LTRC TRAVEL SOCCER
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q – What is travel soccer and how is it different from recreation or in-house soccer?
A – The LTRC travel soccer program is designed for players whose skills and inclinations suggest participation in a more competitive environment and with a greater level of competition. Players must try out and make a travel team, whereas all players who sign up for recreation soccer get to participate.
Q – Does LTRC require their players to play recreation soccer to participate in the travel soccer program?
A – No, however, each child has the option of continuing to play recreation soccer. In fact, many of the B team players and the younger A team players participate in the recreation leagues. However, parents must be aware that if a conflict ever arises between a recreation game and a travel game, the child must play in the recreation game.
Q - If our child makes a travel team, when must we decide if he or she is playing recreation soccer?
A – Parents must notify their travel coach whether they are playing recreation soccer at the conclusion of the travel tryouts.
Q – Does my child have to register for recreation soccer if they just plan to play travel soccer?
A – Yes. All travel soccer candidates must be registered through LTRC soccer in order to participate in the tryouts. If your child makes a travel team and does not choose to participate in the recreation league, a portion of the registration fee is credited towards their travel soccer costs.
Q – How many travel teams does LTRC field?
A – If sufficient registration and talent permit, LTRC will field boys and girls A teams in Under 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 leagues. B teams are fielded in Under 10, 12 and 14 dual age groups. In limited circumstances, if there is sufficient registration and field availability, single age group B teams may be formed.
Q – Are the age groups any different than recreation soccer?
A – The date for determination of a players age (August 1st) is the same as in recreation soccer. However, since travel soccer offers play in single age groups, a child born on July 1, 1998 would be 10 years old as of August 1, 2008, and would play in Under 11 if on the A team, or Under 12 if on the B team.
Q – When do tryouts occur?
A – Tryouts for the A and B teams generally start in late May or early June. Unless delayed by weather problems or field availability, all tryouts will be concluded by the end of the public school year.
Q – Can my child tryout for a B team without attending the A team tryouts??
A – Yes. All A and B team tryouts for a particular age group will be held at the same time. Players will be given the choice of trying out for either the A or B team. However, if a B team coach has not been selected at the time the tryouts are held, the A and B sessions will be combined.
Q – Does my child have to attend all the tryout sessions to be eligible for the A or B team?
A – There are four tryouts for the A and B teams. We recognize that most of the kids are involved in other sports or activities at this time; thus, they must be present for a minimum of two tryout sessions in order to be considered as a candidate for a travel team. Any exceptions to this rule must be approved by both the travel coordinator and the program coordinator. However, the more tryout sessions attended, the better the chance that the player has to be evaluated. In certain circumstances, the B team coaches may hold an additional tryout in order to thoroughly evaluate all the players.
Q – How many players are kept on each team?
A – Depending on registration and talent levels, the Under 10 and below teams (playing on a small field) will generally keep 11-13 players. The Under 11 and above teams (playing on a regular field) will generally keep 15-18 players.
Q – Who picks the teams? What skills are evaluated by the coaches?
A – The coaches for a particular age group are responsible for evaluating the players and choosing the team. Players are evaluated not only on their soccer skills, but also on fitness, agility, team play, cooperation and attentiveness. For the Under 8 teams and any team where a coach has not yet been determined, the Travel Coordinator will make the decisions, and coaches will be chosen from the parents of players who have made the team.
Q – Do the coaches keep only the kids who made the team in prior years?
A – Every coach is responsible for evaluating all the players and giving each one a chance to make a team. Players who were on the team in prior years must tryout like everyone else. There are generally openings on all teams due to kids moving, changing sports or other reasons.
Q – When are the cuts made?
A – Coaches may begin to cut players after they have attended at least two tryout sessions. If a player is cut from the A team, it is the coach’s option whether or not to invite that player to tryout for the B team.
Q – How often do the travel teams practice and when do practices start?
A – Practice frequency is left to the discretion of the coaches. Most teams begin some kind of practicing over the summer, with the frequency picking up in August. Teams who play in both Saturday and Sunday leagues in the fall may practice two nights a week. Teams who play only in Sunday leagues generally practice once a week.
Q – When does the season start, and how frequently do the teams play?
A – Most teams play in weekend tournaments in late August. The weekend games generally start the weekend after Labor Day. The majority of the A teams play in both Saturday and Sunday leagues, while most B teams only play in Sunday leagues. However, it is left up to the discretion of the coaches with input from the parents. We do have A teams that only play on Sundays, and B teams who play on Saturday and Sunday.
Q – How much travel is really involved?
A – The leagues and tournaments that are entered for a particular team are chosen by the coaches with some input from the parents. Most teams play in Beltway or Harford County leagues, thus the travel for away games is within a 20-40 minute drive. Many of the older age group teams will enter out of town tournaments where weekend travel is required.
Q – How much does it cost to play travel soccer?
A – In addition to the fee of $75 paid at registration, players must buy uniforms (approximately $60-$90). Additional costs per team depend on the leagues entered and the number and location of tournaments played and will range from $75-$200, excluding out of town travel expenses. These costs are not paid until the team is selected and the coach completes a budget for the season.
Q - Is my child guaranteed to play at least a half of a game like he or she would be in recreational soccer?
A – We encourage all travel coaches to be sensitive to the mission and program constitution of LTRC soccer. Each coach is given suggested guidelines. However, the amount of playing time for travel players is not guaranteed.
Q – My child is an accomplished player, and is good enough to make a team in an older age group. Are they allowed to play up for an older LTRC age group?
A – While we recognize that some kids could make an older age group team, LTRC does not allow players to play out of their designated age group.
Q – How soon after registration will we be called about travel tryouts?
A – Registration for travel tryouts will be open until mid-May. Once all the data is accumulated and given to the coaches, they will contact prospective players by phone or e-mail. We will make every effort to post the tryout dates and times on our website at www.ltrcsoccer.org.
Q – I’ve heard that my child will need a picture identification card. How do I get one?
A – All players who participate in travel soccer need a laminated ID card that can be obtained at various locations prior to the season (see your coach) or from the Motor Vehicle Administration. If a team participates in an out of state tournament, a second ID card from a national soccer association will generally be required for each player
Q – What if I move into the area after the travel teams are selected?
A – All team rosters are finalized at the end of tryouts. Any exceptions to this rule must be approved by the travel coordinator and program coordinator.
Q – What is the County Cup?
A – The County Cup is a soccer tournament for recreation and CYO teams that is sponsored by LTRC. It is held the last weekend in August and all LTRC travel teams participate. This is our biggest fundraiser for LTRC Soccer.
Q – Are there opportunities for parents to volunteer?
A – Yes. All parents are required to fill volunteer slots for their child’s team at the County Cup and Soccer Day. These events help to defray the costs of running the travel soccer program. There are also other opportunities to help organize snacks, travel plans and other administrative duties.
Q – What if I have other questions?
A – You can e-mail questions to ltrcsoccercommish@comcast.net, or contact the boys or girls Travel Coordinators listed under Board Members on the website.
