Varsity Player Selection Criteria:

General guidelines for making the Varsity Team:

Any player can make the varsity team, regardless of which grade they are in. Some very rough guidelines of how we would like to see a player progress as they age up in grade:

Seniors: we want you to be the #1 or #2 player in your position/s

Juniors: we want you to be at least the #2 or #3 player in your position/s

Sophomores: at least #3 or #4 player in your position, may be a "Bridge Player" (transitional player between JV and Varsity)

Freshmen: at least #4 or #5 in your position, may be a “Bridge Player” (transitional player)

We evaluate upperclassmen to a finer degree compared to underclassmen. If a player is a close #3 in their position but can play multiple other positions, other roles (backup Goalkeeper for instance) or provides roster depth in a position with fewer players, we value that too.

A varsity player should have a strong and consistent technique base, make correct individual decisions at high speed, under high pressure, and in tight spaces, and have a good tactical understanding of their role within 11v11 in their strongest position/s. We play a flexible 4-3-3 and emphasize a possession style of play. How they handle the physicality of the game will depend on their position.

This is not exact, but this is a breakdown of players and positions that we look for when we construct the Varsity team. We know some players can play multiple positions, too.

Goalkeeper: 1 primary, 1 secondary (or backup role if needed)

Defenders: 6 (at least 2 center, plus 4 outside backs who can change roles if needed)

Midfielders: 5-6 (a combination of more defensive / holding & offensive midfielders)

Attackers: 5-6 (wingers and center forwards)

JV Player Selection Criteria:

Focus of JV: preparing players to make the transition to varsity. Different players are ready to make the jump at different times.    If you are on JV and aspire to play on Varsity, your development and progress during the rest of the year matters!

A player should show up at tryouts with at least a foundational technique base, so we can refine it further and introduce individual and group tactics and teach the basics of the possession style of play.

A typical JV player has at least a high novice or intermediate skill base, with possibly one or two stronger areas of their game that help them contribute in one or two positions within 11v11.

Athleticism is part of the game of soccer, and a player needs enough to keep up with the speed and physicality of the game. Which league a player competes in or which club team a player is on is not important to the coaching staff – we only evaluate the individual player based on what we see during tryouts.

We use the T.I.P.S. Framework for evaluating players

T: Technique (skill level)

I: Insight (decision-making)

P: Personality (positive character traits: communication, leadership, hustle, listening, etc

S: Speed (movement speed, technical speed, speed of play)

We also look for players who are motivated, want to improve their game, are committed to the program, are supportive and encouraging to their teammates, positive attitude.

We are looking for players that are willing to learn and open to playing different positions when needed and/or if a coach sees potential in the player playing in a different area of the field.