Tryout Process
Academy, Club Teams and Tryout - How it all works
Our Programs
Lightning Soccer offers two primary pathways for player development: the Developmental Academy and the Club Team Program.
The Developmental Academy serves players ages 5–11 and focuses on building foundational technical skills, confidence, and a love for the game in a positive learning environment.
The Club Team Program begins at U9 and continues through U19. These teams compete in league play and tournaments while following a structured, long-term development model designed to challenge players and prepare them for higher levels of competition.
Together, these programs create a clear and progressive pathway for players as they grow within Lightning Soccer.
The Academy
The Academy is designed to help young players develop strong technical skills, confidence, and a genuine love for the game. Our primary objective is to prepare players for eventual placement on our Club Teams by building the proper technical foundation and understanding of the game.
The Academy is open to any motivated and enthusiastic player within the designated age range whose goal is to pursue Club Soccer. Training sessions emphasize skill development, creativity, decision-making, and enjoyment in a positive learning environment.
During select periods — such as our November/December Holiday Academy — we expand registration and open the program to all players, providing additional opportunities for growth and engagement.
Club Team Structure & Seasonal Overview
U15 and Younger (Annual Cycle)
For U15 and younger age groups, teams operate on a full-year developmental cycle. Teams compete in both the Fall and Spring leagues and participate in tournaments throughout the year:
June: Tryouts
Early July: Teams announced
August: Practices begin
Fall: League play + one tournament
Winter: Structured winter training
Spring: League play + two tournaments (season concludes in June)
This annual model allows our coaching staff to work consistently with players over an extended period, fostering development, team chemistry, and long-term growth. It also eliminates the stress and disruption of multiple tryouts and roster changes throughout the year.
Each June, we take a comprehensive look at the entire age group and make roster decisions for the upcoming seasonal cycle at that time.
High School Age (U15–U18)
For high school–aged players (U15–U18), Club Teams operate during the Spring season only.
November: Tryouts (held in the preceding calendar year)
Spring: League play and competition
This structure allows high school players to focus on their school teams in the fall while still competing at a high level in the club environment during the spring season.
Mid-Year Changes to U15 and Younger Club Teams
While U15 and younger Club Teams are structured as a full-year commitment, roster spots may occasionally become available during the season — most often heading into the Spring.
When a position opens, we first evaluate current alternates and practice players within the age group. If a strong fit is identified, the roster spot will be filled from that pool.
If no suitable option exists internally, we will notify players within the age group in our database and invite interested candidates to be evaluated. In most cases, these players are participating in our Academy program, which allows our coaching staff to already be familiar with their development level. Evaluations typically take place during a team training session or within the Academy environment.
It is important to note that we rarely make mid-year roster changes by removing a player to add another. Once we commit to a team in the Fall, we are strongly committed to that group for the full seasonal cycle. Mid-year changes would only be considered in cases involving behavioral concerns or a significant decline in commitment or performance.
Our priority is to maintain stability, trust, and long-term development within each team.
Summary
Our approach is to make the strongest and most thoughtful selections possible at the June tryouts for U15 and younger teams, and then commit to developing that group for the full seasonal year before conducting a new evaluation cycle.
We believe this model honors the reciprocal commitment we ask of our players and families — commitment to growth, teamwork, and long-term development.
If a roster position becomes available during the year, we will first evaluate alternates and practice players within the age group. If needed, we will then look to the broader pool of Lightning players to ensure the best fit for the team.
Our priority is stability, fairness, and creating an environment where players can develop with consistency and trust.
tryout FAQs
Do I need to register my child prior to attending?
Yes. Everyone (current player, past player, Academy player) who wishes to be considered for team placement must attend tryouts.
If my child is currently playing for Lightning Soccer Club do I still need to attend the tryouts?
Yes. All players who wish to be considered for team placement must attend tryouts.
How do I determine the right age group for my child?
Use the age group calculator to better understand where your child may fall.
Are the June tryouts for all LSC teams?
No, the June tryouts are for U15 and below. We will have a tryout in November for the teams U16-U18.
What if I just want to play Club Team soccer in the Spring? Do I have to tryout in June?
Yes. If you are U15 or below, you must tryout in June even if you can’t join the team until the Spring.
What should my child bring?
Players should wear dark training gear, cleats, shin-guards, and bring a water bottle; the Club will provide all additional equipment.
What do we do when we arrive at tryouts?
Please check in at the table for your child’s birth year 30 minutes prior to their session. Your child will be given a number and will be brought to his/her age group area.
What should my child wear?
Players should wear black T-shirts and black shorts. Do NOT wear club uniforms or any other clothing indicating a club or team affiliation.
Can I leave my child during the tryout sessions?
Yes, you are welcome to leave your child at the session.
Do I have to attend all of the tryouts?
The more tryouts dates you can attend, the greater the opportunity your child has to exhibit their skills. Each age group will have at least two tryouts with additional tryouts at the discretion of the Club's Director of Coaching. We encourage players to attend all of the tryouts in their respective age groups.
What if it is raining on the day of tryouts?
Tryouts may be rescheduled if there was continuous rainfall on the day of or in the days prior to tryouts. We will be in touch via the email provided when you register.
What if I missed tryouts?
Please contact the Club's Director of Coaching, Sasa Cirovic (sasa@lsc1983.com) to arrange alternate tryout dates if available.
What if my child is sick or injured during tryouts?
Please contact the Club's Director of Coaching, Sasa Cirovic (sasa@lsc1983.com) to arrange alternate tryout dates if available.
How are players evaluated and selected for Club teams?
Players will be evaluated on their technical and tactical skills as well as their mental and physical abilities. Past performance, attitude, coachability, interaction with teammates, and practice/game attendance will also be considered.
Once tryouts are over, what are the next steps?
Once tryouts have concluded, our coaches and the Director of Coaching will work together to find the appropriate team for your child. Our objective is to find a place for all players wanting to play with our club. Families will be contacted with team offers about a week after tryouts have concluded. Each player will have an acceptance deadline in which to register online. If that deadline is missed, your spot may be offered to another player.
When will I find out if my child made a team?
The roster announcement will be released one month after tryouts.
Will you communicate with me if my child does not make a team?
Yes, we will send out a communication to you at the same time the teams are announced. We are also available on the phone to discuss our decision.
When will I have to commit to the team and what happens after I commit?
You will be asked to commit within two weeks after receiving your invitation.
Who is the coach of my child’s team?
Coaches will be assigned and included on the roster announcements.
What is an Alternate?
Alternate players are qualified players who are registered and listed on the official league roster, trains with the team, and will play in games, chosen by the head coach. They may be invited to play in additional games if needed plus any tournaments.
What is Player Pool?
Players invited onto Player Pool train with the team but do NOT compete in any games during the season as they are not registered on an official league roster and thus are not eligible to play in a game. The benefit of the Player Pool position is the exposure to the team training environment and developing team tactics.
What days will my team practice and where?
Each team will have practice fields and days assigned. Normally, teams will have two (2) 75-minute team training and one one-hour Club Skill session per week.
Huntley Meadows- Norwich VT
Dresden Athletic Fields- Norwich VT
Can I also play Recreational soccer?
While it is possible to play on both a Rec. team and a Lightning team, players and families should understand that if they choose to participate in both in the same season, a player's commitment to their Lightning team must be their first priority. 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. If a Rec coach (of any sport) is understanding of your commitment to your travel team, it can work. Lightning coaches are generally very understanding of attending a Rec soccer game over a Lightning practice, but would expect players to attend Lightning practices over Rec practices. If this is agreeable to your Rec coach, the combination can work. Please discuss this with your Lightning coach.
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 and willing and able to make a strong commitment to their team. Players on Premier teams must be held to a higher level of commitment to their team. If players participate on another team, sport or activity, their commitment to their Lightning soccer team must come first.
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. However, the two organizations continue to cooperate extensively with one another.