Hi all, looking into the tryout thing for my kid who is interested in teams near greenwich/westchester. The main club she is wants to try for has two tryout dates listed on their site for her age group. Is it generally assumed you attend both dates or is it that the 2nd date is only by invitation, depending on how you do the first day?
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Clubs tend to get the biggest numbers on the first day; it drops off for day 2 because some decide they're not interested or see they don't have a shot - or even have a tryout at another club.Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
What you should be doing is getting them to team practices NOW. It's a much better way for both parties to assess fit. Cattle tryouts are a a waste of everyone's time. You really have to outshine everyone, especially if you're trying to crack a spot on a well established team that isn't expecting much turnover. Contact the clubs you're interested in and ask to attend a few practices, making mention of your player's experience etc. If a club says to only go to their cattle call then chances are they're not interested -
Kind of related but my son (u11 travel player) was very recently at a skills clinic and was pulled aside and invited to train with a premier team, which he did for a few weeks. The coach said he really liked him and to definitely come to the tryouts for fall since they currently had 17 kids already for spring but were probably going to have spots for fall. Hoping that works out since now he has been practicing a lot and relly wants to make that team. Seems like so much pressure for an 11 year old though.Comment
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Go to both tryout dates.
Related: doing well at a clinic is a good way on to a U10-U13 team at OW. You get more individual attention from the "coach" and it's not the cattle call that a regular tryout is.Comment
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It isn't for the faint of heart. Depending on the club, what level they play at, who the parents are it can be great....or not. But if he really wants it and is working hard to get it then it seems he's very motivated. That's important because he has to want it, not you. if you go you'll see some kids who were pushed there by their parents.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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Some clubs will give kids' offer the first day if they know for sure they want them. But generally they want to see you at both. Of course that gets tricky when you're trying multiple clubs (and you should to keep your options open). That's why getting to practices now is a good strategy - you might be able to eliminate one off her list, or decide to drop others and just focus on the two she most wants.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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My advice is to get him evaluated privately and if interested, get some private training. He also should be observed in his present scenario in match play to observe possible weaknesses.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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let me guess...you know just the guy. Eleven years olds don't need private trainers or evaluations. Trying out at a club will suffice and if he doesn't make one then the parents can explore options to improve.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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My kid wants to tryout with another club but since tryouts are so early, basically at the start of the Spring Season instead of the end, she's terrified of being discovered by her current team and benched all season ( and I'm concerned with paying and having her sit due to a bitter coach/club....). You can guarantee that if your kid tries out, current teammates and the current club WILL find out. I've seen it so many times. Makes for an uncomfortable season. These early tryouts suck.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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I hear you. You just want what's best for your kid. All I can say is - talent wins out. If your kid is good - do what you think is best and it will work out. If your kid is ok, then be more careful. Clubs will bend over backwards for talent and punish the mediocre. It's just the way it is. Be honest with yourself about your kid's talent. Know where they fall and act accordingly.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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Agree 100%. I was very worried that we'd be made an example of when we went through the club shopping phase (kid is quite honestly an "ok, not great" player). Turns out they didn't care what we did when we started trying out for other clubs. However, I know the situation with a upper (not top) kid and they put that family through hell when the kid was leaving. It all depends. The one standard thing is you'll find though is these clubs are not "family" even though they claim they are. Having gone through the thing with an older kid, I now view these club with a very cold and cynical eye and don't believe any of the noise they spout about "family" etc.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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If it's truly your first choice, contact the coach and ask to attend a few sessions before the first tryout. That way you have a pretty good idea if it's going to be a match. If you only go to the first tryout and the coach asks at the end if you are coming back for the second that that is a good sign based on my experience with a couple of kids.Comment
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Exactly. The "family" line is bull. It goes both ways. Clubs lie to parents and parents lie to clubs and other parents in late May and early June. Dont believe anything anyone tells you and do what's best for yours. Have a back up plan. Everyone else is.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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If a club/coach gives you grief for trying out elsewhere that tells you trying out elsewhere that tells you all you need to know about their character. Look out for your own children and do what's best for them. Just make sure that if you're thinking about leaving it's for the right reasons - parents club hop often for all the wrong reasons
Always have a backup plan also - had a team implode once unexpectedly and it was a stressful scramble to find another option which did work out very well. It's good to see what's out there now and then too.Comment
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This is a tough call, particularly if your kid is a middle of the roster kid in terms of playing time. Coaching competitiveness and pride of winning will generally protect the top players who do this from repercussions. It's a shame that people would punish you for only doing what you and your kid think best. This is a pay for play world and you should not be admonished for choosing how you want to invest in your kid's future. But there are simply too many who do not get what club soccer is really about.Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
Do what is best for your kid. Quality and perseverance will win out.Comment
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