TRYOUTS UPDATE (Incoming 9th Graders)
A couple of video clips showing the standard of small-sided possession exercises prior to larger field scrimmages today (June 16).
Updated - 16 June 2021
Thank you to all incoming 9th grade students for taking the time to attend tryouts. Because of the high standard of play over the past two days (higher than I anticipated quite frankly), selecting students has been a very difficult task, particularly with almost 50 in attendance.
Below is some information that should help both students and parents understand my assessment and thinking.
I talked to students face-to-face before tryouts and I was open about what would be required in order to be offered a spot on the program:
1. Be able to keep the ball under pressure in small spaces.
2. Communicate and make good decisions both in and out of possession.
3. Show intelligent game understanding and again be able to keep possession effectively in a full-field scrimmage.
Being a 'fast runner' or having a 'big kick' were not traits I was prioritizing in my assessment and I also made that clear so the students fully understood my approach.
Not all coaches are direct and honest enough with students and parents but I don’t shy away from frank honesty because I believe it is necessary to help young people develop character as they transition into adulthood.
The reality of the situation is that these tryouts haven’t taken place over two days; they have taken place over many years invested in improving and developing. Where each student is individually right now from a soccer perspective is the result of years of training; for students who may have only played competitive soccer for 2 or 3 years, they are competing for a spot on the program with students who have been playing for upwards of 6 years. For those people familiar with it, the ‘10,000 hour rule’ isn’t quite as straightforward as some have made it out to be but there is no question that a big difference in practice time over many years is something that usually shows up very clearly on the field, certainly in my experience within the game of soccer (with the exception of a very small number of outliers).
For students who have not been offered a spot on the program at this time, it is ok to be disappointed but I encourage you to also be realistic about the situation based on the high standard of tryouts. Unfortunately, not everyone can make it and that is something that goes beyond soccer; you should always do your best in life but the reality is that you won’t always get what you want. Keep going, continue to work hard and even in the face of adversity, renewed effort and perseverance will help you to develop character and that is hugely beneficial for any individual.
Thanks again for your time and effort over the past two days; players will have another opportunity in the fall as we will have open tryouts for the first two weeks of practice when school resumes. I love it when young players prove me wrong and so if you turn up to tryouts in the fall and put in a really good showing, you will certainly be considered for addition to the program.
If you would like honest, direct feedback as to why you were not offered a spot on the program at this moment in time, please reach out to me.
All the best,
Paul
paulspacey7@gmail.com
(310) 403-7166
Thank you to all incoming 9th grade students for taking the time to attend tryouts. Because of the high standard of play over the past two days (higher than I anticipated quite frankly), selecting students has been a very difficult task, particularly with almost 50 in attendance.
Below is some information that should help both students and parents understand my assessment and thinking.
I talked to students face-to-face before tryouts and I was open about what would be required in order to be offered a spot on the program:
1. Be able to keep the ball under pressure in small spaces.
2. Communicate and make good decisions both in and out of possession.
3. Show intelligent game understanding and again be able to keep possession effectively in a full-field scrimmage.
Being a 'fast runner' or having a 'big kick' were not traits I was prioritizing in my assessment and I also made that clear so the students fully understood my approach.
Not all coaches are direct and honest enough with students and parents but I don’t shy away from frank honesty because I believe it is necessary to help young people develop character as they transition into adulthood.
The reality of the situation is that these tryouts haven’t taken place over two days; they have taken place over many years invested in improving and developing. Where each student is individually right now from a soccer perspective is the result of years of training; for students who may have only played competitive soccer for 2 or 3 years, they are competing for a spot on the program with students who have been playing for upwards of 6 years. For those people familiar with it, the ‘10,000 hour rule’ isn’t quite as straightforward as some have made it out to be but there is no question that a big difference in practice time over many years is something that usually shows up very clearly on the field, certainly in my experience within the game of soccer (with the exception of a very small number of outliers).
For students who have not been offered a spot on the program at this time, it is ok to be disappointed but I encourage you to also be realistic about the situation based on the high standard of tryouts. Unfortunately, not everyone can make it and that is something that goes beyond soccer; you should always do your best in life but the reality is that you won’t always get what you want. Keep going, continue to work hard and even in the face of adversity, renewed effort and perseverance will help you to develop character and that is hugely beneficial for any individual.
Thanks again for your time and effort over the past two days; players will have another opportunity in the fall as we will have open tryouts for the first two weeks of practice when school resumes. I love it when young players prove me wrong and so if you turn up to tryouts in the fall and put in a really good showing, you will certainly be considered for addition to the program.
If you would like honest, direct feedback as to why you were not offered a spot on the program at this moment in time, please reach out to me.
All the best,
Paul
paulspacey7@gmail.com
(310) 403-7166
Below is a list of 18 students who will be offered a spot on the program ahead of the fall. After that is a shorter list of students who made an impression but did not show enough during tryouts to warrant being offered a spot right now. They are in consideration for the fall. In all likelihood, only 2 additional players will be added for a total of 20 incoming freshmen.
Students joining the program will not be assigned to a team (Varsity, JV, Frosh) until everyone has practiced together for at least a month or so when school resumes. Team placement will likely be confirmed by October and for the majority of incoming freshmen, they will very likely play on the Frosh team.
Advance spots on the program following summer tryouts (18):
Students joining the program will not be assigned to a team (Varsity, JV, Frosh) until everyone has practiced together for at least a month or so when school resumes. Team placement will likely be confirmed by October and for the majority of incoming freshmen, they will very likely play on the Frosh team.
Advance spots on the program following summer tryouts (18):
Potential spots depending on fall tryout performance (6):
