When it comes to teaching how to play soccer, how do you run successful soccer tryout for a team of players? First of all, you need to take into account, how much time is at your disposal, and then the number of players you have. Add to this, their age level. Once you consider all the factors, you can set about planning a tryout.
- For A Field Tryout
If you intend to run a field tryout, you can turn it into something very enjoyable and educative for your players. Start off with introductions and a brief explanation of what you plan to do.
Beginning with a warm up, comprising of multiple activities, you can allot one ball per player or have them work in pairs. Let them spend a minute each on various activities you plan for them. Follow this up with some stretching for flexibility.
You can have a variety of small-sided games. Let your goalkeepers have separate training sessions and warm up exercises. You should evaluate your player pairs and goalkeepers, specifically during the match sessions. When the session is over, you can convey your thanks to the group.
Suppose, you have an additional day for the tryout, you can start over with the warm ups. Include a variety of 1 v 1 session, so that you get to assess the players individually. This will help you make a note of what you need to plan for further development. Also consider teaching one or two soccer crossing drills.
- Some Suggestions For the Warm Ups
You could use a speed test by arranging your player’s pairs. Let each pair race for about 30- 35 meters with a set speed in mind. The person, who wins continues, while the one who doesn’t goes back.
Another simple game is a 1 v 1 with a goalkeeper. Let the defenders be around the goal post, each in possession of a ball. The attackers arrange themselves at the halfway line without a ball. The goalkeeper is in position at the goal.
Let the defender pass the ball to an attacking player and then play to stop the attacker from shooting and to get the ball back. The attacker attempts to score a goal. You can assess both the players and award points for various successful moves.
There are a huge variety of soccer drills for youth and I've written a couple of soccer articles on the subject. I recommend that during a soccer tryout, you record the results for individual players, so that you can rate them. This can be used later, when you prepare further practice plans for both your players and the entire team.
