Q – What is travel soccer and how is it different from recreation soccer?
A – Plainfield Revolution travel soccer is targeted at players whose skills and inclinations suggest participation in a more competitive environment. Players must try out for and make a travel team, whereas, subject to space limitations, all players who sign up for recreation soccer participate.

Q – How do I register my child for the tryout?
A – Within a couple of weeks we will post a registration link for the tryouts.  There is no cost to register for the tryout.  We do this to be able to see how many players we will have for each age group to gauge whether or not we will have enough kids to fill a team in each group.

Q – Does my child have to live in Plainfield to play on a Revolution Travel team?
A – No we have recently changed the guidelines for this rule.  We invite anyone to come out and try out for a Revolution Travel team.  We have opened up our tryouts to children outside of Plainfield as well in order to improve our chances of being able to fill more teams at each age group.  The registration fee for players outside of Plainfield is different.  You can see those fees further down the page.

Q – How many travel teams does Plainfield Revolultion field?
A – We are looking to fill several teams for the 2023-2024 season to build on to the successful season the 5 teams had this past season.

Q – What qualifications do our coaches have?
A – Our Revolution Travel teams are run by volunteer coaches whose child has qualified for that level team or is an experienced coach with no children on that team.   All Club coaches must possess an F License issued by the US Soccer, but all coaches are encouraged to continue their education to obtain higher-level certification. 

Q – When do tryouts occur?
A – Team tryouts generally occur early to mid June.  Typically there are 2-3 days set aside for tryouts to make sure the coaches are able to evaluate each and every player evenly.  Indiana Soccer sets the dates for all travel tryouts for the state of Indiana.  Messages will be sent out prior to tryouts to ensure everyone is aware of them.

Q – Does my child have to attend all the tryout sessions to be eligible for the team?
A – Although we understand that many players are involved in other activities during tryout season, attendance at each practice is highly recommended.  Any exceptions to this must be approved by both the travel coordinator. and the leadership for the individual team.  The more tryout sessions attended, the better the chance to properly evaluate the player.

Q – Can I stay and watch tryouts?
A – Although we can’t force you to not attend tryouts as some parents don’t feel comfortable leaving their kids at the fields for an hour or 2.  In order for coaches to properly evaluate players, we ask all parents to refrain from coaching their child during the tryout process. The coaches need to be able to see players in action, working on their own, thinking on their own and solving the problems of the game. If a player instead is simply following instructions from Mom and Day on the sideline, then the coaches will assume the player has no ability to think on the field. It is therefore in each child's interest for parents to simply stay out of the way and remain quiet on the sidelines while they are playing. 

Q – How many players are kept on each team?
A – Depending on registration and talent levels, the Under 12 and below teams (playing either 9v9 or 7v7 on a small field) will generally keep 11-14 players. The Under 13 and above teams (playing 11v11 soccer on a regular field) generally keep 15-18 players.

Q – Who picks the teams?  What skills are evaluated by the coaches?
A – The coaches for a particular age group are responsible for evaluating the players and choosing the team. Players are evaluated on their soccer skills, fitness, agility, team play, cooperation and attentiveness.

Q – Do the coaches keep only the players who made the team in prior years?
A – Coaches evaluate all players, both new and returning players. There are usually openings on teams due to players moving, changing sports or other reasons.

Q – When are team determinations made?
A – Typically, team determinations are made within 4-5 days of the team's last try-out.

Q – How often do the travel teams practice and when do practices start?
A – Practice frequency is left to the discretion of the coaches. Most teams begin meeting over the summer, with the frequency picking up in August.  In season, teams typically meet for 2 practices per week.

Q – When does the season start?
A – All Plainfield Revolution Travel teams play under the Indiana Soccer League (ISL).  Weekend league games typically start in late August to early September.  Some of our teams may decide to play in a tournament that could be scheduled before the league games start.

Q – How much travel is involved?
A – Coaches for particular teams select the division and tournaments that their teams enter.  Most teams play in one of two local tournaments as well as league games.  Approximately half of a team’s matches are home.  Most travel for away games is within a 30-60 minute drive.

Q – How much does it cost to play travel soccer?
A – Our Revolution Travel teams are happy to be able to offer an affordable travel option to our players.  For Plainfield players (Players who have a Plainfield address or attend a Plainfield School) our registration fee is $125 per season (Fall and Spring fees paid separately).  Players who are not Plainfield residents or attend a Plainfield school have a registration fee of $250 per season (Fall and Spring fees paid separately).  All players are required to purchase a Travel uniform which consists of 2 shirts, 1 pair of shorts, and a pair of socks.  The price of the uniform is typically between $120 and $175.  Our uniforms run on a 2 year cycle so that cost is not incurred every season.  Additional costs per team depend on the number and location of tournaments played and will range from $40-$50 per player per tournament, excluding any out of town travel expenses.

Q – Can my child play another sport while playing Revolution Travel soccer?
A – We encourage kids to compete in as many sports as possible throughout their childhood.  We will not say that it is impossible to compete in another sport while playing Travel soccer, but it can be difficult on the players and mostly the parents.  If this is something you may be considering and your child is chosen to be on a Revolution team I would highly suggest discussing it with the coach of the team to make sure they are aware that there may be some conflicts.  It may weigh on your decision to accept the spot on the team.

Q – Is my child guaranteed to play at least a half of a game as they are in recreation soccer?
A – We encourage all travel coaches to follow our guidelines on this.  Each coach is given suggested guidelines, but the amount of playing time for travel players is not guaranteed.

Q – My child is an accomplished player, and is good enough to make a team in an older age group.  Are they allowed to play up for an older Revolution age group?
A – Although we recognize that some players could make an older age group team, we encourage players to stay at their age.  The only other time this may happen is if there are not enough kids at your child’s age group they may be asked to play up an age group.  This is dealt with on a case by case basis.

Q – I’ve heard that my child will need a picture identification card. How do I get one?
A – All players who participate in travel soccer need an identification card.  Teams will make registration information available to players.

Q – What if I have other questions?
A – You can e-mail questions to the program director at janderson83@outlook.com.