Hi 3rd Grade Soccer Families,
In the spring of 3rd grade, LUSC families begin to have the option of having their child participate in either in-town or travel soccer (see note below about choosing). For spring 2019 travel soccer, LUSC will be conducting its 3rd grade/U9 player evaluation session on Saturday, November 17th at Lincoln #2.
If your child does decide to participate in the travel program for the coming spring, it is important that you make every effort possible to have him or her participate in the evaluation. The data collected will be a critical component for proper team placement. Note: This session is for 3rd grade players only.
Evaluation times:
. 3rd Grade Girls: 11/18 11-3:30pm
All: 11:00pm-12:30pm
. 3rd Grade Boys: 11/18 11-3:30pm
Last names A-M: 12:30pm-2:00pm
Last names N-Z: 2:00pm-3:30pm
Please arrive 20 minutes ahead of time and sign in (look for the table near the field). Your child must sign in to participate.
There is no fee associated with the evaluation.
Participating in the evaluation is not the same as registering for the spring 2019 travel program. Registration for the spring 2019 travel soccer will open in the next couple of weeks at https://lexingtonunited.org A player must be registered by the registration deadline (December 1) in order to guarantee a spot on a travel team.
Please Note: This is an evaluation not a tryout! The difference is that no player is “cut” or excluded from playing travel soccer. LUSC will offer as many travel teams in the 3rd grade age group as registration numbers dictate. However, the evaluations are vital in that they help place the players on the proper team from a skill-based standpoint. Having proper skill-based teams helps aid in the continued development and enjoyment of those that choose to play travel soccer.
Please see additional information below regarding the format, frequently asked questions and the choice between travel and in-town soccer. Thanks for considering the programs we are offering this season. Please select the appropriate program from an enjoyment, development and commitment standpoint.
Sincerely,
Brendan Donahue
LUSC DOC
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Evaluation Format: The majority of the LUSC Evaluation will involve placing players in small sided games (4v4 or 5v5). Small-sided games provide players with the opportunity to have maximum touches on the ball as well as the opportunity to make numerous decisions in a game-like environment in a short period of time. Evaluators will be observing a player’s comfort level on the ball (technique), decision making ability (tactics), and athleticism. Another reason for placing players in small-sided games is that it is a familiar environment for most, if not all, LUSC players. Hopefully, this takes away some of the anxiety that a more structured format may bring, while also allowing evaluators to observe the players in “game” conditions.
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FAQs:
How important is it that we attend?
It is very important that every player come to the evaluation. The evaluations from this process plus the input and evaluations from this year’s coaches are the factors used for placing your child on a team that is developmentally appropriate.
Who conducts the evaluations?
While the evaluations are organized by LUSC, the evaluators are professional coaches from outside Lexington to keep the ratings independent. The evaluators may include college coaches, high school coaches, club coaches and so forth. A rotation process is used so that every child is evaluated by multiple evaluators.
What if my child is unsure about playing travel soccer next year?
Come to the evaluation! If the player decides to participate in the travel program in the spring, this data will be used, along with coaches’ input, for appropriate placement. If the player chooses to remain in-town, the information can be used to help balance the teams for the spring.
What if my child isn’t in the “typical grade” for his/her age?
For travel soccer teams, LUSC follows the rules set by BAYS, the league in which we play. U9/3rd grade soccer for the spring 2019 season is for children enrolled in 3rd grade, and typically born from September 1, 2009 to August 31, 2010. However, 3rd graders outside of this age range are usually allowed as well without a waiver. More info can be found here: https://lexingtonunited.org/lusc-age-group-policy
Is there another evaluation time for travel soccer?
No. This is it. Please attend.
Can parents watch the evaluation?
Parents are welcome to watch from a designated area, but must not involve themselves in the process. Please refrain from cheering one group or another and make no specific remarks to any player.
What equipment do kids bring?
Please have players come as they would for a practice, including water bottle, properly inflated ball, shin guards, cleats or sneakers and sunscreen / bug repellent, if appropriate.
How should players dress?
Players should dress like they do for practice. However, players should not wear jerseys from teams they play on (for example, LPDA, Skills Academy, NEFC, etc.).
When will I learn the results of the process?
Team formations typically are finalized and communicated in February.
What if my child really truly cannot attend?
Please notify your coach and the division director. We will do our best to place your child appropriately with the data that we do have.
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Choosing between travel soccer and in-town soccer
It is the desire of Lexington United to create a proper learning environment for the game of soccer that is both fun and develops proficient skills in the game of soccer. The values of fair play and sportsmanship are ones we hope to instill in all of our participants. LUSC offers two distinct programs for 3rd and 4th grade players.
Please consider the differences in philosophy and commitment between the two programs prior to selecting the one that is appropriate for your child. The game of soccer is a team sport, therefore attendance at practice sessions is important for the development of not only the individual, but the group as a unit.
The two programs are In-town Soccer and Travel Soccer. The four major differences between the programs are:
(1) Team Formation
The in-town program forms teams by mixing players of varying abilities in an effort to provide balanced teams to ensure that games will be competitive each weekend with no team having more “strong” players than another team. In-town teams will often try to accommodate requests to place friends together on the same team as long as team balance is maintained.
Travel teams are formed through placing similarly skilled players on the same team. Teams are formed and then adjusted each year on the basis of player evaluations that are conducted each year by independent evaluators. Minor adjustments to teams may be made between fall and spring to accommodate such things as: changes in fall to spring registration numbers, new players moving into Lexington, and significant changes to a player’s performance during the fall season.
Note that both In-town and Travel Teams are volunteer coached.
(2) Game Locations
The in-town program will play all their games in Lexington against other Lexington teams.
Travel teams are placed in the Boston Area Youth Soccer League (BAYS) and are placed in divisions with other towns according to team ability. Travel teams will play half of their games in Lexington and half in other BAYS towns. These away games could be as close as Arlington or as far away as Southborough depending on the other towns placed in the same division.
(3) Scores, Standings, Post Season Play
In the in-town program, no scores are kept during the game and no standings maintained. There is no post season play.
While LUSC places no emphasis on winning (or losing), the BAYS travel league does maintain an on-line system of scores and standings. For U12 ages and above BAYS offers the possibility in the spring of post season play and participation in a statewide tournament.
(4) Practices and Games
The in-town program has a single Monday evening practice that is a combination of technical training (45 minutes), which is led by a pro coach, followed by team training (45 minutes), which is volunteer led. There is a game on Saturday.
Travel teams practice 2 times per week (Monday Pro clinic and a team practice based on the individual coach’s preference) with a game on Saturday.
For more details, please see these links:
https://lexingtonunited.org/u9-u10-in-town-programs/
https://lexingtonunited.org/travel-soccer/
https://lexingtonunited.org/evaluations/
https://lexingtonunited.org/team-formation/
