSoccer.org.  Such coaching applications shall be filed by a date designated by the Board prior to the tryouts.  The Board shall review the applications and appoint coaches after the players have been ranked at the tryouts and teams have been designated. 

7.         Whenever possible and practical, the vision of the Club is to approach each gender within an age group as one larger team rather than distinct smaller teams.  This approach is intended to enhance the development of players and promote a sense of unity and friendship among the players and among the coaches.  The Club believes that this approach will also enable each age group to take full advantage of scarce coaching resources and facilities.  Where practical, the Club encourages joint practice sessions among the different teams in each age group, the participation of children as guest players to other teams in tournaments and winter league play, and will permit, subject to Board approval, the transfer of players between Club teams within an age group as appropriate when permissible under WYSL rules.  To this end, coaches are expected to cooperate and communicate with each other on a regular basis and to advise each other about players that may benefit from playing on a different team within the age group.  In doing so, the Club hopes to minimize any stigma that may be perceived by the players or their parents as a result of a lower than expected team grouping or player ranking.  

8.         Nothing contained in these rules shall prevent a coach or parent from filing a grievance with the Board in accordance with Club procedures, although the use of the grievance process to contest team designation of individual players is generally discouraged.  Relief for such grievances shall only be granted at the discretion of the Board based upon a showing of bias, abuse of discretion or the existence of special circumstances.