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Minneapolis United Travelling Team Formation Policy

last updated: 07-25-2007

TEAM FORMATION POLICY OVERVIEW

Minneapolis United (MU) is a community-based club that strives to balance the needs of all players’ at all competitive levels, from Recreational to Premier.

  1. The goal of the Minneapolis United Team Formation process is to create a system in which players can best develop individual soccer skills and participate in statewide soccer play.
  2. Traveling soccer allows players to develop individual and team skills necessary to play at the high school varsity level and beyond.
  3. MU believes that Individual and team development work best when players participate on teams with other players at similar commitment and skill levels.
  4. Placement of individual players on appropriate teams is increasingly critical at the higher levels of competition.
  5. U11-U19 C2 and higher teams form through a tryout (evaluation process) as outlined in the sections immediately below. U11-U19 players that choose not to participate in the tryout process will be assigned to play at the C3 level.
  6. The Coaching/Tryout Director recommends coaches for the tryout teams. Tryout teams are strongly encouraged to hire a coach.

Note: For information related to U9-U10 Team Formation, please see the “MU Academy” section of this policy

TRYOUT PROCESS (U11-U19)

The Minneapolis United Soccer Club owns all team designations (C2, C1 and Premier). The Coaching / Training Director along with the MU Board determine the amount of tryout teams that an age/gender group can support based on player skill levels manifested through the tryout process.

  1. Coaching / Training Director leads the tryout process. Tryout format is at the discretion of the Coaching / Training Director and MU’s Board.
  2. In age groups where tryouts are conducted, the Coaching / Training Director and other appropriate, qualified evaluators (as determined by the MU Board) assess players during the tryout process.
  3. There is an annual tryout fee for all players participating in the tryout process. This fee assists in compensating the Evaluators and facility rental.

Factors

The following factors are considered in the tryout process (not ranked in order of importance):

  1. Attitude and commitment level to attend practices, training, games and tournaments. Commitment to attend winter training program (attendance at winter training is expected)
  2. Performance at tryouts (specifically, how the player rated on various skill tests)
  3. Performance as observed by the Coach in game situations from the previous season. This information is submitted on the Player Evaluation form.
  4. Specific positions needed

Note: All coaches are required to fill out and turn in the requested Player Evaluation Form on each player two weeks prior to tryouts.

Team Tryouts

Results from tryouts determine the rosters for the season immediately following tryouts.

  1. Teams will stay intact until the next scheduled tryout for that age group
  2. New players that did not attend tryouts will play on existing or new C3 teams.
  3. All C2, C1 and Premier Teams are formed based on the tryouts.
  4. MU teams may not play at a level higher than C3 without going through the tryout process

Note: Qualifying for a specific team one year does not mean that the player will automatically be placed with the same team or coach in later years.

C2, C1, and Premier Teams

  1. For “Tryout Teams” (C2, C1 and Premier), the final decision on player selection shall rest with the Coaching / Training Director, with input from the returning Coach being an integral part of the process. Team Managers are not involved in the player designation process.
  2. In instances where multiple players are ranked relatively equal in terms of commitment (attendance at Winter Training), attitude, and skill, (and there is not a particular position need), loyalty will go to returning team members (incumbents). Note: After the Tryout Process is complete and prior to the next annual tryout, the Coaching / Training Director with Team Coach have the authority to add up to two players to each team.

Multiple Tryout Teams

When multiple tryout teams exist in one age group at the same level of play, the Coaching / Training Director determines the team that will be considered the top-tiered most competitive team. The “most competitive tryout team” will likely have had greater success in the previous season.

Note: The top tryout team at the specific level will be encouraged to participate in the dedicated program of the club's winter training program.

  1. Tryout teams are broken down by competitive level: "most competitive tryout team” and a “next most competitive team”.
    1. The “most competitive tryout team” is rostered first
    2. It is assumed that every player participating in the process is trying out for the most competitive team. He or she will be placed on a team based on the criteria noted above.
    3. Player’s choosing to decline an offer to play on a specific team, will then have a chance to be chosen for the next competitive team in the age group.

Multiple C3 Teams

When two or more teams exist in this age group/gender, MU’s Coaching / Training Director may choose to hold tryouts to ensure each player will have the opportunity to be placed in the appropriate competitive level.

  1. Player’s may choose to attend tryouts (or not) and Team Coach(s) will be supportive of each player’s/family’s decision (to attend tryouts or to play C3).
  2. The Coaching / Tryout Director make the final roster decisions for "tiered/selected" c3 teams when applicable.
  3. The Coaching / Tryout Director recommends coaches for newly formed team (most likely a “for hire” coach but, in some instances, a capable parent)

Notification Process

  1. Tryout Team Coaches will be notified of the Team Formation Meeting (with MU’s Coaching / Training Director and an MU Board Member) that will occur within 7 days of the tryout. It is at this meeting that the tryout team rosters are finalized.
  2. Team Coach’s must notify players that were previously on the tryout team that did not make the team within 72 hours of the team formation meeting.
  3. Web site posting for tryout team rosters will occur after the 72-hour period regardless of whether this notification has occurred.
  4. Players earning roster spots for the “tryout team” will receive an e-mail to that effect and must register for the upcoming season within 48 hours of receiving notification or risk losing the spot to another player. Team Managers need to help facilitate at this stage of the process.
  5. Players not selected for the respective tryout team are notified by email or in writing. If desired, these players will be placed on a non-tryout team, subject to availability.
  6. If a player so chooses not to accept a position on a team, registration fees will be refunded.

Note: Process will be delayed if multiple “Tryout Teams” must be formed from the same age group/gender.

“MU Academy” (U9-U10)

Players that want to play at the higher Traveling Soccer level are encouraged to participate in the U9-U10 Jamboree in August.

  1. There is an annual fee for Jamboree participants that assist in compensating the evaluators and facility rental.
  2. Approximately 18-20 children in each gender of U9 and U10 will be chosen from the Jamboree to participate in the “MU Academy”. MU’s Coaching / Training Director have the authority to add players to the “MU Academy” that could not attend the Jamboree.
  3. Evaluators at the Jamboree will identify kids based on (1) commitment, (2) athletic ability and (3) soccer skills.
  4. In each age group / gender, two teams will be formed to participate in the MYSA Fall and Spring Traveling Leagues.
  5. U9-U10 MU traveling soccer players that are not in the “MU Academy” will be assigned to teams competing in the Gold (lower) level.
  6. MU’s Coaching Director will choose the Spring and Fall League coaches for “MU Academy” teams. Both parent and paid professional coaches will be considered.
  7. Coaching fees will be the responsibility of the parents on that team. Academy players will participate in the winter training program 2 times per week for 90 minutes. Winter training is from mid-November through mid-March and will be held indoors with the club Training Director.
  8. There will be four separate training groups focusing on fundamental foot skills.
    • U9 and U10 Boys
    • U9 and U10 Girls
  9. While Fall Traveling fees will not differ from U9-U10 MU traveling players participating in the Gold level, Spring Traveling fees for “MU Academy” participants will be approximately $50 higher to reflect the extra day of Winter Training.

PLAYERS MISSING TRYOUTS

  1. MU is unable to arrange individual tryouts.
  2. A player who cannot attend tryouts may petition MU in writing for placement on a specific team. “Close calls” will go to those that attend tryouts.
    Send notice to:MU.Admin@comcast.net

OUTSIDE PLAYERS

While MU’s primary goal is to serve Minneapolis players, teams may include players who do not live in Minneapolis or attend Minneapolis schools (“outside players”).

  1. MU will place no more than 30% “outside players” on the roster of any MU team.
  2. Exceptions to this rule require MU Board approval.

PLAYING TIME

  1. It is MU’s policy that participants at U9-U11 and all C3 players will get a chance to play multiple positions and will generally get equal time in games over the course of the season.
  2. Player development is the focus at these levels of play.
  3. Coaches can reduce playing times for reasons such as the following:
    • Missing or disrupting practices
    • Tardiness to practice
    • Failure to notify coaches in advance regarding absences from practices or games
    • Failure to follow coaches directions
  4. At U12 and up at the C2, C1 and Premier levels, coaches have discretion to field the most competitive team (playing time and position). When and where a player plays is strictly up to the coach.

ROSTER SIZE

The number of players on each team may be a function of the number of players registering for any season and other specific team considerations as determined by MU’s Coaching / Training Director, with input from the Team Coach.

  1. U9 to U10 teams play 6v6 and must roster 10-12 players.
  2. U11 and U12 teams play 8v8 and must roster 12-14 players.
  3. U13 and older teams must roster 15-18 players.

Note: All Gold level and C3 teams must accept new registrants if not fully rostered.