United PDX RL tryouts

[Guest]

It looks like tryouts for United pdx’s RL teams are one day and for one hour. The time seems very short and I question if they can make an evaluation of a player over the course of 1-hour. Is attending worth the time? Are teams already formed and this is a formality?

[Guest]

It looks like tryouts for United pdx’s RL teams are one day and for one hour. The time seems very short and I question if they can make an evaluation of a player over the course of 1-hour. Is attending worth the time? Are teams already formed and this is a formality?

That seems low, but I know a lot of clubs only do two sessions, better than one but still not great.

I would also encourage everyone to flip the script a bit with tryouts approaching. Just as, if not more importantly, is 1-2 hrs enough time to commit to a club and thousands of dollars of expenses for a full year? Will tryouts even represent what a typical training looks like for the club? Who is the coach? What is their development plan?

[Guest]

That seems low, but I know a lot of clubs only do two sessions, better than one but still not great.

I would also encourage everyone to flip the script a bit with tryouts approaching. Just as, if not more importantly, is 1-2 hrs enough time to commit to a club and thousands of dollars of expenses for a full year? Will tryouts even represent what a typical training looks like for the club? Who is the coach? What is their development plan?

I’d recommend attending a training session before the tryout. This way you can determine if the team and coach are a good fit for your kid. iIt will also provide your kids extra visibility and show interest.

One night is usually sufficient. The coach already knows the current members and just needs to evaluate the newcomers. A good coach can do this in an hour.

NWE and Thorns ECNL teams start offering spots after the first night, but those team are usually picked ahead of time and the tryout is just a formality and money grab. I’m not sure how United works but could be similar?

[Guest]

For those who aren’t attending practices prior to tryouts you are doing it wrong. Teams for the most part are formed. Tryouts are for those who think they have an opportunity to make the team. Look at Thorns with RJ recruiting. He’s now recruiting and forming his dream teams again. Look at Holly when she took her PCU team to NWE. They held a two day tryout.
If you want to consider a coach/club and understand their development plan you must have prior contact and attend practices. Even during a “tryout” it’s scrimmaging. With coaches holding clip boards and looking like they are paying attention when in reality they are passing time and joking with other coaches. Unless you are a diamond in the rough who is new to the area all the coaches know all the players. All the players know each other.
Do your homework and attend practices prior to tryouts. Talk to the parents and ask questions about the coach. Ask questions about practices and ask how they have developed? And most importantly talk to the coach about style of play and development plan for your player and the team.

[Guest]

For those who aren’t attending practices prior to tryouts you are doing it wrong. Teams for the most part are formed. Tryouts are for those who think they have an opportunity to make the team. Look at Thorns with RJ recruiting. He’s now recruiting and forming his dream teams again. Look at Holly when she took her PCU team to NWE. They held a two day tryout.
If you want to consider a coach/club and understand their development plan you must have prior contact and attend practices. Even during a “tryout” it’s scrimmaging. With coaches holding clip boards and looking like they are paying attention when in reality they are passing time and joking with other coaches. Unless you are a diamond in the rough who is new to the area all the coaches know all the players. All the players know each other.
Do your homework and attend practices prior to tryouts. Talk to the parents and ask questions about the coach. Ask questions about practices and ask how they have developed? And most importantly talk to the coach about style of play and development plan for your player and the team.

What is a development plan? Do all coaches have these plans? What do they look for at tryouts? How can you tell a good coach from a bad one?

[Guest]

In the dictionary bad coach has a picture of RJ. So if you steer clear of where he’s coached or currently coaching you are probably going to get a good coach!

Anyone not checking out a team prior to tryouts just wants to throw $$ away. Don’t pick a club because of the badge on their jersey you will never be happy. Pick based on the players, coach and your player’s happiness. You can learn a lot from a team just watching their Veo. Do your homework and don’t think you are making a team just because your little Sally is awesome. If a coach hasn’t approached you before tryouts about Sally then she probably isn’t making that team.