McLean Youth Soccer Association

Tryout Dates to be announced in the Spring.  tryout dates will be Mid May through Early June.

PLAYERS MUST WEAR A PLAIN WHITE T-SHIRT FOR THE TRYOUT SESSIONS, AS THEY WILL BE MARKED WITH A TRYOUT NUMBER IN PERMANENT MARKER.  THEY CAN RE-USE THIS T-SHIRT FOR THE ENTIRE TRYOUT PROCESS.

Our philosophy for the development of young soccer players in the developmental age groups (U9-U10) is very simple: bring each player in the developmental pool to the end of the U10 year as the most well rounded soccer player they can be.   How we get them to that point centers around the environment we create for their growth:

 - Comfort, Confidence, and Aggressiveness on the ball:  We train and encourage players to take defenders on, even in situations where adult players would not.  Players are expected to use their feet to work themselves out of difficult situations – never to just “kick it out”.  Passing is introduced as a secondary option after basic comfort on the ball is established.

- Freedom to take Risks:  Any player can learn and execute “moves” in a training atmosphere – but it takes a special player to be able to take defenders on without hesitation, especially when they perceive “pressure”.  We do our best to create a positive environment by emphasizing the player’s effort and attitude and by providing a quiet and supportive sideline, so players feel comfortable taking risks with the ball ESPECIALLY in matches.

- Fun and Success:   Young players need to have their fair share of both challenges and success to develop as athletes.  Having an Academy type system we are able to place players in the appropriate level of competition where they can experience the success they need to build the confidence and comfort on the ball that is so important at the youngest ages.  We do our best to put players with others of like ability so there are no team “super stars”, but rather an environment where all players feel they have as much right to the ball as any of their teammates – no feeling that they need to defer to teammates.

- Complete Soccer Players:  Players are not pigeon-holed in positions, but are expected to play and become comfortable with responsibilities all over the field.  Players are encouraged and expected to attack from all positions.

- Decision-making and Instruction Quality: Players grow and develop physically and mentally at different speeds.  In order to properly prepare all the players in the age group the coaching staff works very hard to ensure the entire pool receives the same quality instruction and acquire the same decision-making abilities.  A player's current ability does not dictate the quality of the instruction they receive.

Training:

MPS Players will train 3 times/week and typically play 1 match on the weekend in the Fall and Spring Seasons.  In-season players are required to routinely make at least 2 of the 3 training sessions each week.  The players are treated as 1 "pool" of players - there are no distinctions between Match-day "teams" during training.  The coaching staff work with the entire age group together during training to ensure that the players receive the same level of instruction and decision-making, regardless of their current competitive level.

Coaches:

To ensure the development of the entire pool is constantly monitored and the decision making processes are uniform, each Match-day "team" does not have a separate "coach".  The coaching staff is responsible for the age group as a whole, which applies to training and matches.   The Age Group Head Coach and the Age Group Coach will each handle a proportional load of each team's matches. 

Over the course of the year MPS players will spend over 150 hours on the field with their coaches.  Given the amount of time, the importance of the ball mastery that has to happen at this age and the sensitive nature of working with young athletes, it is extremely important that the player receive quality, age appropriate instruction.  Our coaches have worked with these age groups a long time and are constantly working to improve the curriculum. 

Tournaments:

MPS Teams will attend at least 2 tournaments each Fall and Spring.  One tournament each season may involve significant travel (i.e. Virginia Beach for Columbus Day). 

Year Long Schedule:

MPS Teams hold formal training Mid-August through Mid-November for the Fall and March through Mid-June for the Spring.  In Winter we hold kickarounds and indoor/futsal teams for the players interested.  Summer kickarounds are held for the players that are in town. 

Financial Commitment:

More information on the cost of travel soccer in McLean is available here.  We do what we can to keep team expenses low to ease the financial burden.  McLean does offer financial aid to ensure that no player is deprived of the soccer experience they deserve due to financial constraints.  All financial aid is confidential - not even the coaches know who receives financial aid. 

Mid-May to Early June - TRYOUTS

July-August - Kickarounds

August 20-24 - MPS Camp (2hrs/day)

August 25-26 - Possible Local Tournament or Scrimmages (local)

September 1-2 - Possible Local Tournament or Scrimmages (local)

September 8-9 - League Matches Begin

October 6-7 - Tournament (Virginia Beach, VA)

Mid-November - League Matches End