WESTSIDE UNITED
Player Development Select Soccer Program
Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
The purpose of this FAQ is to answer common questions concerning Westside United Soccer Program and select soccer.
What is the Westside United Soccer Program?
The Westside United Soccer Program is a community-based, competitive select soccer program hosted by the Ballard Soccer Club (SC). It is a partnership between four clubs within the Seattle Youth Soccer Association (SYSA): the Ballard SC, Magnolia SC, Woodland SC and Queen Anne SC intended to make a viable community-based, player-development focused select soccer option available to members of these clubs.
Westside United’s coaching program is structured for long-term player skill development. Our base is families and players sharing values, setting high development standards, receiving expert instruction, working hard, while maintaining balance with other interests and having fun in the process. Players’ individual skills develop over the year from a foundation of ball control mastery. Our program teaches soccer techniques that foster understanding, competence and self-confidence. Practices are game related, economical in nature and have high activity levels. Training incorporates flexibility, strength, speed and agility conditioning.
Westside United is specifically designed to meet the needs of players and families that desire very high-quality player development that cannot be realized in recreational soccer but do not wish or cannot make the necessary commitments and tradeoffs required to be with one of the player development program (PDL) clubs (i.e. Emerald City, Crossfire, NW Nationals). Westside United is intended for players (meaning families as well) that are passionate about soccer and interested in playing more than the traditional fall or spring programs. Most have determined recreational soccer is no longer an option for both development of their skills or for working with players sharing a similar level of commitment to soccer. Westside United is designed to be a family-friendly, parent-driven, and professional trainer-powered group.
In short, Westside United’s soccer program is suited to players and families:
- Having a passion to work hard at developing soccer skills.
- Seeking access to more competitive play and trainers focused on player development.
- Looking for balance of advanced soccer training and other non-soccer interests.
- Appreciative of an intimate, “local” community-centered team resulting in a lighter practice/game commute schedule, with the possibility of staying together.
Is Westside United a club?
No, Westside United is a select soccer program that operates within its host club, the Ballard Soccer Club of the Seattle Youth Soccer Association (SYSA).
Where do your players come from?
With this 4-club partnership, we typically draw the large majority of our players from our partner clubs. However, a number of players from other SYSA clubs participate every year.
Is Westside United a non-profit organization?
Westside United operates as a separate program under our host club, Ballard Soccer Club. Ballard SC is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.
You charge fees so aren’t you making money?
No, Westside United is part of the Ballard SC which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. All proceeds paid to Westside United teams go directly towards coaching fees, field rental, equipment, and other operating expenses. Escalating fees are a concern of all of us, which is why our group is very much volunteer-powered wherever possible. In addition, volunteers oversee the program’s management and ensure there is a level of checks and balances on the financial portion of the program.
How is Westside United’s soccer program different from other WSYSA District Select programs?
The program is focused on achieving long term excellence for our players, for recognizing the importance and value of our professional trainers and supporting our families with a great competitive play option. Other District Select program that attempt to measure success based on win-loss records and tournament results. While we love winning as much as the next soccer program, we DO NOT attempt to field the best teams by either recruiting players away from other select teams OR by trying to prevent our qualified and motivated families from making the move to a PDL club such as Emerald City Football Club. We aim to spend our energies to DEVELOP the players’ skills that we invite into our program so they can excel as individuals. By achieving this outcome, we are confident that our teams will likely realize long term success in league and tournament play.
Why should I or my child be interested in playing select soccer?
If your child is playing recreational (REC) soccer and is fine with the competition level, the coaching and the length of season, s/he should probably continue playing REC soccer and not join select soccer programs. Families and players become interested in select soccer in general and the Westside United soccer program in particular because it provides (a) professional coaching, (b) a higher level of competitive play, (c) more intensive player skills development, (d) longer seasons with more training and playing opportunities, (e) community-based teams built on a volunteer base, and (f) teammates who share a common commitment for becoming high level soccer players.
Westside United soccer program is associated with the Washington State Youth Soccer Association’s (WSYSA) District Select play. Within Washington state select soccer, there are two different options: Player Development League (PDL) and District Select. This FAQ will not address the pros and cons of both options. PDL is a great option for many talented players. However, if you have determined that participation in a PDL program (such as Emerald City or Crossfire or NW Nationals) is not desirable or possible, Westside United’s program may fit your need.
Why would we put our child into select soccer at such an early age?
In the game of soccer, there is a “golden age” of player development where it is known that players develop most quickly relative to other ages. That age is from approximately ages 8 to 12. During that time, advanced foot-eye coordination is mastered by simply having a LOT of touches on the ball. After that window, achieving ball mastery becomes much more challenging for players. A REC program that goes for 8-10 weeks per year with limited instruction simply does not leverage this time period to springboard players to where they could be with a more active soccer program. Select soccer gives a player more opportunities to develop his or her skills at a young age so that they can reach their true potential. Right or wrong, many high school and college teams are chiefly comprised of players who have developed and then demonstrated their ability through select soccer programs.
What does the U in "U11" mean?
In the State of Washington, teams are formed based on the players’ age and not school grade. The U means ’under’ and the players age must be under the number on August 1st. If the player was born on November 25, 1996, they would be U11.
How does a player join Westside United?
Westside United is a competitive program. We use a player selection process, called a tryout, to find the right set of players to form teams that can compete at the highest possible levels and are compatible. This does not mean we always select the best players. Skill on the field is one factor. Attitude, vision, potential, work-ethic, and other less quantitative factors are also considered. Every team needs a combination of skills to be successful. A sufficient number of attacking players, players that can distribute the ball and read the flow of the game as well as players that thrive in spoiling the opponents' attacks. Within each class of players there may be finesse players, physical players, and quick players. Each is a necessary component of an effective team dynamic. The tryout is used to help our coaches and guest evaluators to assess these factors and create the optimal combination of skills, attitudes and roles to build a competitive team for league play and one that is comprised of individuals that will benefit from our instruction.
What happens at tryouts?
Our teams are formed through the Seattle Youth Soccer Association (SYSA) citywide tryout process. All SYSA select soccer teams, including Emerald City (SYSA’s PDL club) that are looking to field teams participate in this joint process. A parent or legal guardian will be asked to complete a medical release and some brief information about the player. Each player interested in pursuing a slot on a select soccer team is assigned a numbered tryout jersey to be worn at each tryout session so coaches can keep track of them. Players will be identified by that unique jersey number during the course of the tryout. A picture may also be taken of the player with the numbered jersey in order for coaches to use later when they are deliberating over the final selection. Tryouts should be familiar to players … they are basically like any other soccer practice. Players participate in various activities (drills, small sided games, and speed and agility exercises) during the tryout time periods (typically 1.5 hours per session). Players are encouraged to have fun and play without any fear of being selected or not selected. Coaches from the District Select teams (including Westside United) and from the PDL club (Emerald City) as well as guest evaluators will base their selections on player skill and athletic ability demonstrated during the tryouts. Players will receive notification of their tryout results shortly after the conclusion of the last tryout session. Players that participate in the tryouts are typically notified by telephone of selection.
How many players do you select for a team?
Depending upon the turnout from our partner clubs (Ballard, Magnolia, Woodland and Queen Anne) and the skill level of these players at tryouts, we generally select one or two boys teams and one or two girls teams per age group. Each team has 12-14 players for U11 and 14-18 players for U12 and above. Selecting two teams is often optimal for the players and coaches and gives plenty of opportunities for combined practices, scrimmages, and the like.
How long is the season?
Overall, Westside United teams play about 9 months out of each year. Teams generally are selected in February or March and start practicing shortly after selection. They will attend 3 or 4 summer tournaments which will be local (greatly Puget Sound region). The fall league season generally begins the weekend following Labor day and runs through the first week of December. Westside United teams are encouraged to enter State Cup competition which begins in January. Those teams that win advance until eventually a State Champion is chosen for each age/gender group, typically in early March.
Westside United plans to have scheduled downtime periods (“breaks”) throughout the year with the specific purpose being to avoid a cycle of year-round play for our kids. For the 2008-09 season, it is anticipated that there will be downtime periods of between two weeks and a month at a time. For instance, there will be breaks during the summer and all of December will be off.
Downtime is needed for the health of our players. It gives our players’ bodies and muscles the opportunity to recover over extended periods. Equally important, scheduled downtime ensures our players and families have the necessary downtime to maintain their passion for Westside United and for the game of soccer in general.
I have heard that the 2008-09 season is different. How so?
WSYSA has mandated a change in the soccer seasons. This is going to result in a 1-time change for all select soccer teams to have to endure this coming season. Effectively the 2008-09 soccer season that typically ends in early March will be extended into May. This is to ensure the season are aligned for having 2009-10 tryouts in May. This means the many teams choose to approach their team calendars in January – May 2009 may be different than in normal years. It also means that the Westside United teams that continue training for effectively a 15-month period (March 2008 – May 2009) will likely have a supplemental fee to cover the extra 3 months of team expenses.
What is the time commitment?
Participation on a Westside United select team is a large time commitment – more than you would experience with a single season REC soccer program -- but that is why most players join--because they love soccer! We try to find a balance that is far more than REC but less than a PDL program with practices nearby.
As noted earlier, Westside United teams play about 9 months out of each year. Practices average 2 per week of about 1.5 hours per practice session with the time of the day dictated by the coach and field availability. The desire is to commit to specific days of the week to the greatest degree possible. However, the realities of field availability may mean practice times and days can both change so some flexibility will be needed.
During the fall season, there is typically only one match per weekend, on Saturdays for the youner age groups. During non-league play, coaches often use some weekends for “friendly” scrimmages set up with other select teams from neighboring clubs. During non-league play, teams will schedule periodic “friendly” matches with other select teams to keep play sharp and players working towards goals. Tournaments will be used selectively throughout the year by teams to assess development and provide the players an opportunity to demonstrate their current skill levels. Plus the players really enjoy the time and it proves to be a great team bonding experience for players and families. These will be on weekends and there will likely be 3-4 tournaments per year per team.
Practices, League and Friendly Matches, and Tournaments. These are the three key factors in developing player skill, team unity, and game strategy so it’s important that every player is committed.
In addition, parents are asked to volunteer a minimum of five hours a year of time to the Westside United soccer program and also help with various duties on their specific team.
Managing a Select team is a big job and it takes a lot of help to make things run smoothly for the best possible experience for the team, but most team Managers will tell you that they treasure the experiences and wouldn’t trade it for anything!
Can players participate in sports or other extra-curricular activities besides select soccer?
Yes, Westside United recognizes and encourages activities outside of soccer. Most players will participate in other sports or other after-school activities while playing on our teams. During the spring and early summer periods, we understand that players may have other activities scheduled. Our expectation is that during these times the player will balance absences across activities (versus skipping soccer whenever a conflict exists). During the league season (late summer and fall), coaches will expect players to set soccer as their priority activity.
What about player burnout?
Westside United recognizes that there is a risk of player and family burnout to playing year-round soccer. For this reason, we have implemented structural changes to ensure time off exists for younger players and families to maintain their passion for the sport.
What is your program’s philosophy on game playing time?
Westside United’s primary goal is to aggressively develop our players’ skills. Adequate game playing time will be an important element in all our players’ development. Consideration will be given to players showing greater effort in practices.
What is the difference between Westside United Select and Recreational Soccer?
Registration for recreational soccer is open and does not involve a tryout process. A recreational coach is not permitted to "select" players. The recreational season is 2-3 months in duration. Recreational coaches are parent volunteers. Recreational field assignments for youth players tend to be local natural grass or dirt fields.
Select means that players must try out and be chosen by one of our coaches to make the roster for a team, unlike recreational soccer where everyone that signs up is guaranteed a spot on a team. The “Select" designation from Westside United’s perspective is:
- A strong top level of play;
- A 9 month commitment to the program;
- Coached by a combination of paid coaches, volunteer coaches and semi-volunteer coaches;
- 2 practices per week, 3 tournaments per year, and travel within the WSYSA District 1 (see above);
- An expectation that soccer is your primary sport during the soccer (fall) season and you will have other sports/commitments during other times of the year.
What is the difference between Westside United Select and Premier Select Soccer?
Westside United’s select program is, by design, a step down from Premier Select Soccer (often referred to as PDL soccer in Washington State). We do this to meet the needs of our families that do not want to commit to a Premier Select soccer experience. With Premier Select, we view the key differences as:
- The highest level of amateur soccer in the state (training and playing with the best players in the region);
- Year-round play;
- Coached by paid coaches;
- 3 practices/week, 3-5 tournaments/year, and multi-state travel in older age groups.
- An expectation that soccer is your primary sport (definitely at the U13 and above ages)
Within the Seattle Youth Soccer Association, Emerald City FC is the only designated premier level development program.
How many tournaments per season?
Westside United teams will play approximately 3 tournaments per season.
Where are the practices?
Generally speaking, Westside United will hold practices on fields located throughout the area represented by our four partner clubs (Ballard, Magnolia, Woodland and Queen Anne). Given the field situation in the greater Seattle area, no soccer team in any program can be certain exactly where its practices will be held throughout a given season. The Westside United soccer program works to identify and secure practice field space that is sufficiently large to have multiple teams practicing together in an academy style training environment (i.e. all GU11s and BU11s at a common location). We work very hard to secure field space for the teams that is of an acceptable quality with a predictable playing surface (meaning maintained grass or turf fields). This ensures skill development is not impacted. We will do our best to provide as much advanced notice as possible regarding where field practices will be. Our objective to our families is to provide a month advanced notice as to time and location of pratcies.
Who manages the Westside United soccer program?
The Westside United soccer program is currently managed by a number of volunteers, in most cases parents. These volunteers work closely with Ballard Soccer Club’s Board of Directors (our host club), with our Technical Coaching Director (on matters of curriculum and instruction) and where necessary with Seattle Youth Soccer Association (SYSA) on matter outside of Ballard Soccer Club’s jurisdiction.
With the exception of paid coaches, the Westside United soccer program is operated entirely by volunteers. These volunteers consist of parents, guardians, volunteer coaches, and players. These volunteers also recruit, evaluate, and hire the paid coaches and trainers that head the player development that takes place within Westside United soccer program. No volunteer organization is completely perfect, but we strive to meet our commitments to all of our members. Parent volunteers can and do greatly impact the future direction of our program.
How much does the Westside United Select soccer program cost?
Select soccer is more expensive than recreational programs. Please note that the program operates under a nonprofit organization. The majority of the fees go to pay our outstanding coaching and trainer staff. The estimate annual fee based on prior seasons: $1,200. This includes coaching fees, player registration fees, team league and association fees, field fees, referee fees, player uniforms, team equipment, estimated tournament fees, and program operating costs. Most families choose to pay the fee in installments, either a couple or over the course of the year. Need-based scholarships are available.
Are there hidden costs to playing select soccer?
There are other costs associated with playing select soccer. Each family must cover their travel costs to games and to tournaments. Since we will be playing in WSYSA District 1 and our tournament participation approach is, by design, predominately in the greater Puget Sound area, this cost is modest.
Every other year, the player is required to purchase a new uniform kit that includes home and away jersey, backpack, warm ups, etc. The kit is estimated at between $150 and $200. Players also require soccer shoes that cost $50 or more. It should be anticipated that a player will have at least two sets of shoes (i.e. one for firm play surfaces such as grass fields and one set for field turf surfaces).
In addition, teams may have team "dues". This money is calculated by the team manager and treasurer and covers the cost of entering tournaments, coach travel, renting additional field time when necessary, etc. Team dues are paid first at the beginning of the year team meeting and then typically another payment is due in the fall.
What teams do Westside United play against?
During league play, Westside United U11 and U12 teams play against other District Select teams from the WSYSA District 1. District 1 covers the greater Puget Sound area, specifically: Seattle, North and South Snohomish Counties, Skagit County, Whatcom County and Whidbey Island.
Are returning players given preference during tryouts?
The decision as to how to form returning teams (i.e. a U12 team formation coming after a U11 season) resides with the head coach. Unless the coach instructs the players from the existing team otherwise before tryouts for the new season commence, the tryouts should be considered by the players as an open process and selection is based on the skills that a player demonstrates on the tryout dates. While it is true that returning players have an advantage due to the fact that they train almost year around with professional coaching, there are no guarantees. Each year, some returning players are not selected and they return to recreational soccer or join another select soccer team.
I wasn't selected for Westside United. Does that mean that I'm not a good soccer player?
No. The selection process isn't near perfect. It is coaches reviewing a large number of players in a very short time frame and under very controlled circumstances. Each year very good players are regrettably not selected. Players should not get down on themselves. They should continue to play the sport for the love of the game and tryout the next season. Toward that end, we would encourage you to visit the Contacts page on this web site and contact the individual responsible for your child’s age group. It may be beneficial to arrange time for your child to attend a practice or two to get familiar with Westside United and meet the coach in preparation for next season’s tryouts or should the team be looking for additional players later in the season. Most definitely, just because a player isn't selected one season, doesn't mean that they should give up.
What is the difference between your Black and Red teams?
The colors denote those of our host club, the Ballard Soccer Club. When there is sufficient interest from families and players within our clubs AND there exists suitable skill to form select teams, Westside United may select up to two boys teams and/or two girls to represent each age group. The "A" team is usually designated as black, while the "B" team is designated as red. However, the makeup and character of each team is at the discretion of the coaches. That said, frequently the “A” and “B” teams are formed by our coaches based upon combining players based on where they are in their current development. Teams will often train together in an “academy” training format where trainers and coaches combine resources and share training plans to meet the needs of their players. The focus of both teams is on player development. To the extent permitted by rules regulating WSYSA District Select soccer teams, players may move within the teams during the season but the rosters will be firmed up during the summer (as teams head into league play). Some B team players may be asked to participate on A teams during tournaments (and vica versa). Many B team players develop into A team players during their playing careers. B teams play a full schedule of tournaments and train as often as their A team counterparts. Depending upon how WSYSA formulates league play, A teams may play in District Gold divisions whereas B teams may play in District Silver divisions. This is intended to best align competition so there are no “blow out” matches. Participating on a B team should NOT be considered detrimental at all to your player’s development. In fact, B teams are frequently very good and periodically will beat A teams in scrimmages. We are serious about providing equal training resources for both teams in an effort to help each and every player reach their potential.
What is Westside United’s Nondiscrimination policy?
Players and coaches are chosen based on ability alone and without regard for race, creed, color, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. Our players and coaches represent the rich diversity of the world’s soccer community.
I have other questions not addressed here. How can I get answers to them?
If you have a question that needs to be asked or answered, please forward it to us at the email addresses on the “Contacts” section of this web site. We will do our best to reply in a timely manner.
Additional Information
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Westside United Soccer Program via our website www.westsideunited.org
Ballard Westside UTD is a partnership of the Ballard, Magnolia, Woodland and Queen Anne clubs of the Seattle Youth Soccer Association (SYSA). Our purpose is advanced player development for our members, provided in a community-centric environment.
