Many of you reading this are probably new to youth soccer, but even if you aren't perhaps you still want to know what the difference is between the two programs.  

Let's start with "Rec." which is short for Recreation.  Rec. soccer is a type of program that's open to ALL kids within the age limits of the program, that NEVER has tryouts or drafts, every player plays equal amounts of time in every game, and teaching the game of soccer in a fun environment is the PRIMARY focus.

LRYS has rec. teams in the following age groups, U6 for kids under six as of 1 August of the current year, U8 for kids under eight as of 1 August of the current year, U10 for kids under 10 as of 1 August of the current year and U12 for kids under twelve as of 1 August of the current year.  Every kid that signs up for rec. soccer gets to play an equal amount of time regardless of their experience or ability.  Scores aren't kept in rec. below the U12 level and there are no "playoffs" at the end of the year to see who can beat who.  Realistically, kids and especially parents do keep track of the score sometimes (although they generally blame their kids for this), but as an organization we emphasize FUN, participation, effort and improvement.  All rec teams are also coed.

We encourage our coaches to become trained by the New Hampshire Soccer Association (NHSA) for the age level that they'll be coaching.  The NHSA staff has a fantastic method of training that is drawn from a continually growing body of knowledge in areas like methods of coaching technique, proper attitude, motivational techniques, sports medicine and many other aspects prescribed by the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) and other organizations as well as years of experience.  Coaches are trained to teach good technique and sportsmanship and above all, to try to develop every kid into a well rounded player that has fun and enjoys the game.

The travel program still emphasizes fun and good technique, but the competition and expectations are notched up a bit to challenge players that are ready to take their game a bit more seriously.  

As the players get older there are many reasons for separate boys and girls teams, some of them physical, some of them social.  LRYS has separate girls and boys travel teams in the U10 thru U14 divisions.  Although we offer separate teams, league regulations allow girls to play on boys teams (but not boys on girls teams) and so do we. 

As the name implies, these teams travel to other towns to play competitive games.  We're a member of the New Hampshire Seacoast Youth Soccer League (NHSYSL) and we play other member towns from Elliot to Kingston to Suncook and everywhere in between.  We hold tryouts for places on these teams so generally the players are more experienced and have more advanced skills than the average rec. player.  Another major difference is that players may or may not play equal amounts of time.  Their ability, conditioning and attitude are all fair game in determining where and when they play.  There is one notable exception to these rules, the U10 division.  In travel as in rec. the U10 division is seen as a transition from a young, beginning player to a more mature and advanced one.  As such, even in travel U10, there are no official scores and learning and fun are still strongly emphasized.

That was a rather long read, but hopefully you now have the information you need to make an appropriate choice for your child.  I also encourage every player that plays on a travel team to also play on a rec team.  It's certainly not required and not everybody has that much time, but it's very much allowed and has many benefits so don't be shy. 


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