WOULD I WANT MY CHILD INVOLVED?
Club soccer is usually a locally organized soccer program whose purpose is to provide opportunity for youth soccer players to experience a healthy, safe, and developmentally appropriate environment to learn, love and live the game of soccer.
The value of club soccer is usually related to access to higher level of coaching, year-round soccer, opportunities to play at a higher level of competition, and exposure to various venues. It is typically through soccer clubs where players get recognition and exposure to college opportunities and access to college coaches and scouts.
AT WHAT AGE SHOULD MY CHILD START PLAYING CLUB SOCCER?
The same question may be asked of having your child start piano or guitar lessons. For the right player, there’s no such thing as "too early." There is only "too late."
in general - it’s between the ages of 7-14. After the age of 14, it is almost impossible to cure bad habits in a player. That’s why there’s no such thing as "too early" as some coaches will have you believe.
The only real way to find out whether or not club soccer is right for your child is to come out and train with one of the teams, see for yourself the level and quality of training and play, and base any decision you make on the knowledge you gain from that experience. Also you should speak to other families who are members of our club about their experience.
At CUSC, as do many highly competitive programs/teams thorough out southern California. We have teams that start at under 9 age group and up.
CLUB SEASON
1 “Fall League” - Weekend games; Sep.- Dec.
2 “League Cup” - Tournament format competition in Nov.
3 “State Cup” - Tournament format competition in the spring.
4 Spring Season – March through end of May
5 “Tournament season” - Summer through end of August where teams will go to an average of 2 tournaments per month plus some scrimmages.
Most teams will go to a maximum of 5 to 6 tournaments a year
Teams typically take time to “decompress” after each of the above phases. Although your child will be committed to his/her club team year-round, he/she will be actually training/playing for about 40 weeks of the year.
WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?
Your commitment to the club soccer season:Typically, teams practice twice a week with games on weekends. Most weekends, games will be either on Saturday or Sunday. On some weekends there will be games on both Saturday and Sunday. If your child is invited to join Cerritos United Soccer Club and you accept the invitation, you are accepting to commit to the following:
1) Preseason - all players must report to training
2) Typically, two 2-hour practices per week (depending on age group)
3) Preseason tournaments – when scheduled
4) Fall league and League Cup season - September through early December
5) State Cup - January/February (except High School Players)
6) Spring season –( March through May 30th)
7) Tournament Season (June thru August 1-2 tournaments a month)
WHAT ABOUT THE FINANCIAL COMMITMENT?
The financial commitment varies from team to team and on the number of players on each team but on average, Most teams ask that you pay in advance To have the money to pay for equipment and tournaments as needed.
There are some limited opportunities for need-based financial aid.
WHAT ABOUT PLAYING TIME?
Club soccer is a competitive environment by nature. Players compete for positions on the team as well as for minutes played on the field. Club soccer has paid coaches and is a meritocracy; players have to earn their way onto a team, earn playing time - and must play in a way that will determine their level of involvement. We realize that different players have different talents and levels of commitment.
ARE PLAYERS CUT?
No player is cut during the season of play, unless there is a problem with parents or player disruptions. CUSC is in this for the long haul and the relationship between the player, family, coach, team and club is characteristically measured in years. The typical club player starts at 9-11 year of age and plays for 5 years with same club.
If you think your child has the interest to play in a serious league, then perhaps club soccer is worthy of serious consideration.
We would be happy to answer any questions you have on any aspect of the process. The club soccer experience involves family commitment. We feel our players are kept busy enough and do not want our players playing in recreational leagues outside the club.
