How to Prepare Your Child for Soccer Tryouts
The best way to prepare your child for soccer tryouts is to focus on consistent training in the 4 to 6 weeks beforehand, not a last-minute cram. Coaches evaluating tryouts are looking at three things: technical ability with the ball, attitude and coachability, and how the player performs in game situations. None of these can be faked in a single weekend of preparation, but all of them can be improved meaningfully in a month of focused daily work.
Tryout season is stressful for families. The pressure of making a team, the fear of being cut, and the uncertainty of what coaches are actually looking for creates anxiety for both parents and players. This guide breaks down what youth soccer tryouts actually evaluate, how to prepare physically and technically, and how to handle the mental side.
What do coaches look for at soccer tryouts?
Every club and every coach weighs things a little differently, but the core evaluation areas are consistent across competitive youth soccer in the United States.
Technical skill on the ball. Can the player control the ball cleanly? Do they dribble with confidence? Can they pass accurately with both feet? First touch quality is one of the first things evaluators notice because it reveals how much individual ball work a player has done. A player with a sharp first touch and comfortable close control stands out immediately, even in a group of 40 kids.
Game intelligence. This shows up during scrimmages. Does the player understand when to pass and when to dribble? Do they find space when their team has the ball? Do they track back and defend? Coaches are watching for players who read the game, not just react to it. A technically average player who consistently makes smart decisions will often be rated higher than a skilled player who makes poor choices.
Attitude and coachability. Coaches notice which players listen during instructions, which ones respond positively to feedback, and which ones keep working when things go wrong. A player who misses a pass and immediately drops their head sends a different signal than one who misses and immediately works to win the ball back. Coachability is often the tiebreaker between players of similar ability.
Effort and intensity. Tryouts are physically demanding. Players who work hard for the full session, sprint to every ball, and compete in every drill demonstrate the kind of commitment coaches want on their teams. Fitness alone will not earn a roster spot, but visible effort shows character.
Both-foot ability. At most competitive tryouts, coaches will notice if a player avoids their weaker foot entirely. Complete avoidance of one foot is a red flag, especially at U12 and above. Players do not need to be equally strong on both sides, but they should be willing to use both feet.
How should players prepare in the weeks before tryouts?
4 to 6 weeks before: build the foundation
This is the window where daily training makes the biggest difference. If your child has not been doing regular home training, now is the time to start. Even 15 to 20 minutes a day produces visible improvement within 2 to 3 weeks.
Focus areas for daily home training:
Ball mastery (5 minutes daily). Toe taps, sole rolls, inside-outside touches, pull-backs. These build the close control that makes a player look composed on the ball. Players who are comfortable in tight spaces project confidence even when they are nervous.
First touch and passing (5 to 10 minutes daily). Wall passing is the single most efficient tryout preparation drill. Two-touch passing (control, then pass) with both feet builds the receiving and distribution skills that coaches evaluate in every drill and scrimmage. Progress to one-touch passing as technique improves.
Dribbling with changes of direction (5 minutes daily). Figure 8 patterns, V-turns, and Cruyff turns at increasing speed. Tryouts often include dribbling through cones or small-sided games where the ability to change direction with the ball is tested directly.
Weak foot work (5 minutes daily). Dedicate time to the weaker foot specifically. Wall passing, sole rolls, and juggling with the non-dominant foot. Even modest improvement in weak foot confidence can make a noticeable difference at tryouts.
1 to 2 weeks before: sharpen and maintain
Do not increase training intensity in the final week. The goal is to stay sharp without accumulating fatigue. Continue daily ball work at the same duration but avoid adding new drills or extending sessions. The body and brain need to arrive at tryouts fresh, not tired from overtraining.
Get quality sleep. Youth athletes need 8 to 10 hours per night. Sleep is when the brain consolidates the motor patterns practiced during training. Cutting sleep in the final week undermines weeks of preparation.
Stay hydrated and eat well. This sounds basic, but dehydration and poor nutrition directly affect performance. Water throughout the day, a balanced meal 2 to 3 hours before tryouts, and a light snack (banana, granola bar) 30 to 60 minutes before if needed.
The day before: rest
No intense training the day before tryouts. A light 10-minute ball mastery session is fine to stay loose. The rest of the day should be about relaxation, mental preparation, and getting to bed early.
How should players handle tryout day itself?
Arrive early. Get there 15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled start. This allows time to warm up independently, get comfortable with the environment, and settle nerves. Players who arrive rushed and flustered start at a disadvantage.
Warm up on your own. Do not assume the tryout will include a full warm-up. Bring a ball and spend 10 minutes doing dynamic stretches, light jogging, and ball touches. Arriving warm means the first drill of the tryout is not also the player's first physical effort of the day.
Play simple. Tryouts are not the time to attempt tricks or skills the player has not mastered. Clean, simple, effective play impresses coaches more than flashy attempts that fail. A completed pass is always better than a failed flick. A confident dribble past one defender is better than attempting a triple step-over and losing the ball.
Communicate. Call for the ball. Talk to teammates. Encourage others. Communication stands out at tryouts because most players go quiet when they are nervous. A player who is vocal, positive, and organized on the field immediately looks like a leader.
Recover from mistakes quickly. Every player will make mistakes at tryouts. The coaches know this. What they are watching is the response. Does the player sulk, or do they get back to work immediately? The recovery from a mistake reveals more character than the mistake itself.
What should parents do during tryouts?
Stay off the field and out of earshot. This is the player's moment, not the parent's. Coaching from the sideline during a tryout is one of the most damaging things a parent can do. It signals to evaluators that the player needs external direction rather than making their own decisions.
Stay calm regardless of what you see. Your child will look at you during breaks. If they see anxiety, frustration, or disappointment on your face, it will affect their performance. A calm, supportive presence from the stands is the best thing you can provide.
Do not talk to coaches during the tryout. Questions about evaluation criteria, timelines, and team placement should be saved for after the process is complete. Approaching coaches during the tryout creates a negative impression for both you and your child.
Manage expectations honestly. Not every player will make the top team. Some will be placed on lower teams. Some will not make the club at all. Have an honest conversation with your child before tryouts about the possible outcomes and frame all of them as part of the development journey, not as success or failure.
What if your child does not make the team?
Rejection is painful, especially for young athletes. But how a family handles it matters enormously for the player's long-term relationship with the sport.
Acknowledge the disappointment. Do not minimize it. "I know this hurts" is more helpful than "it's no big deal." Let the child feel the emotion before trying to redirect it.
Ask for feedback. Many clubs will provide feedback on why a player was not selected. This information is valuable for identifying specific areas to work on. Frame it as a development tool, not a criticism.
Make a plan. If the child wants to try again next season, use the feedback to build a specific training plan for the months ahead. Consistent daily training through platforms like FlickTec, which tracks progress across 8 skill areas with 500+ video exercises designed by UEFA Pro Licence coach Roman Pivarnik, gives players a structured path to close the gaps that evaluators identified.
Consider other options. A different club, a recreational team, or a development academy might be a better fit right now. The "best" club is the one where the player gets appropriate coaching, meaningful playing time, and a positive environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should my child start preparing for tryouts?
Four to six weeks of consistent daily training is the sweet spot. That is enough time to see real improvement in ball control, first touch, and confidence without burning out. Starting earlier is fine if the child is motivated, but avoid cramming intense training into the final week.
Should my child do extra fitness training before tryouts?
Dedicated fitness training (running laps, sprints) is less valuable than ball-based training for tryout preparation. A player who spends 20 minutes on ball mastery, wall passing, and dribbling drills will get cardiovascular benefits while also improving the technical skills that coaches evaluate. If the child is concerned about stamina, interval-based ball work (30 seconds on, 15 seconds rest) builds soccer-specific endurance.
What should my child wear to tryouts?
Clean cleats appropriate for the playing surface (firm ground for grass, turf shoes for artificial turf), shin guards, comfortable athletic clothing, and high socks that cover the shin guards. Bring water and a ball for pre-tryout warm-up. Avoid wearing gear from another club.
My child is nervous about tryouts. How can I help?
Nervousness is normal and even useful. It means the child cares. Reframe it as excitement rather than fear. Remind them that every other player at the tryout is nervous too. Focus conversations on effort and enjoyment rather than the outcome. And the single best confidence builder is preparation. A player who has trained consistently feels ready, which reduces anxiety naturally.
Do coaches care more about skill or athleticism at tryouts?
At younger ages (U8 to U10), skill and coachability matter more because physical advantages even out as players mature. At U12 and above, coaches look for a combination of technical ability, game intelligence, physical qualities, and attitude. A player who is technically skilled and tactically aware will generally be valued over a player who relies solely on speed or size.
Tryout preparation is not about becoming a different player in four weeks. It is about showing up as the best version of the player your child already is. Consistent daily training, a good attitude, and honest effort are what coaches remember.
For structured daily sessions that build the technical foundation coaches evaluate at tryouts, explore FlickTec for youth players aged 7 and up.