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For the uninitiated - tryouts typically take place at the beginning of a new season and consist of a series of drills and scrimmages designed to help a coach evaluate a player’s skill level and overall fit with a team.
If the coach deems that a particular player is a good fit, they are offered a spot on the roster. If not, that player is left to find another place to play.
Now, there are a number of opposing viewpoints as to whether or not this system of team selection is the most effective for developing young athletes. However, it is not the intention of this post to explore those arguments.
Instead, it is important to recognize that tryouts are a reality in the current competitive youth soccer model - and that it is more worthwhile for players and parents to focus on how they can prepare for them in a positive and productive manner.
In today’s post, we provide a few tips for handling the inevitable anxiety and fear of being “cut” from the team.
Always be Preparing
If you only read one tip in this post, make it this one.
I’ve seen far too many athletes (myself included) take an approach that includes them “getting ready” for tryouts in the weeks or even days leading up to them.
I hate to break it to you, but if you don’t have the lungs to go a full 90 on Monday … you’re not going to have them by Friday.
… and there’s definitely no 5-day miracle cure for a bad first touch.
Rather than imagining you’re going to magically fix all of the flaws in your game in a few weeks, it’s important to adopt a mindset of constant preparation. This means you’ve set goals, you’ve established a development plan, and you stick to it.
The comfort and confidence knowing that you’ve done everything possible to maximize your game will do wonders to battle any stress come tryout time.
Control what you can control
I’ve played in and coached tryout sessions with hundreds of players and I’ve gone through small, private workouts to try and make a team.
Some teams are going to have great facilities, others are going to train on dirt.
Sometimes it’ll be too hot, others it’ll be too cold.
The point is at the youth levels, the tryout environment can vary greatly.
It is important that you don’t let those external factors be a distraction to your performance. Regardless of the circumstances you can always ensure your effort level, focus and attitude are on point.
I took this for granted as a player, but now as a coach I strongly believe that the way you train is just as important as how talented you are.
Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome
I’ve lost important games… I’ve had injuries… I’ve had coaches scream and curse at me… but none of those moments were as devastating as the time I was cut from my club team.
In my teenage mind, the world was over.
Guess what? I found another team. I kept training, I kept developing and my career continued on.
While making the team is clearly the desired outcome, it really isn’t everything - especially at those younger age groups.
As a youth player it’s important to keep things in perspective, and use the experience as a growth opportunity. If possible, ask the evaluating coaches (respectfully) what gaps they saw in your game that kept you out of the team.
Take that information and incorporate it into your development plan - and get back to work!
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