Playing up? What if my player wants to play in a different age group?
A player who wants to "play up" with an older age group can register online using their true birth date, in their true age group as specified on Sportability, and note the request to play up on the application or online. Please also email the registrar, Rebecca Lightstone, with your request to play up so we may ensure correct placement! A player who is born in August through November after the July 31 age cutoff may reasonably ask to play in an older age group with their schoolmates. A player born in December or January after the July 31 cutoff requires a (previous) coach's recommendation and the registrar's approval, for safety reasons. We discourage players from "playing up" if the player's birthday is more than six months after the older group's cut-off date. Skilled players looking for a challenge should consider Division III competitive soccer. National rules forbid a player to "play down" with a younger age group. TOP
My child is 10. Why is he assigned to an Under-10 team?
The age cutoffs are always "age as of July 31 before the fall season," so players play the same age group for the entire school year (Fall season and the following Spring season). Teams usually get remixed when some players graduate to the next age group. This is a good way for players to make new friends and get coached by new coaches. If we had “age-pure” teams, players could never play with friends on the other side of the age cut-off. TOP
DIVISIONS
What is Division I/Mavericks?
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. For more info, see the Division III page. TOP
What is Division III/Class III?
The Division III or "competitive" 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. Tryouts are required for Division III teams. For more info about Division III, see the Tryouts section below or the Division III page. TOP
What is Division IV/Class IV?
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. For more information, see the Division IV page. TOP
PRACTICES
When and where are practices?
Under-5 and Under-6 do not have weekday practices, but practice and play only on Saturdays. Under-8 teams practice once a week; older teams practice twice a week. A draft practice schedule should be posted on www.abscsoccer.com several weeks before the season starts. Usually fields open for practices only a week or two before the first game of the season - so mid August for Fall and early March for Spring. Practice fields are located at parks and schools in Albany and Berkeley. TOP
What if the practice schedule doesn't work for me?
It's difficult to move a player from one team to another after rosters are published, and not all such requests can be accommodated, so please consider all other options (such as rescheduling other activities, or carpooling with teammates) before requesting a new team. All requests to change teams go through the registrar. In the fall season, there may also be paperwork to transfer. TOP
What are Under-7 and Under-9 teams? How do I register my player for one of those teams?
These are further subdivisions of the Under-8 and Under-10 age groups, respectively. You can request these when you register your player in Under-8 and Under-10, just like you request placement with a friend or particular coach. These age groups have special formats; for instance, Under-7 plays "micro-soccer" with no goalies and six players on a side, compared to Under-8 with goalies and a larger field. Under-9 plays 8 players on a side, compared to Under-10 with 9 players on a side and a larger field. Questions on the formats? Ask our manager. Questions on getting signed up properly? Ask our registrar. TOP
How do I register my player for a Competitive Division III soccer team?
Competitive Division III teams may be formed in age groups Under-12 and older, by invitation only, following tryouts in March and April (dates posted on the ABSC Division III page and www.accysl.org). Coaches interested in forming a Division III team, please first contact manager Steven Morrison and registrar Karen Steinmeyer. ABSC does not form Competitive teams in the Under-10 age group; however, Under-10 players can request a RecPlus team for more of a challenge. Division III players register through their coach or team manager. Questions about registering for a Division III team? Contact registrar Karen Steinmeyer, ksteinmeyer@alumni.ucsd.edu, 510-558-0634. TOP
Why do you want the player's mother’s birthdate?
Sorry about this new requirement! The state organization is trying to standardize and cross-reference players, so it's giving all players a new ID number to use from now on, including this birth date (month and day only - not year). If the child is adopted and there is only one adoptive mother, please use her birth date. If the player has two fathers or two mothers, and one is the biological parent, please use the birth date of the biological parent. If the player is adopted jointly by a same-gender couple, neither of whom are the biological parent, please use the birth date of the same-gender parent whose last name comes first alphabetically. TOP
What if my application is late?
Applications received after the walk-in registration sessions are considered to be late registrations and incur an additional $50 late fee. For the late registration procedure, see the Registration page. Whether late registrants get placed on a team depends on space available after the club accommodates on-time registrants. Late registrants who are not placed on a team can request a refund. TOP
I registered and paid online - am I done?
Probably not! It depends.
For the fall season: Your registration is only complete after you:
* turn in a hard copy of the application (1601 form -- a copy will be emailed to you when you register online),
* with signature (in blue or other colored ink - not black),
* plus a tiny color photo (for players registering in Under-9 and older) and
* a photocopy of a birth certificate or passport
For locations and times when you can turn in paperwork, see the Registration page. Teams of on-time applicants should be formed by mid-June. After you're placed on a team, you should get a phone call and an email with your coach contact information.
For the spring season: Players who played with ABSC in the previous fall only have to pay online and do not have to turn in any more paperwork. Players who did NOT play with ABSC the previous fall must turn in complete paperwork as listed above for fall. Full instructions are on our Registration page. TOP
Which adults need to register themselves?
Each team must *register* their team officials: 1 head coach, 1 assistant coach and 1 team manager. At the very least, each team must have one officially registered adult (in the unfortunate case where no assistant coach or team manager is available). IMPORTANT: One officially registered adult must be present at each practice and game with the team's medical release forms. Also note: Team officials must be officially registered to get credit for volunteer hours toward the $100 volunteer refund (new rule in effect Spring 2009). Thank you, team officials! TOP
How does an adult register?
You may register yourself in person at a walk-in registration session, or on line through www.sportability.com/absc
Select the correct age group
Click on "register an adult"
Follow the prompts.
Or pick up the adult registration form at a walk-in registration session.
If you sign up online, please print and submit a signed adult application (1628 form - it will be emailed to you at the end of the online registration) and photo to get your adult pass. Adult registration is free.TOP
SEASON/SCHEDULE
When does the season start?
Fall games usually begin the Saturday after the ABSC Opening Day Soccer Festival on Labor Day (the first week of September), and continue through mid-November, with an end-of-season Jamboree (tournament) for older teams on the weekend before Thanksgiving. Spring games start in late March or early April, and end in late May or early June. TOP
What team is my child on?
You should hear from your coach AND receive an email from our registrar with your child's team assignment in early March for Spring soccer and in June for Fall soccer. As this information becomes available, you can also find your child's team assignment at www.sportability.com/absc.
1. Click on the round icon by your child's age group (e.g., Fall 06 Girls Under 8).
2. Click on Standings in the left sidebar menu.
3. Click on each team until you find a roster with your child's name on it. Coach contact information is displayed there.
What if my player wants to play on a coed team?
Under-5 players meet on Saturdays in coed groups for activities and small scrimmages. Under-6 teams are usually all coed, although some teams may end up having all boys. Any older player in Under-7 and above who wants to play coed should write "coed" in the coach/team request space along with coach/team name if known when signing up. Under-7 coed teams are common. However, they are listed as a boys' team and will be scheduled to play against all-boy teams most of the time. A girl may ask to play on a boys' team at any age. A boy may be placed on a coed team if one is available in his age group. TOP
What if my child didn't get assigned to the team [or buddy] we requested?
We don't like to disappoint our players, but unfortunately it's not possible to give every player their first choice. Our volunteer age commissioners spend hours placing hundreds of players on teams, according to ages & requests. For fairness, they also have to follow the ABSC team formation protocol, which gives priority to returning players over new players who request that team. Similarly, ALL players who register on time have priority over players who register late. And players who played on a team in the formal fall season have priority over players from the informal spring season (when we often combine teams). There are also maximum team size limits. Sometimes a team fills up with returning players who registered on time. If there's no room for new players on a requested team, we try to place them elsewhere with a compatible and appropriate team. We appreciate your flexibility, and we hope your child has a good season with new and old friends on a really fun team. TOP
TRYOUTS
Who goes to tryouts?
All players interested in Division III teams are encouraged to attend tryouts, and to attend several in order to have the best chance to show off their skills. Attendance at tryouts is ONLY required for placement on Competitive Division III teams; tryouts are NOT required for Recreational Division IV teams, which constitute 80% of the teams in ABSC. Tryouts schedule. TOP
Are boys' and girls' tryouts set up the same?
In February and March, there are ACCYSL Div I and Div III combined tryouts for girls, after which qualified players are invited to join the Div I Mavericks or invited to play Competitive Div III starting the following Fall. Players may accept or decline the invitation to play on a Mavericks team or a Competitive Div III team based on personal preference. Girls need only attend this set of combined tryouts.
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 Div I Mavericks for the following Fall/Spring seasons. Then in March and April, ABSC holds Div III tryouts. Qualified players are invited to join a Div III ABSC team. Players may accept or decline the invitation to play on a Div I Mavericks team or a Div III ABSC team based on personal preference. Check for tryouts schedules at www.accysl.org and the ABSC Division III page or call 510-558-0634. TOP
What can we expect at the tryouts?
The tryout format usually includes a warm-up, a few drills, some small-sided games, and a full-field scrimmage. A single tryout may last two hours. Plenty of opportunities for players to show off their soccer skills. TOP
What should we wear to the tryouts?
Wear cleats, shin-guards, no jewelry/etc.
Bring both a dark and a white T-shirt (not your recreational or select team jersey).
Bring water bottle. TOP
What will the tryouts evaluators be looking for?
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. TOP
UNIFORMS
What uniforms and equipment are required?
The club provides balls and other team equipment, but individual players must buy shin guards, shoes and uniforms for themselves. Baseball cleats are not allowed. See the Uniforms page for a description of the uniform. TOP
Where do I buy my uniform and equipment?
You can buy soccer cleats at any sporting goods store. See the Uniforms page for the location of our sales shop (uniforms available new and used).
You can also buy soccer gear through Soccer.com and a portion of each sale will go back to ABSC.
Older teams and competitive (Div 3) teams buy the ABSC upgraded Puma uniform - royal blue shorts, shirt and socks, with yellow shirt for away games -- through the club manager, Steven Morrison abscmanager@yahoo.com , 510-229-0721. TOP
VOLUNTEERING
How do I get back my $100 volunteer deposit?
You can request a refund when you have finished at least 8 hours of volunteer work for the club for the season. (This is in addition to bringing snacks for your team!) You pick preferred volunteer jobs when you register your player. For complete details on requesting your volunteer refund, see the Refunds page. Coaches, assistant coaches, and team managers who are returning to the same team can select a waiver of the volunteer deposit at the beginning of the online registration process. TOP
What volunteer positions are available?
For a description of volunteer jobs, see the Volunteers page. There are frequently clerical work parties, and we need many field marshals each weekend. We also need Events Coordinators, Board Members, etc. If no one contacts you about volunteer work, contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Marianne Fisher, volunteer4absc@sbcglobal.net, 510-525-7720. If you want to be a coach, let the registrar know. If you want to be an assistant coach or team manager, arrange it with your coach at the beginning of the season and ask the coach exactly how s/he would like you to support the team that season. TOP
