Q: At what age does Lightning Soccer start?
Lightning Soccer typically hosts travel teams at the U10 age level. See the Age Matrix to determine a player's age group. Our Development Team Program begins with U8 – U9 players, and those teams may be entered into a EDP or Early Development Program through Granite State Youth Soccer League.  The EDP program consists of 8 games a season and requires travel to away games.  Visit our Development Team Program page to learn about offerings for younger players.

Q: What does "U" stand for in U8 or U9?
The "U" in age group divisions stands for "under." So for example, if your child was born between August 01, 2001 and July 31, 2002, he or she is a "U8," which technically stands for "under 8." This means s/he is 7 turning 8 in this current soccer year (from August 1, 2009 to July 31, 2010).

Q: Can a player request to “play up” into the next older age group?
No, requests to play up are not entertained. Invitations to play up are made by the coaching staff when it is determined that it is in the best interest of the player's soccer development. Just because a player has played up for one year on an older team does not guarantee he/she will play up the next year. Please refer to Lightning's Playing Up Policy.

Q: How does the selection process work at tryouts?
Coaches and evaluators observe players and evaluate their game, attitude and skill levels in written form. Their observations are collated and used along with discussions between the coaching staff and the Managing Director for the final selection decisions for teams.

Q: What if I can't make it to a scheduled tryout session?
We strongly encourage players to attend all tryout sessions scheduled for the team they wish to make. This gives the coaches the best opportunity to evaluate their play and gives the player the best chance to make the team. If a player can make it to only one tryout session, s/he should make sure to let the Team Manager or Head Coach know, and note it in the comment area of the pre-registration (online) form. Players may try out for Lightning teams at a date other than regularly scheduled tryouts and may make it onto a team if there are openings. Contact the Team Manager or Coach of the team to arrange.

Q: How and when are we notified about tryout results?
After tryouts, Lightning will decide for which age groups it will sponsor teams. This depends on the quality and number players who try out for each age group. Players will be notified of their status via email directing them to the website where they can see the team roster. They will learn that they made either a) Travel Team, b) Alternate, c) Player Pool, or d) that there is no position available for them at this time.

Q: How many players make it on to the Travel Team?
According to US Youth Soccer regulations, 6 v 6 teams may roster 12 players, 8 v 8 teams are limited to a 14-member roster, while 11 v 11 teams are limited to 18 players. Teams U16 and up may roster up to 22 players, but may only suit up 18 in any given game.

Q: What is Player Pool?
Player Pool is a training-only opportunity Lightning offers to interested, motivated players who wish to improve their skills to compete at the travel level. Players invited onto Player Pool train with the team , but do not compete in games. Many of our older Travel Team players started their Lightning careers on the Player Pool and through their hard work and effort earned a spot on the Travel Team.

Q: What is an Alternate? A player designated as an Alternate for a team trains with the team and may be invited to participate in games if space permits (another player is sick or can not make a game).

Q: How will I know where and when practices will take place?
Contact your team's Team Manager with any questions you have about your practice times or locations. Team Managers will also communicate game and tournament schedules and game directions, as well as answer many of your questions about how things work.

Q: What league do we play in?
Beginning in Spring 2010, Lightning teams will be entered into one of two leagues: Granite State League in New Hampshire or the New England Premiership League.  The Granite State League is NH's primary league for competitive travel soccer. It hosts more than forty clubs from around the state who come together in the spring and fall to compete.  The New England Premiership League is a new youth soccer league hosting teams from the most competitive clubs in New England.

Q: Is there winter training?
Yes, beginning in 2009-10 Lightning Soccer Club will offer winter training opportunities to players. Winter training provides continuity during the winter months between fall and spring seasons, helping players solidify their skills and continue to grow.

Q: What is State Cup?
The NH State Cup Tournament is hosted by the NH Soccer Association each spring. Lightning enters highly competitive teams U12 and older to the State Cup tournament for a chance to represent New Hampshire at the US Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships. If a team is entered into State Cup, the player and player's family is making a commitment to the club, the team, the other families, and the coaches to participate in the State Cup and potentially Region 1 tournament which takes place on or before July 4th each year. In 2010, the Region 1 tournament will be held in West Virginia.  If a winning team chooses not to go to the Region 1 Tournament, the team is fined $1500 by the state. Players should make their decision to commit to a State Cup team based on their ability to fulfill their duty to the team.

Q: What are the US Youth Soccer Region 1 Championship?
Region 1 is the eastern region of the US; there are 15 state associations in Region 1. Teams from Virginia to Maine come together at the Region 1 Championships and compete to win their age division and advance to the US Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships held later in July.

Q: What are the fees for Lightning?
See the specific program page for current fees.

Q: How are club fees spent?
Lightning Soccer Club is a nonprofit organization supported not only by club fees but by the generous donation of time of its volunteer board of directors, parent assistants, and parent team managers.  All club fees are used to cover out-of-pocket operating costs. Typical break down of club expenses are as follows:

Q: Why do you need a photo and a copy of a birth certificate?
We must be able to verify the ages of all our players. When a player is invited on to a Lightning team we ask for a copy of that player's birth certificate, which we then file. We also request a 1" x 1" inch photo for the identification cards we must create for each player, which prove that a player is who we say s/he is and that s/he is the proper age to be competing on that team. Player cards include a 1" x 1" player photo and signature, and include the player's jersey number.

Q: Are mouth guards required? Are other protective devices required?
Mouth guards are not required by NH Soccer Association or US Youth Soccer, however, shin guards and cleats are.

Q: Can I also play Recreational soccer?
It is possible to play both Rec and Lightning, however players and families should understand that travel team is a bigger commitment in every way than Rec soccer (financially, time, effort, distance, athletic challenge). If a player or a family is not prepared to make Lightning a priority over Rec, it is likely a better fit for the player to play Rec instead, and allow a different player the opportunity to make the Lightning team. If a Rec coach (of any sport) is understanding of your commitment to your travel team, it often works very well.

Q: Can I play other sports, be in a play, etc?
It is important for a coach to know if a player has another major commitment (school plays, musical commitments, another sport at a high commitment level, etc.) in putting a team together. Obviously, if the entire team has other major commitments, it will be very hard to ensure that enough players are available to run optimal training sessions and to compete in games. If it's just a few players then it can work well. It's a challenging balancing act for everyone: the coaches, the players, the club and the families. Our goal as a club is to serve players who are passionate about soccer.

Q: Does Dartmouth Soccer run Lightning Soccer Club?
Lighting Soccer Club was started in 1983 by a Norwich, VT dad, Jerry Ireland. In 1985 Dartmouth head men's coach Bobby Clark suggested they combine their talents. Bobby Clark's phenomenal soccer background (Scottish National team member, coach of Highlanders FC) and his love for teaching soccer to youths made this association a natural. Dartmouth Soccer ran Lightning Soccer for many years until the club grew beyond the size the college soccer office could operate, while still overseeing (and recruiting for) a Division 1 soccer team.  Lightning Soccer Club became a totally independent entity in 2000, forming its own nonprofit corporation with a board of directors. Although the organizations cooperate extensively; Lightning Soccer hosts ads for Dartmouth camps and for the college game schedules on its site, and some Dartmouth coaches coach for the club, they are now two entirely independent organizations.

Q: How do I reach Lightning with any questions or concerns?
LSC Board President Kris Graham is available for questions via phone 802-649-8831 (h) or 603-667-6682 (c) or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. You may also speak to any of our other volunteer board members: John Brigham (Vice President), Lisa Kable, John Kelly, Chris Kennedy, George Lightbody, Laura Rice, Donna Richardson.