My child did this tournament last year and we had to show his birth certificate to get his "rec player card"--is that not the case everywhere?

The tournament itself isn't terribly intense largely because teams play several short games rather than a few full-length games. The mini-game format takes some of the edge off. I will say this: the penalty kick shootouts - and there are a lot of them at this tournament - are very intense for the young goalkeepers.

Its fine-the only thing I dislike about this tournament is how they let "Academy" teams into a "rec" tournament. Kids who practice together all year with a professional coach going up against a team made up of two players from every CYA U12 team with a dad coach that maybe practiced twice before the tournament, for example, grates. Academy teams aren't rec teams.

It's a fairly well run rec tournament. My kids have played in it a few times over the years. Good introduction to competition for your player (and you) to see if they are interested in someday playing travel. Assuming it hasn't changed first day (Saturday) is 4 "mini games" of 30 minutes each to determine seeding for the next day. Sunday is 2 full games. Some teams are true all star teams with a couple players from each team in a rec league, they'll typically have a couple of practices before the tournament. Other teams may be entire teams that won their rec league. I've also noticed players at this tournament that are from older age groups. Not widespread but usually a couple of teams and it's obvious and they'll win the tournament. In a rec tournament with no player cards it's hard to prevent older players on teams. But the first day of mini games will sort out the better teams so the second day's games should be competitive and fun for the kids.

Every club choses all star teams differently. Some have tryouts as you mentioned.

The way they did it back in the day at least at the club my child played at was they had a tryout. The kids who got picked would have a few practices and then play in the one tournament.

In my child’s club only about half of those that tried out made it. It gets easier to make team at older age groups as this years all stars become next years travel players.

My kids have done the all star tournaments a few times and I've coached in them a couple times it's always been a fun experience. Each club seems to handle team selection and preparation a little differently so that part depends on your club. As for crazy adults, the U8 age group can get a little crazy as for many clubs the all-star tournaments at U8 are part of formation for U9 travel teams next year so there's a different pressure but other than that year it's never been more of a problem than at every other NOVA soccer event.

it is a few games over a weekend and it is definitely not intense. it would be a good experience for an 8 year old who just started soccer.

It's been a few years since my kids played rec soccer, but I recall that the coaches each recommended a player or two to participate on the club's all star team. Then the kids just play a handful of games over a weekend. Has the process changed where it's more involved than that?

My 8yo, who just started rec soccer this season, wants to try out. I'm fine with the learning experience if he doesn't make a team, but how intense is the tournament itself?

Not looking forward to either crazy soccer parents or a huge time commitment.