Free Parent Tool
Club Comparison Worksheet
Most families evaluate clubs based on reputation and word of mouth. This worksheet gives you a structured way to compare what actually matters — side by side, before you sign anything.
"A good club will welcome these questions. That reaction is useful information in itself."
How to Use This
Print It. Bring It. Fill It In.
This worksheet is designed to be used during or immediately after visiting or speaking with any travel club or program. Fill in one column per club. When you're done, the side-by-side picture tells you more than any ranking list ever could. No club names appear on this site — this worksheet is yours alone.
The Comparison
Use one column per club. Leave blank if the club won't answer — that answer is also data.
| What to Compare | Club 1 | Club 2 | Club 3 | Club 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coaching | ||||
| Coach's name and credential level | ||||
| Years coaching this age group | ||||
| Does coach also sell private training to team players? | ||||
| Who specifically coaches MY child's team — not the director of coaching? | ||||
| What is the coach's player development philosophy? | ||||
| Costs | ||||
| Registration/club fee (exact amount) | ||||
| Uniform and gear requirements (cost) | ||||
| Tournament entry fees (included or extra?) | ||||
| Travel and hotel requirements | ||||
| Private training — required or strongly encouraged? | ||||
| Any other fees not listed above? | ||||
| Total estimated all-in annual cost | ||||
| Contract and Commitment | ||||
| Season length (start and end dates) | ||||
| Refund policy if we leave mid-season | ||||
| Auto-renewal language in contract? | ||||
| Buyout or release fee if we leave? | ||||
| What happens if my child is injured? | ||||
| Program Structure | ||||
| Number of practices per week | ||||
| Number of tournaments per season | ||||
| Distance of typical travel | ||||
| Policy on school team conflicts | ||||
| Rest period built into annual calendar? | ||||
| Communication and Culture | ||||
| How does coach communicate with parents during season? | ||||
| How is playing time determined? | ||||
| How are roster decisions communicated? | ||||
| What happens if my child wants to step back or leave? | ||||
| Red Flags Observed | ||||
| Any pressure tactics used during tryout or evaluation? | ||||
| Were all cost questions answered directly? | ||||
| Did coach/club welcome these questions? | ||||
| Your overall gut reaction | ||||
After You Fill It In
How to Read What You've Written
Look at the blanks first. A club that left multiple cost or contract questions unanswered during your evaluation is showing you something about how they operate — not just what they charge. Transparency at the evaluation stage is one of the strongest predictors of how a club handles problems during the season.
Look at your gut reaction row last. After reviewing every data point, your instinct about how you felt speaking with this club — whether you felt welcomed or pressured, informed or managed — is a legitimate data point. Both things matter.
Get This as a Printable PDF
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No spam. No rankings. Just the worksheet.
Related Resources
Tools That Work With This Worksheet
25 Questions to Ask Any Club
The exact questions to put to a coach before you commit a single dollar.
Contract & Fee Red Flags
Know what warning language to look for in any club agreement before you sign.
True Cost Calculator
Get a realistic annual cost estimate so you know what number to verify against what each club tells you.