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Get ready for tryouts

Tryouts reward players who show their best habits under pressure. Here is what evaluators usually look for, and how to prepare in the weeks and the day before.

Updated September 26, 2026 · Coach review pending

What evaluators look for

Club evaluations commonly score four areas: technical skill on the ball, tactical decisions, physical qualities such as speed and strength, and psychological traits such as effort, focus and how a player responds to mistakes.

Six weeks out

Pick one or two priorities rather than trying to fix everything. First touch and passing under pressure show up in almost every drill. Add short speed work and keep total training within a sensible weekly load.

The final week

Reduce volume so your player arrives fresh. Keep touches sharp with short sessions, prioritize sleep, and check boots, shin guards and water bottles well before the day.

On the day

Arrive early, warm up properly, and communicate on the field. Evaluators notice players who talk, move to support teammates and recover quickly after a mistake.

Get an honest baseline

An outside assessment before tryouts shows which one or two areas will make the biggest difference, so the weeks of preparation go where they matter most.

Sources

  1. New York Red Bulls Regional Development School: Player evaluation
  2. US Soccer Players: How to evaluate soccer players

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