PLAYING TIME POLICY 
(Match Play)
“Balancing time to nurture development”

Leagues & Tournaments

Playing time is an important factor in player development, the table below outlines the minimum amount of playing time that Santa Barbara SC deems correct to aid development. Please note at the older ages, 2006 & above, players enter the ‘competing to win’ phase. Santa Barbara SC deems that this is the time when players are mentally ready to understand that they are competing for playing time, thus there is no guarantee of playing time. Please see below the playing time (minimum minutes) chart:

Age Groups | Game Time  | (Leagues & Tournaments)*  |  (State & National Cup)*
2013 to 2009 age groups | 50 minutes games (25 minutes)   | (20 minutes)
2008 to 2007 age groups | 60-70 minutes games (30-35 minutes) | (25 minutes)
2006 to 2002 age groups | 80-90 minutes games | No guaranteed playing time

*US Development Academy rules are provided in the player and parent packet. 

California State & National Cup

Santa Barbara SC understands that the above tournaments are prestigious tournaments, which if we win, will elevate and give the club recognition within the Cal South soccer community. In addition, players also need to be placed in an environment, which creates competition and adversity. Thus, for our 11-a-side teams (2008 & above) there will be no guaranteed playing time. The players who demonstrate the consistently higher levels of competitive match play will earn playing time.

PLAYER PLACEMENT POLICY
(Tryout procedures and movement of players within the club)


Players will tryout in their correct, age-appropriate age group unless they have permission from the Age Group Coordinator and signed off by the Director of Coaching. The only exception is if they currently already play within an existing Santa Barbara SC team in a different age group (previously signed off on by DOC) within the club

The primary goal of Santa Barbara SC is to develop each and every player within the club to the best of their abilities. To achieve this goal, it is the club philosophy that players develop best by playing in their appropriate age groups. Therefore, all players will register in their birth year age group unless explicitly notified by the Director of Coaching prior to registering.The Coaching Advisory Board, however, also recognizes that there are sometimes exceptional circumstances where a player may possess any combination of technical, tactical, psychological and/or physical abilities that are superior to their peers in their age group. In order for that player to develop, a decision may be made to have that player play in a different age division.

The Director of Coaching, whose responsibility is to oversee the development of players in the club, will make the final decision on the appropriate placement of players. As part of the decision-making process, the Director of Coaching will consult with age group coordinator, coaches, parents, and the player. If the decision is made to move a player to a different age group then an explanation of the decision will be made to the Coaching Advisory Board, the coaches, players, and the parents of those directly affected by the decision.

Consistent with club philosophy, the emphasis in league and tournament play is player development whereas the focus for State, Regional, and National competition is the success of our Santa Barbara SC teams. To this end, the Director of Coaching has the authority to move players for State, Regional and/or National Competition in order to give teams the best opportunity for success in the tournament. As an example, players who have been moved up for developmental purposes during league play may be placed back in their proper age division in order to improve the opportunity of a particular team to succeed in the tournament. As with any player movement between the teams in the club, the Director of Coaching will consult with the Advisory Board, coaches, parents, and the player affected in the decision, but the final decision on which team any player plays will be made by the Director of Coaching.

Decisions will be communicated in advance of the upcoming season i.e. decisions for spring (2013-2007) will be made in March & (2006-2002) in April/May.  This policy has been formulated by the Coaching Advisory Board of Santa Barbara SC and approved by the Executive Board.