More than 80% of all ABSC soccer players play on Division IV or 'recreational' teams. These teams are open to players of all skill levels, including beginners, and are geared toward skill development, learning the game of soccer, sportsmanship and FUN. There are no tryouts. Games are all within the San Pablo to Berkeley area. It costs $230 per season to register ($100 of which is refunded for volunteering).    Scholarships are available (call 510-528-4468).  Practices are one or two days per week and games are on Saturdays. Fall season runs from early September through November, and Spring season runs from late March through Mid June.    

 

The 'Division III' teams are for soccer players in the Under 12 and older age groups who want a more serious level of play than in the Recreational Division IV, but still want to remain in ABSC. Teams are formed through required tryouts, and players register with ABSC. Practices are two days per week and games are on Saturdays and/or Sundays. Fall season runs from August through November or January, and Spring season runs from March through Mid June. Games can be as far as 30 to 45 minutes away, and tournaments may involve weekend travel. It costs$230 per season to register ($100 of which is refunded for volunteering), plus probably the price of a new uniform.  Each team needs a coach with a level E license, three Grade 8 referees and a team manager who will handle administrative tasks for the team. As with Recreational teams, scholarships are available (call 510-558-0634). Not all teams require the same level of commitment, and interested families should check with the coach of each team regarding the specific level of commitment expected for that team.      

    

The 'ACC Mavericks' or 'Division I ' teams provide the highest level of competition for the most serious, dedicated soccer players in the Under 10 and older age groups. Teams are not formed by ABSC, but rather by the Alameda-Contra Costa Youth Soccer League (ACCYSL) to which ABSC belongs. Teams are formed through tryouts. Practices are at least 2 afternoons/week and games are on Saturdays and/or Sundays. Games can be as far as one hour away and tournaments may involve weekend travel. Costs may exceed $1000 per year to join a Mavericks team, and parent involvement is very high in administering the team. Limited scholarships can be inquired about at 510-655-8500. Not all teams require the same level of commitment, and interested families should check with the coach of each team regarding the specific level of commitment expected for that team.  Check  www.accysl.org (click on Mavericks Division 1 in the sidebar) for more information.    Fall season runs from mid August through February, and Spring season runs from March through June.    

 

 

Boys have two sets of tryouts to pay attention to due to the greater number of boys involved. First, in February and March there are the ACCYSL Div I tryouts, after which qualified players are invited to join the Mavericks for the following Fall and following Spring seasons.  Then in March and April, ABSC holds Div III tryouts. Qualified players are invited to join a Div III team.   Players may accept or decline the invitation to play on a Mavericks team or a Div III team based on personal preference. Up-coming tryouts schedules may be moving earlier in the year check for tryouts schedules at www.accysl.org and www.abscsoccer.com or call 510-558-0634.   

 

The tryout format usually includes a warm-up, a few drills, some small-sided games, and a full-field game. A single tryout may last two hours. Plenty of opportunities for players to show off their soccer skills.   

 

Wear a distinctive light shirt (not your recreational or select team jersey).  However, boys at Class III tryouts may wear any jersey. 

 

1.Ball control and dribbling skills     

2.Passing     

3.Tackling     

4.What you are doing when you don't have the ball     

5.Shooting     

6.Your overall impact on the game, no matter where you are playing on the field.     

7.Teamwork     

8.Coachability     

 

Use your time playing at the tryouts to show off any or all of these skills. If you are interested in playing as goalkeeper, let the evaluators know. 

 

 

ABSC Division III Registrar, Karen Steinmeyer, 510-558-0634 or