Why Consider Competitive Soccer?
What makes “Competitive” soccer different from Recreational or “grassroots” soccer?
- Player talent parity. Due to the team formation criteria teams are formed with players of similar ability. This makes for an environment that is conducive to team and player development as there is seldom a large delta of ability between players
- Team Formation Criteria. Competitive teams are formed differently than grassroots or Recreational teams. Coaches select players for their team based on their own individual criteria and hold annual tryouts of team placement events to help introduce the prospective player to the coaching staff and provide an environment for the player to showcase their skill. Additionally, coaches may invite players to join their team on an individual basis due to observation of the player in a game environment
- Training Environment. A common player development philosophy within Competitive teams helps facilitate meaningful growth of the players’ understanding of the game, development of individual skills, and understanding of tactical situations. Coaches often have advanced coaching licenses and significant experience
- Age Group Parity. Competitive teams seldom play in combined age groups and almost always play “true age” without the need in later years to combine multiple age groups in order to form a league.
- Commitment – Players are committing to a one-year term with their team and are expected to participate in all team activities and place a priority on participation in league games, training, and tournaments. Absences should be minimal.
- Player Mobility. In Competitive it is FAR easier to play for multiple teams. For example, if you’re on the “bottom” team in your age group from your club, you can guest play with a team above you if it’s a good fit for your ability. So rather than being locked down to a single team you can help out with this or that team as needed and get those experiences
- Travel – while approximately half of any team’s games will be at their home complex, Indian Springs Soccer Complex, the “away” games may be in OKC, Edmond, Ponca City, or Tulsa.
What makes BA Express different from other Competitive Clubs?
- As part of Broken Arrow Soccer Club, BA Express is volunteer governed and volunteer administered. This leads to significantly less cost per player and serves to drive decision making that benefits the player over the club
- Costs. BA Express cost of entry is significantly lower than the market average. BA Express pays no club fees or coaching stipends so there are no $205 per month (or more) monthly recurring fees to play. Fees go to things the team does such as tournaments, indoor seasons, training facilities, or technology.
- Venue. BA Express is the exclusive competitive program of BASC and as such utilizes the amazing Indian Springs Soccer Complex (ISSC) for home games and training.