Travel Team Formation Philosophy

Our Approach

At JPYS, we believe that when forming teams, grouping players with similar skill levels and experience creates the best environment for development and enjoyment of the game. When we form multiple teams within an age group, we aim to create skill-matched teams where players are appropriately challenged during games against other towns in the BAYS league. This approach helps ensure that all players—regardless of their current ability level—get plenty of touches on the ball, make meaningful decisions during play, and compete against opponents who will help them grow as players.

We reassess player development before each fall season, and team placement is never permanent. In many cases, players get the experience of playing on different teams with different coaches as they progress through the JPYS travel program, and we view each age group as a cohort rather than fixed teams. Ideally, teams within an age group even practice together when possible. This helps maintain an important sense of community, providing kids a richer and wider sporting and social experience.

Sometimes practical factors—such as having enough volunteer coaches or having only one team in an age group—lead us to form teams with a broader range of skills and experience. We work to make the best decisions we can based on the circumstances each season, always keeping player development and enjoyment as our primary goals.

Additional Detail

Why Skill-Matched Teams Support Development

Our experience has shown that when players of a wider degree of skill, competitiveness, and experience levels play together, less experienced players often defer to more advanced players, resulting in fewer opportunities to touch the ball and make decisions. Meanwhile, more advanced players may not be challenged enough to improve their own skills. By creating teams with similar skill/experience ranges, all players stay more engaged and have more opportunities to develop.

BAYS Division Placement

This approach also aligns with how BAYS organizes their divisions. Teams are placed in one of four divisions based on competitive level, with the goal of creating balanced competition where teams win about as many games as they lose. Skill-matched JPYS teams can be appropriately placed in divisions where they'll have competitive, enjoyable games.

Reassessment and Flexibility

Team assignments are made fresh each season based on current player development, practice attendance, and commitment level. We actively look for players who may be ready for more or less challenge. To further support this, coaches are encouraged to think of themselves as coaches of an age cohort rather than just of their team in a given season.

When We Form Mixed-Skill Teams

Sometimes we form teams with a broader range of abilities due to practical considerations:

• When we have an imbalance of volunteer coaches (often coaches' children tend to be among the more experienced players)

• When there's only one team in an age group

• When numbers don't work out evenly for multiple teams

In these situations, we do our best to create positive experiences for all players while working within the constraints we face.