Team Building Guidelines

A parent, a player, or a coach is welcome to recruit players and coaches of their choosing to build a team.  LSA is offering the following guidelines for team building:

Please contact existing board members or other coaches if you need help recruiting players.  We would love to help you build a good team.

Summer is a busy time with many scheduling vacations so it is wise to have many substitutes.

Skill diversity in players is important to creating a team.  Recruiting the twelve best players in a league may not be the best if all twelve usually play right forward and your team lacks a goalie.

These leagues are designed to be recreational, however, the skill level of the league may be higher than LSA’s fall and spring leagues.  It may be prudent to recruit a diversity of ages and sexes for your team. 

Recruit team members (and parents) that will form a cohesive group.  Recruiting a player that your child hates may make for a long season.

REMEMBER THIS IS FOR OUR KIDS!!!  This is not an exhibition on how good of a coach or recruiter you are.  You are not going to be offered an MLS or college coaching contract based on the league standing at the end of the season.

Having said that, however, good coaching is critical to the development of our children’s skills.  Spend time researching good coaching techniques or recruiting good coaches.  LSA or the Internet has coaching material at your disposal for your education (See USYSA website: http://usyouthsoccer.org/).

Avoid early excessive specialization, excessive uneven play time, and preferential treatment when dealing with problem behaviors.

Try to avoid thinking that this league will make or break your child’s future.  “Some may perceive that is one step of many to follow. The next goal might be "Club Soccer," then high school varsity soccer, then possibly a full soccer scholarship in college, etc. This approach leaves no "time to waste" while playing for fun and friendship.”  While we certainly encourage skill development at this level, this league will not make or break your child's opportunity for a college scholarship in soccer.