BEST PRACTICES FOR TRYOUT SEASON

1. Prepare In Advance

One thing that perplexes me is when a parent asks me to train their kid a week before a tryout, especially when the player is less experienced in the game. In what world has one hour of practice changed anything about the overall result? It’s the accumulation of multiple one-hour training sessions over time that builds skills and leads to improvement (check out a great book I recommend called Pound the Stone by Joshua Medcalf). If I’m a consistent C-grade math student and I have a test coming up, do you think studying for one hour will suddenly get me an A on the final? Anyone in their right mind would say, “No way, Coach! I need more time and practice.” It’s the same thing with a tryout. It’s like studying for a final, and it should be treated as such.

Preparing in advance means getting yourself ready mentally, physically, and technically months before your tryout date. Ask yourself, "What do I need to improve on before tryouts?"

If I’m in this situation, I might be thinking…

“Well, last season, I struggled with defending 1v1 matchups, so in every practice this spring, I’m going to work on using my body to win the ball. That way, when I get to tryouts, I can show my coach I’ve improved. Not only will I train hard in practice, but I’ll also train on my own during PE or when I get home from school. All I need is a ball to work on my juggling skills to improve my touch and coordination. Maybe I’ll ask my parents for extra lessons outside of my club team to get more feedback before tryouts.”

It’s not what you did yesterday that makes you who you are today. It’s everything you’ve done up to yesterday that shapes you. Use each day to build yourself. Every new day is an opportunity, and once it passes, you can never get it back.

2. Research Local Clubs

If you’re new to soccer, choosing the right club can be confusing. It can be equally difficult if you’re an experienced player looking for a new team. Miami is crowded with small clubs, a few bigger clubs, and individual coaches with a handful of teams trying to start their own club. Talk to someone you know and trust who has had a good experience with a local club. Depending on a player’s age and level, their needs will vary. Find out what you want from a club and team before attending tryouts. Is individual development your priority? Are you focused on winning games at all costs? What about playing in college or professionally—does the club have a reputation for producing such players, and is there evidence? Do you just want to have fun with your friends while learning something along the way? What’s the practice, game, and tournament schedule like? Ask yourself these questions and reflect on what you truly want before trying out for different clubs.

Try out everywhere. Talk to each coach you’re interested in, contact them before stepping onto the field, and have a friendly conversation to learn more (don’t interrogate them like a detective). Get a feel for their style and their plan for the team this season. It’s good to have more than one option before making your final decision.

3. Give Them a Show

Finally, you’ve arrived at tryouts! You got there early, and now you’re soaking in the environment. You’re excited and thinking about how much fun you’ll have showing off your abilities. You lace up your boots, see the coach setting up the field, and introduce yourself. Then, you grab your ball to get some warm-up touches. Most players put unnecessary pressure on themselves to perform at tryouts. All you need to do is show what you’re good at—it’s that simple.

If you’ve got great vision and passing ability, ping balls across the field like Lindsey Horan. If set pieces are your thing, grab the ball confidently and crush the back of the net like Cristiano or serve a killer assist like Carson Pickett. If you’re great at winning balls in the air, rise up and dominate like Wendy Renard. Whatever it is, showcase your strengths and give your best effort while having fun. Don’t try to be someone else or do skills you’ve never done before. Stick to what you’re good at, play hard, and remember to smile. You love this game!

What advice would you give yourself before tryouts? Shoot me an email and let me know what you think—[email protected].