Tryouts: How to Succussed in Soccer Tryouts
Soccer tryouts can be both an exciting and nerve-wracking experience for youth soccer players, as they seek to showcase their skills and secure a spot on a competitive team. This comprehensive soccer tryout guide will help you navigate the process and put your best foot forward, equipping you with essential knowledge and tips, including our "Top 10 Things Coaches Are Looking For" list during soccer tryouts. By understanding coaches' expectations and focusing on key aspects such as technical ability, tactical understanding, soccer fitness, and mental resilience, you can increase your chances of success and leave a lasting impression on the coaching staff. So, let's dive in, and remember, you've got this!
Preparation Before the Tryouts
Improving your fitness and conditioning: Work on your cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility to ensure that you're physically prepared for the tryout. Incorporate soccer-specific exercises and drills into your training routine.
Sharpening your technical skills: Practice your dribbling, passing, shooting, and ball control regularly. This will help you become a more well-rounded and skilled player.
Developing a strong mental attitude: Cultivate a positive mindset, focus on your goals, and learn to cope with stress and pressure effectively. Get experience playing outside of your comfort zone, whether it is with players you don’t know or in positions on the field you are not usually playing. In a tryout situation you might be asked to play in a position you don’t favor but you don’t want that to make you lose focus and prevent you from having a good showing.
Showcasing Your Skills and Abilities
Being aware of your strengths and playing to them: Know what you excel at and make sure to showcase these abilities during the tryout.
Demonstrating versatility by playing multiple positions: Show your adaptability by being open to playing different positions, which can make you a valuable asset to any team.
Communicating effectively with your teammates: Good communication is essential in soccer. Be vocal, support your teammates, and make sure you are showing that you want the ball as much as possible by using both your voice and body language. Remember, great players always want the ball!
Emphasizing your ability to make smart decisions on the field: Be mindful of your positioning, timing, and decision-making during the tryout to show that you're a tactically intelligent player.
Having a positive reaction to mistakes: This is a big one. Don't let mistakes get you down. Instead, move on quickly to focus on the next play - this shows you are confident and a mature player.
Standing Out in Game Situations
Displaying strong tactical awareness: Understand your role within the team's formation and strategy, and adapt your play accordingly.
Being assertive and making an impact on the game: Don't be passive; instead, take initiative and make your presence felt on the field. Remember, impact is the name of the game, especially in tryouts, everyone is there to prove themselves and for you to do that you need to make sure you have impact. You must get on the ball and be involved in the play or you will be passed over.
Showing composure under pressure: Stay calm and composed during the tryout, and demonstrate your ability to perform well in high-pressure situations. Remember it’s okay to be nervous but do your best to stay cool and have positive can-do attitude.
Exhibiting strong defensive and offensive contributions: Be a well-rounded player who can contribute to both attack and defense, showing your versatility and value.
Making a Great First Impression
Arriving early and well-prepared: Show your commitment and professionalism by arriving on time and bringing all necessary equipment.
Displaying a positive attitude and strong work ethic: Approach the tryout with enthusiasm, determination, and a willingness to give your best effort.
Showing respect towards coaches, staff, and fellow players: Be polite, courteous, and supportive of others throughout the tryout process.
Post-Tryout Considerations
Thanking the coaches and staff for their time: Express gratitude towards the people who organized and ran the tryout. At the end of the tryout is a good opportunity to build rapport with the coaches by going over and saying ‘thank you’ and expressing that you enjoyed the session and maybe ask a quick question about the team or the process. You might even get a little feedback right there.
Reflecting on your performance and identifying areas for improvement: Assess your performance and consider what you can work on to become a better player.
Following up with the coaching staff for feedback and next steps: Based on the communication from the club prior to the tryout you might want to wait for communication from them. Sometime if you haven’t heard anything, you may want to reach out to the coaches to request feedback on your performance and to learn about any subsequent steps in the selection process.
Additional Tips for Success
Networking with other players and parents: Build relationships with others in the soccer community for support, insights, and potential opportunities.
Staying updated on soccer news: Keep up with the latest developments in the soccer world to stay informed and engaged with the sport.
Top 10 Things Coaches Are Looking For
When it comes to soccer tryouts, understanding what coaches are looking for can make all the difference in securing a spot on the team. With numerous players vying for limited positions, it's crucial to know what attributes and qualities stand out to the coaching staff. In this section of our guide, we've compiled the top 10 things coaches look for during a soccer tryout, offering insights and tips to help you shine on the field and showcase your abilities. By understanding the coach's perspective, you'll be better equipped to demonstrate your full potential and increase your chances of success.
Image by Gerhard Schambil from Pixabay
Technical Ability
Coaches want to see players who are comfortable with the ball at their feet, display a good first touch, and can execute accurate passes, dribbles, and shots. Demonstrating proficiency in these areas can help you stand out during a tryout.
Tactical understanding
Coaches appreciate players who can read the game well and make intelligent decisions on the field. This includes positioning, anticipating plays, and understanding various formations and tactics.
Fitness and Athleticism
A high level of physical fitness and athleticism is essential in modern soccer. Coaches look for players who can cover the ground quickly, have good stamina, and possess strength and agility to compete effectively in various game situations.
Coachability and Effort
Coaches want to see if players are receptive to coaching and display a lot of effort. Maintaining eye contact with the coaches during drills and when they give input is crucial. Players should also try to implement the coaches' suggestions immediately.
Work Rate On and Off the Ball
A player's work rate, both on and off the ball, is essential. Coaches are looking for players who can make an impact and get their attention by providing special moments that turn heads.
Response to Mistakes
No one is perfect, and coaches understand that players will make mistakes. They are more interested in how players respond to mistakes rather than the mistakes themselves. It's essential for players to recover quickly and demonstrate a positive attitude.
Communication and Teamwork
Soccer is a team sport, and coaches value players who can effectively communicate with their teammates and contribute positively to the overall team dynamic. Showing good communication skills and a willingness to work together with your teammates can make a significant impact during a tryout.
Versatility
The ability to play multiple positions and adapt to different roles within the team can be a valuable asset during tryouts. Coaches often look for players who can fill various roles and are willing to step up and contribute wherever needed.
Mental Toughness and Resilience
Coaches appreciate players who can perform under pressure, remain composed in challenging situations, and bounce back from setbacks or mistakes. Demonstrating mental toughness and resilience during a tryout can help you stand out in the eyes of a coach.
Secret Weapon
Last but certainly not least, beyond technical ability and tactical understanding, coaches are also on the lookout for players with an X-factor or a secret weapon that sets them apart from others. This could be a unique skill, a particular talent, or an intangible quality that makes a player stand out on the field. By demonstrating your X-factor during tryouts, you can help set yourself apart from the competition and catch the eye of the coaching staff. Even more so, for some players whose secret weapon is at such a high level that it can make up for them being average or below average on other aspects of the game. For example, having an ability to score goals out of nothing or having speed that makes them leave everyone else in the dust, could get an otherwise sub-par player into a high-level Academy team.
The Bottom Line
This soccer tryout guide has provided you with essential tips and strategies to help you succeed in youth soccer tryouts.
Overall, coaches are looking for well-rounded players who possess a combination of technical skills, tactical understanding, physical attributes, and a strong mindset. By demonstrating these qualities during a soccer tryout, you can significantly improve your chances of catching a coach's attention and being selected for the team.
Remember that success in soccer tryouts is just one part of your journey. Keep working hard, stay dedicated, and continue to learn and grow as a player. By doing so, you'll not only improve your chances of success in future soccer tryouts but also develop as a well-rounded individual both on and off the field. Never give up on your dreams, and always strive to be the best version of yourself by working to get better every day.