Travel Program

Nazareth Soccer Club Travel Program

 

The Nazareth Area Soccer Club offers an opportunity to players who are interested in developing their soccer skills beyond recreational soccer.  This opportunity is our Travel program.  Travel soccer allows players to match up against other competitive soccer teams in the Lehigh valley.  The Nazareth Soccer Club Travel program begins at the U10 (9 years old) age group.

COMMITMENT

Travel requires a commitment of time from both player and parents.  Players are expected to train at least twice a week.  Games are played both in and out of town.  Most games are within a 30-mile radius of Nazareth.  Game days can be Saturdays or Sundays.  A normal schedule would contain five home and five away games.  Teams are encouraged to enter tournaments each season. 

FEES

There are often additional fees associated with tournament participation, training both in and out of season, and for additional equipment.  Fees will vary from season to season and are in addition to the registration fee paid during sign-ups.  Additional fees usually are under $75 however fees are subject to change.  The travel coach will communicate additional fee costs prior to the start of the season.  If fees become prohibitive, players can move back to a recreational team prior to the start of the travel season.

 COACHING PHILOSOPHY

Coaching is based on the physical, cognitive, and emotional level of the players.  Player development is the goal of each season.  Unlike the Recreation League, players are not guaranteed equal playing time.  Skill level, commitment to attending and fully participating in training sessions, number of players on the team, and competition level of the opposing team can influence individual playing time.  U10 teams emphasis will be on technical development with some team play tactics.  As the players develop U12 teams emphasis will be on technical development with increased emphasis on team play tactics.  As players then advance to U14 teams and above they should have learned technical development and will concentrate on team play tactics.

COACHES

It is important that coaches and assistant coaches show interest in improving their knowledge of the game and skills development.  Travel coaches are licensed and are encouraged to continuously improve their soccer knowledge so as to be able to provide a more in depth learning opportunity for all travel players.  The NSC travel director selects coaches based on the coach’s experience, commitment, training, and ability to relate to the players.  Coaches and assistants are required to follow the philosophy of the NSC travel program.

TRAINERS

Trainers may be used to enhance player development in the travel program.  When available, trainers will be assigned to work with teams.  Trainers will assist the parent coach in developing the team and individual players.  Due to the cost factor, we do not use trainers as team coaches.  They are used to supplement the head coaches training of the team.

TOURNAMENTS

Travel teams are encouraged to participate in tournaments throughout the season.  Tournaments offer the opportunity to play against other squads from outside the region and from outside the State.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TRAVEL SOCCER

The NSC has proudly supported an outdoor soccer program for many years.  Our organization has always tried to promote youth soccer and provide playing and development opportunities for the most players possible, both through recreational and travel programs.

TRYOUTS

Evaluators will look at the player's technique in passing, dribbling, ability to take instruction, understanding of fundamentals of play, team cooperation, methods of attack, defensive ability among other things.  Any age appropriate player may tryout for the travel program.  Tryouts are held on two different days.  This gives evaluators a chance to look at the player on two different occasions.  Players could have an ���off” day one day and play well the next.  Players are then ranked from the tryouts. Teams are formed as quickly as possible after tryouts.  Players and parents will be notified of the player's status in a timely fashion after teams are formed.  Coaching assignments cannot be confirmed until after teams are formed. 

 

Future Use