SWAT Competitive Soccer: Parent Questions Answered

Thinking about competitive soccer for your child? This page explains what to expect, from choosing a program and trying out to practices, travel and costs, so your family can decide whether it's a good fit and know the next steps.

View Tryouts & Team Openings

Choosing a program

How is competitive soccer different from recreation?

SWAT Recreation is open to everyone, with no tryouts or cuts, and teams are organized by school first. Competitive players earn a spot at tryouts, train more, and play a league schedule with some travel in northern Utah. Players can move between recreation and competitive as their goals change.

Does my child need previous competitive experience?

SWAT does not list prior competitive experience as a tryout requirement, and many players come to tryouts from recreation. At tryouts, coaches look at technical ability, decision-making, coachability, long-term development potential and team fit.

Registered SWAT Recreation players ages U7–U13 can also join R2C (Recreation to Competitive) to train with competitive coaches before tryouts. R2C does not guarantee a team spot.

Which program fits my child's age and experience?

Your child's age group decides which league their team plays in:

There is no single path every player has to follow. Players can move between recreation, competitive and elite options as their development, commitment and goals change.

How do I find the correct age group?

Soccer age groups use birth dates from August 1 to July 31, not school grade or calendar birth year. This started with the 2026–27 season.

  • Find your player's birth date in the 2026–27 age group table on the Tryouts page. That table applies to openings on current teams.

  • Age groups for the 2027–28 season will be posted when tryouts are announced.

  • Players can play up an age group but cannot play down.

More detail: Age Group Change FAQ.

How do Academy, X-League, U13+ and JPL differ?

  • Academy (U7–U8): small-sided games. U7 plays 4v4 with no goalie and U8 plays 5v5 with a goalie. Scores are not kept.

  • X-League (U9–U12): U9–U10 play 7v7 and U11–U12 play 9v9 in UYSA's North Region. UYSA is the Utah Youth Soccer Association.

  • U13 and older: teams that qualify for the Premier, Division 1 (D1) or Division 2 (D2) levels play in the SCL against teams from Utah County to Cache County. Teams below D2 play in the IRL in the North Region.

  • JPL (U12 and older): SWAT's elite platform. JPL competition weekends can include events outside Utah.

Tryouts and joining

For current tryout status, dates and the full age table, see the Tryouts page.

When are tryouts?

Competitive teams are formed at tryouts held at the end of May each year for the next season. Tryout dates are announced by April 1. Each age group has its own session, and players attend only their own age group's tryout. The next tryouts are at the end of May 2027 for the 2027–28 season.

Is there a tryout fee?

No. Tryout registration is free, but it is required.

How do we register or get updates?

Join the Competitive Interest Form and we'll let you know when tryout dates are announced. The Tryouts page shows when tryout registration is open. Submitting interest does not guarantee a spot on a team.

What happens at tryouts?

A tryout is like a team training session with more players. Coaches from your age group run drills and usually a scrimmage. Check-in begins 30 minutes before your tryout time. See what to bring.

When will we hear back?

Coaches try to contact everyone who attended within 24–48 hours. Sometimes it takes a little longer.

How do we accept a spot?

If your player is offered a spot, you'll receive an email with coach and team information, team registration instructions, and how to order a uniform. You'll have about two weeks to register and order the uniform. For player registration, have a head-only photo, a birth certificate (first-time players), and a form of payment ready.

What if we miss tryouts?

Contact us to ask whether any spots remain on a team: Admin@swatsoccer.com or call/text 801-726-0982.

Can my child join during the season?

Annual tryouts are separate from openings on current teams. To ask whether a 2026–27 team has a spot, email Admin@swatsoccer.com or call/text 801-726-0982. Asking about openings does not guarantee a spot.

What if my child is not selected?

SWAT Recreation is open to all players. Many players keep building their skills in recreation and try out again the next year. Registered recreation players ages U7–U13 can also join R2C.

Practices, games and travel

How often do teams practice, and for how long?

Typically 2 to 3 practices a week, depending on the age group, the time of year and the coach. For players U10 and older, the club fee also includes team trainer sessions (6 per team) and club goalie training. Ask the coach how long practices run.

Who sets practice schedules?

Each coach sets training days, times and locations with input from the team.

Where do teams practice?

SWAT teams use fields around Weber County, including parks in North Ogden and Ogden, Eden, Clearfield and the Weber County Fairgrounds. See Field Locations.

When are games played?

Games are mostly on Saturdays, with an occasional weekday game. About half are home games. The season's games start in August. U13 and older teams play no more than 3 games in a 2-week period.

Which age groups play fall and spring?

  • X-League (U9–U12): a fall and a spring season, 8 to 12 games each.

  • U13–U14: a fall and a spring season, 8 to 12 games each.

  • U15 and older: one league season plus an optional High School Provisional league in the other season.

For Academy (U7–U8) game details, see the Academy page.

How far do teams travel?

  • X-League and IRL: North Region games in Davis, Weber, Morgan, Box Elder and Cache counties.

  • SCL: opponents can be anywhere from Utah County to Cache County.

  • JPL: more travel, including competition weekends outside Utah.

  • Summer tournaments: along the Wasatch Front, for teams that choose to play them.

Are tournaments and winter indoor soccer required?

Each team decides. Many teams play summer tournaments and winter indoor soccer, and many take time off in winter for other sports. These costs are set by the team.

What should we ask the coach before accepting a spot?

  • Practice days, times, length and locations

  • How playing time and attendance are handled

  • Planned summer tournaments and winter indoor play

  • Team fees beyond club registration

  • How the team communicates schedule changes

Costs and uniforms

What does registration cost?

It depends on the age group. See the 2026–27 SWAT registration fee chart. The chart notes a 3.1% credit card processing fee. Tryouts are free.

What does registration include?

According to the fee chart, registration covers UYSA membership and league fees, league dues and field fees, and the SWAT club fee. The club fee covers administration, tryouts, coach education, equipment and, for U10 and older, team trainer sessions and club goalie training. For X-League, SCL, IRL and High School Provisional, the club pays referee fees on the team's behalf. For Academy (U7–U8), the chart lists referee fees as paid at the field.

Which expenses are additional?

  • Uniform: a separate purchase (see below).

  • Team fees: equipment, tournaments and indoor soccer are set by each team.

  • Special registrations: multi-roster or High School Provisional fees, if they apply. See Registration Fees & Special Payments.

What uniforms are required?

Players wear a SWAT uniform, ordered through the Uniforms page. SWAT has new uniforms for the 2026–27 season. Your team email will tell you whether you need to order one. Check the Uniform Sizing Chart before ordering.

Can uniforms be reused?

Yes. Players use the same uniform in later seasons until they outgrow it or need to replace it.

Is financial assistance available?

Yes, financial assistance is available by request. Email Admin@swatsoccer.com to ask.

Coaching and player experience

Who coaches the teams?

Competitive coaches must earn a coaching license through in-person classes, and every coach and team admin completes concussion (Heads Up) and SafeSport training each year. Coaches help run tryouts for their age group and form their teams there. Ben Munk is SWAT's Director of Coaching & Player Development.

What is SWAT's approach to player development?

SWAT puts players, parents and coaches first and builds its competitive program around development. Long-term development comes before short-term results, and players are evaluated individually rather than moved as a group. As the club puts it: "If you develop players correctly; the winning takes care of itself." Read more on Competitive Youth Soccer at SWAT.

How is playing time decided?

Each coach decides playing time for their team. Ask the coach about their approach before accepting a spot.

What are the attendance expectations?

Each coach sets attendance expectations for their team, so ask the coach before accepting a spot.

How should parents raise questions or concerns?

Start with your team's coach. Next, contact the Director of Coaching, Ben Munk, at ben@swatsoccer.com. For general club questions, email Admin@swatsoccer.com.

What if a player wants to change teams?

Talk with your coach first, then the Director of Coaching, Ben Munk. Players can play up an age group but not down.

Still have questions?

Coaches: interested in coaching a competitive team? Read the New Comp Coach FAQ.