Lynnfield Youth Soccer Club

Evaluation Process for Traveling Program

For the U-10, U-12, U-14 and U-16 programs, all teams are traveling teams.  This means that in the fall and spring season, four games will be in Lynnfield, and four games will be away against opponents from around Essex County. 

At the traveling level, teams are formed based on coaches’ input and the independent evaluators’ input.  Based on the coach and the independent evaluator, players are placed on respective teams.  Evaluations are conducting throughout the spring season, with MPS coaches evaluating players during actual games.  This is the fairest way to conduct independent evaluations.  For those players who do not play in the spring, and/or who have not played in successive seasons prior to the season in which they desire to play, MPS conducts a one-night tryout in the beginning of June.  All players who intend to play in either/both of the coming fall and spring soccer seasons must have a spring season independent evaluation score or a tryout score.

Players who were age-eligible for the Lynnfield Youth Soccer Club’s traveling program (U-10 and above) are evaluated in two ways:

1.      Coach evaluation.  These evaluations were compiled from the coach observing his/her players throughout the season.  Players were evaluated on technical skills, tactical skills, athletic ability, mentality, and team play.  A weighting system is then applied to coaches rankings based on the respective levels of teams within an age and gender group.

2.      Independent Evaluation.  The independent evaluations were compiled through observations conducted by Mass Premier Soccer coaches.  The independent evaluators evaluated players on technical skills, tactical skills, athletic ability, mentality, and team play. 

Coaches’ evaluation counts for 2/3 of the total and MPS evaluations count for 1/3 of the total player score.

Player Selection

The review panel (LYSC Board of Directors) meets to review all players at all traveling team levels and, based on adding the ranking scores from the coaches and independent evaluators (players moving up from one age group to the next are also given an additional weighted points), players are appropriately placed on respective teams. Final ranking scores are viewed only by the LYSC board.

The results of team placement remain confidential until the selection of coaches takes place. 

LYSC puts a lot of time and energy into making sure we have a fair system for placing players. Every effort is made to place players to commensurate with their skill level.  One example of this is investing in MPS to provide impartial evaluations of our players during actual game situations.  This is recognized as the best and fairest way to do independent evaluations.

Another example is the time and energy spent to benchmark other towns across the country to ensure we are doing things the best we can. 

There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes so that when coaches and players step on the field, all they have to think about is having fun playing soccer.

Important Travel Team Notes for PARENTS

1. Team placement for the coming year takes place after the spring season.
2. All players who are age-eligible for traveling teams must have a spring try-out score.
3. Players who play in the spring are evaluated during home games.  Please make sure your players attend all home games.
4. Players who do not play in the spring must come to a one-night tryout.
5. Parents must make sure their child(ren) wear the same game jersey number for the entire year.

All placements are final for the Fall Season!

Parents may petition the LYSC board after the fall season for a spring season adjustment.  For parent’s to petition the board in appeal, they must submit in writing, to LYSC Traveling Director a coach’s evaluation and a coach’s recommendation by no later than November 1^st .  The appeal will come before the board at the December meeting and be voted on by the board, with a majority vote prevailing.

Important Travel Team Notes for COACHES

1. Coaches must make sure their players play in all home games to ensure they receive proper evaluations.
2. Coaches must check in with the MPS coach prior to each home game to approve the names and jersey numbers on the MPS evaluation list to ensure accuracy.
3. Coaches must have their respective player evaluations in on time to be eligible to coach in the following season.