10/20/2016
In the spring of 3rd grade LUSC begins to offer two distinct programs for players to participate in.
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.
It is the desire of Lexington United to create a proper learning environment for the game of soccer which is both fun and develops proficient skills. The values of fair play and sportsmanship are ones we hope to instill in all of our participants.
The distinct programs are In-town Soccer and Travel Soccer. The four major differences between the programs are:
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 along with coaches’ feedback from the previous season. 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.
Game Locations
- The in-town program will play all their games in Lexington against other Lexington teams. Note: In an effort to promote a more robust in-town program we may partner with Arlington Soccer Club to create a greater mass of teams. If this is the case, there may be a couple of games held just over the Lexington line in Arlington.
- 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 in Arlington or Southborough depending on the other towns placed in the same division.
Scores & Standings
- 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. At older age groups there is an opportunity for post season play.
Practices and Games
- The in-town program will have a single Monday evening practice that will be a combination of technical training (45 minutes) which will be led by a pro coach followed by team training (45 minutes) which will be volunteer led. There will be a game on Saturday.
- Travel teams will practice 2 times per week (Monday Pro clinic & a team practice based on the individual coach’s preference) with a game on Saturday.
