By rule in the State and District leagues, team rosters are “frozen” starting in August.  That means that there are no “guest players” allowed in fall league games as sometimes can happen in summer tournaments.  Starting in the fall, it has been the rule in the leagues Shadow has entered that a player must be rostered to one team and only that team’s rostered players can play for it.

The Player Development League (PDL) Player Pass allows for player movement among our club’s PDL Teams.  Because it is a PDL rule, the Player Pass only applies to our U12-U16 Boys and Girls PDL teams.
    
Here’s how it works:
In the PDL, players are allowed to play in 2 games per weekend if all the other eligibility requirements are met.
 
Players can utilize this pass to play up a year; or
• Players can play down (if that player meets the birth year requirement to be rostered to that team) or
• Players can move between teams within an age group.
 
Two main considerations:

1.  Will this opportunity help the player develop their soccer skills.  The players that get these opportunities are those that are ready for a higher level of competition or would individually benefit from a lesser level?
 
2.  Has there been enough communication about this with the player, the coach, the parent, and the coaches/players/parents of the other team?
 
This is not about moving only the best players around to win games.  This is about moving players to assist in their development - how can we help the player improve and raise the level of their game.  This, in the long run, will help all the players in the club, as one player improves it can impact others to raise their level.
 
That being said, winning is not an illegitimate goal.  The goal is to foster an environment of continuous improvement and success, where winning is one of the experiences the players and teams will have.
 
Here’s why this is good:
 
Shadow players are part of something bigger than a team - they are members of a Club.  The Club Player Pass can solidify within our players, coaches and families that we are a fully integrated "Club" - working together for the same common goal – player development.
    
This allows the player to develop their skills without worrying that they should be on another team.  We already allow players to practice with other teams if the coaches believe this is right for the player.  The Player Pass allows our Club to take the next step in offering game time with other teams.
 
This can also greatly assist teams who have injured or ill players.
 
Playing with different players is good for development.  If you play high school sports, players can move up or down (JV / Varsity) or, if you are selected in the Olympic Developmental Program/ Sounders RTC, new players are coming in and going out based on their performance.  Adjusting to new circumstances is a necessary skill to develop.
 
Some clubs have coordinated their home games, A and B teams to play back-to-back or specific age groups to play back-to-back, to better facilitate their use of the Club Player Pass.  

The Boys and Girls U17-U19 Teams do not have the Club Player Pass available in the Washington Youth Soccer Leagues in which they compete.