FAQ
WHAT IS THE OKEMOS SOCCER CLUB (OSC)? We oversee community-based competitive soccer teams in Okemos. Teams are typically made up of kids who live in Okemos, attend school in Okemos or area parochial schools, or, those kids who “school of choice” in Okemos. However, kids from outside of Okemos can tryout but preference is given to Okemos players when players have similar abilities. The club’s board members and coaches are volunteers and the director of coaching may be a paid position. We field teams for both boys and girls divisions at the ages of Under 9 years old through Under 19 years old. We represent the Okemos community in the Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) which coordinates competitive soccer in the Greater Lansing Area and the Western Suburban Soccer League (WSSL) which has teams like Chill, Rush and teams from the western suburbs of Detroit. Both CASL and WSSL teams are formed through tryouts in June. CASL and WSSL are governed at the state level by Michigan Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) and at the national level by US Youth Soccer (USYSA).
MY CHILD PLAYED EASTSIDE RECREATIONAL SOCCER, WHAT ARE ALL THE OTHER LEVELS AND TEAMS THAT ARE AVAILABLE? There are a few options that address different levels of soccer for kids and families that range in both commitment and costs. Some teams travel more, others less. Some are competitive, while others recreational. Some cost $1000-$2000+($$$$), and others cost less $75 on average ($). All mentioned organizations have websites we encourage you to visit but below is a quick overview of programs.
Recreational soccer ($): Teams for Kindergarten-8th grade children are formed by Meridian Parks and Rec through a registration process. Talent is distributed evenly among all teams and playing time is more equalized. Teams practice 1-2 times per week at a school or park in Okemos. These teams play in the Eastside Soccer League which includes teams from Mason, East Lansing, Williamston, Holt to name a few. Please see the “Rec Soccer” link to get information about the programs offered through Meridian Parks and Recreation.
Select/Travel($$): OSC helps form teams from under 9-under-19 and they play in CASL and from U10-U14 for WSSL. Teams practice 2 times per week during fall and spring seasons. Coaches typically have licenses from either United States Soccer Federation (USSF) or the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Players must be registered with the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) and must have player cards. In CASL, teams come from Okemos, DeWitt, East Lansing, Mason, Williamston, Grand Ledge, Charlotte, and Holt, to name a few. Teams in WSSL include Chill, Rush, and come from areas such at Plymouth, Ann Arbor, Northville, Fenton, etc.
Cross-Community Clubs ($$$$): They include Chill, CA Rush, Cap City and Nationals. They select players for their teams, commonly under 8-under 19, from all over the Lansing area. They pay their coaches, directors and administrators and can ask for more of a year-around commitment from their players. Their coaches are licensed and players are all registered through MSYSA. Teams practice 2-3 times per week at a location in the Lansing area. These clubs play in various leagues across the state against teams from metro Detroit, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Midland and others. These clubs have good soccer people working with youth. Some are non-profits while others have a profit component to their model.
WHEN ARE TRYOUTS AND HOW DO I KNOW WHAT TEAM TO TRYOUT FOR? OSC must follow guidelines established by US Youth Soccer Association, the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA), CASL, and WSSL. This means that OSC holds tryouts each year for the formation of teams beginning the first Saturday on or after June 15th. Players will be evaluated on several criteria and a team will be formed from the pool of players at tryouts. This team will remain together through fall and spring seasons until next June, when tryouts will again be held. Information on tryouts are posted on OkemosSoccer.org, emailed by Meridian Township Parks and Rec and often through the Okemos Public chools.
HOW MANY TEAMS ARE IN AN AGE GROUP AND HOW ARE TEAMS DETERMINED AFTER TRYOUTS? OSC may sponsor multiple teams in age groups. The decision depends on the size of the player pool and available coaches. At U9 we typically aim for as close to two equally talented teams as possible. At U10, U11 and U12, the philosophy is to select an “A” team and, if there are adequate numbers of players and coaches, we will select a “B” team. “A” teams may choose to play in WSSL while "B" teams play in CASL.
WHAT DOES IT COST FOR MY CHILD TO PLAY ON AN OSC/CASL TRAVEL TEAM? The costs vary somewhat by team and helps pay for fields, referees and administrative costs of CASL such as scheduling, etc. Some teams will want to attend a few tournaments or they will elect to get bags and warm-ups. A good idea of the base cost for OSC teams is $200-350. This includes basic uniform (not the extra apparel such as warm-ups or bags), league play, and a couple of tournaments a year.
I DON'T THINK I CAN AFFORD THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH CASL. ARE THERE SCHOLARSHIPS? Yes, CASL does offer a scholarship program where families can request assistance with financial needs. OSC can help with club fees too. If you are interested in this program, please go to the CASL webpage, caslsoccer.org, and click on financial aid.
HOW MUCH OF THE YEARLY FEES GO TO THE COACH? The coaches in OSC are volunteers. They work many hours at practice and give up many weekends with their families for one reason- they love teaching kids the game of soccer. In some cases paid trainers are brought in to specifically work on skill development.
WHEN ARE THE GAMES AND WHAT IS A SOCCER SEASON? OSC teams play a fall and spring season. Tryouts are mid-June and the first league games are around the first of September. Most teams play a single game on either Saturday or Sunday until around the first week in November. Spring season begins in mid-April and ends around the second week of June just in time for tryouts for the next year’s team. Many teams will play indoor soccer at the Summit, Lansing Indoor Soccer Arena or at Soccer Zone during the winter. This is up to the individual team. Indoor games are not part of CASL or WSSL. In addition, most teams in the Okemos Soccer Club try and attend at least one tournament during the fall and spring season. It is a great way to reward the teams for great work and to build team chemistry among the players and the parents in the Okemos community. OSC teams typically attend tournaments in Lansing or across Michigan.
I DON'T KNOW IF I LIKE THE IDEA OF COMPETITIVE SOCCER. DOES THIS MEAN THE FOCUS IS ON WINNING AT ALL COST? The goal of any youth soccer team should be to have fun playing soccer and to focus on skill development to allow for years of enjoyment in soccer. This is well understood among youth coaches in the OSC. The reason for the coaching licensing, coaching education, lesson plans, etc. are to help coaches find ways to teach technique and tactics with methods that focus on the youth having fun and learning the game. OSC does not measure coaches by the number of wins. A much better measure of success is the development of the players' skill and if the kids want to play for the same team again next year.
HOW MANY PLAYERS ARE ON A TEAM? The number of players on a team varies depending on the age of players. The older teams (U13-U19) can have a maximum of 18 players (play 11v11), U11 and U12 are allowed 14 players (play 9v9), and U9 - U10 teams have a maximum roster size of 13 (play 7v7).
ARE THE TEAMS FORMED BY AGE OR GRADE AND WHAT ARE THE CUT-OFF DATES? While recreational soccer teams are generally formed by grade, competitive soccer is age based. Teams are formed by "Birth Year" and the cut-off date January 1st. Check the tryout page of this website for more information.
CAN MY CHILD PLAY ON AN OLDER TEAM? OSC generally discourages this because the most important part of soccer is having fun. Most kids want to play with their friends from school. However, If you feel your child has the ability and requires the challenge of playing against older kids, then CASL and WSSL allows players to play up one division. Players are never allowed to play down.
CAN MY CHILD PLAY ON 2 TEAMS AT THE SAME TIME AND WHAT IS THIS I HEAR ABOUT DUAL ROSTERED PLAYERS? No, you can only get a player card from CASL/WSSL/MSYSA for a single team. You can play on 2 teams if you are dual rostered. MSYSA and US Club Soccer do have provisions for dual status. CASL and OSC also have rules and guidelines established for duals. If you are interested in more information you should ask your coach or go to MichiganYouthSoccer.org.
WE ARE A BUSY FAMILY, HOW MUCH TIME IS INVOLVED IN PLAYING OSC? We encourage our coaches to practice 2 times per week for about 75 to 90 minutes per session.
WHAT IF MY CHILD DOES NOT MAKE THE TEAM? Unfortunately, soccer is limited to a specific number of players on a team. If your child does not make an OSC team, it is not the end of soccer for your child. We hope that your child would continue to play recreational soccer for another year and tryout again for an OSC team. Please talk to the coach and ask about your child’s strengths and weaknesses as a player. This will allow the player to work during the season to improve his/her chance to make an OSC team. Perhaps one of the many soccer camps would help your child improve. Maybe indoor soccer would improve the skills of the player.
HOW ARE THE OSC COACHES SELECTED AND WHEN DO THEY CHANGE? The OSC selects new coaches from a list of candidates that are asked or request to become coaches. Most times, they’re parents that have coached in the recreational leagues and are ready to move to competitive soccer. They may have had an older child that played for an OSC team. Potential coaches are asked to present a coaching resume and are required to obtain at least a USSF “E” license during the first year of coaching. They must also get a risk management card from MSYSA. Coaches in the club generally stay with the same team. As your child moves from U10, U11, U12… the coach moves also. This adds a great deal of continuity to the team as the players move towards play in high school. If you are interested in youth soccer, the Okemos community and giving back to the game, please use the "contact form" to talk with us.
MY CHILD PLAYED EASTSIDE RECREATIONAL SOCCER, WHAT ARE ALL THE OTHER LEVELS AND TEAMS THAT ARE AVAILABLE? There are a few options that address different levels of soccer for kids and families that range in both commitment and costs. Some teams travel more, others less. Some are competitive, while others recreational. Some cost $1000-$2000+($$$$), and others cost less $75 on average ($). All mentioned organizations have websites we encourage you to visit but below is a quick overview of programs.
Recreational soccer ($): Teams for Kindergarten-8th grade children are formed by Meridian Parks and Rec through a registration process. Talent is distributed evenly among all teams and playing time is more equalized. Teams practice 1-2 times per week at a school or park in Okemos. These teams play in the Eastside Soccer League which includes teams from Mason, East Lansing, Williamston, Holt to name a few. Please see the “Rec Soccer” link to get information about the programs offered through Meridian Parks and Recreation.
Select/Travel($$): OSC helps form teams from under 9-under-19 and they play in CASL and from U10-U14 for WSSL. Teams practice 2 times per week during fall and spring seasons. Coaches typically have licenses from either United States Soccer Federation (USSF) or the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Players must be registered with the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) and must have player cards. In CASL, teams come from Okemos, DeWitt, East Lansing, Mason, Williamston, Grand Ledge, Charlotte, and Holt, to name a few. Teams in WSSL include Chill, Rush, and come from areas such at Plymouth, Ann Arbor, Northville, Fenton, etc.
Cross-Community Clubs ($$$$): They include Chill, CA Rush, Cap City and Nationals. They select players for their teams, commonly under 8-under 19, from all over the Lansing area. They pay their coaches, directors and administrators and can ask for more of a year-around commitment from their players. Their coaches are licensed and players are all registered through MSYSA. Teams practice 2-3 times per week at a location in the Lansing area. These clubs play in various leagues across the state against teams from metro Detroit, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Midland and others. These clubs have good soccer people working with youth. Some are non-profits while others have a profit component to their model.
WHEN ARE TRYOUTS AND HOW DO I KNOW WHAT TEAM TO TRYOUT FOR? OSC must follow guidelines established by US Youth Soccer Association, the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA), CASL, and WSSL. This means that OSC holds tryouts each year for the formation of teams beginning the first Saturday on or after June 15th. Players will be evaluated on several criteria and a team will be formed from the pool of players at tryouts. This team will remain together through fall and spring seasons until next June, when tryouts will again be held. Information on tryouts are posted on OkemosSoccer.org, emailed by Meridian Township Parks and Rec and often through the Okemos Public chools.
HOW MANY TEAMS ARE IN AN AGE GROUP AND HOW ARE TEAMS DETERMINED AFTER TRYOUTS? OSC may sponsor multiple teams in age groups. The decision depends on the size of the player pool and available coaches. At U9 we typically aim for as close to two equally talented teams as possible. At U10, U11 and U12, the philosophy is to select an “A” team and, if there are adequate numbers of players and coaches, we will select a “B” team. “A” teams may choose to play in WSSL while "B" teams play in CASL.
WHAT DOES IT COST FOR MY CHILD TO PLAY ON AN OSC/CASL TRAVEL TEAM? The costs vary somewhat by team and helps pay for fields, referees and administrative costs of CASL such as scheduling, etc. Some teams will want to attend a few tournaments or they will elect to get bags and warm-ups. A good idea of the base cost for OSC teams is $200-350. This includes basic uniform (not the extra apparel such as warm-ups or bags), league play, and a couple of tournaments a year.
I DON'T THINK I CAN AFFORD THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH CASL. ARE THERE SCHOLARSHIPS? Yes, CASL does offer a scholarship program where families can request assistance with financial needs. OSC can help with club fees too. If you are interested in this program, please go to the CASL webpage, caslsoccer.org, and click on financial aid.
HOW MUCH OF THE YEARLY FEES GO TO THE COACH? The coaches in OSC are volunteers. They work many hours at practice and give up many weekends with their families for one reason- they love teaching kids the game of soccer. In some cases paid trainers are brought in to specifically work on skill development.
WHEN ARE THE GAMES AND WHAT IS A SOCCER SEASON? OSC teams play a fall and spring season. Tryouts are mid-June and the first league games are around the first of September. Most teams play a single game on either Saturday or Sunday until around the first week in November. Spring season begins in mid-April and ends around the second week of June just in time for tryouts for the next year’s team. Many teams will play indoor soccer at the Summit, Lansing Indoor Soccer Arena or at Soccer Zone during the winter. This is up to the individual team. Indoor games are not part of CASL or WSSL. In addition, most teams in the Okemos Soccer Club try and attend at least one tournament during the fall and spring season. It is a great way to reward the teams for great work and to build team chemistry among the players and the parents in the Okemos community. OSC teams typically attend tournaments in Lansing or across Michigan.
I DON'T KNOW IF I LIKE THE IDEA OF COMPETITIVE SOCCER. DOES THIS MEAN THE FOCUS IS ON WINNING AT ALL COST? The goal of any youth soccer team should be to have fun playing soccer and to focus on skill development to allow for years of enjoyment in soccer. This is well understood among youth coaches in the OSC. The reason for the coaching licensing, coaching education, lesson plans, etc. are to help coaches find ways to teach technique and tactics with methods that focus on the youth having fun and learning the game. OSC does not measure coaches by the number of wins. A much better measure of success is the development of the players' skill and if the kids want to play for the same team again next year.
HOW MANY PLAYERS ARE ON A TEAM? The number of players on a team varies depending on the age of players. The older teams (U13-U19) can have a maximum of 18 players (play 11v11), U11 and U12 are allowed 14 players (play 9v9), and U9 - U10 teams have a maximum roster size of 13 (play 7v7).
ARE THE TEAMS FORMED BY AGE OR GRADE AND WHAT ARE THE CUT-OFF DATES? While recreational soccer teams are generally formed by grade, competitive soccer is age based. Teams are formed by "Birth Year" and the cut-off date January 1st. Check the tryout page of this website for more information.
CAN MY CHILD PLAY ON AN OLDER TEAM? OSC generally discourages this because the most important part of soccer is having fun. Most kids want to play with their friends from school. However, If you feel your child has the ability and requires the challenge of playing against older kids, then CASL and WSSL allows players to play up one division. Players are never allowed to play down.
CAN MY CHILD PLAY ON 2 TEAMS AT THE SAME TIME AND WHAT IS THIS I HEAR ABOUT DUAL ROSTERED PLAYERS? No, you can only get a player card from CASL/WSSL/MSYSA for a single team. You can play on 2 teams if you are dual rostered. MSYSA and US Club Soccer do have provisions for dual status. CASL and OSC also have rules and guidelines established for duals. If you are interested in more information you should ask your coach or go to MichiganYouthSoccer.org.
WE ARE A BUSY FAMILY, HOW MUCH TIME IS INVOLVED IN PLAYING OSC? We encourage our coaches to practice 2 times per week for about 75 to 90 minutes per session.
WHAT IF MY CHILD DOES NOT MAKE THE TEAM? Unfortunately, soccer is limited to a specific number of players on a team. If your child does not make an OSC team, it is not the end of soccer for your child. We hope that your child would continue to play recreational soccer for another year and tryout again for an OSC team. Please talk to the coach and ask about your child’s strengths and weaknesses as a player. This will allow the player to work during the season to improve his/her chance to make an OSC team. Perhaps one of the many soccer camps would help your child improve. Maybe indoor soccer would improve the skills of the player.
HOW ARE THE OSC COACHES SELECTED AND WHEN DO THEY CHANGE? The OSC selects new coaches from a list of candidates that are asked or request to become coaches. Most times, they’re parents that have coached in the recreational leagues and are ready to move to competitive soccer. They may have had an older child that played for an OSC team. Potential coaches are asked to present a coaching resume and are required to obtain at least a USSF “E” license during the first year of coaching. They must also get a risk management card from MSYSA. Coaches in the club generally stay with the same team. As your child moves from U10, U11, U12… the coach moves also. This adds a great deal of continuity to the team as the players move towards play in high school. If you are interested in youth soccer, the Okemos community and giving back to the game, please use the "contact form" to talk with us.
