First time tryouts tips and cautions

SJNoob

BRONZE
Hi all! My DD (2012) started playing soccer last summer and we're looking into having her try out for club after two seasons of moderate success in AYSO (a top player on teams with losing records).

Any tips on how I can avoid screwing things up for her? One thing I just realized is that a lot of clubs, LGU, MVLA, FCBA all have tryouts on the same day, May 16th, so I wonder how people handle that.
 
Hi all! My DD (2012) started playing soccer last summer and we're looking into having her try out for club after two seasons of moderate success in AYSO (a top player on teams with losing records).

Any tips on how I can avoid screwing things up for her? One thing I just realized is that a lot of clubs, LGU, MVLA, FCBA all have tryouts on the same day, May 16th, so I wonder how people handle that.
First and foremost, good luck to you and your daughter. Secondly, I would identify which club/team you want her to try out for and email the coach. A huge advantage you have is that since your daughter is not currently playing club, essentially she can come to team trainings now, as there is no NorCal conflict. So to answer your question, you should have no trouble trying out for multiple clubs between now and the end of try outs.
 
As for how to not screw it up for your daughter, just realize that club soccer is very different than AYSO. Although she was the best player at her AYSO team, chances are she will have a hard time making a top team in the bay area, especially at a couple clubs you previously mentioned. With that being said, have a plan A, plan B, and Plan C. If she gets offered a spot on a second team for a club you really like, would you take that? Or would you go to a "lower level club" to play on their top team.
 
For vast majority of young kids, the coach of your daughter's team and who the fellow players is way more important than the club badge. I would not limit yourself to the biggest clubs as smaller clubs might bring your child more joy (and improvement) on the field. From the development standpoint, there is no magic at the young ages. Just need to play a lot soccer, enjoy it, have appropriate direction/structure from the coach, and be challenged by the competition. When my older daughter was in a similar position years ago, I had her go to several practices (just e-mailed the DOC or age group coordinator) to find her right level and environment. As she was coming from AYSO, they stuck her with the lowest team for the first practice but later they had her practice with higher teams. Still with the same team and coach 5 years later. Tryouts are designed for the clubs to fill rosters. Kids should see what training and games look like before making a decision.
 
On the first day, she needs to pick out the biggest kid, walk right up to her and hit her so hard she goes right down. Then lord over her and let out a loud roar while flexing both arms. She might do solitary for a few weeks but this will ensure her status on the team.
 
Thanks for the advice. I definitely recognize there's still a skill gap! We've watched bits and pieces of club teams playing and the difference is pretty astounding given they're all the same age.

I don't really care if she's on the first team, second team, gold or copper. Main priorities are 1. she's happy and 2. development. If it weren't for 2 we'd keep her in AYSO. She's having fun and scoring goals. So from a development perspective is being on let's say the 4th team in MVLA better or a club that only fields a silver or bronze level team at her age better? Looks like there's no hard or fast answer.

Thanks for the advice on reaching out to coaches. I hate cold calling but gotta do what we gotta do.
 
On the first day, she needs to pick out the biggest kid, walk right up to her and hit her so hard she goes right down. Then lord over her and let out a loud roar while flexing both arms. She might do solitary for a few weeks but this will ensure her status on the team.

Wrong movie.
 
Here's the suggestion that will get your player to the the top of any list.

Most coaches think they can teach skills. So the only thing that matters is aggression (for girls).

For the youngers it really is as simple as that.
 
Here's the suggestion that will get your player to the the top of any list.

Most coaches think they can teach skills. So the only thing that matters is aggression (for girls).

For the youngers it really is as simple as that.
I said this and people took it as a joke.
 
dont wear a messi or ronaldo jersey.....
just wear some nike shorts ,and a blank top
maybe a bright headband to stand out ......
good luck
 
Most coaches make your players feel welcomed during tryouts. Take time to watch the coach’s personality during a game. You will find out how the coach handles game time situations and the type of communication he provides his players. Does the coach yell too much, does the coach get angry often, do the kids play with confidence, and do you see player rotation.
 
You're listing some high profile clubs. That makes sense if your kid is aiming for State Cup finals and needs a premier level team.

For a first step up from AYSO, you might want to take a look at the smaller clubs closer to home. No need to drive 30 minutes to practice for a bronze team.
 
Thanks for the advice. I definitely recognize there's still a skill gap! We've watched bits and pieces of club teams playing and the difference is pretty astounding given they're all the same age.

I don't really care if she's on the first team, second team, gold or copper. Main priorities are 1. she's happy and 2. development. If it weren't for 2 we'd keep her in AYSO. She's having fun and scoring goals. So from a development perspective is being on let's say the 4th team in MVLA better or a club that only fields a silver or bronze level team at her age better? Looks like there's no hard or fast answer.

Thanks for the advice on reaching out to coaches. I hate cold calling but gotta do what we gotta do.
You seem to have the right mentality….just remember, this is her journey. We are just here as “guard rails”.

Best of luck to your DD!
 
Hi all! My DD (2012) started playing soccer last summer and we're looking into having her try out for club after two seasons of moderate success in AYSO (a top player on teams with losing records).

Any tips on how I can avoid screwing things up for her? One thing I just realized is that a lot of clubs, LGU, MVLA, FCBA all have tryouts on the same day, May 16th, so I wonder how people handle that.

Identify 2 or 3 teams she would like to play on and ask to attend a practice or two prior to tryouts. One thing you will learn along your journey is that most rosters are set in the coach's mind long before tryouts. Maybe not as much at the youngest ages, but the older they get, the less tryouts matter. As an example, my DD's 2007 ECNL team has "tryouts" in a few weeks. A half dozen different girls from outside the club have attended various practices over the last couple of weeks. There are 1 or maybe 2 spots available, at most (one girl moved away and another has a long term injury that will keep her out until mid-next season). The girls who have come to practice have showcased themselves for the coaches and maximized their chances of "being seen." Also, those girls gave themselves a chance to get a feel for the coaching and the other players to see if the team is a good fit for them.
 
Identify 2 or 3 teams she would like to play on and ask to attend a practice or two prior to tryouts. One thing you will learn along your journey is that most rosters are set in the coach's mind long before tryouts. Maybe not as much at the youngest ages, but the older they get, the less tryouts matter. As an example, my DD's 2007 ECNL team has "tryouts" in a few weeks. A half dozen different girls from outside the club have attended various practices over the last couple of weeks. There are 1 or maybe 2 spots available, at most (one girl moved away and another has a long term injury that will keep her out until mid-next season). The girls who have come to practice have showcased themselves for the coaches and maximized their chances of "being seen." Also, those girls gave themselves a chance to get a feel for the coaching and the other players to see if the team is a good fit for them.
I like how Tad did it at Blues. The season before 11x11 he and his Robin would scout all the top players in Socal and take lot's of notes. No tryouts at all. They would email recruits parents and ask for a chat. He would then invite the players to "Sunday Scrimmages" throughout the season and Batman & Robin would ref the game for free. Free soccer on Sunday was awesome :) It was against many of the top players in socal and you got to see where your player fits with the other goats with your own eyes. All the Baby Blues players would come out as well because they wanted to make his U11 team. Once you make the squad for first season, Tad will continue looking for the best and go after the one's that said no to him and stayed at their club. He never gives up on going after the best of the best. He had his own ranking system based on what his 40 years of coaching said. The only tryout is for his current players after the season. New players get offered with no tryout and have a spot up until the deadline. He knows what he wants and he knows how to win. His place was the Original Training Center.
 
Hey! I have a 2012 daughter too. My daughter has played against the MVLA and Ajax United teams from NorCal too so I can comment a little on what I have seen from them if you need. I have a 2009 son that I learned a few things along the way with.

The most important thing to factor in when deciding on her is her enjoyment. If she doesn't like where she's at or isn't generally happy going to practice, you're wasting your time and she's going to not want to play anymore.

For our daughters age group: play time, coaching and level of the team are next in that order IMO. Club prestige, fields, etc. don't matter as much right now.

Shoot me a DM if you'd like to chat! Good luck with everything.
 
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Identify 2 or 3 teams she would like to play on and ask to attend a practice or two prior to tryouts. One thing you will learn along your journey is that most rosters are set in the coach's mind long before tryouts. Maybe not as much at the youngest ages, but the older they get, the less tryouts matter. As an example, my DD's 2007 ECNL team has "tryouts" in a few weeks. A half dozen different girls from outside the club have attended various practices over the last couple of weeks. There are 1 or maybe 2 spots available, at most (one girl moved away and another has a long term injury that will keep her out until mid-next season). The girls who have come to practice have showcased themselves for the coaches and maximized their chances of "being seen." Also, those girls gave themselves a chance to get a feel for the coaching and the other players to see if the team is a good fit for them.

100% this. Newcomers are at a massive disadvantage in most cases. The returning players have been trying out for the previous year(s). Coaches already have their rosters dialed in. There are some anomalous events (new coach, mass migration of top players from another club, etc).

As a parent it's incredibly easy to fall into the trap of trying to push their kids during tryouts. You will be inclined to watch. You will have tunnel vision on your kid and notice all the things they could be doing better. You will then find it hard not to say anything to them. My only recommendation is to fight those urges as much as possible. If your child doesn't have the fire/skill right now, that's ok. Let them find that path.

You will also find yourself getting frustrated with some of the decisions. Yes, politics are at play, but I don't think it's as pervasive as one would think. There are other things going on such as positional needs. For a 2012 I would think that's less of a concern.
 
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