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?

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?

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.