Tryout Guidance: The Player Mindset

The Opportunity You Have Been Waiting For

Tryouts are an opportunity for the player to showcase how they put their skills into practice on the field. This is a day or week where good habits, attention to detail, physical & mental skills need to come together for the player on the field. A properly-prepared player will look this opportunity with confidence in himself. We've already talked about what the coaches are looking for in a player, here are some things to remember when you take the field as a player during tryouts or showcase activities.

Play with Energy and Grit

Lack-luster effort will absolutely kill your tryout. You must demonstrate an ability to stay with the play and find a way to win in spite of the the players and conditions arrayed against you. You must will yourself to outlast the field to the best of your ability. To work so hard that despite less-than-perfect skills, no one can misjudge your heart and your willingness to leave it all on the field.

Use Your Strengths, Hide your Weakness

Play confidently with the skills you have, use subtlety to avoid areas of weakness. Do not experiment today. Can't shoot with your left? Don't do that. Don't head real well? Don't go flying for headers you can hammer with a volley.

Play with Poise

Good Decision-making is key today.

Place with Pace

Combine Aggressiveness with Wisdom

Bring a Positive, Supportive Attitude

Coach is looking for players who can work together with others, naturally support the team, and work hard no matter their role in a given play. The type of player he's looking for has extra energy, and perhaps actually gets and gives the team a lift, from going out of their way to expend actual effort to create even the possibility of an opportunity. Doing so shows the coaching staff that the game isn't too big for you, that you have the mindset and energy to expend effort in a supportive way that directly benefits the team.

Play to Win

Tryouts is one of the few times where I would advise a hair more selfishness than normal. You, your friends, current and former teammates, those you don't know are all working to showcase your skills in an attempt to grasp one of the few opportunities available. You can't showcase skills if you never get the opportunity, or if you pass up every opportunity. You must strike a balance between showcasing yourself, and making good decisions. You CAN do both. That said, if you have good opportunities to both pass and shoot, and the confidence and skill to do so, take the shot. You must treat the opportunity like a championship game, you are there to win, anything else is a failure. You can be nice about it, you aren't there to hurt anyone. It's important to also showcase your attitude, what kind of player you are. But make no bones about it, if you'll pardon my use of the term, all coaches are looking for assassins on the field, stone cold killers with the soccer ball. These players don't hesitate, don't give the ball up without reason, don't lose 50/50 balls and don't miss shots. Anything less than full effort and complete victory doesn't help you chances. Play hard, play fast, play smart. Play to win.