Northern Soccer

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Age group matrix for birthdays and year groups
Soccer lessons everyone should know
Why Small-sided Games?
General Recreational Program FAQs
Competitive Program (U12-U19)

Soccer lessons everyone should know

Having Fun—it is a blast to play soccer, to run, to be part of a team, to kick a ball.
Playing safe, with the proper equipment, is just as important as having fun.
Building technical skills needed to play a better game is why we practice—practice helps.
Increase your training time gradually to decrease injuries. If you have not been running for a while, take it easy the first few times on the field, and warm up before you play.
The referee is always right, even if you or your coach disagree.
Drink lots of water and put on sunscreen throughout the match.
Watch the weather and dress appropriately; if there is lightning you need to get off the field.
Check the field conditions; if you discover something wrong (broken glass or a gopher hole) let the Ref or your Coach know.
Never climb on or play around a goal. They can be extremely dangerous.

Why Small-Sided Games?

At younger ages, the national trend in soccer has been to play games with fewer players on the field rather than the traditional 11 players per side. Northern follows this philosophy. For example, at U12 Northern teams play 7 per side (6 players plus a goalkeeper). What are the benefits?

Top 5 Reasons for Small-Sided Games
- Sam Snow, US Youth Soccer Director of Coaching

Small sided means players have a greater chance of getting more touches on the ball, increasing development.
With fewer players on the field, players are forced to execute both offensive and defensive ball skills. Improving ball skills is the main objective in these age groups.
Players do not have the opportunity to hide, as they would if they would be playing 11v11 at this age group. Often in 11v11 on full size fields, players on the opposite side of the field do not touch the ball.
In an 11v11 approach, players do not have the confidence to make the right decisions and this leads to a "kick the ball" approach since they are not quite sure what to do. When playing with small numbers on small fields players are continuously involved in the match, so they may be willing to take more risks. In other words players now work with one another, in offense and defense.
In 11v11 games, some players watch their teammates play, only playing themselves when the ball is in their area. The 8v8 format does not allow this to happen.

What the Experts Say: Developing the Players of the Future ...

"At the Youth Level (ages 6-12), a competitive environment is not a result-oriented environment. It is an environment that encourages decisions from player and coach alike that focus on performance rather than results."
- Bruce Arena, US Men's National Coach

"70 percent of American kids who sign up for sports quit by the time they are 13 because it isn't fun anymore."
- 2001 Study by the National Alliance for Youth Sport

"There is a danger to be labeling players even at 11 and 12. Most future stars can't be identified at that age. It's unhealthy to be telling certain kids they're 'good' to the exclusion of kids who mature later."
- Tony Waiters (Former Canada National Coach)

"Separating out the 'best' for select teams (competitive) before age 11 is too early. Even in Brazil, the best of the best—the future ... professionals—don't start getting culled out until 11-13."
- Pele

"Winning games is not the only barometer of success. Whatever game it is, it is important that players play to win. However, many people in clubs use wins and losses as the only barometer. Everybody wants to get a jump. There's traveling teams with eight- to ten-year-olds. That's ridiculous."
- Bobby Howe (Former Director of Coaching, USSF)

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Recreational Program FAQs

How can I be a coach if I don't know anything about soccer?
The hardest part of being a volunteer youth coach is actually taking the initiative and volunteering. Northern Soccer provides excellent coaching education through our professional coaching staff along with manuals and on-line practice lessons plans.

When will the season begin and how long will it last?
The fall season will start in early September and last through October. The spring season will kick off in April and last through May.

When and where will games be played?
At the youngest age groups (Under-8 and Under-6), all practices and games will take place in your local community. Starting at Under-9, games will take place through the Mountain Schedule, which involves some of the local surrounding communities (Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Eldorado). Consequently, some games will be played in these locations; therefore occasional light travel will be required.

When will we know our teams?
At least two weeks prior to the start of the season your coach will contact you.

What is the cost?
The cost to play recreational soccer is $60 per season / $110 per year (U06-U08), $70 per season / $125 per year (U09-U19). The "per year" discount is only available from a single annual registration transaction in the fall.

What is the difference between recreational and competitive soccer?
Select, or competitive soccer, is intended for players seeking to improve their skills by playing at a higher level. Each team is selected by the head coach and the Director of Coaching based upon player tryouts. In recreational soccer, coaches are not permitted to pick their players, but instead are given a group of players from the available pool. Recreational soccer programs are an excellent way to learn the game and have fun. Competitive soccer is for players who can demonstrate a higher skill level and want to progress to the next level of competition.

What is the Mountain Schedule?
The Mountain Schedule was created to provide an opportunity for players to continue playing at the recreational level if they choose to do so. This is done through bringing together neighboring communities (Santa Fe, Los Alamos, and Eldorado) in order to provide a variation in competition and enjoyment. Recreational teams from Under-9 through Under-19 participate in the Mountain Schedule.

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Competitive Program (U11-U19) FAQs

What is the difference between recreational soccer and competitive soccer?
Select, or competitive soccer, is intended for players seeking to improve their skills by playing at a higher level. Each team is selected by the head coach and the Director of Coaching based upon player tryouts. In recreational soccer, coaches are not permitted to pick their players, but instead are given a group of players from the available pool. Recreational soccer programs are an excellent way to learn the game and have fun. Competitive soccer is for players who can demonstrate a minimum skill level and want to progress to the next level of competition.

I've heard competitive soccer can be expensive. Is this true?
The cost to play competitive ball is more expensive than recreational soccer. Depending on the club, annual costs can vary greatly, with some clubs charging upwards of $1,000 a year per player.
Northern Soccer, however, has one of the lowest annual fees of most competitive clubs in New Mexico. Although our annual commitment is at the low end of the cost spectrum, Northern Soccer provides top-quality coaching and is a tremendous value for the money.

Our $280 registration fee includes NMYSA and USSF dues, training opportunities (skills, Strength / Agility / Fitness program, etc.), insurance, at least two tournament fees per year (up to $800), staff compensation and administration.

Registration cost does not include tournament travel or coaches' expenses (travel, hotel, meals, etc., at tournaments). The overall financial commitment can vary depending on the number and location of tournaments a team chooses to participate in. Typically, a team travels to 2-4 tournaments during a calendar year.

Northern Soccer offers scholarship to players if requested.

Price Comparison of American Youth Soccer Clubs:

Club Name	Registration	Coaching	Total Price	Notes
Palo Alto Soccer Club	$200	$350-$500	$550-$700	California / one of America's highest cost of living areas
Darien Soccer Association	$100	$400	$500	Connecticut / one of America's highest housing cost communities
New Mexico Rush	$280-$350	$800-$1200	$1080-$1550	One of Albuquerque's top clubs
Albuquerque United	$425-$900	$370	$795-$1270	One of our New Mexico rivals
Triangle Futbol Club	$295	$95/mo	$1245	North Carolina
Northern Soccer	$280-300/yr		$280-300/yr	Lowest cost of any serious club in New Mexico

What is the difference between the Duke City League and the Mountain Schedule?
The Duke City soccer league is widely considered the top competitive league in New Mexico. The Mountain Schedule is modeled after the Northwest Rio Grande Soccer League from Albuquerque, and offers recreational play.

How much time should I plan on devoting to select soccer?
Prior to the beginning of the Duke City Soccer League, many teams will have three practices a week plus an occasional scrimmage. Once a season begins, most teams will practice twice a week plus have a game on the weekend. Practices usually run about 90 minutes. In addition, each player is expected to train on his or her own outside of practice, including conditioning, juggling, and attending club sponsored skills sessions. Some teams play indoor soccer between the fall and spring seasons, but this is an optional activity.