For instance, freshmen and sophomores might be eligible for any team, whereas juniors and seniors may be required to place on a specific varsity team. Read the instructions about tryouts to find out which one you should attend.
The school will most likely require that you maintain at least average academic performance in order to stay on a school team. High schools often post team rules on their websites, so check the sports section of the school’s site for any such lists, and read them thoroughly. You want to know exactly what will be required of you. Plan to attend every practice, meeting and game. Schools may not accept unexcused absences from practices and games, and may not even accept certain excused absences (depending on school policy).
Practice alternating between jogging and sprinting as you build up the endurance to sprint. Make a schedule by yourself or with a personal trainer, that works backwards on the calendar from the date of tryouts to gradually increase your speed and distance.
Practice warmups on your own, so that you will know how to warmup before tryouts. That way, if coaches just tell you to “warm up” when you arrive at tryouts and don’t give you specific instructions, you’ll know what to do. Start with light aerobics like jogging and running backwards. Then do light stretches, holding each stretch for about ten seconds. Move on to jumping, twisting and turning. You can practice warmups with or without a ball. [6] X Research source
Alternate between different types of exercise so that you give your whole body proper conditioning. [10] X Research source
Replace trans and saturated fats with good fats like omega 3 fatty acids. [12] X Research source
Pair keywords like “tips,” “skills,” “tricks” and “improve” with the category of skill you’d like tips in. For example, to find dribbling-related videos, enter “dribbling tips” into the search box on YouTube. For instance, you may want to search for the name Cristiano Ronaldo or David Beckham, and add the word “tips. ” You can enter this in a regular search engine or one with specifically video results, such as Google Videos.
Your school most likely has a code of conduct they expect students to follow as members of the soccer team. Focus on showing good character by graciously accepting defeat when you lose and being equally courteous when you win. These are important core qualities that coaches look for and schools often demand of you.
Make a conscious decision to look on the bright side, regardless of the outcome. If you make the team, great! If you don’t, you’ll have an entire year to hone and prepare your skills for next season’s tryouts. You may decide to try out for a soccer club instead, or focus your efforts on other skills you have, such as another sport or extracurricular hobby.
You can find lists of soccer drills online that target specific skills, for example shooting drills or defending drills. Go to a search engine and type in “soccer practice drills. ” You can further narrow down lists by age group or skill level.
Try to use three touches with the inside of the foot, then three touches with the outside of your foot, and repeat. Examples of other dribbling drills are close space drills, The George Best Game, and lane dribbling.
For example, practice bicycle kicks to score goals backwards. Throw the ball in the air or have someone kick the ball to you. Get in the line of the balls’ flight and jump up with the opposite leg than you will kick with. Then whip your kicking leg upward to kick the ball behind you with the top of your foot. [17] X Research source
Look for drills that involve corner kicks, shooting on the run, improving accuracy, and using varying distance, angles, and heights.
Try striking the ball continually while alternating feet. Practice adjusting the angle of your approach prior to shooting.
Examples of passing drills are Split the Defenders, No Mans Zone, and The Bank Game. [21] X Research source
Use four cones – try this with the cones spaced about ten feet apart in a square formation, and also with them spaced out on a larger scale. This way you can practice shielding backwards, to the left, frontwards, and to the right. Incorporate shielding and stopping. Practice various methods of defending, for example triangling.
Your cleats should fit well and shouldn’t have any sharp edges on the bottoms.
Rather than socializing, dribble or pass the ball before tryouts. Between drills and water breaks, jog instead of walk. Try to win the ball back immediately if you lose it. Be vocal while playing. All of these things will indicate your eagerness, which is a good sign to coaches.
Pay close attention during all drills, even when you’re not the person being evaluated. Hustle for each drill and show enthusiasm, for example by nodding and smiling. [26] X Research source
