Club Information - PURPOSE

Sockers F. C. Chicago, sometimes is known as Chicago Sockers was formed in 1986 to provide elite soccer players an opportunity to learn, develop and perform at their best in a team environment.

Sockers F. C. Chicago is highly competitive and successful youth soccer club for boys and girls and in based in “Soccer City”, Palatine, Illinois. Located approximately eight miles northwest of Chicago O’Hare International airport.

Sockers F. C. Chicago has built a national reputation for excellence and complete dedication to development of American Soccer Players. The club draws players from all over the Chicago metropolitan area.

Sockers F. C. Chicago seeks to work with community soccer clubs and programs by providing an opportunity for players to receive training at the highest level and developing players to their maximum potential.

Sockers F. C. Chicago wants all its players to have a high quality experience where every player is coached using the Principles of Positive Coaching, has fun playing the game, feels an important part of the team regardless of performance.

Learns “Life Lessons” that has value beyond the playing fields.

Sockers F. C. Chicago wants all its players to succeed in life as well as in soccer.

Club Information - PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

A close observation of Sockers F. C. Chicago, its players, coaches and staff reveals an organization dedicated to total player’s development, both on and off the playing fields. In addition to having outstanding soccer talent Sockers F. C. Chicago exemplifies extraordinary leadership qualities and high degree of personal character. Player’s are expected to adhere to tough standards of discipline and are requested to give their best to the game whenever they play.

While winning is a goal, development of a player’s technical, tactical, physical and mental skills are the focus.

The Sockers F. C. Chicago philosophy embraces competition as an important component of player’s development. Competition is healthy and is an exciting, and stimulating part of the sport. Competition and player development may sometimes appear to be in conflict, but competition should follow player’s development goals.

Emphasis on competition for Sockers F. C. Chicago teams differs greatly across the various age groups. For the youngest age groups competition players a minor role but increase in importance for the older age groups.

As the Sockers F. C. Chicago players gain skill and confidence the desire to compete becomes greater and should be encouraged and developed.

Teams are formed at each age groups based upon evaluation of each player’s overall soccer and athlete abilities. As players develop and improve at different rates, it is expected that there will be player movement between teams within an age group.

It is not the policy of the Sockers F. C. Club to keep the teams entirely intact from year to year. Current Sockers players should try out with the same expectation as those not in the club. Players whose skills have not developed at the rate expected or have not demonstrated a commitment to the team, should not expect to automatically return to a team.

The season playing year is from August 1st to July 31st and tryouts are generally held in May for following playing year for boys U-8 to U-14 and girls U-8 to U-19, and in October for the U-15 to U-19 boys.

The Sockers have opportunities for players U-8 thru U-19 for boys and girls. Teams are composed of players in specific or single age groups. Players who have the necessary qualifications can play with older age groups if chosen to do so.

Sockers F. C. Chicago encourages and supports our players to participate in the ODP.

The intense soccer environment is only a part of the player’s development. Sportsmanship leadership and community awareness are also strongly emphasized.

Sockers F.C. Chicago’s program requires a high level of commitment from everyone involved.

Club Information - PLAYER COMMITMENT

Sockers F. C. Chicago players are expected to attend and be punctual at all practices, clinics, team meetings and games. Except for excused and unforeseen emergencies.

The importance of this commitment is based on the nature of team sports. When any player misses a team event it negatively affects every other player on the team.

Sockers F. C. Chicago staff coaches usually have two 1 1/2 to 2 hour practices a week depending upon age. Older ages it is possible for there to be three practices a week plus games.

Sockers F. C. Chicago program are divided into three sessions. The year begins in early August with pre-season training and games. Fall out-door season begins in September and runs through November with leagues play and occasional tournaments. The indoor season goes from November through to April. The indoor winter session is an important part of the team’s preparation for the outdoor spring programs. The indoor participation serves as a tool to teach a lot of technical and tactical combinations use to improve our outdoor games. Long layoffs hurt a player’s development and the team’s competitiveness. Some teams may travel out of state for outdoor tournaments during this session. In April the teams return to the outdoor schedule to participate in league play and selected tournaments.

Players are encouraged to participate in IYSA Olympic development programs.

Sockers F. C. Chicago program require a high level of commitment to excellence by everyone involved. Before joining Sockers F. C. players and parents must think about the time and responsibility Sockers F C. demands and should discus with the coach what will be expected by the player. Though players are not discouraged from playing other sports or participating in other activates, soccer is expected to be the number one priority.

 Sockers FC Website