It's Tryout Time...
So you wanna play competitive soccer. Just about the only way to get on a competitive youth soccer team these days is by trying out. That's right. You're gonna have to get out your cleats, ball and shinguards, and practice up. Get ready to strut your stuff.
However, competitive soccer isn't for everybody. It isn't for players that aren't ready to make a huge committment, it isn't for the inexperienced or beginning player, and it is MOST DEFINITELY NOT FOR THE PARENTS BENEFIT. The only thing that matters is what the kid wants. The only thing that matters is what the kid wants. The only thing that matters is what the kid wants. The only thing that matters is what the kid wants. The only thing that matters is what the kid wants. Am I clear?
The most important thing is fun. Some people have fun by running around with a bunch of their peers and kicking the ball in every which-way direction under the sun. With no pressure, and no expectations.
Some players only have fun by challenging themselves constantly and striving to be the best at all aspects of the game or are "naturals" at the game of soccer and can effortlessly rise to the top. These are the kind of players that you will find at youth soccer tryouts.
Much stress should be given to the following concept. Players will be most comfortable playing on a team that not only suits their skill level but also fits into the player's own personal achievement goals and expectations. In other words, if a player wants to be on the U.S. National Team, the player needs to play at a high level and work hard. If a player wants to just be out in the sun, then perhaps recreational soccer is best suited. There are so many levels available, and so many clubs to choose from, it should be fairly easy to find a spot on the right team. Remember: the game is meant to be played, not watched from the bench. It may be better for a player's development (and certainly for a player's confidence) to be a starter on a AA team, than to be on the bench of a AAA team.
From my personal experience of running around on soccer fields and watching coaches select their players each season, there is a formula that I have found to be accurate (sad but true). If 40 players tryout for a team, and 18 will be selected, then, of the 18 players, 15 will deserve to be on the team, 2 will be on the team because they happened to play above their ability at tryouts, 2 will NOT be on the team because they had bad tryouts, and one will be on the team for political reasons (ie. coach's child, child of somebody with money).
Tryouts are not fool-proof, but they are the best method we have available at this time (without having scouts out looking all season long).
The fact is, all the players who show up to tryouts are winners. It takes a lot of courage and desire to come to a tryout and to show the coaches what you're made of. It is important in the development of a player to have experience in trying out. Even if you don't make the team you gain valuable experience.
Coaching is also an important consideration. Playing on a team with a great coach is very important. The coach should be knowledgeable, possess good communication skills, have a sense of humor, and have a whole lot of patience.
Kids should have fun. Fun equals enthusiam. Enthusiasm breeds a love for the sport. Love for the sport brings great players and great coaches. Great coaches keep soccer fun.
I love chasing a ball in the park. Everytime my master takes me out to the park with a ball in his hand, I get all happy inside. I look forward to running around in the grass and basking in the sun. My friend Chewy is very competitive. Everytime chewy plays ball, he has to be the fastest dog at the park. He runs farther, returns faster, jumps higher and has more control over the ball than I do. Chewy isn't happy if it isn't a competition. Chewy likes to work hard. Chewy likes to be the best. He will play the rest of his life as long as it's a challenge to him. He'll probably quit as soon as he can't be the best in the park anymore, but during his time, there will be few that compare.
I, on the otherhand, have no interest in running to the point of discomfort. I like to take my time and chase butterflies along the way. The only time I don't like chasing the ball is when Chewy is there... he always wants to play harder than I do. It ruins it for me. I'll be chasing the ball for the rest of my life as long as I get to do it without the pressure of competition.
Both of our masters know what we like. We're lucky that way... and that is the most important lesson of all. 'Cus ten years from now, we both will have had many, many years enjoying chasing the ball. We will both have fond memories of the chasing. We will both be able to share our ball-chasing stories with the young pups. We will both have developed a love the the sport of ball-chasing. And we both will have chased at a level that was appropriate to our skill levels and long term goals. Ciao for Now.
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