ECFC: Our Soccer Program
More than 70% of all El Cerrito FC soccer players play on "recreational" soccer teams. These teams are open to players of all skill levels, including beginners, and are geared toward skill development, learning the game of soccer, sportsmanship and FUN. There are no tryouts. Practices are one or two days per week and games are on Saturdays. Parent participation is required within the team or ECSC board. Non-participation fee of $75.00 applies if parents are not interested in helping their child's team or club. Fall season runs from early September through November and Spring season runs from late March through mid June. Games are all within the San Pablo to Berkeley area. Practices often begin a few weeks before the start of the season.
Competitive Soccer
Competitive teams are for soccer players in the 'Under 10' and older age groups who want a more serious level of play than in the Recreational program. Teams are formed through required tryouts. Players can be selected to play at various levels from "copper" through to "gold" or even more advanaced "premier" levels. El Cerrito Competitive teams are typically in the "copper" to "silver" level and Mavericks teams are typically "silver" through "premier".
Practices are two days per week and games are on Saturdays and/or Sundays. Fall season runs from August through November or January, and Spring season runs from March through mid June. Games can be as far as 30 to 60 minutes away, and tournaments may involve weekend travel. Costs for competitive league play is higher than recreational play and El Cerrito FC also arrange mandatory summer camps for competitive teams which also have a separate fee. Each team needs a coach with a level higher grade coaching license, three referees and a team manager. Not all teams require the same level of commitment and interested families should check with the coach of each team regarding the specific level of commitment expected for that team.
El Cerrito FC competitive teams most often play in the US Club Norcal league. Because of this our teams enter this league through the Mavericks program and are listed as "Mavericks ECFC team X". Teams are still managed under the ECFC program but parents, coaches and players are subject to the rules, byelaws and disciplinary proceedures of Mavericks too.
The Mavericks:
The ACC Mavericks offer the highest level of competition for the most serious, dedicated soccer players in the 'Under 10' and older age groups. Teams are not formed by ECFC, but rather by the Alameda-Contra Costa Youth Soccer League (ACCYSL) to which ECFC belongs. Teams are formed through tryouts. Practices are at least 2 afternoons per week and games are on Saturdays and/or Sundays. Fall season runs from mid August through February and Spring season runs from March through June. Games can be as far as one hour away and tournaments may involve weekend travel. Costs may exceed $1000 per year to join a Mavericks team, and parent involvement is very high in administering the team. Not all teams require the same level of commitment and interested families should check with the coach of each team regarding the specific level of commitment expected for that team. For more information on the Mavericks, go to www.accysl.org and click on Mavericks
Tryouts:
Who goes to tryouts?
All interested players are encouraged to attend tryouts and to attend several sessions in order to have the best chance to show off their skills.
Are boys' and girls' tryouts set up the same?
Yes. In January & February, there are ACCYSL Mavericks tryouts for girls and boys, after which qualified players are invited to join a Mavericks team. Players may accept or decline the invitation to play on a Mavericks team based on personal preference.
ECFC then arranges two days of competitive tryouts in February. Boys and girls have the opportunity to show their skills and if selected will be offered a place on a club competitive team. Players may acccept or decline a place on a team based on personal preference. Qualification at one ACCYSL tryout should also enable a player to be offered places on other teams but we highly recommend you attend other tryouts with Mersey, ABSC, San Pablo United or Richmond to ensure you find a team.
What should we wear to tryouts?
Players should wear a white t-shirt (do NOT wear a team jersey), shin guards, and soccer cleats. You should bring a soccer ball with your name on it and water.
What can we expect at tryouts?
The tryout format usually includes a warm up, a few drills, some small-sided games, and a full field game. A single tryout may last two hours. Evaluators look for:
1. Ball control and dribbling skills
2. Passing
3. Tackling
4. What you are doing when you don't have the ball
5. Shooting
6. Your overall impact on the game, no matter where you are playing on the field.
7. Teamwork
8. Coachability
Players interested in playing goalkeeper need to let the evaluators know.
