COMMON QUESTIONS

TESC is a non-profit soccer organization whose main purpose is to provide soccer technical and tactical training to players from U7-U19.

Teams usually have 8 games each during the season fall and spring seasons (four home and four away).  The season runs fall, winter, and spring. During the fall and spring, there are two practices and typically one game each week. Each practice lasts 1.5 – 2 hours. The fall season runs from mid-August to early November, and the spring season runs from early April to mid-June.  During the winter there is normally one training session per week for 12 weeks in duration. Along with the indoor training, teams have the opportunity to participate in an indoor league and/or indoor tournament.

The average travel time for away games is 30 minutes with some being as close as 10 minutes away.  All home games will be in Elmhurst at local parks such as Berens, East End, Eldridge, Pioneer, etc.

Open tryouts are held in May of each year to determine the teams for the upcoming playing year.  The TESC professional training staff determines player selection and roster formation.  Consideration will be given to various factors when evaluating a player’s abilities.  These include the player’s performance during tryouts, their performance during the prior season/year (if applicable), and the player’s commitment, attitude, and coach-ability. 

U8 teams play 4v4 or 5v5 with usually a roster size of about 7-10 players.  U9 and U10 teams play 7v7; roster size is ideally about 10-12 players with a maximum of 14.  U11 and U12 play 9v9; roster size is ideally 14-15 players with a maximum of 16.  For all U13-U19 teams, the maximum allowable roster size is 18 players.

TESC boys teams participate in the Young Sportsman's Soccer League (YSSL) and girls teams participate in the Illinois Women's Soccer League (IWSL).  Teams are placed in various levels within the league to provide the best competitive level for our players.  This gives the players the best opportunity to develop their skills and have success while enjoying the game.  U13 and older teams have the opportunity to participate in State Cup, President's Cup, IYSA Premiership, and Midwest Regional League (MRL).

TESC Select is for teams that play in a division in the top 25% of their age group.  This is focused on those players/teams that have a high commitment to soccer and have demonstrated higher-level skills in their age group.

TESC Premier is for teams that play in a division in the second 25% of their age group, in the middle to lower divisions.

All TESC teams have professional coaches for all practices and games.  The coaches are all very experienced in soccer, and many played at professional, semi-pro, or collegiate levels.  You can view bios of the club's current coaching staff on the Coaching Staff page.

Each player will be taught technical skills (ie; passing, receiving, dribbling, etc.), tactical skills (ie; positioning, movement off the ball, decision-making, etc.), along with enhancing their physical and psychosocial abilities as well, using our club curriculum.  Each player will also understand the aspects of fair play and teamwork in a positive coaching environment.

TESC's playing time policy follows the guidelines of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and the Illinois Youth Soccer Association (IYSA).  TESC does not guarantee a specified amount of playing time.

We do, however, realize that in order to learn the game players must play the game.  Our coaching guidelines recognize that U7 through U12 is the foundation (romance) stage of player development.  Playing time may not always be balanced in every game.  However, the staff coach strives to distribute playing time so all players have an optimum opportunity to develop.  At this stage, players who are in good standing with the team should have an opportunity to play in every game.  It is our aim for our younger players to build a love for the game and this can only be done by playing.

At U13 and older, the game becomes more competitive.  U13 and U14 is the commitment stage where players generally commit to the sport.  In this stage, playing time will vary from player to player and in general, the player who attends practices, works hard and exhibits an attempt at self-development and coachability will play more.  At TESC, playing time is at the discretion of the staff coach and players earn it through their work ethic and performance in practices and games.  Just as playing time can be earned, it can also be lost.  The following are examples of situations that will result in a loss of playing time.

• not being in good standing with the club (fees not paid, etc)

• being late to or absent from practices and games

• being disruptive during the coaching process

• being disrespectful to coaches or other players

All players are required to place a Non Refundable deposit to secure a spot for the upcoming playing season.  

Once the season starts in August there are NO REFUNDS offered due to league fees, coaching fees, tournament fees, indoor costs, etc..