Is your child ready to take their soccer skills to the next level?
Register them to try-out with Savannah’s premier youth soccer club, SSA Savannah United.
Register today on SavannahUnited.com and be a part of the elite.
Academy Try-Outs (for players with birth years 2011-2006): May 29, 30, 31
Select Try-Outs (for players with birth years 2005-2000): June 5, 6, 7
Academy & Select Tryouts 2018
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Academy?
‘Academy’ is the name given to our competitive soccer program for players in the U8-U12 age group range. For this next soccer year (Fall 18 / Spring 19) that will be for players with birth years between 2011-2007. To be eligible for this program, players must tryout.
What is Select?
‘Select’ is the name given to our competitive soccer program for players in the U13-U19 age group range. For this next soccer year (Fall 18 / Spring 19) that will be for players with birth years between 2006-2000. To be eligible for this program, players must tryout.
When are the Tryouts?
U8 – U13 Girls (for players with birth years 2011-2006): May 29, 30, 31 5-6:30PM
U8 – U13 Boys (for players with birth years 2011-2006) May 29, 30, 31 7-8:30PM
U14 – U19 Girls (for players with birth years 2005-2000) June 5, 6, 7 5-6:30PM
U14 – U19 Boys (for players with birth years 2005-2000) June 5, 6, 7 7-8:30PM
● Players should arrive approx 30 minutes prior to the start time to check in
Where are the Tryouts?
Tryouts will be held at Savannah United’s main facility, the Jennifer Ross Soccer Complex. The address is: 7221 Sallie Mood Drive, Savannah GA 31406
Is there a fee to Tryout?
Yes. The tryout fee is $40 per player. Each participant receives a tryout shirt and a number.
How do we sign up for Tryouts?
The easiest and fastest way to register for tryouts is by doing so online. Visit www.savannahunited.com and either login or create an account. Under your child’s profile it will say ‘Programs Available’. If your child is between 2011-2007 click on 2018/2019 Academy. If your child is between 2006-2000 click on 2018/2019 Athena (girls) or 2018/2019 Classic (boys). From there, you simply complete and submit the entries. An email confirmation will be sent once completed to verify your registration.
Where do we check in on the first night of Tryouts?
A row of registration tents will be set up on Field 1 at the Jennifer Ross Soccer Complex. Please check in with the staff person assigned to your age group. They will make sure you are fully registered and direct you to the correct field.
How many nights must my child attend to be eligible for the Academy Program?
Your child is expected to attend all 3 nights of tryouts. If for whatever reason this will not be possible, please understand you will not be giving your child the opportunity to be evaluated as much as the players who attend all 3 nights.
Can my child tryout in an older age group?
No. Your child must tryout in their birth year. The only exception to this rule is if a player ‘played up’ with an older team the previous soccer year. They would have the option of trying out for their birth year and the older year. This impacts only a few players within the hundreds of participants across the entire program.
Who evaluates the players?
Savannah United’s professional, licensed coaching staff will be assigned to 2-3 different age groups across the 3 nights of tryouts so they have multiple evaluations / notes on each player. In addition to staff coaches, Savannah United will often bring in high level guest coaches to help with the process such as local collegiate soccer coaches.
How do the coaches grade the players?
The same way golfers are graded playing golf and the same way swimmers are graded swimming – soccer players must be graded playing soccer! Savannah United keeps the tryout process as simple as possible without any gimmicks so the coaches can spend their time watching and evaluating the players in front of them. Savannah United will start by giving the players a little time to settle in and warm up. That will be quickly followed by getting them into small sided games i.e. 3v3 / 4v4 then into larger games such as 7v7 / 9v9 / 11v11. The coaches grade the players on a number of different aspects such as: technical ability; comfort level on the ball; decision making with & without the ball i.e. movement / supporting runs; body shape; vision; flair; athletic ability; mentality; effort.
How are teams formed?
In the Academy age groups, U8-U12, Savannah United prefers to look at each age group as a large ‘pool’ of players on a path of long term player development. The goal is to create highly competitive 11v11 teams at the U13 age group and above. Within each age group U8-U11, Savannah United typically looks to form approximately 3 boys teams & 2 girls teams. Most age groups will be tiered based on ability. ‘Premier’ is the top level. ‘Blue’ is the second level and ‘Black’ is the third level. If and when Savannah United adds a fourth tier, they will be classed as ‘White’ level. In the Select age groups, Savannah United usually looks to form 2 boys teams and 1 girls teams. ‘Premier’ is the top level. ‘Blue’ is the second level.
When do we get the results?
Results are posted within 5-7 days of the last night of tryouts.
If my child is offered a place in the program, how do we accept?
You will be sent an email through our Blue Sombrero registration system with an acceptance link. Simply ‘accept’ the position and you will then be prompted to secure your spot by making your first payment.
Is there a deadline to accept our position and make payment?
U8 – U13 (2011 – 2006) Deadline: June 22; Late fee applied: June 23
U14 – U19 (2005 – 2000) Deadline June 29; Late fee applied: June 30
Is there any travel involved?
For the Academy teams that travel, the schedule works out to be approx 60% home dates and 40% away dates. 1 day trips are typically locations up to 2 hours away. 2 day events can be between 1.5-4 hours away. For the Select teams that travel, the schedule works out to be 50% home dates and 50% away dates. The locations are dependent upon which teams are in your division, which can be based anywhere in the state. That said, most teams hail from the Metro Atlanta and greater Atlanta area.
U8 Academy: NO travel
U9 – U12 Academy: (Premier & Blue level) YES travel; (Black level) NO travel
U13 – U19 Select: YES travel
How do I best prepare my child for Tryouts?
To best prepare your child for tryouts, simply ensure they are well nourished, hydrated and rested, going to bed the night before at a reasonable hour. This gives players the best chance to perform.
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