16 Tips To Stand Out At Tryouts

Soccer Advice: How To Stand Out At Tryouts

Got tryouts coming up soon?

I know how stressful soccer tryout season can be for players (and their parents), so I've put together an extensive list of things to consider to help increase confidence, lessen the anxiety, and give yourself the best chance of proving your skill and ability as a player!

1. Show up early

Showing up at least 20 - 30 minutes early gives the coaches the impression that you are excited to be there, prepared for the session/match ahead, and you’re doing all you can to set yourself up for success. 

2) Greet The Coaches Before The Session (IMPORTANT)

If you’re a returning player, no problem, make sure you say hello to the coach prior to the trial and offer a handshake or fist bump.

If you’re a new player, then take an opportunity before the football begins to introduce yourself with your name and let them know you’re excited for the opportunity.

3) Greet The Other Players

As a returning player, offer a quick greeting as you see your teammates, even if it’s just a ‘hello, how’re ya doing?’

As a new player, introducing yourself too as many of the other player’s as possible is super important, and getting to know everyones name is even more crucial!

Ultimately, if you’ve exchanged names, players will feel more comfortable giving you the ball, which gives you more opportunity to impress, plus it shows initiative to the coaches. 

4) Reflect On Your Strengths (IMPORTANT)

Take the time to reflect on your strengths as a footballer, what they are, and how best you can showcase these strengths to the coaches.

This isn’t the time to work on your weaknesses, as you want to show your coaches your best work so you can impress.

5) Know Your Position

Although it’s a valuable trait to be versatile on the field, when you’re at tryouts be sure you know what position you want to play when the coaches ask.

Think about what position you feel most comfortable in, and where on the pitch you can showcase your best traits as a player. 

6) Always Want The Ball (IMPORTANT)

There’s nothing better as a coach than seeing a player who is consistently seeking the ball throughout training and games. 

Be loud and demand the ball whenever possible, and show you’re confident in yourself and want to take responsibility as a player. 

7) Always Look Forward First

When in possession of the ball, always try and at least look to go forward first.

Look to take responsibility and progress the ball forward, whether with a pass, dribble, or first touch. 

Coaches always want players who are at least considering a forward option first, rather than taking the easy sideway or backward option right away. 

8) Be Coachable (IMPORTANT)

As a coach, you want players on your team who are able to listen, understand, and take action, based on the information you gave them.

If a coach gives you a tip or information during your tryout, be sure to go out and try to apply the insight they’ve given you.

Even if it doesn’t come off perfectly, the coach will appreciate you attempting to do the right thing and integrate their advice into match play. 

9) One Thing At A Time

It’s easy to get overwhelmed at soccer tryouts with players, coaches, parents, and all the questions regarding the future season, but one of the the easiest ways to break this down is to think of one thing at a time.

Narrow your focus down onto each individual first touch, pass, dribble, defending situation, and shot. 

Focus on one thing at a time, and take pride in trying to successfully perform each individual action on the field. 

10) Focus On What You Can Control

Think about all the things that are in your control - your first touch, your dribbling, your work ethic with and without the ball, your communication, your leadership, and your supportive words for your teammates.

Your attention can only handle so many factors, so try not to think too much about what everyone else is saying or might be thinking, and focus on the many factors you can control. 

11) Be (Selectively) Selfish (IMPORTANT)

At the end of the day, it’s a tryout, and you want to do all you can to impress the coaches.

Soccer is all about the team, don’t get me wrong, but finding the times to selfishly play that forward pass, take that shot, or make that aggressive challenge is important to display your confidence as a footballer. 

Be selectively selfish, and take matters into your own hands when appropriate.

12) Your Reaction When You Give Away The Ball (IMPORTANT)

Often times, a coach won’t be as upset when a player gives away the ball, especially if they were trying to do the right thing.

A coach will be more upset based on the reaction of the player.

Do they throw their hands up in the air, blame someone else, or stop playing entirely?

Or are you going to react by trying to win the ball back, keeping your chest up, and look to get on the ball again and try to do the right thing?

13) Tackle Aggressively, But Smart

Whether a striker, midfielder, defender, or goalkeeper, ensure you’re going into your battles with an aggressive intent of winning your duel and possession back for your team.

Don’t go into tackles half heartedly - once you make the decision to go into a challenge, be sure you stick to your guns and make the play.

We’re not saying to play dirty, or make tackles with the intent to hurt anyone, but play aggressively and do what you can to win your physical battles.

14) Ensure You’re Fit

Most players are finishing up the indoor season and transitioning right into outdoor right away, so fitness shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

That being said, you do want to start ramping up your fitness as you get closer to pre-season and having to play in a larger area.

Ensure you’re completing plenty of interval training, as well as speed and agility prior to the outdoor season.

15) Be Excited For A New Opportunity

Whether it’s a new club, or just the thought of a new season, consider this a fresh start and the opportunity to take your game to the next level.

Go out of your way to train more often, work a little harder, and do more of what you can to make this season, as well as future seasons, successful. 

16) Take Responsibility For Feedback As A Player (IMPORTANT

As a player, you need to have the confidence to go up to coaches and ask for performance feedback.

Don’t be afraid after a session to approach the coach and ask if there’s a way you can improve your game or something you can work on for the next try out, so you can give yourself the best opportunity to impress.

This also shows your coaches that you’re interested in learning, improving, and you’re taking responsibility for your development as a player.