Tryout Process

Academy, Club Teams and Tryout - How it all works

Our Programs

Lightning Soccer runs two programs – the Academy and Travel or Club Teams.  The Academy is designed for younger ages - 5 - 11-year-old players while the Club Teams begin at U19 and progress to U18 teams.  

The Academy

The Academy is designed to help younger players develop skills and a love for the game.  The Academy’s goal is to prepare players for our Club Teams.  The Academy is open to any enthusiastic soccer player within the age range whose goal is to play Club Soccer.  At times such as the November/December Holiday Academy, we open up the Academy to all players.

The Club Teams

The Club Teams are formed in June each year and play together for a year.  The teams play in a Fall and Spring league and also participate in tournaments.  At the June tryouts, players must tryout and be selected for a Club Team.  The Club Teams for U15 and below operate on an annual cycle – tryouts in June, the team is selected in early July, practice begins in August, fall league and one tournament, winter training, spring league and two tournaments ending in June.  This allows us to work with a team for a full year and eliminates the stress and complications of multiple tryouts and team selections.   Having said that, we take a fresh look at the whole age group in June and make our best judgment for the next annual cycle at that time.

The Club Teams for high school-age players (U15-U18) only operate in the spring season.  Tryouts for these teams are in November of the preceding calendar year.

Mid-Year Changes to Club Teams U15 and below

While the Club Teams for U15 and below are designed as a year-long program, due to various factors roster spots do open up throughout the year, particularly for the Spring season.  

If a roster spot opens up, we will look to the alternates and practice players on the roster first.  If there is a good fit there, we will fill the roster spot from that pool.  If not, we will notify the players in the age group in our database of the opening and invite them to tryout.  Typically these players are playing at the Academy at this time so we tend to have a good idea on everyone’s level.  The evaluation in this case typically happens during a practice session of the team or at the Academy. 

Rarely would we “cut” a player after the Fall season to make room for a stronger player for the Spring season.  Once we commit to a player and a team in the Fall, we are strongly inclined to stay with that group for the year.  Only if there are behavioral issues or a significant drop in quality would we consider making a change mid-year.

Summary

Our plan, as stated above, is to make the very best selection at the June tryouts for our U15 teams and below and then to work with that group for an entire year before re-evaluating.  We believe this honors the reciprocal commitment we are asking from the players and families.  If there is a roster spot opening, we will look to alternates, practice players, and then the general pool of players at Lightning.

How do I determine the right age group for my child?

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 travel 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 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 15 minutes prior to their session. Your child will be given a number and will be escorted to his/her age group area.

What should my child wear?

Players should wear white 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 travel 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?

What is an Alternate?

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.