Programs - SFSA runs programs for boys and girls as a member of PAWest, the ruling state soccer association and also attempts as much as possible to follow the guidelines recommended by PAWest and US Youth Soccer (USYSA). Ages are determined by the USYSA and do not match exactly the child's calendar age. See this chart to determine your child's official age.

In-house Crickets & Recreation

SFSA manages an In house intramural playing and league program as recommended by PAWest for ages 5-10. The main objectives for the In-house program are, to introduce as many youths as possible to the game of soccer, to get them excited enough to continue playing, to teach basic individual and team skills, and to prepare teams for entry into the travel program upon turning age 11.  We promote, fair play, equal playing time, and emphasize player and coaching development over wins and losses. To that end, we maintain no team records, or team scores or individual scores. We follow the guidelines set by PAWest, no recruitment or tryouts are used to construct teams.  Teams are assembled by the coaching committees in an effort to ensure the most even distribution of talent among all teams. SFSA conducts 2 In-house sessions per year, fall and spring.  Many other local clubs only do in-house in the fall.  Your fall registration fee covers both the fall and spring sessions.  Teams are maintained fall to spring and new signups in the spring are equally distributed to existing teams. 

All In-house games are Saturdays at the El Rancho fields on Hickory Grade Road.  Practices are held there as well, and the schedule is worked out among the coaches to choose a set day each week.

  • The Cricket program is for ages 5 & 6
    The main objective is to have fun for all, players, coaches and parents.  The Crickets play only on Saturday mornings, from 9-10 AM at the El Rancho field complex. Each session consists of about 1/2 hour of light training and drills, and 1/2 hour of small sided games.  1 hour is about the limit of the attention span for this age group.  The kids have great fun.  We follow the USYSA and PAWest guidelines for no goalies at this age level.  Each child is required to have shin guards a PAWest, and USYSA rule.  Each child needs to have their own size 3 ball.  Player provided soccer spikes are optional but recommended as it can get quite slippery at 9 AM at the fields. Headballs are not taught at this age.
  • The recreation program currently consists of the U8 and U10 programs. 
    U8 is for 7 and 8 year olds, and U10 is for 9 & 10 year olds. We follow the guidelines of USYSA and PAWest for these age group development recommendations and have found them to be the best method for young player development.  They include smaller sided team games on smaller fields, smaller goals, and no goalies until U10. Each child needs to have their own size ball (U8 Size 3 and U10 Size 4).  Player provided soccer spikes are recommended.
  • The U8 program
    Players play 4 on versus 4 on a small field with very small goals and no goalies.  Each team is assigned between 10 - 14 players.  On game day, the teams are broken into 2 squads, and A and B based upon their current development level.  At the same time, each team's A squad competes with the team's B squad , again 4 v 4.  This usually leaves each squad with 1-3 subs for rest.  We require that all players play an equal amount of time.  Having 10-14 players on a squad ensure also that enough players will be available for the required 1 day a week practice.  Practice is very important, as this is where the coaches can provide instruction for improvement.  
  • The U10 program
    Also follows the USYSA guidelines.  Players play on a team of 6 v 6 with a goalie, but on a reduced field size and smaller goals than older players and adults play on. 

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    Travel 

    PAWest does not permit travel under the age of 10.  Generally most clubs start their travel programs at the U11/U20 age level. Travel is permitted for a true age 10 level (no U9s allowed), but generally SFSA does not have enough players to roster a U10 travel team.  Generally PAWest runs leagues in the even year ages, U12, U14, U16 & U18.  The odd years players are grouped with the above, i.e. U11s play in the U12 league.  Occasionally there are enough players of both the odd age years and even age years to consider an odd age year team.  PAWest does not guarantee that enough odd age year teams will be available in any year to create a separate odd age year league.

    Each child needs to have their own size 5 ball.  Player provided soccer spikes are optional but recommended.

    SFSA is usually at the edge on registered players each year and can only field 1 team at each age level, both boys and girls.  After registration closes each session, the SFSA Board will determine the makeups of each age level, and which division competitive wise each team will play. PAWest requires that teams competing in Divisions 3 & 4 for boys and C & D for girls, do not conduct tryouts, and play equal playing time rules focusing on player development.  Teams registering in  divisions 1 & 2 or A & B may conduct tryouts and are more oriented towards a high level of competitiveness.  It is the SFSA board which decides, with input from players, parents and coaches, which division each team plays.  Our philosophy is to attempt to put players and teams in the most appropriate challenge division, where players/teams will have a sufficient level of competition to advance development each year.  

    PAWest conducts travel play on Sundays.  Generally the locations for away games are close, but occasionally can be as far as Uniontown and Wheeling WV.

    For a larger challenge to highly advanced, skilled, or interested players.  PAWest allows special clubs called Classic Division play, or otherwise known as CUP play.  PAWest does not allow the same team to compete in both travel and CUP.  There are no restrictions based on geography for CUP teams.  They hold tryouts and there is usually a fee to play.  The become all star teams of a sort, and thus the reason not to allow them to compete in the Sunday travel league.  Individual players may play on both a travel and CUP team.  There are rules as to how many CUP players a travel team has to guard against circumventing the crossover rule above, and also at the division level, for example any team with 6 CUP players must play in the most competitive division on travel, 1 or A, even if the 6 players don't play on the same cup team.  Classic division plays on Saturdays and usually enters a few out of state tournaments each year.  

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    Camps

    Player camps: SFSA currently doesn't sponsor a soccer camp directly. We publish some local camp information that run by the High school program to help develop proper soccer skills and enthusiasm for the game for the young soccer player. We also will post some information for advance camps that is put on by some of the cup soccer coached in this area.

    Coaching camps: The director of coaching runs coaching camps before the fall session each year.  The first is for beginner and first time coaches.  We focus on helping the newcomer coach learn how to run a team, practice, game day, and what fundamentals we expect at each age level. A second coaching camp is held for more experienced coaches to discuss new coaching techniques and strategies the SFSA would like the coaches to employ.  Occasionally SFSA will host a PAWest sponsored free youth coaching clinic on site.  They require a minimum attendance and coordination.

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