The Basics: what you need to know about the TPSC Sharks and soccer
Why this page?
This website contains a warehouse-full of useful information about our club and our game. What follows is a summary of information that you should know and links to other pages where you can learn more.
Who plays in our club?
- Approximately 600 children from Tiburon, Belvedere, Strawberry, East Corte Madera (and a few from surrounding communities who choose to play with friends from our towns).
- Our youngest players are girls and boys entering first grade. Our oldest are 18-year-olds.
- We have both Recreational Divisions and Competitive Divisions.
- Recreational (Rec or 'House') is officially designated as Division IV and has about 400 players.
- Competitive (sometimes referred to as 'traveling' soccer) is divided into two divisions and has about 200 players:
- Division III, also called “Upperhouse,” the larger competitive program
- Division I, also called “Select,” the most intensive program
- Older Division I players (U-14 and up) play on Marin FC teams with players from other southern Marin leagues
- Age groups in Division IV and Division III are in two-year bands, called Under-(age). For instance the Under-8 playing league is for 6 and 7-year-olds. (Called U-8). Some Division III and all Division I are in one-year age bands.
- Birthdates are calculated from July 31st of a given year.
- To join our youngest age group, U-8, a child must be entering 1st grade. Entering kindergartners who turn 6 before July 31st may also play, but most choose to wait and play with their school peers.
- Requests to play in a higher or lower age group must be approved by the TPSC board.
- For a more detailed description of Rec, Upperhouse & Select, click here.
When are Signups and how much does it cost?
- Competitive tryouts (Divisions I and III) are in February, March and April, depending on age. See tryout page.
- Rec (Division IV) signups are held on two nights in May.
- No tryouts are necessary; everyone makes a team.
- Late registration is possible for Rec teams, if space is available.
- Costs vary based on age group and division. Rec fees are all inclusive, except for personal uniform/equipment.
- Competitive teams pay coaches fees, equipment, and tournament fees in addition to the registration fee.
- There are limited scholarship funds. Those Rec division players needing financial assistance may apply at registration night. Competitive players may email or call the club to request a form or see their team manager.
- Click here for information about how registration fees are used.
- Information about refunds can be found here.
- For more information about Rec signups, click here.
When do we find out about team assignments and schedules?
- Team assignments and practice schedules will be available on the website Schedules page in mid August. If they are not yet posted, they are not yet ready.
- Teams generally practice twice a week.
- Rec games are held on Saturdays, generally between 9 and 4:00.
- Rec schedules are generally ready the week before the season begins and are posted on www.mysoccerleague.com.
- Families of competitive players are asked to schedule their vacations early in the summer and all competitive players are required to be available for training and games after August 1.
- Competitive teams may play either one game or two on weekends and play both Saturdays and Sundays.
When is the Season?
- Rec teams begin practice around the time school starts in late August.
- The club season runs from early September through early November.
- Some older Rec teams may choose to participate in CYSA Cup play in December.
- Some Competitive teams may choose to begin practice in the spring, but all go into high gear on August 1st.
- The Competitive season also runs from September through November, although all Competitive teams play August tournaments and those above U-10 participate in tournament and Cup play well into the winter.
Where are games played?
- Younger Rec teams play other Tiburon teams on Tiburon and Corte Madera fields.
- Older (U-12 and above) Rec teams play other Marin teams throughout southern Marin.
- Competitive teams play teams from leagues throughout District V.
Who administers the club?
- The TPSC is a non-profit organization, governed by an active, volunteer board.
- The TPSC plays under the auspices of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and its two youth organizations, the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) and US Club Soccer. Our primary parent organization is the USYSA state organization, the California Youth Soccer Association-North (CYSA-N), where our local affiliate is CYSA District V. District V includes Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Lake, Mendocino, Humbolt and Del Norte counties and has almost 30,000 youth players.
- Board elections are in January…we always have room for new volunteers...contact any board member for information.
- Click here to learn more about the board and contact information.
Who referees the games?
- U-8 games are officiated by either our Junior Referees or the coaches.
- All other games are officiated by paid United States Soccer Federation licensed referees. Most are local players, parents, coaches and volunteers.
- Free entry-level USSF referee clinics are held each summer and we welcome and encourage our players and their parents to become referees and help our club.
- Click here for more information about referees, clinics and referee fees.
Who are the coaches?
- Through U-12, parents coach our Division IV Rec teams. Coaching clinics are held at the beginning of the season, professional trainers work with coaches and players throughout the season, and free CYSA licensing courses are held during the year.
- U-9 through U-19 Division I and III Competitive teams and older Rec teams use professional coaches who work with our Director of Coaching, Technical Director and Staff Coaches.
- Click here for more information for and about coaches.
What equipment will my child need?
- The five “S’”:
- Soccer shorts
- Shirt
- Soccer socks
- Shinguards (worn under the socks)
- Soccer (not baseball) shoes.
- And a ball, sized to the appropriate age group.
- More information on equipment (including how to select it and where to get it) can be found by visiting the equipment page.
- Jewelry, watches, wristbands, earrings, casts or metal/air splints are strictly prohibited by CYSA/TPSC regulations.
- The TPSC supplies Rec league jerseys. Players should provide black shorts and black soccer socks.
- Competitive teams purchase their own uniforms.
How long are the games?
- Under-8 games are 40-minutes long, divided into two halves.
- Each successive two-year age band adds ten minutes to the length of the game (e.g. U-10 games are 50 minutes; U-12's are 60)
- U-18 and adult games are 90-minutes, divided into two 45-minute halves.
How many players are on a soccer team?
- U-8 = 4 per side
- U-10 = 8 per side
- U-12 Rec = 9 per side
- U-11 Competitive and older = 11 per side
- U-14 Rec and older = 11 per side
- Here is a great description of the various positions and typical formations of a soccer team.
How do I learn the Rules of Soccer?
- The “Laws of the Game” are established by the Federation Internationale de Football Association or FIFA. Modifications to these Laws for youth soccer have been made by the California Youth Soccer Association and the TPSC.
- Your first stop should be the simple guide, Soccer for Parents
- Then, if applicable, read the TPSC Special Rules for our U-8 and U-10 Rec Divisions
- For more detailed knowledge, visit the Rules page of this website, where there are several documents you should read.
- FIFA Laws of the Game
- CYSA District V Modified Laws of the Game
- And, so that you can resolve a couple of the usual sideline arguments, we suggest you read the separate articles on “handball” and “offside.” These are the two most often misunderstood rules of soccer.
- Then, if you’re really interested, visit the asktheref.com website for hundreds of questions and answers about the Laws of the Game.
- Go watch. Besides games on TV, there are local college and professional games in the Bay Area throughout the spring, summer and fall.
Does the TPSC belong to the Positive Coaching Alliance?
- Yes. The PCA is a national organization that promotes good sportsmanship among coaches, parents and players. The TPSC is a proud member of the PCA.
- We take the concept of good sportsmanship very seriously. We recognize and always keep in mind that this is a game for our kids, not for us.
- Click here to read our Code of Conduct and learn more about Sportsmanship in the TPSC.
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