TRYOUTS

SOME SOUND ADVICE FROM THE PRESIDENT

It’s that time of year again… TRYOUTS… Stress filled and an unsettling time for the best of us... As players it’s a testing time as they take the field to impress either an old or new coach? So, what is the best way as an aspiring player to approach each Tryout?

My advice is as follows:

Treat the tryout as a training session. Relax and enjoy. It’s a fact when we are relaxed we give of our best. It does not take a trained eye of a coach long to spot talent. If you make a mistake, just carry on and try and right the wrong, just as you would in any training session, or game. Coaches in general are realists at best and on the whole understand that nerves play a big part over these stress filled days. Give everything you have in every session and many of your concerns on being selected will only be concerns and not play any part in the outcome. Self belief and confidence is a must in any situation such as this.

It is good to wear something distinctive, as this will help identify you from the masses immediately. If at a new club, introduce yourself to the coach making sure that they got your name. Then the rest is up to you! If you are already on a team and want to stay with the current team and coach, then ask if the club offers early signing by way of a letter of commitment? This then secures your spot and makes the tryout process a non event.

As with any sporting event, correct preparation is a key. Good diet, rest and plenty of hydration to stave off heat exhaustion during the hot weather of June.

After the tryout, find out ASAP if the coach wants to either sign you or retain you as an existing player. This will give you a better chance of going elsewhere if your services are not required. Please do not be put off by rejection, the greatest player to ever grace the soccer field was rejected by Santos as an aspiring 14 year old, yes... that was PELE…  he did of course prove that coach wrong!

What one coach does not see does not mean to say that another coach might have the same opinion.

The very best advice I can give is, that if you have a good situation and are happy with all aspects of your club, then stay put! Don’t keep searching for something you will probably never find. Knowing the product is vital to your ultimate success. Do not be blinded by hollow promises made by the few, if it seems too good to be true, then it normally is. Or, ask for any promises that are being made to be substantiated by the person making those promises.

Don’t be afraid to ask the coach’s where they see you on the roster; are you in the first 11, or do they see you as a squad member? Will you get adequate playing time? These questions are vital, if you are to be successful.

Other things to look for are coach’s credentials?  Their background, both playing and coaching? Licenses, High school, College coach? Also what is the player retention of the team? Do they bring a whole new group of players each season, and if so, where does that leave you the following year? It’s a fact that club hopping will not get you to college any quicker!

Important factors looked at by College coaches are, Loyalty, integrity, attitude, work ethic and are you a team player, but to name a few and of course, can you play?

On that note, I would like to wish you all good luck this Tryout season and for the coming season.

Tony Paris

President

Florida Alliance Soccer League