FALL SDL - Where will they play...

With just 3 weeks left before FALL SDL Registration opens up (and typically closes mid to late July as I recall) where do you suspect they will play? My guess is Andromeda won't be a field option, so what does the future hold?

Of course they will keep Blue Sky in The Colony, but would need more fields than that...

Fields by pizza hut park (pink?) are nice, could they use those?

From SDL: "We are continuing our discussions with parties involved in securing ATF and '&$*#&%' is helping us with several other alternative sites."

They'll find someplace, I presume.

I just hope the DIAL playing at Moss and UTD can gather enough good teams to provide another option so everyone does not have to drive to Oklahoma.

Found this interesting: http://www.dynamicyouthsports.com/news_article.php?aid=44&nc=1

Why does the Super Development League...?
Jun 07 2011 - SDL


These are answers to our most frequently asked questions.


If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at sdl.dysp@gmail.com.

Organization

What are the key differences between SDL and other North Texas academy leagues?

SDL is affiliated with US Club Soccer and North Texas is affiliated with USYSA, both are members of USSF. The primary differences between local academy leagues sanctioned by the two members are:

• Parents will register their child directly with the USYSA local recreation association typically at a cost of $56 - $95 depending on association and age; thus the cost of registration for the academy roster of 10, 11, 13 or more players IS NOT in the academy league's pricing

• SDL includes the player registration in the Team Fee

• Currently, UYSA academy leagues in North Texas have certain restrictions on when the leagues may play, age groups that may be involved, priority of play when recreational conflicts exist and number of permitted practices

• US Club Soccer does not require SDL to place similar restrictions

• US Club Soccer sanctions local tournaments as UNRESTRICTED; whereas you will typically find tournaments sanctioned by North Texas affiliated associations to be RESTRICTED to USYSA teams only - - many clubs that sponsor tournaments as well as Prime Time Sports sanction through US Club Soccer

Is the SDL significantly more expensive than other North Texas academy leagues?

As noted in the previous FAQ, player registration in SDL is included in the team fee payment whereas the other academy leagues it is not. When you include the local recreation association player charge with the league and referee fees, the total cost is comparable if not higher than SDL.

Can my SDL team participate in tournaments?

North Texas sanctioned tournaments are typically RESTRICTED to teams that participate in USYSA leagues. It is US Club Soccer’s practice that local tournaments sanctioned through US Club Soccer be OPEN to all USSF member teams.

Officiating

Why does SDL use a dual system for the 9 v 9 and 11 v 11 format?

SDL was begun as a development league and rather than have beginning referees officiate, the decision was made to use competitive experience referees. The issue with not having three officials is that Saturday is when the select leagues also play; after discussion with the advisory coaches a dual system was agreed upon.

With only a single official for the 7 v 7 format, why does the SDL enforce offside?

Yes, it is difficult for a single official, even on a small size field, to be certain of when a player in an offside position is influencing play, but while coaches at these younger ages do not focus a significant amount of time practicing for offside, they believe that it is part of a player's development and should remain.

What is the SDL policy on referees using cards to caution or dismiss players?

The referee has the sole decision on when a “card” is warranted; all incidents involving dismissal require a formal communication from the official to the SDL. Because of the focus on development over record, a team is permitted to replace a player that has been dismissed in the game.

Format

Why does SDL play 22 minute halves for the 7 v 7 format?

When the league first began play it was only on Sunday and never earlier than 11 a.m. and preferably no earlier than noon. With the need to begin games on the hour it was not practical to have 25 minute halves and the halves were set to 22 minutes.

But, the League took the innovative step to implement a roll-on-roll-off substitution process. This has two significant benefits:

1. No longer is there a lot of wasted time while players wait for coaches to make substitutions

2. Timely feedback on what a young child may have done right or wrong can be important to their development, and this substitution process permits the coach to do just that; because of how well it was received it is also used for the 9 v 9 format

How does the SDL decide what level/division to place a team?

It does not. Each team identifies on their application what level of development is consistent with its level of play. The league communicates the results by gender/ age group to the coaches requesting any changes. The league than may give consideration to cross division play in order to avoid doubleheaders and byes if possible. Because the SDL does not keep standings and scores, it does permit teams that find they misplaced themselves to work out game swaps with other teams.

Why does the league have a deadline for parents to switch club affiliations?

The league has this restriction to help ensure that a team does not implode, impacting all others that it is scheduled to play. This was implemented after feedback from the advisory coaches and first-hand experience of the disruption season roster changes cause. There are, however, no restrictions placed on the player by the league that precludes them from training with other teams or participating as a guest player in tournaments; after the league season is over, parents may request that their child be moved to a different team roster.