Overview - Travel Program
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Rye Youth Soccer fields travel teams for players in 9U through 19U age groups. We are members of the Westchester Youth Soccer League (WYSL), which is comprised of teams from Westchester, the Bronx, and Manhattan.
Our travel teams hold annual evaluations in late May/early June and offer one weekday training session, one Saturday training session, and one Sunday match during 10-week Fall and Spring seasons. Many of our teams also participate in tournaments throughout the year. Each travel team is led by a parent head coach, RYS trainer, one or two parent assistant coaches, and a parent manager. |
Frequently Asked Questions:
When do I re-register for next soccer year if I am the parent of a returning travel player?
· Registration for the 2023-24 travel soccer year will open May 15 and close June 30. Please be sure to register within this window in order to secure a roster spot for next season. Registrations after June 30 will be permitted only if roster space permits and will require a $50 late fee per family.
When do I register for travel soccer if I am the parent of a NEW travel candidate?
· First, visit our Travel Tryouts page to find information about the date, time, and field that your child will be evaluated.
· For 2015 players who are in our pre-travel program, look for an email on approximately May 10 from registrar Helen Phillips with all the details.
· For 2015 players who are NOT in our pre-travel program, email helen@ryeyouthsoccer.org for the registration link.
· For 2014 and older players, email Chris Skelton for boys (chrisskell3@gmail.com) and Erica Stewart for girls (erica@fcsoccertraining.com) to let them know that your child would like to attend the tryout date listed on our Travel Tryouts page
What is the game format?
· 9U and 10U teams play a 7 V 7 format
· 11U and 12U teams play a 9 V 9 format
· 13U and older teams play an 11 V 11 format on a regulation-sized field
How will my child be evaluated for a new 9U team?
We use multiple data points to help us determine the most appropriate placement for our rising 9U players.
•Our Pre-Travel (8U) coaching staff conducts thorough evaluations over the course of the 30+ fall and spring sessions during which they work with 8U players. At the end of the fall season and midway through the spring season, all 8U trainers submit player evaluations to our Director of Coaching. Our coaches are asked to take note of player skill, physical abilities, attendance, and engagement in training sessions and games.
•RYS designates an "official evaluation date." For 2015 birth year players who are interested in trying out for travel soccer, Friday, June 2, 2023 and Friday, June 9, 2023 will serve as the primary dates. Children should attend one or both of those dates in order to receive an official evaluation of their dribbling, passing, striking, and other technical skills. In addition, they will have an opportunity to play in small-sided games. This evaluation will take place in the context of the usual Friday afternoon 8U sessions in order to minimize player anxiety and eliminate disruption to the already busy spring schedule.
•To be eligible for the evaluation, your child must be "registered" for the rising 9U evaluation. On approximately May 10, RYS will send all 8U families a list of steps that you need to take (refundable deposit, birth certificate, and other pertinent information indicating your commitment to the process).
How many players make the 9U travel teams?
Each team will have approximately 13 players. RYS will determine the number of new 9U teams each spring by considering the depth of the 8U player pool and calculating the field availability requirements of the league. Families will be notified of team selection decisions by June 30. For the 2023-24 season, we anticipate entering four boys teams and four girls teams into the WYSL.
How does my child try out for an existing 10U or older team?
Similar to how we approach the 8U team formation process, we use multiple data points to help us determine the most appropriate placement for continuing and new 10U and older players.
•Our trainers--under the direction of our Girls' Head of Travel and Boys' Head of Travel--conduct thorough evaluations over the course of the fall and spring sessions during which they work with our players. At the end of the fall season and midway through the spring season, all trainers submit player evaluations to our Director of Coaching. Our coaches are asked to take note of player skill, physical abilities, attendance, and engagement in training sessions and games.
•In addition, all RYS age groups hold official evaluations in late May or early June. These evaluations are used to further inform player placement decisions for the subsequent fall season. Players who are already on a RYS team will be automatically evaluated. If your child is not currently on a RYS team, visit our Travel Tryouts page and then contact the appropriate director to let them know your child would like to attend the evaluations:
•Director of Coaching and Boys' Head of Travel Chris Skelton (chrisskell3@gmail.com) for Boys
•Girls' Head of Travel Erica Stewart (erica@fcsoccertraining.com) for Girls
What if my child does not make a 9U team?
Our intramural program welcomes 9U players who don't wish to play travel soccer or were not selected for a 9U travel team to participate for one additional year.
What if my child does not make a 10U-older team?
In certain age groups, we may be able to take a limited number of players as "practice players" so that they can continue to train, improve, and enjoy the sport. While practice players will not be eligible to participate in games, they will be considered for team placement for the following season. This option is not available in all age groups and is a function of roster size, coach availability, and field space.
What is the process for reshuffling existing travel team rosters?
RYS recognizes that children develop their soccer skills and athletic abilities at different rates. The Directors of Boys' and Girls' Travel reserve the right to make changes to the team mid-season or mid-year if they deem educationally appropriate. Player movement and roster reshuffling takes place after the fall season and after the spring season. Our Boys' and Girls' Directors of Travel will use staff coach evaluations and their own observations to initiate any roster moves after the fall season. Roster moves made after the spring season will be based on observations made throughout the year and performance at late May and early June designated evaluations.
Do you need parent coaches?
Yes, absolutely. We encourage all parents who wish to be assistant or head coaches to let us know by filling out the appropriate information when registering your children for the tryouts. Parents who serve as head coaches are expected to attend all Sunday matches and at least one of the two weekly training sessions. Parents who serve as assistant coaches are expected to attend as many Sunday matches as possible and at least one weekly training session.
What is the RYS Philosophy on Playing Time?
As a community-based youth sports organization, we believe in an "equitable playing time" model. The core principles of this model include:
• Playing time should be fair to the dual goals of player development and team functioning, with player development the primary consideration during the earlier years and team functioning an increasingly important consideration as players progress up the pyramid. This equates to "equal" playing time at the Intramural/Pre-Travel level and "fair" playing time at the travel level.
• Playing time should reflect attendance and participation at practices, commitment to development as a player, and character/leadership/role on the team.
• Playing time in any particular game can reflect the conditions of that particular game (quality and characteristics of the opponent; performance by a player in training during the week leading up to the game or during the game itself; and a player's demeanor towards teammates, opponents, and referees).
Any questions that arise regarding playing time or other non-injury related issues should be addressed in a respectful and non-confrontational manner no sooner than 24 hours after the conclusion of a match. This "24 hour" rule allows time for "cooling off" and reflection, and it also prevents confrontations between adults on the field in front of children. RYS supports thoughtful, constructive dialogue between parents and coaches outside of this 24-hour window.
· Registration for the 2023-24 travel soccer year will open May 15 and close June 30. Please be sure to register within this window in order to secure a roster spot for next season. Registrations after June 30 will be permitted only if roster space permits and will require a $50 late fee per family.
When do I register for travel soccer if I am the parent of a NEW travel candidate?
· First, visit our Travel Tryouts page to find information about the date, time, and field that your child will be evaluated.
· For 2015 players who are in our pre-travel program, look for an email on approximately May 10 from registrar Helen Phillips with all the details.
· For 2015 players who are NOT in our pre-travel program, email helen@ryeyouthsoccer.org for the registration link.
· For 2014 and older players, email Chris Skelton for boys (chrisskell3@gmail.com) and Erica Stewart for girls (erica@fcsoccertraining.com) to let them know that your child would like to attend the tryout date listed on our Travel Tryouts page
What is the game format?
· 9U and 10U teams play a 7 V 7 format
· 11U and 12U teams play a 9 V 9 format
· 13U and older teams play an 11 V 11 format on a regulation-sized field
How will my child be evaluated for a new 9U team?
We use multiple data points to help us determine the most appropriate placement for our rising 9U players.
•Our Pre-Travel (8U) coaching staff conducts thorough evaluations over the course of the 30+ fall and spring sessions during which they work with 8U players. At the end of the fall season and midway through the spring season, all 8U trainers submit player evaluations to our Director of Coaching. Our coaches are asked to take note of player skill, physical abilities, attendance, and engagement in training sessions and games.
•RYS designates an "official evaluation date." For 2015 birth year players who are interested in trying out for travel soccer, Friday, June 2, 2023 and Friday, June 9, 2023 will serve as the primary dates. Children should attend one or both of those dates in order to receive an official evaluation of their dribbling, passing, striking, and other technical skills. In addition, they will have an opportunity to play in small-sided games. This evaluation will take place in the context of the usual Friday afternoon 8U sessions in order to minimize player anxiety and eliminate disruption to the already busy spring schedule.
•To be eligible for the evaluation, your child must be "registered" for the rising 9U evaluation. On approximately May 10, RYS will send all 8U families a list of steps that you need to take (refundable deposit, birth certificate, and other pertinent information indicating your commitment to the process).
How many players make the 9U travel teams?
Each team will have approximately 13 players. RYS will determine the number of new 9U teams each spring by considering the depth of the 8U player pool and calculating the field availability requirements of the league. Families will be notified of team selection decisions by June 30. For the 2023-24 season, we anticipate entering four boys teams and four girls teams into the WYSL.
How does my child try out for an existing 10U or older team?
Similar to how we approach the 8U team formation process, we use multiple data points to help us determine the most appropriate placement for continuing and new 10U and older players.
•Our trainers--under the direction of our Girls' Head of Travel and Boys' Head of Travel--conduct thorough evaluations over the course of the fall and spring sessions during which they work with our players. At the end of the fall season and midway through the spring season, all trainers submit player evaluations to our Director of Coaching. Our coaches are asked to take note of player skill, physical abilities, attendance, and engagement in training sessions and games.
•In addition, all RYS age groups hold official evaluations in late May or early June. These evaluations are used to further inform player placement decisions for the subsequent fall season. Players who are already on a RYS team will be automatically evaluated. If your child is not currently on a RYS team, visit our Travel Tryouts page and then contact the appropriate director to let them know your child would like to attend the evaluations:
•Director of Coaching and Boys' Head of Travel Chris Skelton (chrisskell3@gmail.com) for Boys
•Girls' Head of Travel Erica Stewart (erica@fcsoccertraining.com) for Girls
What if my child does not make a 9U team?
Our intramural program welcomes 9U players who don't wish to play travel soccer or were not selected for a 9U travel team to participate for one additional year.
What if my child does not make a 10U-older team?
In certain age groups, we may be able to take a limited number of players as "practice players" so that they can continue to train, improve, and enjoy the sport. While practice players will not be eligible to participate in games, they will be considered for team placement for the following season. This option is not available in all age groups and is a function of roster size, coach availability, and field space.
What is the process for reshuffling existing travel team rosters?
RYS recognizes that children develop their soccer skills and athletic abilities at different rates. The Directors of Boys' and Girls' Travel reserve the right to make changes to the team mid-season or mid-year if they deem educationally appropriate. Player movement and roster reshuffling takes place after the fall season and after the spring season. Our Boys' and Girls' Directors of Travel will use staff coach evaluations and their own observations to initiate any roster moves after the fall season. Roster moves made after the spring season will be based on observations made throughout the year and performance at late May and early June designated evaluations.
Do you need parent coaches?
Yes, absolutely. We encourage all parents who wish to be assistant or head coaches to let us know by filling out the appropriate information when registering your children for the tryouts. Parents who serve as head coaches are expected to attend all Sunday matches and at least one of the two weekly training sessions. Parents who serve as assistant coaches are expected to attend as many Sunday matches as possible and at least one weekly training session.
What is the RYS Philosophy on Playing Time?
As a community-based youth sports organization, we believe in an "equitable playing time" model. The core principles of this model include:
• Playing time should be fair to the dual goals of player development and team functioning, with player development the primary consideration during the earlier years and team functioning an increasingly important consideration as players progress up the pyramid. This equates to "equal" playing time at the Intramural/Pre-Travel level and "fair" playing time at the travel level.
• Playing time should reflect attendance and participation at practices, commitment to development as a player, and character/leadership/role on the team.
• Playing time in any particular game can reflect the conditions of that particular game (quality and characteristics of the opponent; performance by a player in training during the week leading up to the game or during the game itself; and a player's demeanor towards teammates, opponents, and referees).
Any questions that arise regarding playing time or other non-injury related issues should be addressed in a respectful and non-confrontational manner no sooner than 24 hours after the conclusion of a match. This "24 hour" rule allows time for "cooling off" and reflection, and it also prevents confrontations between adults on the field in front of children. RYS supports thoughtful, constructive dialogue between parents and coaches outside of this 24-hour window.