Coach's Corner

Gentlemen,

The season is here and the expectations are high.  You should be focused on the task ahead and know that every team you play is beatable.

Training is an opportunity every day to improve your technical and tactical understanding of the game.  Leave your family, school and personal issues on the sideline and stay positive.  Challenge yourself daily.

I wish you all the best for tryouts and endeavors through the season.

Remember:  Do everything possible not to let your teammates down.

Every season about 85-100 boys try out to play in the Champlin Park HS Soccer Program.  Boys are placed on one of four, and sometimes five teams:  Varsity, JV, JV-B or 9th grade.  Unfortunately, with the large number of boys trying out each year, sometimes cuts have to be made.  Please note, players of any age (including seniors) can play on the Varsity, JV or JV-B team.

 The teams:

Freshmen Team:  Practices focus on the technical aspects of the game.  A basic understanding of the game is required.  Everyone is guaranteed playing time.

B Squad:  More competitive than the freshmen team.  Practices still focus on the technical aspects of the games, with new tactical concepts being introduced.  Players who excel on the JV-B squad can be moved up to Junior Varsity.  Any player from any grade level is eligible to play on this team, not just underclassmen.

Junior Varsity:  Requires a good understanding of the game, as well as a competitive drive for soccer.  Games are played at a faster pace than JV-B, and a high level of fitness is required to succeed.  Players from the JV can be moved up to Varsity at any point during the regular season.

Varsity Team:  Requires a high level of skill and outstanding fitness and endurance.  Varsity games are played at a grueling, physical pace, and to be successful a player must have skill and a passion for the game.  Nothing is given to a player at the Varsity level, everything must be earned.  If a player is performing well, he will play.  If a player is out of form, or lacking the proper fitness level required to compete, he will sit on the bench, or be moved down to the Junior Varsity.  Practices are focused entirely on the tactics and strategy.  No technical training is provided at the Varsity level.  Most players on the varsity team play C1 or Premier level soccer in the summer.  Playing Varsity soccer is a great honor and responsibility, not to be taken lightly.