Missouri Youth Soccer Association 2230 Bluestone Drive Saint Charles, MO 63303
VOL 1 • NO. 1 • MAY 2016
MISSOURI YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION
L A R U G U INA
! E U S IS 2017
NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID Permit 2397 Tampa, FL
TRYOUT SURVIVAL GUIDE
COACHES TOOLBOX
Missouri’s all-new “NETWORK” newspaper
brings everything you need to know for the soccer season ahead
Network editor Brian Beaky tapped into the minds of coaches to find out how to get yourself noticed — and on the team — this spring BY BRIAN BEAKY Editor, The Network With most associations and clubs starting their fall registration period in June, the months ahead will see thousands of young players statewide trying out for recreational and competitive clubs and teams. No matter what level of soccer your young player is trying out for, there are a few questions that every parent and soccer player will likely have as they prepare for this busy — and often stressful — time. Questions like, “What are the coaches looking for?” and “Which club is the ‘best?’” That’s why this month, we’ve talked to coaches to learn the secrets to a successful tryout — what matters more, ball skills or athleticism? What are some little things you can do to make yourself stand out? In addition, we’ve added in a few useful tips for players and parents to keep in mind in this often nervewracking time — from how to choose the right club, to making sure that you’re at your best when the big day arrives. Good luck!
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The “best” club is the club that’s best for you
No matter how many State Cup titles a club has won, or how many Division-I college players it has produced, there is no soccer club in the world that is the best fit for every player. Each club’s website or brochures should give an indication of the time commitment, travel requirements and financial investment required by that club, as well as the expectations they’ll have of each player. Some players might be ready for the greatest challenge, while others might just want to have fun and play with their friends. Before going to tryouts, make sure that the goals
of the club you’re trying out for align with the goals of your player. The Club Directory at MissouriSoccer.org is an excellent resource for finding and comparing clubs and associations in your area.
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Preparation breeds confidence, and confidence breeds success
Preparing for tryouts involves much more than just practicing skills. In addition to honing your stepover or fine-tuning your shot, it’s important to prepare yourself mentally — both for failure, and success. During the tryout, you may make a mistake (in fact, you almost certainly will, at least once) or coaches may surprise you by asking you to play a position you are unfamiliar with or that you don’t consider your “best.” Be prepared for these situations, and respond positively. Soccer games are full of unexpected developments and difficult moments for each team — the players who respond the best in these challenging moments in a tryout will be certain to catch a coach’s eye.
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Be ready to work when the tryout begins
Without fail, each of the coaches we spoke with mentioned players being late, or arriving unprepared, as one of the biggest negatives during a tryout. Arriving late to tryouts shows the coach that you don’t value his or her time, or that of the other players, and suggests that you’re not completely invested in the tryout process. With dozens of other players on time and eager to make the team, it sets you apart — in a bad way. Instead, arrive at least a half-hour early, to give you plenty of time to put on all your gear, warm up, and pass the ball around with a friend or fellow player. Not
only will you feel more relaxed and confident, but a coach who arrives at the field to see players already warming up and passing the ball is sure to take note. And if a coach’s first impression of you is that you are a well-prepared self-starter, you’ll be starting the day at the top of his or her list.
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Make yourself known M
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D C S S S A O E H N When the coach arrives, walk over and introduce F S A T N I S W E Z U M S L R A E U Q K yourself. Don’t let your parents do it for S you; a F E A C E P P C F T L W B G player who looks their coach in the eye, Hgives aS R O M H A T M I R T S H T O I L A A D A E O O E P firm handshake and introduces themselves Nexudes J Y N I T H R C L T F R O K I P G S A confidence and maturity, two qualities that every T A H C N D L E H A F U E F H C C B H H A O coach desires. Don’t interrupt the coach if he’s Atalking L R L S A L W I A T E Y B Z L A U R Y to someone else; wait your turn, then say hello.RThank O T L T A U L P B N D U P R L O L R D I the coach for the opportunity to tryout, and express R P O K H I O O L Y A S E O E O C P S your sincere desire to be a part of the team this Gyear. E L F Y S E O R K I S O F P T E Y P G A P Said one coach: “It’s much harder to break the I I I O R D T R U X R O N B L R U C E S P S heart of a player whose hand I’ve shook, and who has E N R U O Y A T Y K P E D T E I B E I T looked me in the eye and smiled and said thankR you, O S T C E N A O U Z E T R G A R N E O X E than it is a player I never talked to at all.” A N G Y A R O I
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Control only what you can
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There are things that you, as a player, can control — your amount of rest, your amount of practice, your pre-tryout meal, your clothing (one coach we spoke to recommended, if allowed, wearing a brightly colored shirt or socks to help distinguish yourself from the other players). There are other things you can’t control — the weather, the skill level of the other players at tryouts, and the attention of coaches. If you accept going in that you can only control certain factors — and concentrate on achieving peak performance in those areas — you’ll Continued on page 4
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