Competitive Program FAQs
REQUIRED COMMITMENT
COACHES
COST
FINANCIAL AID
UNITED PROGRAM FOR U13+ PLAYERS
CALENDAR
TRYOUTS
TEAM FORMATION
OTHER
What is the commitment level that’s expected to play competitive soccer?
Playing on a competitive soccer team requires a high level of commitment from players and their families.
August Preseason Training:
U9 and older players are expected to participate in a two week preseason training program that typically starts the first Monday in August. U8 Competitive teams will have only one week of mandatory preseason training, beginning the second Monday in August. Preseason training typically runs 3 hours a day, 5 days a week.
Attendance at preseason training is an important component of launching a successful season. Players benefit from intensive training in the technical, tactical, mental, and physical components of the game. In addition, preseason training provides an invaluable opportunity for teammates to bond with one another and their coach.
Season Training & Games:
Players are expected to attend all practices and games during the season. The length of the season varies depending upon age group and the level of a team. U15-19 teams typically finish their seasons in early November, when high school soccer starts. Most other MVSC competitive teams finish their seasons in mid-December. U11-U12 "Premier" level teams will finish their seasons in late January/mid-February. Each team's level of play will be determined by MVSC's Director of Coaching and professional coaching staff based on an assessment of the player pool after team formation.
What if my child can’t attend a portion of the mandatory team training in August?
August preseason training sets the tone for the start of the season. The high intensity training provides the players with much-needed technical, tactical, and physical training and is an invaluable opportunity for players to bond and become teammates. The 30 hours the players spend together at two weeks of preseason training is equivalent in volume to more than two months of regular team practice.
Missing a part of preseason training is not a dealbreaker for making a competitive team. However, by missing training, players negatively impact not only themselves but also the team. Players who miss any portion of preseason training (for reasons other than illness or injury) should expect to receive a significant reduction in playing time in early season games. As a guideline, players who miss preseason training may expect to play a maximum of one third of a game for every day missed (e.g., a player who misses three days of preseason training may expect to play no more than one third of a game in the first three games he or she attends). In some cases, players who miss preseason training may not be invited to play in a team’s initial tournament.
Who will coach the competitive teams?
Experienced professional coaches will coach all of our competitive teams. A list of the MVSC coaches can be found on the MVSC Competitive Coaches page. This list is updated each spring in advance of tryouts.
How much does it cost to play competitive soccer?
Families pay a club registration fee of $550 and team fees of approximately $1,000 to $2,000 (which vary by the team's roster size, length of season, coach rate, etc.). Uniforms and hotel stays for tournaments are an additional cost. An estimated cost chart can be found on the Competitive Program home page.
Where can I find information on financial aid for competitive soccer? Should I complete a Financial Aid application in advance of tryouts?
MVSC is proud to offer financial assistance to any family with a demonstrated need. There is no need to request financial aid prior to tryouts. There are instructions for applying for financial aid during the registration process should your child receive and accept an invitation to play for a competitive team. Financial aid applications are due within three days of registering. If you have questions about financial aid, please reach out to info@mvsc.org.
Players trying out for a United team hosted by Corte Madera FC or Tiburon Peninsula SC should contact the host club for their specific financial aid policies and deadlines.
UNITED PROGRAM FOR U13+ PLAYERS
What are “United” teams?
MVSC, Corte Madera FC and Tiburon Peninsula SC are collaborating to form all U13 and older competitive teams. These teams will play under the “United” name. Please visit United Marin Soccer for more information.
Are there important dates I should know about?
Yes! Please see our Fall 2025 Competitive Program Calendar.
Who should try out for competitive soccer?
Competitive soccer is for focused, highly motivated, dedicated players, who want to experience the enjoyment and developmental benefits that come from:
- professional coaching and an an age- and ability appropriate developmental curriculum
- a high volume of soccer
- training and competing with and against other focused, motivated, ability-appropriate soccer players
Competitive players train regularly to develop soccer skills and training habits that will enable them to acquire a sense of mastery and competence (with a focus on long-term development), and to compete successfully in inter-club competitions. Teamwork, sportsmanship, life skills, and character development are cornerstones of MVSC’s Competitive Program.
How do players sign up for tryouts?
Online registration for tryouts generally opens in April. Please register at least 48 hours in advance of the first tryout.
When should players show up to tryouts, and what should they bring?
- Arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to sign in.
- If players haven’t registered online, they will need to register at the field prior to participating.
- Players should wear cleats and shin guards, and bring a water bottle. Players do not need to bring a ball.
- Please DO NOT wear club uniforms or any other clothing indicating a club or team affiliation.
Should parents stay and watch?
We recommend that parents check their players in, leave and then come back 10 minutes before the end of the session. If you opt to stay, parents may sit in the bleachers but may not be on the track or field at any time.
What is the plan if the weather is bad?
In the event of inclement weather and/or significant rainfall, MVSC will post any changes to the MVSC Tryout Schedule.
How do players know which team to try out for?
Players should attend the tryout(s) for their specific birth year. Players may not try out for an older age group without advance permission from MVSC’s Director of Coaching.
Tryouts for all team levels (e.g., A, B, C, etc.) of a particular birth year will be held at the same field at the same time. The purpose of tryouts is to select a player pool for ALL competitive teams in each age group. Team placement is later decided after pool training.
How many tryouts does a player need to attend?
We encourage players to attend as many tryouts as possible. However, players are required to attend only one tryout. The more tryouts a player attends, the more reliable their assessment will be. Players with other in-season sports commitments should attend those games or events (provided they attend at least one of our tryouts).
What should I do if my child is sick or injured at the time of tryouts?
Please send an email to MVSC’s Director of Coaching, Rick Fullerton, and include your child’s full name, gender, birth year and the nature of your child’s illness or injury.
My child may wish to play in MVSC’s Premier Rec program, but they also want to try out for competitive soccer. Should I register for Premier Rec and for competitive tryouts now?
You are welcome to register for both Tryouts and our Premier Rec program. If you are invited to play on an MVSC Competitive team, we can transfer your Premier Rec registration fees. If you opt to wait, you will have approximately one week after competitive team announcements to register for our Premier Rec program, which has an on-time deadline of June 1.
How will players be assessed?
Players will be evaluated on technical, tactical, athletic and psychological factors demonstrated in their attitude, approach and performance at tryouts. Our professional staff will assess these qualities through a variety of methods, most importantly through observing performance, behavior and habits during tryouts.
Will my child be constantly observed during the tryout?
Each player will be observed for a vast majority of the tryout, and every player will be observed by three or more coaches during the tryout process. Our Coaches want the players to enjoy the tryout experience and to actively play for most of the time they are on the field. At times, our Coaches will need to compare notes, discuss next steps in the tryout process, get a drink of water, etc. Our approach is to allow the kids to continue playing during those times. Being able to maintain concentration, work ethic, and high-level performance with consistency throughout the duration of the tryouts are valued player assets.
What is the process and timeline by which players find out if they have made a competitive team?
At the completion of the tryout process, players will typically be selected for player pools for their age group, rather than teams (there may be exceptions if MVSC forms only one team in an age group). Families will be notified through website postings and email invitations. MVSC will not contact or notify players who are not invited to join our Competitive program. Our Tryout Notification Timeline explains the timing of invitations and the deadlines/process to accept and register.
When will I know which team my child is on? What is pool training?
In the interest of improving the reliability of team placement, after tryouts our professional coaches will select pools of players for each age group. Players in the pool will be invited to train together for three sessions in late May and early June. After these pool training sessions, every player in the pool will be placed on one of our competitive teams. This initial team placement will take place in June.
Could my child’s initial team placement change?
Yes, but changes are infrequent and only made after careful consideration.
MVSC has a player placement model that strives to find the best training and playing fit for every player. We recognize that players develop at different rates, and the three months between tryouts and our teams’ first games can bring significant changes in a player’s soccer ability, physical growth, commitment and/or desire. We also recognize, from years of experience, that an inappropriate team assignment can lead to an unsatisfactory season for the player.
As such, MVSC has a policy of continued player assessment after tryouts. Coaches will continue to assess the team placement of players up until the end of August, to identify and possibly reassign those players that would be better served on a different team during the course of the season.
How many players will be selected for each team?
U8-U10 rosters will typically have 10-11 players (these teams play 7 v 7).
U11-U12 team rosters will typically have 12-13 players (these teams play 9 v 9).
U13 and older team rosters will typically have 15-18 players (these teams play 11 v 11).
How many teams do you form in each age group?
Most age groups will have an “A” team and a “B” team. Some age groups will also have a "C" team and some may have a "D" team. The number of teams depends on the player pool presenting at tryouts and on subsequent commitments of players accepting roster spots.
Can a player play with a team that is older than their age group?
In most cases, MVSC only permits play-ups on A teams. Usually, play-ups are not permitted on B teams. These decisions are based upon identifying the developmental environment that can best serve the player. All play-up decisions will be made by MVSC’s Director of Coaching and Player Development and the professional coaching staff.
What happens if a player doesn’t make a team? Can a player get feedback on how to improve their chances for next year?
Players not offered spots on a competitive team will be provided an opportunity to contact the coaching staff via email if they are interested in obtaining feedback on the selection decision. Tryout Coaches’ names and contact information will be posted on the club’s website within 72 hours from the time the pools are posted.
If my child does not make a competitive team, can they still get professional coaching during the fall season?
Yes. MVSC’s Premier Rec fall program is open to all players, and all participants are offered professional coaching opportunities with their Premier Rec team. Players who don’t receive an invitation to play on a competitive team are encouraged to register for MVSC Premier Rec Soccer. In addition, MVSC offers player development camps and clinics throughout the year (please visit the Clinics & Camps page).
Can players who do not live in Mill Valley play on MVSC competitive teams?
Yes. Including out-of-area players has helped MVSC form teams of ability-appropriate players, who can each experience success and contribute meaningfully to their competitive team.
What is the MVSC Individual Development Player Program?
Development Players are players who are invited by an MVSC professional coach to participate in a competitive team’s training camps and practices. Development Players should not expect to participate in the competitive team’s games or tournaments, but may be asked to join a specific game if the team has a shortage of players.
The decision to make a Development Player is made jointly by the DOC and the coach of the team on which the player would be placed.
Fees for Development Players include a league registration fee to MVSC and a fee for practices and camps, which goes entirely towards the team budget. Development Players who are on an MVSC recreational soccer team are expected to practice with their recreational team at least once per week, and to make their recreational games on the weekend a priority over opportunities to play with their competitive team.
Does MVSC allow Guest Players on competitive teams?
Yes. Guest players can be added to a competitive team for a specific game or tournament when the team has a shortage of players. Guest Players may come from another competitive team in the same age group, a team from one year down, an age-appropriate player who is playing up or Development Players.
Guest Players should expect to play at least one third of a game during games in which they have been invited to participate. The decision to add a Guest Player will be made jointly between the Director of Coaching and the team coach.
Does MVSC allow permanent roster additions to competitive teams?
Yes. Permanent roster additions can be added to a team at any time of year. Permanent roster additions are full-time team members who will practice with the team and play in all games. Permanent roster additions must be registered with MVSC and pay appropriate team fees.
The decision to make a permanent roster addition is made jointly by the Director of Coaching and the coach of the team on which the player would be placed.
A player who is registered on an MVSC Premier Rec team who is being considered as a permanent roster addition to a competitive team must have approval from MVSC’s Director of Coaching, MVSC’s Director of Premier Rec, and MVSC’s Director of Competitive before being moved off the recreational team.
Does MVSC offer winter and spring soccer options for competitive players?
Yes, MVSC offers winter and spring training and game options for interested competitive players.
Where can I find more information?
If you have any other questions that are not answered on the website (www.mvsc.org), please contact info@mvsc.org.