Goals for a Tryout: The Coaching Mindset

While it's understood that coaches are looking for the "best" players, that a very subjective term, and player rankings are relative to the quality of the overall pool, so what does being the "best" mean, what are they actually looking for? Coaches have very specific goals for a tryout, and it's instructive for players to have a clear understanding of skills a desirable player must possess to obtain a slot on a competitive team.

Basic Individual Characteristics

Player Understands the Game and Puts that Understanding into Practice on the Field Coaches are looking for players with a clear understanding of the game. As one progresses through each age group that understanding must keep pace through the addition and refined understanding of more and more advanced concepts appropriate to the skill level of the age group. Players who are steps above in comprehension of the nuances tend to stand out by using the field to put that understanding on display.

Has Solid Technical Skills, If Not Spectacular Ones. Player has done enough individual work to be proficient at the skills required for the age level, and has them at his command.

Good Field Awareness The Player "snapshots" the positions of those on the field and uses the information to create a mental map of opportunities prior to needing them. This allows for surprising switches, crosses and direction changes that can exploit rigid defenses.

Idea-Driven Orchestrator His play is driven by planned tactical play combinations, utilizing multiple players, moves and directions in concern to achieve movement in desired direction, contrasted against

Quick-Thinker, Plays Fast The game isn't too fast for the player. He possesses the ability to read the game conditions accurately in real-time, respond quickly with an idea appropriate to the current context with a pace that provides time for him to execute his idea. This is as opposed making no decision, slow decisions or bad decisions which tend to give the opponent time to respond, and lead to deterioration of his teams tactical position on the field.

Good Decision-Maker The decisions he makes are ones that he can actually execute, that are productive in advancing his team's tactical position, maintaining or obtaining Possession. This player understands the difference between a "poor decision" (one which didn't advance the team's position, or would never have worked) versus "poor execution" (a good idea performed poorly) and "bad luck" (a good idea performed reasonably well providing a decent possibility of success, but which wasn't ultimately successful).

Responsive Thinker The player reads the conditions he is faced with well, but also adjusts to changing conditions when he has the ball. He does not chart his course and then robotically slam into the metaphorical reef when the barrier suddenly appears in front of him. In response to changing game conditions, his final move may not be the idea he started with one, but his ultimate move leaves his team in a better or equal position maintaining or obtaining possession.

Nimble Thinker In addition to field-responsiveness, the player contains the ability to integrate new concepts and ideas as discovered or imparted by the coaching staff and put them into practice reasonably immediately.

Physically Is Well-conditioned for the Requirements of the Game Is the player in shape to play hard for 60 or 90 minutes? Does his straight line speed to compare to those having success on the field? Does his agility and body responsiveness put him in the top half to top 3rd of those on the field?

Plays within himself And His Responsibilities Player relies on proven skills with high personal success probability to create solid opportunities within his abilities. Does not attempt wild, unpracticed, ill-advised techniques in a critical match situation. Player does not supersede his position and it's resulting responsibilities without mutually agreed-upon communication or understanding, switches and hustle.

Overriding/Advanced Individual Characteristics

Impact Player Regardless of his position, age or skill level, player aggressive, makes a noticeably positive impact on the field. That is, he forces turnovers, wins the ball, maintains possession, creates opportunities for the offense, finishes plays to conclusion and breaks up the opponent's attack. His high work rate and impactful, perhaps outright dominant, contribution elevates team play in an out-sized manner.

Consistently, Precisely Anticipates Need, Proactively, Takes Initiative Both On and Off the Field The player recognizes the conditions he currently faces have left his team with a need requiring action, he he either takes action within the confines of his responsibility, or alerts others of the need so the appropriate action can be taken. Calculated Risk Taker The player will go out of his way to take risks that improve the upside of his team's tactical position, but is mindful of protecting the downside and does so through awareness, communication and hustle. He does not take chances which hang his team out to dry.

Team Characteristics

Supportive, Collaborative Team Players In addition to the individual characteristics noted above, Coaches are looking for players who can work together with others in support of team play to produce results.

Positive Communicator The player recognizes that the manner in which he communicates directly impacts his and his teams play, the ideas he chooses to communicate are ones appropriate to the occasion that contribute to team success, done so in a fashion that elevates mood and spirit, creates bonds and builds trust.

Responsible and Accountable The player understands that the way he conducts him- or herself, their behavior, attitude, preparation, work rate all contribute to freeing his coaching staff to expand the team's focus into more and more advanced concepts. As such the player makes concerted effort to make decisions and choices consistent with team goals both on and off the field, during matches, practice time and away. He or she brings workmanlike effort to practice, is accountable for the effort and results they bring to the field.