POLICIES...
NOTE: As of January 2021 - all policies are currently under review
Hampton Soccer Club Player and Age Group Assessment Process
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PLAYER ASSESSMENT? – Hampton Soccer Club provides recreational soccer to all players in our area, including, if possible, competitive soccer opportunities. To this end, the Club desires to match players of equal playing ability and commitment. The Club believes this provides the best opportunity for individual development, a challenging environment, and confidence building for all players. This is accomplished through an assessment process. Every assessment system is imprecise and has its merits and drawbacks. The Club strives to make every effort to ensure a fair and impartial assessment and placement of all teams and players.
WHAT IS THE PLAYER ASSESSMENT PERIOD? -- Player assessments are conducted in the spring for determining team and player placement, including Division 4 team rosters, for the upcoming fall and spring seasons. This includes players who will play on U-10 through U-14 teams.
WHAT IS THE PLAYER ASSESSMENT PROCESS? – Player assessments will be based upon three evaluations:
IS ATTENDING THE LIVE ASSESSMENT MANDATORY? – No. It is not mandatory for a player to attend the Live Assessment session, however, he or she will be assigned to a team at the discretion of the president, vice president, appropriate board members, and age group commissioners.
HOW IS IT DETERMINED IF THERE WILL BE A DIVISION 4 TEAM AND WHAT PLAYERS WILL BE ON THAT TEAM? – After the Assessment Process has been completed, the appropriate U-10 through U-14 age group commissioners, appropriate board members, the vice president, and the president will meet to review the player assessments and determine their rankings. These will then be reviewed with potential coaches for determination of team divisional play, if there will be a Division 4 team, and final player team assignments. U-10 player team assignments will be based upon coaches’ and trainer evaluations.
WHEN WILL TEAM AND PLAYER DECISIONS BE MADE? – Typically, the determination of whether there will be a Division 4 team, and placement of players on the various teams is made by the middle of July. Players are notified of their team assignment once registration is complete and once teams are coordinated.WHAT IF MY CHILD DOES NOT MAKE THE DIVISION 4 TEAM? – Not making a Division 4 team should not be viewed as detrimental to a child’s development as a soccer player. There have been numerous instances of players who have not made a Division 4 team, and who have gone on to play at the high school and college levels.
Parents and players should understand that the assessment and tryout process is an investment of countless hours by volunteers who have given their time to the Club. Much time is spent not only regarding the player evaluations themselves, but also numerous hours are spent in discussions to determine team divisional placement, and player assignments. Be assured that the Club, and the volunteers who comprise the Club, work extremely hard, in the most objective way possible, to assess players in a fair and impartial manner.
WHAT IF I HAVE A QUESTION CONCERNING THE PLAYER ASSESSMENT PROCESS? – Please contact your age group commissioner, vice president, or the president for questions or comments regarding the player assessment process.
WHAT IS THE PLAYER ASSESSMENT PERIOD? -- Player assessments are conducted in the spring for determining team and player placement, including Division 4 team rosters, for the upcoming fall and spring seasons. This includes players who will play on U-10 through U-14 teams.
WHAT IS THE PLAYER ASSESSMENT PROCESS? – Player assessments will be based upon three evaluations:
- Coaches’ Evaluations – Team coaches will provide an evaluation of his or her players on various criteria, including skills, attitude, and commitment. The evaluation forms are provided to the coaches by the club.
- Trainer Evaluations – Trainers at clinics will provide an evaluation of players attending age group clinics.
- Live Assessments -- Live Assessments are held in the spring. Qualified third-party evaluators observe players for each age group during a one evening session. The dates of the Live Assessments will be posted on the Club website.
IS ATTENDING THE LIVE ASSESSMENT MANDATORY? – No. It is not mandatory for a player to attend the Live Assessment session, however, he or she will be assigned to a team at the discretion of the president, vice president, appropriate board members, and age group commissioners.
HOW IS IT DETERMINED IF THERE WILL BE A DIVISION 4 TEAM AND WHAT PLAYERS WILL BE ON THAT TEAM? – After the Assessment Process has been completed, the appropriate U-10 through U-14 age group commissioners, appropriate board members, the vice president, and the president will meet to review the player assessments and determine their rankings. These will then be reviewed with potential coaches for determination of team divisional play, if there will be a Division 4 team, and final player team assignments. U-10 player team assignments will be based upon coaches’ and trainer evaluations.
WHEN WILL TEAM AND PLAYER DECISIONS BE MADE? – Typically, the determination of whether there will be a Division 4 team, and placement of players on the various teams is made by the middle of July. Players are notified of their team assignment once registration is complete and once teams are coordinated.WHAT IF MY CHILD DOES NOT MAKE THE DIVISION 4 TEAM? – Not making a Division 4 team should not be viewed as detrimental to a child’s development as a soccer player. There have been numerous instances of players who have not made a Division 4 team, and who have gone on to play at the high school and college levels.
Parents and players should understand that the assessment and tryout process is an investment of countless hours by volunteers who have given their time to the Club. Much time is spent not only regarding the player evaluations themselves, but also numerous hours are spent in discussions to determine team divisional placement, and player assignments. Be assured that the Club, and the volunteers who comprise the Club, work extremely hard, in the most objective way possible, to assess players in a fair and impartial manner.
WHAT IF I HAVE A QUESTION CONCERNING THE PLAYER ASSESSMENT PROCESS? – Please contact your age group commissioner, vice president, or the president for questions or comments regarding the player assessment process.
PLAY-UP POLICY: Hampton Soccer Club’s (HSC) team assignments are based on having players compete in their birthdate defined age groups. Play-ups are generally discouraged. HSC will consider play-up requests and grant exceptions in special circumstances. These may include, but are not limited to, “playing up to grade,” so the player can be grouped with his or her school classmates. (NOTE: “Playing down to grade” is not permitted by PA West directive) Parents / Guardians should not assume that players playing-up will play-up the following season / year.
Play-up requests can be made during Open Registration. "Late registration" requests are not accepted.
To request play up consideration for your child, please follow these steps:
Play-up requests can be made during Open Registration. "Late registration" requests are not accepted.
To request play up consideration for your child, please follow these steps:
- Discuss with your current coach and Age Group Manager and get their thoughts / guidance.
- If still interested please download, print and fill-out the form below.
- Mail or email the form to the Club as per the instructions on the form. (NOTE: there are time deadlines to meet - on form)
- Complete your child's registration during open registration. Please note that the online system will register your child in his/her age appropriate age group. Team assignment for an approved play up will be handled manually by the Registrar.
- Play up approvals granted in the fall season remain valid for the following spring season. Spring approvals do not carry forward.
- The HSC Board of Directors reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reverse a Fall issued play up approval for the Spring season.
- Play up approvals expire after the spring season. Play up players must reapply each year by deadlines defined on form.
| HSC Play-up Request Form (Jan '21) .pdf |
PLAYER JEWELRY (adopted May 2008):
It is and has been a long-standing policy of the Hampton Soccer Club as part of PA West and the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Referee Program that jewelry (exception medical alert) is not permitted and may not be taped.
Medical alert items may be worn but must be taped down to the skin, not uniform.
USSF (National governing body) policy
http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/11/13/ask-a-referee-update-jan-4-2011 (broken - looking for new page location)
FIFA (International governing body)
http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/refereeing/law_4_the_players_equipment_en_47415.pdf (broken - looking for new page location)
It has however, come to our attention that plastic ‘retainers’ ($4.99 at Piercing Pagoda) are now on the market for this exact purpose and as a result the HSC has adapted its rule to permit the use plastic retainers only.
NOTE: Several local physicians and a rep from the Piercing Pagoda indicated that, with proper hygienic practices the starter earrings could be removed for “an hour or so” (game time) without detrimental effect – after having been in place for at least a week.
We recommend that you consult with your physician.
In summary the earring / jewelry ban is still in effect but the retainers will be permitted.
It is and has been a long-standing policy of the Hampton Soccer Club as part of PA West and the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Referee Program that jewelry (exception medical alert) is not permitted and may not be taped.
Medical alert items may be worn but must be taped down to the skin, not uniform.
USSF (National governing body) policy
http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/11/13/ask-a-referee-update-jan-4-2011 (broken - looking for new page location)
FIFA (International governing body)
http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/refereeing/law_4_the_players_equipment_en_47415.pdf (broken - looking for new page location)
It has however, come to our attention that plastic ‘retainers’ ($4.99 at Piercing Pagoda) are now on the market for this exact purpose and as a result the HSC has adapted its rule to permit the use plastic retainers only.
NOTE: Several local physicians and a rep from the Piercing Pagoda indicated that, with proper hygienic practices the starter earrings could be removed for “an hour or so” (game time) without detrimental effect – after having been in place for at least a week.
We recommend that you consult with your physician.
In summary the earring / jewelry ban is still in effect but the retainers will be permitted.