In Depth Look at Girls/Boys Division Information

Division In Depth Info
U3

We understand that for some children this will be their first experience in an organized sport, so we want to make it an easy transition from the sidelines to the field. When you arrive at the field for your scheduled U3 time slot, or ‘game’, the children will start with some fun activities and drills run by Mark Ruest that will get them comfortable moving the ball around and getting to know their teammates. The players participate and practice with a parent or guardian and the groups are overseen by a coach, with Mark Ruest guiding and assisting. Each week your child will want to bring a size 3 soccer ball, a water bottle, and a snack. Cleats and shin guards are encouraged, but not required. Your child will receive a uniform shirt and pair of socks.

 

U4

We understand that for some children this will be their first experience in an organized sport, so we want to make it an easy transition from the sidelines to the field. When you arrive at the field for your scheduled U4 time slot, or ‘game’, the children will start with some fun activities and drills run by Mark Ruest that will get them comfortable moving the ball around and getting to know their teammates. The players participate and practice with a parent or guardian and the groups are overseen by a coach, with Mark Ruest guiding and assisting. Each week your child will want to bring a size 3 soccer ball, a water bottle, and a snack. Cleats and shin guards are encouraged, but not required. Your child will receive a uniform shirt and pair of socks.

 

U5

This 4v4 league is a mixture of children who have had some experience in the U4 league, and children who have never played an organized sport. The purpose of this league is for children to learn how to move the ball around the field, work with their teammates, and build their confidence. While some children may still need their parents close by, we hope that by the end of the season they will be able to excitedly leave their parents on the sidelines to join their teammates with confidence. When you arrive at the field for your U5 game, the children will meet up with their coach and teammates for some warming up, fun drills and games, and to work on some of their ball skills. They will learn to pass to each other and working together to get the ball in the net. After some skill work your child’s team and another team will have a short scrimmage where they will put all that practice to the test in a low pressure, fun filled way. There is no goalie in U5 so everyone gets a chance to practice being offense and defense. The most important part of this scrimmage is to use their skills while enjoying the game and having fun. Each week your child will want to bring a size 3 soccer ball, a water bottle, and a snack. Cleats and shin guards are highly recommended in this league, but they are not required. Your child will receive a shirt and socks as their uniform. Coaches are parents of players on each team who must pass a Kid Safe background check. We offer coaches clinics and resources for new coaches who are unfamiliar with the game and who want to coach. The maximum number of players rostered for each U5 team is 8. There are no weekly practices in this division. Rather, drills and skills take place each Saturday during their scheduled games or with Mark Ruest. Games are held at West Road Continental Park, field 2A-1 and 2A-2. The FALL season typically runs for 8 weeks, beginning the Saturday after Labor Day (Opening Day), and ending the last weekend in October. The SPRING season also runs for 8 weeks, beginning in early May and ending later in June. Players receive individual medals at the end of the playing season. Teams will alternate each week throughout the season working with professional trainer, Mark Ruest in an academy style setting.

 

U6

This 4v4 league is a mixture of children who have had some experience in the U4 /U5 league, and children who have never played an organized sport. The purpose of this league is for children to learn how to move the ball around the field, work with their teammates, and build their confidence. While some children may still need their parents close by, we hope that by the end of the season they will be able to excitedly leave their parents on the sidelines to join their teammates with confidence. When you arrive at the field for your U6 game, the children will meet up with their coach and teammates for some warming up, fun drills and games, and to work on some of their ball skills. They will learn to pass to each other and working together to get the ball in the net. After some skill work your child’s team and another team will have a short scrimmage where they will put all that practice to the test in a low pressure, fun filled way. There is no goalie in U6 so everyone gets a chance to practice being offense and defense. The most important part of this scrimmage is to use their skills while enjoying the game and having fun. Each week your child will want to bring a size 3 soccer ball, a water bottle, and a snack. Cleats and shin guards are highly recommended in this league, but they are not required. Your child will receive a shirt and socks as their uniform. Coaches are parents of players on each team who must pass a Kid Safe background check. We offer coaches clinics and resources for new coaches who are unfamiliar with the game and who want to coach. Teams will alternate each week throughout the season working with professional trainer, Mark Ruest in an academy style setting. The maximum number of players rostered for each U5 team is 8. There are no weekly practices in this division. Rather, drills and skills take place each Saturday during their scheduled games or with Mark Ruest. Games are held at West Road Continental Park, field 2A-1 and 2A-2. The FALL season typically runs for 8 weeks, beginning the Saturday after Labor Day (Opening Day), and ending the last weekend in October. The SPRING season also runs for 8 weeks, beginning in early May and ending later in June. Players receive individual medals at the end of the playing season.

 

U7

This 5v5 league will have a maximum number of 8 players.  Coaches will also run the weekly games, which are four 12-minute quarters with a brief break in between. Coaches work with Londonderry High Lancer varsity soccer players who mentor during Saturday games in the fall. Games are held at West Road Continental Park, fields 2B-2C. Practices are held once a week for an hour in an academy style setting, run by Mark Ruest with coaches assisting, on field 2B-2C in the fall, field 5 in the spring. The FALL season typically runs for 8 weeks, beginning the Saturday after Labor Day (Opening Day), and ending the last weekend in October. The SPRING season also runs 8 weeks, beginning in early May and ending later in June. Players in the U3-U10 divisions receive individual medals at the end of the playing season. While our older divisions are coed, we separate the boys and girls in this division. Statistics show that girls will build more confidence and enjoy playing more when playing with girls of their age level. The maximum number of players rostered for each U7 team is 8. Coaches will also run the weekly games, which are four 15-minute quarters with a brief break in between. The players use a size 3 soccer ball provided by the league. They are encouraged to bring their own soccer ball for practices, which are weekly 1-hour long practices. Players practice in academy style training sessions run by training professional Mark Ruest every week, with the coaches assisting him. Coaches are parents of players on each team who must pass a Kid Safe background check. We offer coaches clinics and resources for new coaches who are unfamiliar with the game and who want to coach. Players are provided with a uniform shirt. They should wear shorts, socks, shin guards, and outdoor soccer cleats and bring a water bottle to practices and games. The FALL season typically runs for 8 weeks, beginning the Saturday after Labor Day (Opening Day), and ending the last weekend in October. The SPRING season also runs 8 weeks, beginning in early May and ending later in June. Players receive individual medals at the end of the playing season.

 

U8

This 5v5 league will have a maximum number of 8 players. Coaches will also run the weekly games, which are four 12-minute quarters with a brief break in between. U8 team coaches work with Londonderry High Lancer varsity soccer players who mentor during Saturday games in the fall. Games are held at West Road Continental Park, fields 2B-2C. Practices are held once a week for an hour in an academy style setting, run by Mark Ruest with coaches assisting, on field 2B-2C in the fall, field 5 in the spring. The FALL season typically runs for 8 weeks, beginning the Saturday after Labor Day (Opening Day), and ending the last weekend in October. The SPRING season also runs 8 weeks, beginning in early May and ending later in June. Players receive individual medals at the end of the playing season. While our other divisions are coed, we separate the boys and girls in this division. Statistics show that girls will build more confidence and enjoy playing more when playing with girls of their age level. The maximum number of players rostered for each U8 team is 8. Coaches will also run the weekly games, which are four 15-minute quarters with a brief break in between. The players use a size 3 soccer ball provided by the league. They are encouraged to bring their own soccer ball for practices, which are weekly 1-hour long practices. Players practice in academy style training sessions run by training professional Mark Ruest every week, with the coaches assisting him. Coaches are parents of players on each team who must pass a Kid Safe background check. We offer coaches clinics and resources for new coaches who are unfamiliar with the game and who want to coach. Players are provided with a uniform shirt. They should wear shorts, socks, shin guards, and outdoor soccer cleats and bring a water bottle to practices and games. The FALL season typically runs for 8 weeks, beginning the Saturday after Labor Day (Opening Day), and ending the last weekend in October. The SPRING season also runs 8 weeks, beginning in early May and ending later in June. Players receive individual medals at the end of the playing season.

 

U9/U10

The U9/10 league is for children turning 8 or 9 that calendar year. U9/10 plays a 7v7 format (1 goalie, 3 defenders, 3 forward/strikers), where players are encouraged to rotate and play all positions. Like in the younger divisions, players are taught the basic skills involved in playing soccer, but getting them to play their positions is emphasized. They are taught to improve their dribbling, passing, positioning, etc. We do not enforce the "off sides" rule in this division. Players use a size 4 soccer ball provided by the league. They are encouraged to bring their own soccer ball for practices, which are weekly 1-hour long practices. Coaches are parents of players on each team who must pass a Kid Safe background check. We offer coaches clinics and resources for new coaches who are unfamiliar with the game and who want to coach. Players are provided with a uniform shirt. They should wear shorts, socks, shin guards, and outdoor soccer cleats and bring a water bottle to practices and games. The maximum number of players rostered for each U10 team is 12. A certified referee will run the weekly games, which are two 25-minute halves with a 3-5 minute break in between. Games and practices are held at West Road Continental Park. Games and practices are held on field 2B or 2C. The FALL season typically runs for 8 weeks, beginning the Saturday after Labor Day (Opening Day), and ending around the last weekend in October. SPRING season also runs 8 weeks, beginning in early May and ending later in June. Players receive individual medals at the end of the playing season.

 

U11/U12

The U11/12 league is for children turning 10 or 11 that calendar year. U11/12 plays a 9 v 9 format, where players are encouraged to rotate and play positions where they are most skilled. They are taught to improve their dribbling, passing, positioning, etc. and the "off sides" rule is enforced in this division. Players use a size 4 soccer ball provided by the league. They are encouraged to bring their own soccer ball for practices, which are weekly 1.5-hour long sessions run by the coaches. Coaches are parents of players on each team who must pass a Kid Safe background check. We offer coaches clinics and resources for new coaches who are unfamiliar with the game and who want to coach. Players are provided with a uniform shirt, shorts, and soccer socks. They should wear shin guards, and outdoor soccer cleats and bring a water bottle to practices and games. The maximum number of players rostered for each U12 team is 15. Three certified referees will run the weekly games (1 center ref, 2 line refs), which are two 30-minute halves with a 10 minute break in between. Home games and practices are held at West Road Continental Park. Practices are on field 1 in the fall and 6 in the spring, while games are held on field 6. As kids get older, the number of registrations tend to drop. LSC aims to field enough U11/U12 teams to play each other at Home each week of the season. However, if player registration numbers do not permit, our club will participate in a local Inter-town rec league, which includes surrounding towns such as Salem, Derry, Windham, Hampstead and Chester. Weekly games would be rotated and alternated between Home and Away games. Please refer to the U12 rules here. U12 Operating Rules.

U13-U15 Middle School

The U15 league is for children turning 12-14 years old that calendar year and will include only U15 players who are in 8th grade. U15 plays an 11v11 format (1 goalie, 3 defenders, 2 outside midfielders, 2 inside midfielders, 3 strikers), where players are encouraged to rotate and play positions where they are most skilled. They will play a 9v9 format if registration numbers don't allow them to play 11v11. They are taught to improve their dribbling, passing, positioning, etc. and the "off sides" rule is enforced in this division. Players use a size 5 soccer ball provided by the league. They are encouraged to bring their own soccer ball for practices, which are weekly 1.5-hour long sessions run by the coaches. Coaches are parents of players on each team who must pass a Kid Safe background check. We offer coaches clinics and resources for new coaches who are unfamiliar with the game and who want to coach. Players are provided with a uniform (shirt and shorts) and soccer socks. They should wear shin guards, and outdoor soccer cleats and bring a water bottle to practices and games. The maximum number of players rostered for each U15 team is 18. Three certified referees will run the weekly games (1 center ref, 2 line refs), which are two 35-minute halves with a 10-15 minute break in between. Home games and practices are held at West Road Continental Park, field 7 for 11v11 or 6 for 9v9. Please refer to the U15 rules here. U15 Operating Rules

U15-U19 High School

The U18 league is for children turning 15-18 years old that calendar year and will include U15 players who have entered high school. U19 plays an 11v11 format (1 goalie, 3 defenders, 2 outside midfielders, 2 inside midfielders, 3 strikers), where players are encouraged to rotate and play positions where they are most skilled. They are taught to improve their dribbling, passing, positioning, etc. and the "off sides" rule is enforced in this division. Players use a size 5 soccer ball provided by the league. They are encouraged to bring their own soccer ball for practices, which are weekly 1.5-hour long sessions run by the coaches. Coaches are parents of players on each team who must pass a Kid Safe background check. We offer coaches clinics and resources for new coaches who are unfamiliar with the game and who want to coach. Players are provided with a uniform (shirt and shorts) and soccer socks. They should wear shin guards, and outdoor soccer cleats and bring a water bottle to practices and games. The maximum number of players rostered for each U18 team is 18. Three certified referees will run the weekly games (1 center ref, 2 line refs), which are two 35-minute halves with a 10-15 minute break in between. Home games and practices are held at West Road Continental Park. Practices are on field 1 in the fall and 7 in the spring, and games are on either field 3 or 7. As kids get older, the number of registrations tend to drop. To ensure that teams aren't playing each other week after week, our league participates in other local Inter-town rec leagues, such as Salem, Derry, Windham, Hampstead and Chester. Weekly games are rotated and alternate from home and away games. If we do not have enough players register to be able to form a team, registered players will be reimbursed. This is typical only for our spring season. Please refer to the U18 rules here. U18 Operating Rules