Anonymous wrote:You are better off asking if you can attend to practice then going to open tryouts.

Just relax let the coaches make their decisions and give you feedback.

A coach only needs 5 minutes to watch a player to see if they are at the level of the rest of the team. If they can pass and receive, have some decent 1v1 skills, a minimum amount of speed and athleticism, and they've been coached before, you're probably okay for further consideration. Players leave the team every year and they need to replace them.

Anonymous wrote:I feel crazy posting about this, but it’s been bugging me so here goes. Last night DC went to a tryout at a club that would be a step up from their current situation. They had attended a training session with the club and definitely held their own. More importantly they liked it better than current club. The first tryout consisted of some drills followed by scrimmaging on small fields. DC did well enough on the drills I think, but then in the scrimmages DC was standing around a lot asking for the ball to be passed to them. The kids had decided postions among themselves and DC was playing up front. They didn’t run back to help on defense despite being more than capable because they were staying in position. The kids on defense kept losing the ball because they weren’t passing.

I know I really shouldn’t care, but I am baffled as to why DC did not go after the ball more and wondering if this ruins their chances. DC has been to tryouts before and I thought they understood that waiting for passes is not really the right thing to do. Will a coach understand that DC was trying to stay in position to receive the ball, or just think DC is lacking effort? If they did well in the drills, does that balance out their performance in the scrimmage? All the kids were bunching up like it was a little kid game and DC was getting frustrated. They play a more possession based style at their current club. Just kind of bummed for my kid if this chance to get into a better situation is lost because they didn’t play more aggressively.

Anonymous wrote:My DC tried out for a top team a couple years ago and was in a similar situation.

DC had been with a club that taught positioning and passing - less aggressive but in these older years played striker/wing.

I was very concerned as well that DC wasn't aggressive enough but we were one of very few that year to gain an invite. Albeit a lower team, that year, there were very few spots avail and we took it as a win to even get the invite.

On a good club, the coaches can tell talent. It was a lower team they added us onto but DC got the invite because they recognized DC's speed and quickness. When DC had the ball, they saw something in DC . I actually spoke to the head of the club for age group and he said the same - the coaches will look for raw talent that they can develop.

DC ended up promoted up this season. I would not worry to much about it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No shortage of bad advice in these parts
Coaches must read these things and die laughing

I actually think is this all fine advice for a parent who is legitimately concerned for their kid.

OP, give your kid advice and then don’t watch, unless they want you to give them feedback. I find it’s a lot easier to relax is you aren’t watching. Good luck, it’s a long road, try to enjoy the time with your kid.

Anonymous wrote:No shortage of bad advice in these parts
Coaches must read these things and die laughing