Overview of Locomotive SC Programs
Locomotive SC administers two primary soccer seasons per year: Fall (August-October) and Spring (late March-early June). Registration for the Fall season begins in June while Spring season registration commences in late December. There are are additional winter and summer program opportunities offered.
All Locomotive programs fall into one of three categories: Entry Level, Recreation or Competitive. Entry level offerings include Locomotive Academy 4Us (formally PK Paws) and Locomotive Academy 5Us.The Locomotive Academy Program for 6 & 7 (2010-2011) year-olds is a transitional step from recreation soccer to the competitive game. Locomotive Recreation program (formally HRSL) offers fall and spring seasons for all interested players ages 6-12 (birth years 2005-2011). Middle and High School age players participate in MSSA and HSSA during the spring season only. HOSA's competitive program for players ages 6-19 (1999-2011) consists of three levels: Locomotive SC 8 (2009) and Locomotive '53 & Locomotive '76 (1999-2008). Further details are available via the website Programs tab.
Locomotive Academy ages 4-7 (birth years 2010-2013)
The Locomotive Academy 4Us program (previously "PK Paws") is designed for three and four year old children operating in gender specific or coed groups as dictated by registration numbers. The program utilizes age appropriate games and challenges designed to introduce skills and concepts in a safe, fun and noncompetitive environment. Each participant may be joined by one parent for all activities to aid in fostering teamwork rather than focusing on individual performance. A season consists of seven 30-minute weekly sessions (the two weeks immediately following the season are reserved for make-up sessions in the event of activities being cancelled by weather or otherwise unsafe conditions). All sessions will take place at the Hilliard Soccer Complex.
The Locomotive Academy 5U's (2012) program is the next step in the development process. Registered players meet once per week for 60 minutes with the first half-hour given to training and the second half-hour geared toward limited structure game play in teams of roughly 4-6 players. Games may be played freely or with specific restrictions as deemed appropriate. Small goals are used, there are no goalkeepers nor scores kept. Coach/player interaction during game play will vary and there may be some periods without any instruction at all affording the participants "free play" time.
The Locomotive Academy Program for 6 & 7 (2010-2011) year-olds is a transitional step from recreation soccer to the competitive game. There are no tryouts and players are trained as a "pool" (not assigned to specific teams). The focus is creating and maintaining a positive and supportive environment where individual player development is paramount. The team trains twice per week for seven weeks. Friday night sessions run approximately one hour and focus on skill development while Sunday's are reserved for small sided games with an emphasis on fun and individual creativity with limited coaching.
Recreational soccer allows interested boys and girls to play the game regardless of ability. For many, the Locomotive Recreation Program offers the perfect balance between cost and commitment providing years of enjoyment. For others, it's a springboard to the Locomotive SC Competitive program.
Players register twice per year (typically January & June). Teams are randomly formed prior to the fall season and generally remain in tact through the spring. Teams are organized into leagues by age group and gender with some adjustments made between the seasons to accommodate players lost and those newly registered participants. New teams may be formed in the spring if necessitated by additional registrations. LRSL does not accept requests for specific teams or coaches unless there is a documented need, such as siblings.
Locomotive Rec teams are coached by parent volunteers who are provided free coaching training and a complete coaches manual. Each season is comprised of seven games. In the fall, 6 will be played on the weekend and 1 on a weeknight (generally but not exclusively Wednesday's). In the spring at least 5 games will be played on the weekend and no more than 2 will be played on a weeknight. This is to accommodate larger participant numbers in the spring. Teams practice once per week for roughly one hour, beginning 1-2 weeks prior to the first game. Any weeknight game takes the place of practice for that week. Put differently, no team should have more than 1 school night soccer activity in any week. One jersey is included in the registration fee.
Locomotive Middle & High School Recreational Programs
HOSA believes there is significant value in offering both middle school and high school age recreational level soccer. In the fall there is a program available to any middle or high school age player not participating on their scholastic team. The number of teams and games is dependent upon registration. Teams may include multiple age groups and be coed to accommodate league formation.
In the spring, provided registration numbers allow, middle school and high school age teams will be formed to compete with other age appropriate teams from throughout central Ohio. These teams have a coach and regular schedule of practices and games. While the Soccer Complex serves as the home base of operations, away games do require local travel.
If there aren't enough players registered to form teams, an in-house small-sided league may be offered instead. In this format, rosters may include multiple age groups and teams can be coed. Registration numbers will dictate roster size and playing format, which can range from small-sided 3v3 up to full-field 11v11.
Locomotive SC 8 (birth year 2009)
The Locomotive SC Program for 8 year-olds (2009) is the gateway into full competitive soccer and closely mirrors our Locomotive '53 offering. Players attend tryouts but solely for evaluation, there are no cuts. This allows each child to become familiar with that process before actually having to try out at 9 years of age. LSC8 is a full year program. You can expect 2-3 soccer activities per week. Players are trained by licensed staff as a team and as a "pool" with all Locomotive 8 players. Cost is $495 which includes uniform and Winter Training Session 1. There is no travel outside central Ohio.
PER NEW USYSA REGULATIONS: 8 year old teams may play 4v4 with small goals and no goalkeepers.
Locomotive SC 9-19 (birth years 1999-2008)
The HOSA competitive program is comprised of two levels: Locomotive '53 and Locomotive '76 (formally Hilliard FC) for ages 9-19 (1999-2008). Teams are formed via tryouts conducted by Locomotive SC staff at the end of each spring season. Once tryouts are completed each participant will receive a recommendation as to the level best suited to their demonstrated level of development (8 year olds are evaluated during the tryout period but all participants are offered a roster spot). Accepting an invitation to join a Locomotive SC team requires a full-year commitment and fees must be paid in full even if a player decides to leave the team prior to the end of the year. Team budgets are based upon the number of players committed and therefore no refunds are issued.
- Locomotive SC programs are designed with specific expectations regarding player development. Teams play both a fall and spring season (including league tournaments) and may participate in external tournaments as assigned by the Technical Staff. All Locomotive SC teams are expected to participate in the winter training program and there are a variety of additional (optional) opportunities throughout the calendar year.
- All teams are treated equally: each has a professional coach supported by the Club Technical Staff; each has a similar number of training sessions and games; each is taught from the same player development manual and all teams wear the same uniform colors. We believe this player centric philosophy is unique in the region.
- Locomotive '53 teams are the entry level of competitive soccer and average 3 soccer activities per week. The focus for '53 teams is on training and league play including end of season league tournaments. Participation in external tournaments is possible and determined on a team by team basis by the Technical Staff. Any such event will be limited to the greater central Ohio area. All relevant details will be addressed at initial team meetings following tryouts.
- Locomotive '76 teams represent the top level of competitive soccer offered by HOSA. Teams may have 3-4 soccer activities per week and compete in the highest level of league and tournament play deemed appropriate by the Technical Staff on a team by team basis. Travel is likely throughout the region and may involve some out of state competition. All relevant details will be addressed at initial team meetings following tryouts.
TopSoccer Program
Any child aged 4 to 19 with mental, physical or learning disabilities from the Central Ohio area may play in the TOPS program. Teams are formed from the players that attend each Saturday morning one-hour session during the Fall and Spring season. Volunteers, typically community residents or players from the Hilliard high schools teams, act as coaches, referees and assistants each week.
Locomotive Summer Camps
Camps are considered a key piece of the Locomotive player development model. Typically there are camps for both recreational and competitive players. More information can be found via the CAMPS tab near the top of this page.