Mission Statement

Rules/regulations

Levels of Competition

There are three levels of play: developmental (In-house), recreational (Travel) and competitive (Travel and Classic). These levels and the protocols used by the Club are described below.

In-house Soccer

This is the basic, developmental level of competition for all age groups. As such, we strive to ensure that the talent level on each team is fair and balanced. Weather permitting, each team will have one practice per week and will play an 8 game schedule each season (Fall and Spring). Center Grange Elementary School is the primary site for these practices and games.

Player Draft

The draft is designed to make fair and equal teams for all in-house age groups. In-house soccer is designed to teach the rules and regulations of soccer. We do not keep statistics or keep score. The most competitive players will stand out.

A draft will be held each new season. A coach will be allowed his child and the child of one assistant coach. Every other child will be in the draft pool. When a player has a brother or sister playing in the same league, they should be picked at the same time and the coach will forgo his next pick. Each coach will get one pick at a time. The older kids should be picked first, then the younger kids. If there are any players who stand out, this should be noted by the coaches and commissioners to equally spread them between the teams. The U-10 draft should split out all travel players by age. These players should be drafted first. The older group of travel players should be evenly distributed to the teams and the same with the younger travel players. The rest of the players should be distributed equally between the teams. No player will be assigned to a specific coach exclusively due to a parental request

AGE GROUPS

Age group play includes the Fall and Spring season inclusive. The birth date cutoff dictates the age group in which a player is eligible.

U-6 (Ages 4, 5 and 6) Players may not turn 6 prior to August 1.

This age group is co-ed with a 3 v 3 format and no goalkeeper. Games consist of four 8 minute quarters with 2 minutes between quarters and 5 minutes between halves. Each team will have 6 to 7 players.

Only kickoffs after goals and at the beginning of each half will be direct kicks. There are no indirect kicks. All other play will be re-started by throw-ins from the side lines. Coaches will be allowed on the field to help direct the play.

U-8 (Ages 6, 7 and 8) Players may not turn 8 prior to August 1.

Separate boys and girls leagues will be established each season, if the numbers allow it, with a 6 v. 6 format, including a goalkeeper. Games will consist of two 20 minute halves with 5 minutes between halves. Each team will have approximately 10 to 12 players.

Only kickoffs after goals and at the beginning of each half will be direct kicks. All other restarts will be via throw-ins and indirect. Goalkeepers can only touch the ball with his/her hands within the goal box. No penalty kicks or off-sides will be called.

U-10 (Ages 8, 9 and 10) Players may not turn 10 prior to August 1.

Separate boys and girls leagues will be established each season, if the numbers allow it, with a 7 v. 7 format, including a goalkeeper. Games will consist of two 25 minute halves with 5 minutes between halves.

Each team will have approximately 12 to 15 players.

Goalkeepers can only touch the ball with his/her hands within the goal box. Direct and indirect kicks, penalty kicks, offside and throw-ins will apply. Throw-ins will be given 2 tries and the ball will be turned over after the second try. No slide tackles are allowed. Red cards and yellow cards will be in play. A yellow card is a warning. A red card results in an ejection from the game.

U-12 (Ages 10, 11 and 12) Players may not turn 12 prior to August 1.

This age group will generally be co-ed and offered as registration numbers dictate. Games will consist of two 30 minute halves with 5 minutes between halves.

****NO PLAYER WILL BE ALLOWED TO PLAY DOWN A DIVISION FOR ANY REASON. PLAYERS WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO PLAY UP A DIVISION UPON BOARD APPROVAL. THIS WILL BE BASED ON SKILL AND MATURITY LEVEL.

Travel Soccer

This is an advanced level of competition that begins at the U-10 age level and progresses in one-year increments. There are multiple levels of competition in the travel league ranging from recreational to competitive. Each team will be registered in a league that is compatible with the overall talent level of the team. These teams will practice up to two times each week and will play a schedule of up to 8 games (4 games at Center and 4 games played at the fields of various PAWest-affiliated travel clubs). These games are played on Sundays after 1PM. Due to roster limits, tryouts may be necessary at this level. An additional $10 charge will be assessed for travel registration and individual teams purchase their own travel uniforms. Finally, there are minor, additional registration requirements (picture, copy of birth certificate, etc.) that the coach and club registrar will collect.

Indoor Soccer

Indoor soccer is a fast-paced game that is played in a few facilities in the area (Sewickley and Cranberry) from October-March. Usually, travel teams or younger groups that are anticipating forming a travel team will participate in these leagues and tournaments, but it is not limited to those teams. Center Soccer does not pay for any of the costs associated with indoor soccer.

Classic Soccer

This is an advanced level of competition for the most skilled players. Tryouts are necessary and there are no geographical restrictions within PAWest for these teams. Fees vary by club and are significantly higher than those charged by Center Soccer. Their coaches are paid coaches with significant soccer experience. The commitment for these teams is much more extensive than that for Center Soccer-related teams, both in travel for training and games. Center Soccer Club has no affiliation with any of the clubs at this level.