SCUSC-YDP Page

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Youth Development Program

What is the Youth Development Program (YDP)?

Space Coast United Soccer Club YDP is a program that focuses on player development set in an environment that fosters a child’s love for the game. The YDP will promote a higher level of technical instruction within a fun soccer environment. Essentially, we want to give the game of soccer back to the children.

Who can participate in the YDP?

Program eligibility is limited to U5, U6, U7, U8, U9 and U10 players. All U5 through U10 players within our club or joining our club are eligible. No selection or rating of players for entry is allowed.

What are YDP practices like?

Practices will take place at either Wickham or Viera Soccer Fields. Coaches accompanied by Club Trainers will work from a SCUSC developed curriculum focusing on individual skills and game like situations. The Club trainers will deliver a model first practice of the week and the coach will then lead the second practice of the week. Emphasis is on skill development and learning to "love the ball" all in a positive stress-free environment. And finally, every practice will provide opportunities to play the game.

How much training time will be provided?

For U6 and younger players, our YDP will provide a one hour training session each week. U8/U10 players will practice twice each week for 75 minutes. Each session will be a step in a season long skills progression.

What are YDP game days like?

Space Coast United YDP now have fixed team rosters. On game days, teams will play against other SCUSC rostered teams. During Spring 2010 we plan to create tiered groups based on ability the last two weeks of the season. This will involve interclub tiered play consisting of players from both Viera and Wickham and possibly other BYSL clubs.

How many games will the YDP provide?

Players in the YDP will play eight games in the spring at the U6/U8 levels. Players at U10 will possibly play up to ten games’ as the tiered weekends will consist of more than one game.

What is the format of the YDP games?

Space Coast United U5/U6 YDP, games are played in a 4 versus 4 (4v4) format. U5/U6 games will last 30 minutes with a half-time. U7/U8 YDP, games are played in a 4v4 format. U7/U8 games will last 30 minutes with a half-time. U8 and younger do not play with goalkeepers. Our U9/U10 YDP will play a 6 versus 6 format which includes goal keepers. U9/U10 games will last 50 minutes with a 5 minute half time break. The number of substitutes for each team will be sharply limited in an effort to give all of the players the greatest amount of play time. If a team is short on players, players can be moved from other games immediately over to the game that needs more players. The goal of the Space Coast United Soccer Club YDP Directors and their staff is to offer a game day where every player spends the majority of their games on the field playing.

What happens if the results in a game are lopsided?

While the game is underway, players may be moved between teams. This may mean that players between the opposing teams are exchanged or it may mean that a player is moved into the game from some other team. The bottom line is that the Space Coast United Soccer Club YDP Directors and their staff will have the ability to adjust the games to make them challenging and equally competitive. A close competitive game is the best outcome for every player.

It is dangerous to push the kids to stay on the field without substitutes.

If a team does not have enough players the coaches are instructed from the start of the season to either share players or reduce the number on the field to make it competitive and also safe.

Some parents are upset that the club fees don't include the cost of the trophies.

Space Coast United has never provided trophies at the Recreational/YDP age groups. We would prefer our teams not to do so and instead suggest that coaches give a ball or some other piece of equipment that can be used. The Club’s view is that there is plenty time to win medals and awards in the future.

Where will the YDP take place?

The Space Coast Coast United Soccer Club YDP practices and games will all take place at Wickham and Viera Soccer Fields.

Why did the club change from traditional recreation teams to the YDP?

There are a number of compelling reasons for this change. But all of the reasons answer one question: Are we putting the needs of the children first? Between the ages of 12 and 14, approximately one-half to three-quarters of our country’s youth quit organized sports. And because of the physical and mental challenges and necessary maturity required to play soccer at the highest level, we’re losing players before anyone knows whether they will truly excel in the sport of soccer. Our job as soccer coaches is to keep our players in the game and keep them playing as long as possible. So we are joining a national trend that drastically reduces the emphasis on short-term gain (an overemphasis on winning) and instead focuses on long-term benefits. In other words, we are going to focus on the reasons children play sports. Children play sports because it’s challenging, because they learn new things, because they get to be with their friends and meet new friends and because it’s just plain fun.

The children no longer get a full uniform - The fees have gone up yet we only get part of a uniform.

The club has decided to keep to a Red and White Space Coast shirt partly to promote a club identity. Furthermore it is intended that these shirts could be reused for two or three seasons thus providing a discount on registration. This is offered on the registration form.

A breakdown of club costs is highlighted below:

What will the YDP do to the competitiveness of the Space Coast United Soccer Club?

With a long-term focus on the needs of the players, we strongly believe this will make us a more competitive club. The YDP will help us develop more highly skilled players than our current recreational/competitive soccer approach. The YDP will also generate a larger pool of knowledgeable and skilled players. We will also build a stronger sense of club loyalty. As more of our players and their parents meet each other, we build a spirit of community within our club. In the long run, more of our older players will choose to stay and play for the Space Coast United Soccer Club. We also expect the YDP to help more children develop a life-long commitment to athletics.

How will the parents know which team to cheer for?

They won’t. Suddenly the focus changes away from a game’s outcome to something that should be much more important to every parent: watching their children participate in athletics and have fun. The YDP format takes away the adult perspective of the importance of whether a team wins or not. Now the focus will be on the development of our youth players and their enjoyment of the game. Parents can now concentrate on something of utmost importance: their relationship with their child.

REGISTRATION

What do I need for registration if my child is new to soccer?

You will need the registration fees as well as a COPY of the player's birth certificate that the club will keep.

What else do I need for registration?

Shortly after registration, a picture of your child is needed. Please provide a small photograph (approx 1" x 1-1/2") of you child to your coach. The team's official roster must include an individual photograph of every player.

What forms of payment can be accepted at registration?

Personal check or money order are accepted at "on site" registration. Our online registration system only accepts credit card.

If I withdraw my child from soccer, do I get a full refund?

If the season has not started, you will receive a partial refund. The club cannot recover the registration expenses associated with insurance and uniforms. Your refund will be reduced by these costs. If your child has played the season's first game, a refund is not available. See the club’s refund policy on the website.

What do my registration fees cover?

Registration fees cover insurance, referee fees, field maintenance, processing fees with the Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA) and uniforms. In addition, registration fees for the Youth Development Program go towards the expense of hiring certified trainers.

How do I handle special requests (like playing up) for my child?

Each special request must go before the Space Coast United Club board for consideration. If your child has a special need, the board will consider your request and vote on it. The parent must attend the board meeting and inform the board of your request and what the specific need is. All players wishing to play up need to have a parent/guardian complete our playing up form and turn it in with the child's registration. Players playing up 2 or more years must receive approval from the board.

Where can I find out registration dates and information?

Registration information (including dates) are posted at the field and on this web site. In addition, registration information is mailed out to all players from the previous season.

I did not receive a registration mailing. What should I do?

First, check this web page to find out when registration is. If you have moved without updating your information with the club, the registration information mailing was sent to your old address.

How soon should I expect a response to my question asked via email?

Please understand that the club is run by volunteers. Our goal is to respond to questions within 48 hours. The registration period is an especially hectic time and responses may take a little longer. Also consider that the person you are trying to contact may be out of town on business or vacation. You may want to contact more than one board member for very important issues or questions.

How can I contact the club's registrar?

The registrar can be contacted directly via email. Check the Board section of this web page for board member info. The club address is here.

Do I have to live in Melbourne to play for the Space Coast United Soccer Club?

No. In addition to players from Melbourne, our club has players from Cocoa, Port St. John, Merritt Island, Viera, Rockledge and Cocoa Beach.

How do I request to coach?

At registration, volunteers sign up and fill out a coaches’ registration card. The card is processed at which time a FDLE background check is done.

As a coach, do I have to put my social security number and my date of birth on the registration card?

Starting in 2008, only the last four digits of your social security number are required. Your partial social security number and date of birth are used to process the FDLE background check.

COMPETITIVE SOCCER

What is comp soccer?

The fundamental difference between a recreational team and a competitive (or "comp") team is that a comp team is made up of players who have tried out for the comp team and have been selected by the coach. Recreational (rec) teams are put together randomly from those players who sign up.

Should my child try out for comp soccer?

In a competitive sense, comp soccer is more demanding than rec soccer. There is a greater focus on working hard and challenging each player to reach their fullest soccer potential. The comp team will put in a lot of work building the best team possible given the coach's and player's abilities. This can be a lot of fun, but only if the player has to desire a higher level of soccer and thrive in a more demanding training environment.

If your child is interested, go for it! Just remember that soccer must be fun! If your child makes a comp team and finds that the level of work required is no longer fun, get them back to rec soccer as soon as possible. The most important thing is to keep soccer fun for your child.

What else can I expect from comp soccer?

Comp soccer will be more expensive than rec soccer. It starts with higher quality (and naturally, more expensive) uniforms and possibly a small investment in supplies (i.e. team back packs). Many comp teams hire professional trainers to work with the team. This expense can range from nothing up to about $75 a month per player for those teams that use a great deal of professional training. Ask the team's coach for more information on team trainers and their expenses. Comp teams will generally play in one (1) to three (3) tournaments per season. To offset these costs, comp teams solicit sponsors for the team, and will also hold various fundraisers throughout the year.

A comp team will hold more practices than a rec team. Again, the coach is trying to build the very best team that he or she can. Structured, disciplined practices are the norm. Practices will start long before the first fall game. Comp teams may also train together in the summer in soccer camps or just as a team.

Initially, the amount of travel between our U10-U12 comp teams and similarly aged rec teams are identical; both groups will be traveling within Brevard County to play against teams from other clubs. As the competitive team improves, the team may decide to look for stronger competition, requiring a farther drive (typically Orlando). Stronger competition is needed to aid in player development; the players need to win and lose games, since winning every game is not a good teacher for the players.

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