LaVale Soccer Club has teams in the following age groups.  All age groups are coed.

4U - 3 and 4 year olds

6U - 5 and 6 year olds

8U - 7 and 8 year olds

10U - 9 and 10 year olds

12U - 11 and 12 year olds

Age on August 1st

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register my child for soccer?

Come to an open registration event.  See calendar for dates and times. 

What is the cost?

The cost is $65 per player on first night of registration and $75 after that.  This includes a team Jersey.  LaVale Soccer Club does not make a profit from registrations.  Player fees go to LaVale Athletic Association for use of the fields, equipment for teams and to maintain fields. 

What is the soccer season?

LaVale Soccer Club currently runs a fall season only.  The season typically runs from August until October/November.

How many practices are there per week?

This is at the discretion of the coach and based on the age of the player.

What equipment do I need?

Shinguards are required for all practices and games. Cleated shoes are needed if play will be on wet, muddy or soft surfaces. For very young players, sneakers will do fine. Equipment can be purchased at Dunham's in LaVale Plaza, Wal-Mart or online.

How long does practice last?

Practices for players six and younger should be no more than an 45 minutes. Under-8 players practice one hour. Under-10 players are about an hour and 15 minutes. Older players practice for about an hour and a half.

What does my child need to bring to practice?

A ball, soccer shoes, shinguards and plenty of water to stay hydrated. Please dress accordingly to current weather.

Do I need soccer shoes or will tennis shoes be okay?

For younger players, sneakers work fine on a dry field. Older players or wet and muddy conditions may require cleats.

What size ball do you use?

8U and younger play with a No. 3. 10U through 12U play with a No. 4. Players U14 though adult use a No. 5.

Can players wear a cast (or earings, religious medals, eyeglasses)?

The FIFA Laws of the Game prohibit anything which is dangerous to a player or other players. Referees determine if an item can be worn without being dangerous.

Why can't players wear helmets?

Helmets are not included in the Laws of the Game under Players Equipment. Although the player wearing the headgear is protected, he may play in a physically more aggressive manner than others not protected, thereby becoming a danger to others.

Are mouth guards needed?

Injuries to the teeth are so few that insurers do not require them. Many dentists however recommend them.

How do I get information about coaching license courses?

For the D and E licenses, U-6/U-8 Youth Module, U-10/U-12 Youth Module and the US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Coaching Course you can contact your State Association (Maryland State Youth Soccer Association). For the A, B and C licenses, please contact U.S. Soccer. For the National Youth License, you can register through US Youth Soccer.

What is the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP)?

US Youth Soccer ODP, established in 1977, is the original Olympic development program in the United States. Formed to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a National Team could be selected for international competition, selected players are exposed to the nation's top coaches from collegiate institutions, U.S. Soccer and the professional leagues. Programs exist in each state and with competitions such as the US Youth Soccer ODP Championships, Interregional Training/Competition, Regional Camps and International play. US Youth Soccer ODP continues to lead the way in elite player identification and development. US Youth Soccer ODP is an approved program of the U.S. Soccer Federation.  For information on ODP in Maryland, check the MSYSA site.

Do you know of any summer camps to which I can send my son/daughter?

LaVale Soccer Club hosts the Challenger British Soccer Camp.  Details on the homepage of this website.  Potomac State College operates a camp in the summer.  Parents willing to travel may also find camps at West Virginia University in Morgantown.