Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I determine player age groups?

Please view the WYS Age Chart page for player age groups.

When is the Fall Season?

The fall season starts in September for all age groups. Competitive (Gold or Silver) district teams will generally start the first weekend after Labor Day weekend. All district recreational teams and association teams will generally start two weeks after Labor Day. Coed U-6 and U-7 teams play on Sundays and generally begin three weeks after Labor Day. All ages, with the exception of Competitive district teams, will play a 10 game season. District Gold and Silver teams typically play a 12 game season.

When are the games (Fall)?

The days that games are played in the fall varies by age and competition level. All recreational teams from U-8 through U-19 play on Saturdays. The competitive (Gold or Silver) divisions for boys move to Sundays at U-14. Competitive (Gold or Silver) divisions for girls move to Sundays at U-15. The Coed U-6 and U-7 teams also play on Sunday afternoons. The time and location of all home games is set by the league scheduler, which is generally in line with a request from the team coach. 

When is the Spring Season?

The WSSC spring season is 6 weeks long and starts the first week of April. Games are generally not scheduled on Easter or Mother's Day. The games in spring are played on Sunday afternoons, generally between 12:30 and 5:00pm, with some games starting later at 5:15pm. More about the WSSC Spring Season...

Do you accept beginning soccer players?

Absolutely!

Do you have programs for kids under the age of seven?

Yes we do. Our Coed U-6 and U-7 programs are an excellent way to introduce the concepts of team play and basic soccer skills. This is a low-key program with an emphasis on fun. All U-6 and U-7 games are co-ed and are played here in West Seattle. This program does not start until about the third week in September. If your child is in Kindergarten or 1st grade this is the program they would be in. This program is open to children that are either 5 or 6 on July 31st. More information on Coed U-6 and Coed U-7 is posted on our Programs page.

What equipment do I need to provide?

All players must wear shin guards and socks. The jersey, shorts and socks are provided by the club for the fall season. In addition, soccer cleats are a good idea. Baseball cleats can be used to play soccer provided that the cleat on the toe of the shoe has been completely removed.

When are practices?

The team coach determines the number of practices per week, the location, and the time. WSSC reserves practice fields for fall season only. Coaches can schedule optional practices for spring season.

Can earrings be worn if they are taped up?

No! Earrings can be dangerous to the player wearing them. Although, you will see professional soccer players wearing earrings and other jewelry, it is not allowed for any reason in youth soccer. Referees will not allow earrings to be worn. If the earrings are unable to be removed, the referee may not allow the player to play the game. The referee is responsible for the safety of all the players. Plan on piercing ears after soccer season is over.

We are a new player and we only have a birth certificate the hospital gave us. Why is this not acceptable?

Washington State Youth Soccer (WSYSA) is our governing body and they require we have a government issued proof of age on file for every child who is a member of our club.

What is “select soccer”? 

The term “select soccer” usually refers to a system where players go to tryouts, are evaluated, and then selected to be on teams. The term “select soccer” is also used to refer to more competitive soccer (as opposed to recreational or “rec” soccer), where players with the most ability, desire, and competitiveness are grouped on teams to play. 

Select soccer generally costs more for families than recreational soccer, and teams usually have paid coaches, although some select teams have volunteer coaches. In addition, select soccer requires more time commitment from families because of travel, number of practices, length of the season, and tournament play. 

What is HSA’s select soccer philosophy? 

HSA believes that a select soccer program should be player-centric. It believes that the best soccer experience for kids occurs when they are playing with and against players of similar ability and commitment to the game. HSA supports select soccer play because it provides an option for players who have advanced beyond the competition available to them at the recreation level. 

Why should a parent or player consider select soccer? 

All decisions about select soccer should be focused on what the player wants and what is best for the player. If a player wants to play at a higher level, to be more challenged, to play with equally talented players, or would benefit from more experienced and stronger coaching, then select soccer might be right for them. Playing to be with friends or to be an “elite” player are not usually adequate reasons to take on the commitment and cost of select soccer. 

How is select soccer different from recreational soccer? 

In recreational soccer, players are grouped on teams based on when they registered, where they live, and perhaps who else they know on the team. They should not be grouped intentionally by ability. Select soccer does try to intentionally create teams based primarily on the players’ effectiveness on the field. This is done so that players are challenged in training and games against players of similar ability. 

How much does playing select soccer cost? 

Select soccer costs more than recreational soccer. Select soccer costs can span a range from $500 to $3,000 a year, depending on the competitive level of the team, the select club or program, the number of seasons and leagues the teams play in, whether the coach is paid or volunteer, and a variety of other factors. In addition, there are costs to a family when teams travel to tournaments, including transportation, meals, and hotels, that can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars more.

What is the select soccer time commitment? 

During a league season, select soccer is much like recreational soccer. Teams generally practice two times a week, with a game on the weekend. The difference is that select teams often train between seasons, or during the time after tryouts and before the start of a season. That means players might be training for 9 or 10 months of the year, depending on the team and the program they are in. If a team enters tournaments, there might be weekends with three or more games spread over three days. Finally, select teams often play away games that require more traveling, sometimes several hours for one game. 

How much traveling will my child and I have to do? 

Teams in select soccer will almost certainly travel more than recreational teams do in HSA. Half the team’s games will be home, somewhere in the Highline area. But travel to away games will vary, depending on which league the team plays in. 

District 3 leagues include teams from West Seattle south to as far as Lakewood. 

Teams in statewide leagues may travel further south and east, to play teams that are as far as Vancouver in the south or Spokane in the east. Even in state leagues, though, most teams are within a 50 mile radius of Seattle, since that’s where most of the soccer playing population in the state lives. 

Can my child play other sports and select soccer at the same time? 

Most select soccer teams at younger ages encourage players to participate in other sports and activities. Developmentally and emotionally, that is a good guideline. There may be conflicts with practices and games. Those need to be worked out ahead or as they occur with team coaches. 

How long is the select soccer season? 

Most select soccer teams play in the fall, except for high school age girls, who play in the winter/spring. The fall season is usually 10 to 14 games long, running from September into late November or early December. Many teams also participate in spring leagues, which can run for 6 to 10 weeks in the late winter and spring. In addition, most teams participate in tournaments, which occur starting in the spring and running through the summer. The number of tournaments a team participates in varies from team to team. Many teams will take part in 3 to 4 tournaments a year.

Washington Youth Soccer Tryout Schedule

Washingtong Youth Soccer controls when tryouts can begin. For 2010, no select team tryout can begin until 5 days after the last Washington Youth Soccer Championship Cup game concludes for that age/gender. Based on that directive, here is a schedule of tryout dates by age and gender.

First Day Tryouts Can Begin

• Boys U11 and U12 - April 16, 2010
• Girls U11 and U12 - April 16, 2010
• Boys U13 to U15 - May 7, 2010
• Girls U13 to U15 - May 7, 2010
• Boys U16 and older - March 12, 2010
• Girls U16 and older - April 30, 2010