Upper Valley Lightning Soccer Club, Since 1983

FAQ

Q: At what age does Lightning Soccer start?
Lightning offers a seamless, high quality introduction to the game of soccer for area youth. Travel teams start at the U11 level.
Visit our U11 & under programs page to learn about each of our programs.

Q: How does the selection process work?
Generally, tryouts for the Fall season are scheduled in June, and the end of October or early November for the Spring season. (Check the website for actual dates, times & location.) The Tryout process consists of an observation session during which coaches and evaluators observe players and evaluate in written form, their game, attitude and skill levels. Evaluators may, but do not necessarily, include the former coach of the team being evaluated, the current coach of the team, and/or a coach who has never coached the team. It is up to the coaches and independent evaluators to determine how much weight is given to each aspect of the player’s evaluation. We strongly encourage players to attend all tryout sessions scheduled for their team if possible.

Q: How and when are we notified about Tryout results?
After Tryouts, the Lightning Board and the Managing Director will consult and decide for which age groups LSC will sponsor teams. This depends on how many players attend Tryouts for each age group.
About two weeks after Tryouts, players will be notified about their status via a posting on the LSC web site and through an email from their team’s Head Coach. They will learn that they made either a) Travel Team, or b) Player Pool. Once the first round of Travel Team and Player Pool players have been notified, they will be given a designated time period during which they must complete their registration for the team. Parents will be instructed to fill out all GSYSL, VSL, and LSC required paperwork. With this paperwork parents must send a wallet-sized picture and, for new players, a copy of his/her birth certificate. Travel Team and Player Pool players must send a check for the full amount it costs to participate.

Q: How many players make it on to the Travel Team?
We do not wish to cut anyone, but we must abide by GSYSL, VSL and USYSA (see key below) rules which limit us to naming a maximum of 18 players for 11 v 11 teams. In the first round of evaluation after try outs, there will be approximately 16 players named to each Travel Team. An additional 6 players may be named to each team’s Player Pool. This number may vary. By April 15, after early season training has been well underway, the final players will be named to each team from the Player Pool squad. Players will be notified by the Head Coach via email or phone call, and web site team listings are updated with the final Team Roster. The remaining players who have not been named to the Travel Team may be asked to participate in the Player Pool.

Key:
LSC: Lightning Soccer Club (uvlightning.org)
GSYSL: Granite State Youth Soccer League (granitestatesoccer.com)
NHSA: New Hampshire Soccer Association (soccernh.com)
VSL: Vermont Soccer League (vermontsoccerleague.org)
VSA: Vermont Soccer Association (vermontsoccer.org)
USYSA: United States Youth Soccer Association (usyouthsoccer.org)

Q: What is Player Pool?
Player Pool exists for players who wish to become better soccer players, but whose skills are not at the same level as those of their peers playing on the Travel Team. Due to roster limitations imposed on LSC by GSYSL, VSL and other leagues, LSC teams can only accommodate a finite number of players on each team. The roster has to be set by a date required by the state in which the team is competing (VT or NH), after which we cannot add players or make any changes to the roster. After this date, even if a player is hurt, we cannot substitute a new player.

Players named to the Player Pool receive the same level of coaching and are allowed to attend and fully participate in all team practices and non-roster games. At the coach’s discretion, some may be invited to play as a guest player in a tournament. Both coaches and players on the Travel Team must afford Player Pool players the same level of courtesy and respect as they do all their teammates. Many of our older Travel Team players started out on the Player Pool and through their hard work, earned a spot on the Travel Team.

Q: What can I expect in terms of playing time?
The newly adopted Lightning policy outlining playing time is as follows:
Lightning Playing Time Policy
U12 and Under: All players shall play equally in all games.
U13 and U14: All players shall play in every game a minimum of 1/4 of the game.
U15 and above: Playing time is not equal or guaranteed and must be earned. It is the hope of LSC that coaches make every reasonable effort to ensure that all players get some playing time.

Q: Do I have to play at my age level? Or can I play up?
Our new Playing Up Policy (effective for the Fall 2008 season) (detailed below) was adopted to address this question and to correct a problem that had crept in to our club, and in some instances created a negative domino effect up and down the age groups. When kids play up, that often leaves their own age group short-changed, which can result in that age-group recruiting from the one below, which leaves that age-group short-changed, and on it goes, down the line, one team cannibalizing the next. So for the betterment of the club and for the improvement of what we offer for every age group, we felt we needed to stop this practice.

Lightning Playing Up Policy
After reviewing Lightning's position on playing up, the decision has been made that starting with the Fall 2008 season, Lightning players will play with their respective age groups. Requests for players to play up will no longer be an option. Parents of the player who would substantially benefit from playing up will be contacted directly prior to tryouts. Parents (players), always have the option to remain at the appropriate age level.

Q: When do practices start? How often, where and when?
Early Spring season training will commence by early March, and the end of August or beginning of September for the Fall season. Your coach or team parent will contact you about time and place. Generally, we are able to hold one practice per week, per team, sometimes more, depending on the availability of indoor and utdoor space. In the Spring, outdoor practices begin as soon as we can, usually by May 1st. Field locations vary season to season, so be sure to check the schedules.

Q: What if I know someone who missed try outs but would be a great addition to a team?
If there is room on a team’s Player Pool, walk-ons may try out during Early Season Training (beginning early March for Spring or late August for Fall) and, if qualified, may be invited to join during this time. They must then fill out all relevant paperwork and include full payment. (For those who also may have just moved to the Upper Valley area or who otherwise missed the scheduled tryouts, please contact the Managing Director as soon as possible to schedule an informal evaluation/tryout.)

Q: What is the team uniform?
Each calendar year Lightning provides shorts, two game jerseys, gray practice t-shirt, socks and a soccer ball to each player, U11 and up.

Q: Are mouthguards required? Other protective devices required?
Mouthguards are not required by either NH or VT Soccer Associations. However, shinguards and cleats are.

Q: What are player cards?
These are the photo identification cards we must create and have verified by the state association with a stamp. These must be shown to referees at every game. They 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.

Q: Can I also play Rec soccer?
Yes and no. Hanover Rec does not permit soccer players to play both Rec and Lightning. Norwich, Lebanon and other area towns do not impose any restrictions. Playing for both Rec and Lightning can work, if you are open with both your Rec coach and Lightning coach and work out your commitments.

Q: How do I reach Lightning with any questions or concerns?
LSC Managing Director Mike Doherty is available for questions via phone (603) 667-5819 or email: lightning.soccer@dartmouth.edu. You can also speak to any of our volunteer board members: Alex Kahan (President), Kris Graham (Vice President), John Brigham, Chris Kennedy, George Lightbody, Donna Richardson and Jeff Hastings.