Do tryouts matter for established players?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much do tryouts matter for a kid that has been part of the same team for the whole year and the team will keep the same coach? If you have coached before, how much weight do you assign to the season vs the tryouts for selecting kids or for assigning them to your first and second team?

No, tryouts are for new kids only. Your kid had a year in front of the coach to form his/her opinion.

[Anonymous]

If your DC is an star player or a regular starter, the tryouts don't mean much. However, if your DC is a fringe player, then tryouts matter a bit more, because of the possibility of being replaced by a player from outside the club.

[Anonymous]

Tryouts are for new kids. The coaches know the existing players and how they play. It is important to have the existing players out there to level set the unknowns. If your kid was a bench warmer they might get replaced but only if the roster is really full, and nothing they do in a tryout will change the opinion the coach has formed over the past season. Likely they’ll keep your kid and add the newbie and make you both pay and still have your kid ride the pine. Also in a really large tryout if your kid is a complete unknown your kid better do something that is eye catching else most coaches won’t notice. This is why it is always good to contact coaches before hand, go to practices, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tryouts matter a lot for established players. At least for those who are firmly established in the bottom third of performance for the team.

Our coach makes it clear that if a player is not a starter they are on the bubble for moving down a team. If a better player comes along the coach will pick up the new player and drop the established player down. Happened end of last year and mid season this year. Not all clubs or coaches operate like this though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tryouts matter a lot for established players. At least for those who are firmly established in the bottom third of performance for the team.

Our coach makes it clear that if a player is not a starter they are on the bubble for moving down a team. If a better player comes along the coach will pick up the new player and drop the established player down. Happened end of last year and mid season this year. Not all clubs or coaches operate like this though.

At tryouts I can see but Midyear? This sounds stressful. Hope these are older kids.

[Anonymous]

^^^Sounds like FCV...that’s the way they roll!

[Anonymous]

Established needs to be defined. A starter is not going to get cut for the next season. The season after that when the team is better because of the new players and of that starter is not a regular starter any longer? Sure, they can get cut. Some kids also just stop progressing. I usually see this from kids who like to play when they are at soccer but don’t have a strong interest in the sport relative to their other teammates/aren’t touching the ball outside of practice even if it’s just to kick it a few times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your DC is an star player or a regular starter, the tryouts don't mean much. However, if your DC is a fringe player, then tryouts matter a bit more, because of the possibility of being replaced by a player from outside the club.

+1

Exactly!

[Anonymous]

This process must be very stressful for the bottom 1/3 of the team especially at the younger ages. But I kind of like it as it teaches kids “it pays to work/practice hard”. You can’t just show up and be successful in life. Everything requires hard work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tryouts matter a lot for established players. At least for those who are firmly established in the bottom third of performance for the team.

Our coach makes it clear that if a player is not a starter they are on the bubble for moving down a team. If a better player comes along the coach will pick up the new player and drop the established player down. Happened end of last year and mid season this year. Not all clubs or coaches operate like this though.

Do you mean that everyone that is not a top 11 player in your team is on the bubble? Top teams have 2-3 players with roughly equal skill set fighting for each starting spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tryouts matter a lot for established players. At least for those who are firmly established in the bottom third of performance for the team.

Our coach makes it clear that if a player is not a starter they are on the bubble for moving down a team. If a better player comes along the coach will pick up the new player and drop the established player down. Happened end of last year and mid season this year. Not all clubs or coaches operate like this though.

Do you mean that everyone that is not a top 11 player in your team is on the bubble? Top teams have 2-3 players with roughly equal skill set fighting for each starting spot.

2-3 for each starting spot? Only a parent with a kid on a team with 22-33 kids (hmm) on a team thinks their non-starter is in real contention for the starting spot. and roughly equal skills. I was laughing so hard, i spilled my drank.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tryouts matter a lot for established players. At least for those who are firmly established in the bottom third of performance for the team.

Our coach makes it clear that if a player is not a starter they are on the bubble for moving down a team. If a better player comes along the coach will pick up the new player and drop the established player down. Happened end of last year and mid season this year. Not all clubs or coaches operate like this though.

Do you mean that everyone that is not a top 11 player in your team is on the bubble? Top teams have 2-3 players with roughly equal skill set fighting for each starting spot.

DP. The top 4 to 6 are usually safe. Go to practice and watch you will be able to id them quickly. They are the ones the coach seems to care about. 7-11 are up for replacement, moved to none starter or dropped to lower team depending on who comes out. After that worry or ask your kid. They know.