soccer tryout tips?

Question

i'm 16. I've been on cross country team and track team for two years of highschool. I have good ball control when it comes to juggling (i don't know if that matters.)

I already know i wan't to play as a midfielder.

Truth is, i have never had the confidence to try out for a school soccer team but i've played soccer with friends,

Well i'm transfering to a new highschool and thought i'd finally try out. I know i can run the distance and i'm a BIG team player (i hate hogging the ball), but i also specialize in juggling the ball because i do it everyday, i can do tricks very well like the stepover, elastico, and the 360 very well on people.

I know i'm alright in soccer, i'm faster than most kids and can run 2 miles easy anyday. The most i've ran was 7 miles though.
I just don't have the confidence.
I see so many young players brag how they are so good, and i tend to believe they are better than me.

But i play soccer almost everyday for fun because i love it and enjoy it.

Thanks coach for all the wonderful advice.

I emphasized juggling only to show that i have a feel for the ball, When i'm with my friends, we play with small soccer balls because it is harder to control, so we will improve. I was surprised when no one here in my area played with a small soccer ball.

I am a team player, i've played alot of basketball and i know the meaning of passing and the beauty of teamwork.

I did do cross country, but coach said my body was never meant for long distance, because i was the fastest sprinter in the team. He only kept me in cross country to build up my strength and use me for track.

I just hope i will make the team. My parents are big travelers so i have played ball in italy, japan, and germany and have seen the amazing talent from other countries with the ambition to learn and play better and play beautiful.

Although i'm only 5 foot 7 and a half! I don't know if i will make the team because i've heard that my height might be too short :[

Answer 1

I used to coach high school, not now...maybe again in the future when my kids get older. Anyways, what do you want to know? First of all: go to tryouts. Don't be intimidated by what you hear. The worst thing that can happen is the coach tells you to take a hike. Big deal. He probably won't...so go to tryouts and prove yourself.

When I form a team, here is what I look at:

1. Conditioning. To play the game you gotta be able to beat the other guy to the ball. Your problem is going to be is that you are conditioned for long distance running. All of the important running done in soccer is in 10-30 yard sprints, over and over again. At tryouts I had my kids do a Cooper Test (you can look it up if you don't know it), and 120's (sprint the whole field, 60 seconds jog back, repeat 6 times), and 60 yard sprints. All coaches are different though.

2. Small side games to see their vision, their commitment to win, their dedication to get back on defense, teamwork.

3. 1 v. 1 games. These are killers, but strikers love them!

4. I don't know any coaches who want to see juggling skills. You don't do that in a game. Your other skills should be highlighted though.

5. Long ball service. Great, you can juggle and beat people. Can you land a 30 yard cross on the foot of an attacker as he is sprinting across the field? Midfielders should have this skill, along with ball control. Practice that. It takes time. You literally should be able to call your cross - head, or foot, and place it accurately. Not too many high school kids can actually do that, but I emphasize the skill during training. A well shown cross will dismantle any defense.

6. Spirit. Do you bring a sense of positive joy to the other guys? Or are you gloomy gus after being told to sit? Be a positive leader. That's what I look for in a player!

7. The coach chooses your spot, and you have to prove otherwise. I too prefered midfield. But my first year of high school my coach put me on defense (hated it). Then he came and watched my summer games, where the coach did put me in the midfield, and the next year I was captain of my team playing center mid. In college, the coach didn't play me much at first, I sat most of my time (I was sort of skinny with glasses, so I probably don't blame him), but once he gave me a chance, I was everywhere, doing everything, and he never sat me again. So, unlike cross-country (being an individual sport), soccer is a team sport, and you need to find the opportunities to highlight your abilities.

Good luck...hope this has been somewhat helpful!

SOME EDIT FOR YOU!!

Based on what you have said, I think you would make a great midfielder. Your height would probably take you out of a defenders position, and also striker. Both positions obviously need height to beat their opponents. But I would never cut a kid in high school based on height. That is plain stupidity. Again, don't worry what others say (kids are full of junk talk). Just do the best you can!

For practice, set up one cone, and play 1 v. 1 with your friends (hit the cone for a goal), and when that gets boring set up small goals and play 2v2 up to 4v4. Small side games are the best practice.

But don't neglect your shooting practice, nor your crossing ability. Also, work on both feet, even if your weak foot sucks, there is only one way to make it better! Here is a fun practice for shooting if you have a few soccer balls and two friends (bonus if you have a keeper): set up one ball at the top of the 18, and a friend at either post with a ball. First, you launch a shot from the 18. As soon as you do that, one friend passes a ground ball out past the PK spot, you run on and one time shot. As soon as you shoot, the other friend throws the last ball to edge of the small box (in the air) for a diving header. This is called the 3-tier shooting game. Very fun, very fast paced, if you do it right. My players always liked this one! It's better if you have a goalie. Don't forget to keep score!

My email is on my profile page. Feel free to email me about anything soccer related! Like I mentioned, I'm not coaching now, and I think I am feeling withdrawal symptoms from being away!

Answer 2

Soccer Tryout Drills

Answer 3

dont get cocky and try to take 5 people at a time take like one and pass always look for someone to pass it to better your vision spccer players problably run 5 - 7 miles per game so conserve it

Answer 4

If you love it and enjoy it... go for it.