Hancock Soccer Association
Recreational Information

About The HSA Recreational League

Hancock Soccer Association is a recreational youth soccer league and was founded in 1970.  There were approximately 280 boys ages 8 through 12 playing soccer during the first season.  Today, Hancock Soccer Association has over 1,000 boys and girls ages 4 through 18 playing spring and fall seasons in the recreational league.  The U-12 through U-19 recreational teams also play inter-league matches with Black Swamp Soccer League (BSSL) opponents.  The BSSL is a USYSA registered recreational league and their teams are from various Hancock County communities near Findlay.

The U-10 through U-19 teams participate in recreational tournaments each fall season.  These tournaments are part of the regular fall season, and participation in them is mandatory.  The U-10 teams participate in the Van Buren Fall Classic Recreational Tournament.  They play other Hancock Soccer Association teams as well as Black Swamp Soccer League teams.  The U-12 through U-19 teams participate in the Hancock Soccer Association Fall Classic Recreational Tournament.  They play other Hancock Soccer Association teams, Black Swamp Soccer League teams, and any other USYSA registered recreational teams that may enter to participate in the tournament.  This tournament is a fully sanctioned USYSA event, and is open to all USYSA registered Recreational teams.

In 1996, the Hancock Soccer Association recreational league became a member of the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) and affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).  All HSA recreational players are registered with USYSA through Ohio Youth Soccer Association - North (OYSAN).  OYSAN is the State USYSA governing body.  All leagues belonging to USYSA must be registered through their respective State Association(s).

As Hancock Soccer Association is a sanctioned member league of OYSAN and USYSA, the league is required to follow USYSA and OYSAN rules, regulations, and guidelines.  These include registration of players, formation of teams, maximum team roster sizes, age groups, system of play, and various other requirements.  USSF Laws of the Game apply for all games.  However, HSA does implement a few modifications to these Laws as permitted by USYSA.

The league utilizes volunteer division directors to help with team and coach selection and set up.  Players are randomly placed on teams by the division directors.  No try outs are allowed (USYSA regulations).  All who register and pay their required participation fees on-time are guaranteed placement on a team.  Late registrants will most likely be placed on a team, provided rosters are not "full".  Teams are coached by volunteer coaches.  Coaches are offered training and other information at various times throughout each season.  All U-7 through U-19 matches are officiated by Certified USSF Referees.  Little Kickers (U-5) and U-6 matches are officiated by the team coaches.

HSA continues to evolve and grow to meet the soccer needs of the Findlay area youth.  Many changes over the past few years have taken place regarding the sizes of teams, play structure, and field sizes as USYSA introduced "small sided" concepts, rules, and regulations for its membership. Small sided soccer has been the "norm" in European and other countries for several decades.  Over the past few years, USYSA has been attempting to catch up with the rest of the world soccer community regarding the structure of youth soccer programs.  HSA has done it's part as a USYSA member by implementing the USYSA small sided play formats.

Another example of how the HSA recreational league has evolved to meet the needs of area youth is by offering the National Alliance for Youth Sports Start Smart™ Clinics for 3 and 4 year olds and their parents.  This program is designed to teach basic skills and help future Little Kickers (LK) players and parents ready themselves for participation in Hancock Soccer Association on organized teams.  The Start Smart™ program teaches children and their parents the basic motor skills necessary to participate in organized sports while giving them the opportunity to work one-on-one together.  Parents learn right along with their children.  Participating in this program will give new LK and U6 soccer players a head start in the sport and teach parents what and how to work with their youngsters at home to prepare for playing on organized teams.

More Information

The following links are provided if you desire more information and answers to questions regarding the Hancock Soccer Association Recreational League.

HSA Recreational Registration Information Page (info, dates, forms, etc)

HSA Board of Directors Page (names, phone numbers, contact links)

Contact the HSA President

Contact the HSA Vice President Recreational

Contact the HSA Recreational Coaching Director

Contact the HSA Registrar

Contact the HSA Past President

Other pages of this website with recreational program information are:

HSA News