Running a soccer tryout can be a challenging and stressful task for everyone involved—coaches, parents, and players alike. Evaluating players’ skills, character, and potential while keeping everything organized is no easy feat.
There are many factors to consider, from understanding players’ mentalities to ensuring clear communication and forming competitive teams. In this post, I’ll share five essential tips to help you run an effective and fair soccer tryout.
1. Choose the Right Drills
The goal of soccer tryout drills is to:
Assess players’ abilities
Evaluate their fit for the team
Identify the most suitable team for each player
To accomplish these goals, it’s crucial that the drills comprehensively evaluate all key areas of soccer development, including technical ability, tactical awareness, coachability, and team dynamics.
Tip for selecting drills: Focus on core soccer skills such as:
Technical ability
Tactical awareness
Speed and mobility
Game impact
Winning mentality
It’s best to choose 3-4 drills for each skill. For example, to assess dribbling, incorporate drills like cone dribbling or 1v1 dribbling. For tactical awareness, use small-sided games with specific constraints. These allow players to demonstrate their understanding of the game and make decisions in real-time situations.
By planning drills with these objectives in mind, you’ll be able to evaluate players more holistically and make better decisions regarding their role on the team.
2. Select Neutral Evaluators
Fairness is key during any tryout, and this starts with selecting unbiased evaluators. Even experienced coaches can unknowingly let personal biases affect their judgment.
Involving impartial evaluators ensures players are judged based on their skills and character, not on personal relationships. This approach gives every participant an equal chance and ensures that team selections are made based on merit.
3. Organize Drill Stations Efficiently
A well-organized set of drill stations is essential for an effective tryout. Proper planning ensures that each player is assessed in a standardized and structured way. Here are a few tips for preparing your stations:
Equipment Check: Make sure each station has the necessary gear, such as soccer balls, cones, and agility markers.
Numbering Stations: Clearly number each station to prevent confusion and make the transition between drills smoother for both players and evaluators.
Space Consideration: Ensure there’s enough space for players to move freely without crowding, which could interfere with their performance or the evaluation process.
Clear Pathways: Set up clear paths between stations to avoid congestion and keep the tryout moving efficiently.
By following this checklist, you’ll create an organized environment that facilitates smooth assessments and helps maintain the flow of the tryout.
4. Provide Clear Instructions for Each Drill
Once the players are warmed up, it’s crucial to explain each drill clearly. Keep in mind that kids have different learning styles, so it’s essential to offer both verbal and visual cues to ensure everyone understands the drill.
For example, using color-coded cones or visual aids can help clarify the drill setup. Doing a walkthrough at the beginning of each drill will prevent confusion during the timed stations and ensure players use their full time to execute each task properly.
5. Provide Timely Feedback
After the tryout, aim to provide feedback within 48-72 hours. It’s important to offer constructive feedback, regardless of whether or not a player is selected for the team. One effective way to streamline feedback is through tools like SkillShark’s soccer evaluation app, which provides detailed player reports.
These reports can include scores for individual skills, average team scores, and overall rankings. This gives players and their parents valuable insights into areas for improvement, even if they don’t make the team.
Final Thoughts
By following these five tips, you can run a more efficient and fair soccer tryout. The right combination of drills, unbiased evaluators, clear communication, and timely feedback will help you make well-informed decisions and build a competitive, well-rounded team.
