FAQs

ODP for the 2023-2024 cycle has begun this past Spring with the scouting and evaluation opportunities. The initial age group tryouts will take place in August - September with the first training sessions starting in early October.

There will be Sub-Regional events planned throughout the year and an opportunity to attend the July 2024 Regional Camp.

This year, we are excited to provide ODP players even more benefits and value with the following resources and opportunities added as a part of the ODP curriculum:

• Speed, agility and coordination training (with and without the ball)
• Technical training sessions
• Access to the best and most accomplished online training program
• Assessment / Evaluation tool that aligns with the National and Regional teams
• Free US Soccer Grassroots Coaching License (minimum age; 16 years old)
• Free US Soccer Referee Certification (minimum age; 13 years old)
• ODP to support college bound student-athletes (beyond the ODP age groups)

If you have any questions, please contact Kostas Hatzikoutelis, Director of Coaching & Player Development.

Scouting and Player Evaluation questions should be directed to:  Scouting@GeorgiaSoccer.org._____________________________________________________________________________________________

Q: What is the Purpose of ODP?

A: Check out our What is ODP page for this information.

Q: Which age groups are eligible for ODP?

A: For the 2023/24 (cycle) seasonal year, the following age groups are eligible: '07s, '08s, '09s, '10s, '11s with the Pre-ODP '12 & 13s.  Additionally, this year, ODP will be introduced for the 2004 – 2006 age groups…

Q: What are the events for ODP in 2022-23?

A: Tentative calendar of events below; every player is not expected to attend all events:

Q: What are the costs associated with ODP?

A: The costs of Georgia's ODP program remains among the lowest in the country and will continue to be one of the best values for youth soccer players.

Scouting/Tryout Fees:  $45

Cycle Year/Training Fees: $295

Sub Regional Event Fees: TBD

US Youth Soccer has revamped the ODP nationwide, with a new pathway to the top that has been created. A scouting system and more events are added, including a National ODP Camp as well as International ODP opportunities.

The critical first step in the process starts with the selection of the Georgia ODP squad. 

State pools will be selected in all seven (7) boys age groups and the six (6) girls age groups and train with a highly qualified staff to ideally prepare each player for the best opportunity to be identified to perform and be selected for the next level.

Regional ODP players are identified through multiple Sub-Regional events and state training opportunities for the purpose of earning an invitation to attend the South Region Camp. 

National ODP/team players are selected in a similar format from the Regional Camp (noted above) and those identified here will compete against the other three (North, Midwest, West) regions. 

The year-round Sub-Regional events (participated by Georgia Soccer ODP teams) will provide multiple opportunities for identification and selection of players into Region Camp and potentially National Camp. 

Region ODP scouts will attend all the Sub-Regional events using these opportunities to identify players for the Region ID Camp which will take place in July each year. US Youth Soccer will invite the identified players to the Region ID Camp.

After the Region ID Camp, a region team (of players) will be selected for each age group and will represent the South Region at the Inter-Regional event in January. 

Out of the Inter-Regional event, a pool of 24 players will be selected and invited to attend a National ODP Camp and events as part of the US ODP National Team).

At the National ODP Camp, a team of 18 players for each age group (this year 2006 to 2011).  Players may also be selected for various domestic events and even an international trip but this does vary year to year. 

Q: Can players be added to the State Pool after tryouts are over?

A: Club coaches who feel strongly that the evaluators missed a quality player can contact the Scouting@GeorgiaSoccer.org as the first step in the process for re-evaluation. The player in question may be invited to an ODP practice for a second evaluation and/or a Scout staff coach may be sent to watch the player play in a club game or training session.  

Typical scenarios that might warrant a player added to the pool are: 

• Quality player moving into Georgia after the tryouts
• Quality player missing the tryouts due to injury
• Quality player identified by State, Regional, or National staff coach after the tryouts through the scouting network

Additional identification opportunities exist for players who excel at the Regional Identification Centers and may also be promoted/invited into the state pool.

The ODP at the state level has an obligation to identify the best players and put them in front of the regional staff as its critical mission for the program. 

Q: What is the tryout process like at the State Level?

A: Scouting is an integral process for player evaluation; the tryout process in Georgia also offers preliminary tryouts, followed immediately by the state tryouts (generally) in September or October and may be in conjunction with a scheduled training session.

Q: What is the tryout fee?

A: The state tryout fee is $45. When you register your child for ODP tryouts online, you will be prompted accordingly. 

Q: What is the Exempt List?

A: The list includes players that have pre-paid the tryout fee as well as a few players who excelled at the state’s Regional Identification Center (RIC) (since these players have already paid a tryout fee) and those identified via the pre-ODP scouting program.

Georgia Soccer currently supports Regional Identification Centers in North Georgia, Southeast Region, South Region, Central Region, and  Southwest Region. The RIC runs parallel and independent to the ODP, with its own selection process and weekly training sessions in the winter and spring. 

Players who excel at the RIC are promoted to the state ODP through a constant communication link between the RIC and ODP staff.

Information about the RIC is posted on the Regional Identification Center page and typically appears in mid-October with tryout details. 

Q: What is a region?

A: US Youth Soccer split the country into four regions for administrative and logistical purposes. The four regions are known as East Region, Midwest  Region, South Region, and West Region.

Each region is comprised of 12 to 14 states. We are in South Region with Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Texas, North Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

Q: What is the purpose of Region ID Camp?

A: The main purpose of Region ID Camp is to evaluate the players from all the states within our region and select a region pool of players in each age group for further evaluation and competition and held in July each year. 

Q: What is the player selection process at the Region Level?

A: At Region Camp, players are assigned to a team and are evaluated for selection into the region pool in each age group.  At the end of camp, a region pool of 40 to 60 players is selected with a final 16-18 identified to participate in national camps, inter-regional events, and/or international trips. 

Q: What is the role of the Region Staff?

A: The Region Lead Coach appoints Age Group Coaches and supports staff. Each age group has Lead Coach(es) and additional staff coaches. At Region Camp, each staff coach is assigned to work with one or two teams for the duration of the four to five-day event.

Q: How many players from Georgia typically make the region pools?

A: Historically, Georgia players have been well represented at the Regional level. Although there is no guarantee, and the numbers vary from year to year. On average, about 60 to 70 of the 200 or so Georgia boys and girls who attend region camp each year get selected to the region pools. 

From the numbers above, it would not be unusual to have 20 to 30 make the region teams and 6 to 10 make the national pools in their age groups. This makes Georgia one of the top states in the country for success at placing players at the next level.

Q: What benefits do players who are not selected to region pools get from Region ID Camp?

A: Region ID Camp has many other benefits for all the players. It is a chance for players to challenge themselves and gauge themselves against the best in the region. Good players thrive on playing against quality opponents and Region Camp provides a competition level that is rare.
 

Region Camp exposes players to top college and national staff coaches. College coaches regard ODP participation and attendance in region camp as an indication of the players’ ability and ambition. 

The US Youth Soccer National League competition is for the nation's top teams in the 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U, 18U and 19U boys and girls age groups. The National League offers additional exposure to collegiate, professional and U.S. National Team coaches and offers the highest level of competition in the country as each team must earn their place in the league.

The top teams from each division advance to the US Youth Soccer National League P.R.O and onto the National Championships, the oldest and most prestigious youth soccer national championship in the country.

Georgia Soccer teams participate in the Piedmont National League and are promoted from Georgia Premier League (GPL), through winning State Cup or other criteria. Read more about entry to National League.  

The National League’s alumni have gone on to prove themselves at the collegiate and professional levels, with former players competing in NCAA Division I, II and III, Major League Soccer, National Women’s Soccer League, the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Piedmont Conference is one of 13 conferences that fall under the scope of the US Youth Soccer Leagues Program and operate at a multi-state level—providing high-level competition on a consistent basis at a targeted local level (North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and parts of Tennessee).

The Piedmont Conference’s Premier I Division tier offers its teams an opportunity to qualify for the following season’s National League. In addition to providing a pathway to qualifying for the National League, the Piedmont Conference provides teams with a chance to advance to the US Youth Soccer Southern Regional Championships, which are held annually each summer.

The US Youth Soccer Leagues Program provides annual league competitions at the multi-state and national tiers for the highest levels of boys and girls teams in US Youth Soccer.

The multi-state tier of competition is comprised of US Youth Soccer Conferences. The Conference structure debuted in the 2018-19 season, replacing what was previously known as the US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues.

schedules

The purpose of the Georgia Premier League is to provide the highest standards for the most competitive match environment possible among the best teams in Georgia Soccer, in preparation for National League play, in terms of quality, organizational structure, and culture of excellence with appropriate alignment for the level number of games through a full season of play.

The league’s inaugural season started with the 13U age group and an 11 game Fall season; 12 teams playing each other once with the plan to increase that across all divisions for both boys and girls, in a home/away format, while providing the feeder/pathway into national-level play.

The GPL will provide the ideal transition level for teams moving down from the National League and will create a high-level of competitive matches within the state, in support of high-quality club teams in their goals to play one game each week, avoid long disruptive time gaps of several weeks between games and avoid the time and expense of multiple games per weekend for consecutive weekends (whenever possible).

Additionally, the GPL will be supported by a higher branding impact and will showcase opportunities for teams and clubs that earn the opportunity to participate.

The 12U Competitive League is assigned to be the Pre-GPL that will provide the natural developmental step towards the GPL and utilizing the highly successful format.

schedules

The purpose of the Pre-Georgia Premier League is to create the most competitive match environment possible, in preparation for the 13U GPL Select seeding for both boys and girls divisions, by identifying the most competitive teams before the transition to Select play and maintaining the principles of the Academy philosophy that have served the Georgia Soccer membership so well. In other words, the state association aims to find that sweet spot, the perfect balance between the clear need for results, and the pressure of the consequence from those results.

schedules

At 13U-19U Georgia Soccer offers Select Leagues. The Championship is for teams aged 13U-19U. Teams who win the Championship are promoted to the Georgia Premier League.  The Championship was previously known as "Classic 1" and Athena 1."

schedules

The Conferences are a collection of leagues for 13u-19u teams. Conferences are arranged by geographic region to reduce travel and play against competition within your region of Georgia. Promotion from The Conferences to The Championship occur seasonally. 

Conferences are by Gender and by region. For example Girls Conference West, refers to the Girls Conference in the west region of Georgia. 

schedules

Most Georgia Soccer clubs offer Academy-level play for ages 9U to 12U. This provides more practice, better coaching, and more competitive games in an environment where they keep score but not records. Academy focuses on player development.

schedules

Almost all players start in recreational soccer; some play recreational all their lives. Georgia Soccer has recreational programs for ages 3 to 80.

In addition, Georgia Soccer offers Recreational Teams the opportunity to play against other Recreational Clubs . This league is known as Recreational Affiliate Inter League Scheduling (RIAS).

schedules

TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes (ages 4 to 19) with disabilities, organized by youth soccer association volunteers. The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl, who has a mental or physical disability. Our goal is to enable the thousands of young athletes with disabilities to become valued and successful members of the Georgia Soccer family.

These children will develop a sense of belonging and will learn the value of being part of a team, improve their self-esteem, fitness and social skills and most importantly, have fun.

Click here to learn more about the program.

The Report of Injury needs to be electronically completed by the coach, assistant coach, or team manager, not the parent.  The coach should fill out the injury form for all injuries.  Many times, what does not look so bad on the field later turns out to be quite serious. Please click here for the Pullenins Accident Medical Claim form.

In order to complete the case report you must have the following information:

• Player name, address, date of birth, and player ID number 
• Parent name and email
• League and Team information
• A specific description of body part injured (ie: right ankle)
• Details of what occurred to cause injury
• A case report of injury (must be completed by a league official (coach, team manager, referee, etc.) and not the parent)

Once the injury report is received, Georgia Soccer will verify and forward it to the insurance company.  The coach will receive notification that the injury report has been received and approved or disapproved.  If disapproved, the coach needs to make corrections and resubmit the form or contact us to update information. 

The insurance claim form is then emailed to the parent to complete. It is usually sent within one (1) to three (3) business days. Sometimes the email will go to the junk/spam box. If not immediately received, please check there. 

The parent then completes the claim form online.  After completing the form, the parent should print and sign the claim form.  Attach the completed claim form, a copy of all itemized bills, and an explanation of benefits and mail directly to Pullen Insurance.  Please do not return information to Georgia Soccer.

From speaking to parents, we have received very positive information that claims are usually processed and completed with our insurance quite efficiently.  If, at any time, a parent is unsatisfied with the service, they should contact Georgia Soccer immediately.

Depending on the circumstances, some exceptions are made to the above-listed procedures. If you have a parent that has particular circumstances or questions about our coverage, if there is no primary insurance coverage available, or if further assistance is needed, please contact Laura Halfpenny, Executive Director.

1. Complete all questions on the Accident Claim Form. Note: This must be done by a coach, assistant coach, or team manager.
2. File this new report of claim within 30 days of the date of the accident or as soon thereafter as is reasonably possible.
3. Once the injury form received and approved, an email with the claim form will be sent to the parent. 
4. If you have other insurance, submit your itemized bills to the other carrier first. You will receive a payment Explanation of Benefit worksheet (EOB) from your carrier. Do not wait until your other carrier has processed all your bills before filing a Youth Soccer Accident Claim Form.
5. You may attach itemized bills and your other carrier’s EOBs that are ready at the time of submitting this Claim Form.
6. Upon receipt of the claim form from your state association, we will forward an acknowledgment form advising you of your claim. All future correspondence concerning your claim should be directed to K&K Insurance, who is the claims payor for National Union Fire Insurance Company, at the address and phone number listed on your acknowledgment.

Each claim is also subject to the application of an 80/20 co-insurance provision with a $50 physical therapy/chiropractic limit per visit/$2,000 total maximum.

Each itemized bill must show the following:

Additional bills to be submitted at a later date (after the initial submission of your claim) should be mailed directly to K&K Insurance with the following information: Name of the claimant, date of the accident, and name of the State Youth Soccer Association. Please allow time to properly process your claim.

Please respond promptly to any correspondence requesting additional information. It is the Parent / Guardian / Claimant’s responsibility to request this information from the provider of service or from your primary carrier.

An Explanation of Benefits will be sent to you by K&K Insurance on behalf of the National Union Fire Insurance Company.

• What is an itemized bill?
  An itemized bill is a detail of the procedures performed by a licensed provider of service, i.e. hospital, clinic, physician, etc.

• What if I don’t have an itemized bill?
  The parent/guardian must request this information from the provider of service. Some providers only mail a balance due statement. This claims payor, K&K insurance, is unable to process this charge without an itemized bill. Again, request this information from the provider service. Explain that you have Youth Soccer Excess Accident Coverage.

• Can you process this claim with other insurance carrier’s worksheets alone?
  No, the Payment Explanation (EOB) from your other insurance does not have complete information to process this claim.

• What if I don’t have my other carrier’s payment explanation (EOB)?
  The parent/guardian must request the EOB from their other insurance carrier.

• Who do I contact if I need further assistance?

  State Association Contact	Pullen Insurance Contact
  Georgia State Soccer Assoc.	Pullen Insurance
  2323 Perimeter Park Drive NE	2560 River Park Plaza, Suite 300
  Atlanta, GA 30341	Fort Worth, TX 76116
  ATTN: Laura Halfpenny	ATTN: Cecilia McDonald
  (678) 993-2100	(817) 738-6100

1.  Complete the USASA Special Risk Accident Claim Form: English | Espanol. Submit by email to susan@georgiasoccer.org. Do not submit to USASA.
2. Once the accident claim form is received, Georgia Soccer will verify registration and forward it to USASA.
3. USASA will complete additional verification and forward the form to the Insurance provider.
4. The injured person will then receive a claims acknowledgment letter directly from the Insurance provider. This letter will verify that the claim form has been received and also provide a claim number, which can be given to providers and hospitals as needed or requested.

Depending on the circumstances, some exceptions are made to the above-listed procedures.

If you have a particular circumstance or questions about our coverage, or if further assistance is needed, please contact Laura Halfpenny, Georgia Soccer Executive Director here.

• The claim form should be completed in its entirety and sent to Georgia Soccer within 90 days from the date of injury.
• Part B- Question 8, Line A must be signed by a coach, team manager, referee, or league official. Part B- Question 8, Line B will be signed by a Georgia Soccer official.
• Please be sure to sign page 3, Authorization.
• If you have other insurance, submit your itemized bills to the other carrier first. You will receive a payment Explanation of Benefit worksheet (EOB) from your carrier.
• You may attach itemized bills and your other carrier’s EOBs that are ready at the time of submitting this Claim Form. “Balance due” statements are not acceptable.
• Upon receipt of the claim from USASA, the Insurance provider will provide an acknowledgment letter advising you of your claim. All future correspondence concerning your claim should be directed to K&K Insurance.
• The claim form may be sent to Laura Halfpenny via email  or mail.
• Claims will NOT be processed unless they are submitted through Georgia Soccer.

For further assistance, please contact:

There are enough built-in opportunities for players to get rest and hydration breaks during the course of a game; not everyone on the team is intensely-participating at one time. Officials and coaches are available to monitor 22 players or less in a game setting, while coaches may have 100 or more players to monitor during a practice setting. Club administrators and tournament officials are responsible for monitoring the WBGT and keeping the participating teams and game officials informed of the heat index. Coaches are encouraged to also monitor the conditions.

Typically, in the run-up to a game or practice, the club or organization makes the judgment call. Once players arrive and the game is underway, the officials on the field have the decision authority. This would be referees (who typically will consult with the coaches), or coaches if the event is a practice or other gathering.

One-hour field clinic designed to provide recreational coaches with activities and tips for designing a practice session. This clinic is appropriate for 6U through 19U recreational coaches.

Formatted to bring together coaches and players and run a practice session directed and supervised by the State Director of Coaching. The format requires a club to bring many teams of the same age group to one site at the same time. The State Director of Coaching will supervise the training session where all the teams will learn the same activities. This format only works if each team can be accompanied and supervised by two adults (coach and assistant coach or volunteer parents.) This clinic is for 6U or 8U age groups only.

One-hour field clinic designed to provide coaches with ideas for fun, skill-enhancing activities, and tips on designing a practice session. This clinic is for coaches of Athena/Classic division two and below.

90-minute field clinic focused on teaching players how to solve soccer-related problems and replace instincts with intuitive skills. This clinic is geared toward coaches of U10 and U12 Academy teams.

 90-minute field clinic focused on developing players' abilities to play in tight areas and increase their speed of play. This clinic is geared toward coaches of Athena/Classic/GPL teams at the top level.

90-minute field clinic focused on how to develop players' abilities to receive and pass the ball in any direction. The activities demonstrate how to improve players' touch, vision, and deception skills to become a true 360 degrees player.

A 90-minute clinic that demonstrates how to help our players become more deceptive and how coaches can implement the skills of deception into their practice activities. This clinic is appropriate for Academy and Select teams.

A 90-minute session that demonstrates how to organize the midfield and train it to keep possession, unbalance the opposition and create scoring chances. This clinic is appropriate for 13U select players and older.

 A 90-minute session focused on creating chances and finishing. It starts with warm-up activities that prepare the players for finishing and progress to game-related activities in the attacking third. This clinic is appropriate for Academy and Select teams.

A 90-minute field session focused on teaching your team to defend zonally and integrating defensive midfielders into the activities. The role of the keeper, back line, and midfielders is demonstrated in game-like progressions. This clinic is appropriate for Select teams.

A 90-minute field session that shows how players can defend collectively to channel the ball away from danger and into defensive traps to win the ball. This clinic is appropriate for Select teams.

This field session demonstrates how to use throw-ins to keep possession and switch the point of attack. This clinic is appropriate for Academy and Select teams.

 A 90-minute session that shares the latest training methods of top teams, geared towards a functional approach from the warm-up to the final activity. This clinic is appropriate for Select teams.

A 60-minute PowerPoint/video presentation that shows how the top teams in the world play by penetrating through the lines and outlines practice activities that can improve youth teams' ability to penetrate through the lines. This is appropriate for Academy and Select teams.

A 60-minute PowerPoint/video session that compares the two playing styles and shows why possession soccer is both safer to play and better for player development. This is appropriate for Academy and Select teams.

Player development in the USA has come a long way. What progress have we made and what are the main remaining challenges? What are the implications for youth coaches? How do the youth clubs take player development to the next level? This 60-minute session is appropriate for club coaches and club administrators of all levels.

A 60-minute PowerPoint/video presentation that covers modern systems, how to choose a system, strengths, and weaknesses of each system, and variations within the system to achieve specific strategies. This is appropriate for Select teams.

A 60-minute PowerPoint presentation that compares the benefits of practices and games in each of the four main components of soccer and draws important conclusions on how to structure an optimum player development program. This is appropriate for all coaches of all levels.

A 60-minute PowerPoint presentation that outlines various methodologies for planning a practice session and improving transfer of learning from practice to games. This is appropriate for Academy and Select coaches.

Create a Profile in the U.S. Soccer Referee Learning Center (LC).​

• The unique account identifier is an email address. Each referee profile must have their own email address. Parents/Guardians may add a secondary email address to each account profile.
  • ​All email addresses must be verified. If you add a secondary email address, notify this individual they will receive a verification email to accept from the Learning Center. The link in the verification email is only active for 24 hours.
• After creating an account, select Courses - Available Courses - Grassroots First-time Referees - Go to Course List - Host - Georgia State Referee Committee.
  • ​Register for a course near you!
  • If there is not a course currently scheduled near, you may also register in the designated Holding Course.
    • Registering in this course allows a referee candidate to complete all of the online assignments while waiting for an in-person course to be scheduled near them.
    • Check back often to review an updated course list. Once you see a course near you, email Anne Wright to be transferred to that course.

Create your referee account

• Mandatory for all referees 18 years of age or older.
  • If the referee turns 18 during the registration year, they will receive an automated email from U.S. Soccer reminding them to return to the Learning Center to complete these requirements. If they are not completed, their license is removed and they will no longer be eligible to referee until completed.
  • Check your profile for the status and expiration dates for both of these components. The NCSI background screening lasts for two years. SafeSport training is valid for one year.

Click Courses, click Available Courses, then Supplemental Courses.

• ​The NCSI background screening may also be completed at the time of course registration.

register for A New referee Course

• ​Complete all of the following assignments in the Assignments tab:
  • Online Grassroots Referee Course
  • Intro to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments
  • 2023 First Time Grassroots Quiz​
  • 2023 Laws of  the Game Update

Attend one (1) field training event (FTE) hosted by the State Referee Committee. FTEs are five (5) hours in length.

• The details regarding time and location are in the Learning Center course.
• Come prepared to run. Bring running shoes, turfs, or cleats as well as water or other liquids for hydration.
• Details on the time and location are in each LC course.
• Do not show up late! Referees should be at each game they are assigned a minimum of thirty (30) minutes before kick-off. Your first course is a good time to get into this habit.
• In the week leading up to the course, the lead Referee Mentor will email additional details that referee candidates and their parents or guardians will need to be aware of.

After completing all of the requirements, you will have a Grassroots Referee license in your Learning Center profile and will be given a 2023 Referee badge at the completion of your FTE. Certified referees may then use the Georgia Soccer Assignor List to locate an assignor near you. Email the assignors in your area to notify them you just became a certified Grassroots Referee, your age, and other pertinent details. Please note the tabs at the bottom to switch between youth clubs, amateur leagues, and tournaments. This document will be updated continuously. 

• Log in to your profile in the U.S. Soccer Referee Learning Center (LC).
• Register in the Georgia 2023 Referee Recertification Course.
  • ​Complete all assignments in the assignments tab.

• Mandatory for all referees 18 years or older.
• Click on your profile in the top right when logged in to review your NCSI background screening status, and when it next expires.

• Click on your profile in the top right when logged in to review your SafeSport status, and when your SafeSport next expires.
• SafeSport is a Federal Law passed by the United States Congress and is mandatory for anyone 18 years or older.

• The IFAB LOTG is also available as an app in both the App Store and Google Play. All referees should download and have the LOTG app available with them at the fields.

​download laws of the game

US SOCCER LEARNING CENTER

US Soccer has launched the LEARNING CENTER, a comprehensive resource center for coaches at all license levels. The LC allows coaches to create a personal profile, register for courses, communicate with technical staff, take part in online courses, create session plans, access an archive of U.S. Soccer training sessions, and much more. Coaches who take courses through the LC will be granted access to the LC for one year.

All coaches must start their education by creating a coach's profile within the LC platform and taking the free online Introduction to Coaching course (30 minutes). After that, they are eligible to work their way through the courses, beginning with the Grassroots courses.

Prerequisite for the Grassroots Game Model 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11 Courses:
Coaches must take the free LC online Introduction to Coaching course in order to be eligible for the Grassroots courses.

Prerequisite for the National D License Course: either the grassroots licenses or National E license as explained below

Coaches must take at least two (2) Grassroots In-Person courses, one of which must be the 11v11 course, plus at least one (1) online Grassroots Game Model course. Coaches who already have taken the online F course do not need to take the Grassroots online course. No waiting period is required.

OR

Coaches must possess the National E license. No waiting period is required.

• National D License: for coaching all age groups 6U to 18U
  • Duration: 70 hours
  • Cost: $395 plus $25 U.S. Soccer administrative fee

This course provides a detailed analysis of the modern methods of coaching players of all ages. It involves 40 hours of instruction and testing, plus 30 hours of assignments. Successful completion is based on the following phases:

1. Preparation Phase: Candidates are required to complete pre-course assignments as explained in the LC.
2. Instructional Phase: Candidates must attend the first weekend of the course.
3. Deliberate Practice Phase: This occurs between the first and second weekends of the course. Candidates are required to complete assignments as explained in the LC.
4. Practical Testing Phase: Candidates must attend the second weekend and do the practical testing. Candidates register for both weekends upfront and must attend the pre-determined second weekend of the course. Candidates cannot attend any "second weekend" they wish.

It is not possible to cross over from the United Soccer Coaches pathway to the U.S. Soccer pathway. The new U.S. Soccer policy requires that coaches start at the online Introduction to Coaching in the LC and move through the U.S. Soccer courses to get to the top level.

U.S. Soccer recently made policy changes in relation to who is eligible to register for U.S. Soccer courses.  Below is an excerpt from the new policy:

The minimum age requirement for A, B, and C courses is 18. The minimum age requirement for D, Grassroots is 16. Further, entry to the C course requires a D license held for a minimum of twelve (12) months; entry to the B course requires a C license held for a minimum of twelve (12) months; and entry to the A course requires a B license held for a minimum of twelve (12) months, except as follows: 

(1) A player or coach with three (3) years experience on the Men’s or Women’s Senior National Team and three (3) years coaching experience may apply for entry into a C course upon submitting proper documentation of his/her playing and/or coaching background. All waiver cases require the final approval of the Federation. 

(2) A player or coach with at least five (5) years experience on the Men’s or Women’s Senior National Team and five (5) years coaching experience may apply for entry into a B course upon submitting proper documentation of his/her playing and/or coaching background. All waiver cases require the final approval of the Federation. 

(3) A professional player or former professional player with at least five (5) years experience in a professional league, as defined in Federation Bylaw 109, and five (5) years coaching experience may apply for entry into a B course upon submitting proper documentation of his/her playing and coaching background. All waiver cases require the final approval of the Federation. 

(4) An individual with a license of another FIFA national association that has been confirmed in writing by that national association may apply for entry into the course deemed appropriate by the Federation.

According to the Georgia Soccer Bylaws, coaches are strongly encouraged to be certified. There is a grace period of 6 months for new coaches of 12 months for Academy/Select coaches.

All courses are age and level-specific. Some courses have prerequisites and/or pre-course assignments.  Please refer to the Course Descriptions section.

Although assistant coaches are not required to be certified, Georgia Soccer highly recommends that they get certified.

According to the US Soccer Coaching Department, no waivers are allowed as of January 2013. Candidates who wish to attain a USSF coaching license must start with the free introductory online course through the Digital Coaching Center (DCC). The only two exceptions for a waiver are as follows. Coaches who played as full-time professionals for a minimum of three years can go directly to the USSF C. Coaches who played professionally for 5 years or played for the national team can go directly to the USSF B course. 

Yes, each class must be attended in its entirety. Any candidate who misses any portion will get an Incomplete grade and will have to make up the missed portion at another class before being eligible to receive the license.

We do not issue replacement certificates, but we can confirm your license level via email.

Coaching Licenses do not expire; the only exception is the USSF A License, which needs to be renewed every 4 years.

Candidates must be at least 14 years of age to attend a state-level coaching course.

For most courses, the candidates are used for field demonstrations. It is not mandatory for candidates to participate in the field sessions and those who are unable to play are not penalized in any way. Candidates who wish to participate should bring playing gear and a ball. All candidates should come prepared for whatever weather conditions exist since most classes are taught outdoors. 

Georgia Soccer does not directly help coaches get a coaching position, but coaches can contact member clubs directly using our Club Finder. 

Georgia Soccer does not accept individuals as members of the association except for nominated Life and Hall of Fame Members. An individual is a member of Georgia Soccer if he or she is a registered player in an affiliated club, a parent of a registered youth player, a coach, or a club official.

Assignments may be accessed after registration by logging back to the Learning Center - clicking Courses (top left) - click My Courses - Go To Classroom - Assignments (tab) 

You can download and print your Grassroots Referee License directly from your profile in the Learning Center. To view your profile, hover your cursor above your name in the top right, and click Profile. 

The unique account identifier is an email address. Parents may not use their personal or work email address to register multiple referees; each referee profile must have their own email address. Parents may add a secondary email address to each account profile. 
 
If you are experiencing technical issues with creating an account or completing the online assignments, the U.S. Soccer recommended steps are to clear your browser history, cache, and cookies, then close and restart your browser. If this does not solve the issue, try a different browser and/or device to create your account. 

Background screening is valid for 2 years with a fee of $30. US Soccer performs the checks. 

For both certification (upgrade) and recertification, any referee who fails two or more evaluations in one cycle will have their portfolio reviewed by the Regional Referee Panel. Additionally, if half or more of a referee’s evaluations are marked as a low degree of difficulty by the assessor, the referee will have their portfolio reviewed by the Regional Referee Panel. The panel will evaluate the referee’s portfolio and determine to accept or decline. If declined, the panel will provide the referee with additional evaluation requirements that need to be met to meet certification or recertification. 

Yes, you must receive credit(s) from an accredited College or University in order to participate in the Internship Program. We do not require a minimum or maximum number of credits to be awarded for participation, this is determined by the University or College.

You must submit a cover letter and resume to the email on this page. Submitting some of your work is a plus (i.e social media graphic creation or copy).

Georgia Soccer staff review applications for internships and if you meet the minimum qualifications and your interests and goals align with our needs we will contact you to discuss the opportunity further.

No, we encourage all majors and certificate programs to apply.  

The program will coincide with your specific College or University's Spring, Summer and Fall semesters start and end dates. 

The top four (4) finishers in the 13U Georgia Premier League Fall season shall receive invitations to represent Georgia in the National League Piedmont Conference for the Spring season. 

If any of these teams is unable to participate, or declines the invitation to the National League, the next-place finisher in the Georgia Premier League shall receive the National League slot, and so on.

In addition to any automatic invites earned by Georgia teams through play in the National League Piedmont Conference in the preceding season, the criteria order below shall be used to select the three (3) teams per age group and gender which shall receive a Georgia invitation to fill the open National League slots:

1. Georgia Premier League Champion of the most recent season (13U Spring for rising 14U)

In addition to any automatic invites earned by Georgia teams through play in the 14U National League Piedmont Conference in the Fall, the criteria order below shall be used to select the three (3) teams per age group and gender which shall receive a Georgia invitation to fill the open National League slots:

1. Georgia Premier League Spring Champion (slot goes the highest finish team in the 14U Georgia Premier League Spring by order of standing, if GPL Spring Champion has already qualified through NL Piedmont). GPL in Spring at 14U shall include teams that participated in the National League Piedmont Conference the Fall of the same seasonal year.

In addition to any automatic invites earned by Georgia teams through play in the National League Piedmont Conference in the Fall, the criteria order below shall be used to select the three (3) teams per age group and gender which shall receive a Georgia invitation to fill the open National League slots:

Any club or league can develop a program. 

• Make it Low Cost, No Cost to participate. Provide a basic kit with T shirt, whistle & lanyard. 
• Run a class to give basic guidance for participants. Virtual or In person. 60 minutes.
• Assign to Recreational Games to give the Junior Referee experience.
• Designate a Point of Contact onsite for game days. 
• Communicate with your club / league families the program, what a Junior Referee Program is and why it is important. 

To assist your Junior Referees in facilitating soccer games, we suggest a minimum the follow topics be covered;

1. What is a Referee and an Assistant Referee (AR)?

2. What is the role of the Referee or AR ?

3. What are the Laws of the Game (LOTG)?

4. What to wear?

5. What safety protocols to perform before a game (Field, equipment, goals etc.) ?

6. Who to report misconduct or other matters to?

7. How do they get paid?

You can find the Laws of the Game produced by IFAB here

In addition, we additional resources about these laws can be found here;

Youtube Channel - Ken Ashton

Yes, Georgia Soccer sanctioned activities includes recreational games that are in house. All participants in these games are covered by our General Liability and Participant Accident Insurance. 

Ensure that you are an Affiliate member club of Georgia Soccer, your recreational players and coaches are registered with Georgia Soccer and you are operating under Georgia Soccer Youth Rules & Regulations that pertain to recreation.

The Junior Referee is not a certified referee and does not need a full kit. However, it is the Club or League choice what it requires. 

At a minimum a referee should wear black short & socks, be provided with a referee T shirt or jersey clearly distinguishing them as a referee, have a whistle & lanyard and a pencil/notebook. This is a low cost option for a club providing the T Shirt & whistle.

An alternative is an Official Kit which can be purchased as low as $38 from Official Sports International.

For the United Rec Cup no team check in is required. 

Rosters will be locked Thursday prior to the Tournament. Game Day Roster Sheet and Player & Coach Passes can be downloaded on Friday.

On the day of the tournament each team will go straight to field for their game. Teams will need to bring the following with them for each game:

• Your Game Day Roster sheet for the game being played.
• Your US Youth Soccer player and coach passes.

Each pass must have the player or Coach picture and should say recreational. Before each game, the referee(s) will check your team in with your player/coach passes and your Game Day Roster.
All participating players must be listed on the Game Day Roster sheet.

A liability waiver form is required to be completed. The Team official keeps a copy of this document. Fin the form here (LINK)
 

Roster freeze date is a set date prior to the tournament that the team roster is frozen. Meaning no additions, deletion or changes can occur. All teams should have active the players participating in the Tournament as well as any guest players (max. of 4 allowed).

The day after roster freeze allows the game day roster cards can be printed accurately listing both teams players (Friday). This eliminates inaccuracies for the referee during check in. 

The roster freeze date is Thursday at midnight prior to the Tournament. 

Each player that will be participating for your team during the Georgia Soccer United Rec Cup must be on your Game Day Roster before roster freeze date (Thursday before the tournament).

Step 1. Set your roster.

1. Go to U.S. Soccer Connect
2. Login with your Sports Connect profile that is associated with your team.
3. Select “Teams”.
4. Select “Tournament and Schedule apps”.
5. Select “View Tourn. App” for your team for the “Fall 2022 Georgia United Rec Cup”.
6. Select the “player roster” tab
7. Here you can add any club pass/guest players to your roster, set who is active on your roster, and input jersey number information.

Step 2:  Print your Game Day Roster (GDR) for each of your tournament games.

To print and access your GDR, please follow the below steps:

1. Follow steps 1-4 from above. 
2. Select “Schedules/Game Scoring” for your team for the “Fall 2022 Georgia United Rec Cup”.
3. Select “print roster” for each of your games.

United Rec Cup Rules can be found here (LINK)

Noteworthy United Rec Cup Official Rules

1. The listed home team will wear light colored jerseys and socks. The listed visiting team will wear dark colored jerseys and socks. (The team in the incorrect color will change.)
   1. We encourage you to bring both light and darks sets of uniforms the field.
2. A number is required and should match the number on the Roster. 
3. All players must be recreational level and posses a USYS recreational player card. No exceptions. 
4. College or Professional players are not eligible to participate in the United Rec Cup.
5. A maximum of four (4) guest players on your roster.

While this is a tournament, it is recommended that all players participate in the games. 

 19U - 70 minutes (35 min halves)

16U - 70 minutes (35 min halves)

14U - 70 minutes (35 min halves)

12U - 50 minutes (25 min halves)

10U -  50 minutes (25 min halves)

8U -  40 minutes (4, 10 minute quarters)

Half time is 10 minutes for all with the exception of 8U games. 8U games are 2 minute break between quarter 1 & 2, a 5 minute half time, and a 2 minute break between quarter 3 & 4.

Each Age Group differs depending on the number of teams participating. For the 2022 Fall United Rec Cup;

8U Boys Red Division

• A Group of 4 teams with round robin play (3 games each).
• The top two teams play in the final.

8U Boys Blue Division

• A Group of 4 teams with round robin play (2 games each).
• The top two teams play in the final.

10U Boys and 10U Girls Divisions

• Two Groups of 3, round robin play on Saturday (two games each).
• Sunday, 1st of Group A plays 1st of Group B in the final.
• Sunday, 2nd of A plays 2nd of B; and 3rd of A plays 3rd of B in consolidation games.

12U Boys Blue Division

• Group A Round Robin (3 games each).
• Group B Round Robin (3 games each).
• Top team from each group will play in the final.

12U Boys Red Division

• Group A Round Robin (3 games each).
• Group B Round Robin (3 games each).
• Top team from each group will play in the final.

12U Girls Division

• Group A round robin (3 games each)
• 1st and 2nd of group A play in the final

14U Boys Division

• Group A round robin (3 games each)
• 1st and 2nd of group A play in the final

16U Boys Division

• Two Groups of 3, round robin play on Saturday (two games each).
• Sunday, 1st of Group A plays 1st of Group B in the final.
• Sunday, 2nd of A plays 2nd of B; and 3rd of A plays 3rd of B in consolidation games.

19U Boys Division

• Group A round robin (3 games each)
• 1st and 2nd of group A play in the final

Subject to change.

Woodruff Farm Soccer Complex is located at 3151 Woodruff Farm Rd, Columbus, GA 31907. (MAP IT)

Map of the Woodruff Farms complex can be found here.

For the Rec Cup, we will use fields, 1-11.