Spotlight on Tryouts:
Soccer Try-Outs
 

Dear Coach,

The spring soccer season across Kentucky is drawing to end and in the coming weeks youth clubs and organizations will be holding their try-outs for the following season. This is always an awkward time for everyone involved and with much discussion taking place regarding the future of academies for younger age groups, will the procedure for how we conduct try-outs or if we even hold them change?

Over the last month I have received several questions on whether to cut or keep players to develop them?  Much of that can be answered by the clubs philosophy on player development.  The articles within this newsletter may help you with the manner in how you as a coach or club conduct try-outs on the field and deal with the matters that arise following the event.

Enjoy the summer and watching the Euro 2008 Finals and I look forward to providing you with more soccer information for the Fall season.

 
Enjoy, see you at the Far Post!
Adrian Parrish
Kentucky Youth Soccer Director of Coach and Player Development
Tryout Assistance Ideas and Plans
 
The links below will assist you some ideas on how to conduct and evaluate players at your try-outs  

During the try-outs it is important that you are well organized, have enough staff evaluators and that the players are participating at all times. Following a successfully well organized try-out it is important that you continue to devote significant energy and time in providing the best opportunity for your players and team

Kentucky Youth Soccer Association recommends that you build a library or create several set plays which the can use for the season, you can do this by writing your own or using the resources such as the Lesson Plan Form on the Kentucky Youth Soccer Association website.

 
KYSoccer Blog: Adrian Talks Tryouts – Input from the DOC  No matter how you conduct your soccer try-outs somebody will find a flaw, somebody will be unhappy, even if you opt to keep every player that attends the try-outs. The reason being is that it comes down to opinions and the inability to please everyone. To read more about Adrian’s opinion on soccer try-outs click here.
 
Not making it ... politics is not the reason

By Anson Dorrance,

University of North Carolina Women Soccer Coach

Not matter how we conduct them or weather we even agree to let them take place or not, try-outs will continuously carry a stigma that politics is involved. The following article written by Anson Dorrance, Head Women’s Coach, University of North Carolina is the perfect handout to present to parents during a parents/players meeting at the try-outs. Dorrance has been the Head Coach of the Tar Heels women's soccer program since its inception in 1979, he has also coached the US Women’s National Team and lead them to a famous World Cup Victory back in 1991 with a 2-1 win over Norway but finally stepped down from the position in 1994 to concentrate on building the North Carolina Women’s Soccer Program into a national powerhouse.

This article can also be found in the book “Vision of a Champion” whom with Gloria Averbuch he coauthored. There is not a lot in soccer Dorrance has not accomplished but I am sure he will find something that he can strive to achieve in making the game better for the players. To read the article click here.
 

The Vision of a ChampionIn Vision of A Champion, Anson Dorrance has teamed with Gloria Averbuch, an accomplished heath and fitness writer, to create a passionate and inspiring formula for success in soccer, and in life. On fields all over the country millions dream of becoming the next Mia Hamm - one of Anson’s former players. This book will show them how to do it!  Vision of a Champion is a unique blend of technical advice and powerful inspiration. Young players, male and female, parents and coaches alike will gain enormous insight into how to develop high-level athletes, who also carry the values and lessons of competitive sports with them off the playing field.

Take yourself to the highest level:  Learn the renowned UNC system,  become a champion on the playing field and in life;  Succeed with coaches and selectors; Identify and improve your weaknesses in the game;  Get inspiration form top players like Mia Hamm;  Stay healthy and injury free;  Sharpen your mental edge;  Achieve total fitness;  Maximize performance in games and tournaments;  Master skills for all levels of play.
 
Tactics Manager CD Rom

  • Design your own training drills in 2D and 3D views

  • Design and plan your team tactics and set plays

  • Design and plan your team formations

  • Save, export, print and share your drills, sessions and tactics

  • Very quick and easy to use! Just drag and drop...

  • Free software version updates*

UEFA Euro 2008

The professional soccer clubs in Europe may be looking for additions to their squads for the 2008/09 season by observing the players on show in the UEFA Euro 2008 Finals in Austria and Switzerland. Soccer fans in the US will be able to watch the games on ESPN but can also join in the fun and find out more information about the competition by logging on to the official website.
 
To Subscribe to our FREE Coaching Newsletter, click here.
 
Many of the files on this website are in Acrobat format
Download Adobe ReaderIf you don't have Adobe® Reader® 8.0, click on the button  to get your FREE copy from Adobe.  Acrobat allows you to print  our forms on your own printer without any other software being required.  The printed forms look exactly like the originals.

▪
For more information, please contact us at:  StateOffice@kysoccer.net
▪
This website is the official website of the Kentucky Youth Soccer Association, Inc., 443 South Ashland Avenue, Suite 201, Lexington, Kentucky 40502 - Phone 859-268-1254 - Facsimile 859-269-0545   © Kentucky Youth Soccer Association 2008.  All rights reserved. No commercial reproduction, adaptation, distribution or transmission of any part or parts of this website or any information contained, herein by any means whatsoever is permitted without the prior written permission of Kentucky Youth Soccer.