Tryouts for spring U9 and U10 teams are held at the end of the fall season. Two new U9 teams (i.e., "A" and "B" teams) will be created; generally, these teams have 12 players each, although 13 is a possibility. One new U10 team (the "C" team) is created; in addition, the existing U10 "A" and "B" teams are reshuffled (if in doubt, more reshuffling rather than less is recommended).

The tryout will be set up by the Travel Commissioners. Tryouts will have several representatives from the LJSL in addition to, in the case of the U10's, one coach from each team (too many coaches and it becomes a zoo).

The purpose of the tryouts is to pick the best 12 or so players for the "A" team, and the next best 12 or so players for the "B" team. The process is intended to be collaborative, with the goal of getting all relevant information in front of the group so that the best players can be picked. It is an LJSL process, not an "A" team coach or "B" team coach decision. For current travel players, in addition to their performance at the tryout, how players performed during the season is a very important factor (with due consideration given to the level at which that performance occurred), and their coaches should discuss this with the group.

Team decisions will be made by discussions among the participants in the tryout, including the "A" and "B" team coaches in the case of the U10's. These discussions should take place immediately after the tryout. Obviously, both "A" and "B" coaches (and "C" team coaches, if applicable) need to be as unemotional and impartial as possible in their judgments. It goes without saying that coaches who are also parents of a player have a particular responsibility to be objective about that player and to defer to others involved in the tryout for input about that player. The LJSL representatives will have the tie-breaking votes (if required). There is nothing prohibiting bringing back a few players at a later date if there are some close calls, but this process should be coordinated with the LJSL representatives.

As noted above, we want to preserve some flexibility for those running the tryout, but note a few mechanical items. All the players should bring a fully inflated No. 4 ball. There will need to be pinneys for scrimmaging. For the new players from the rec league, this is all taken care of in the invitation letter, but coaches will need to get involved in the combined tryouts to make sure that all players are identified (we suggest the same oak tag name tags that the players from rec will be wearing) and properly equipped. Current travel players should not wear their uniforms, since that would be unduly intimidating to the non-travel players. Copies of rosters would be helpful.


U9-U10 Tryout Format

There will be two tryouts for each age level; a third is a possibility but, in view of the lateness of the season, may be difficult to arrange. In general, the first tryout will emphasize skills evaluation and the second will involve more scrimmaging. For the U10's, only the second tryout will include the existing travel team members; depending on the availability of evaluators, this may be held during regular practice times.

We try to be flexible about genuine conflicts which make it difficult or impossible for a child to attend a tryout. On the other hand, we cannot give assurances that missing a tryout won't affect that child's chances.


U9-U10 Communication

A sample Tryout Invitation Letter is included in Templates in the For Coaches section of the website. This letter should be customized and mailed in advance to players invited to participate in the tryouts.

Here are some things that are important to communicate at the beginning of the tryout, so that parents and players can hear:

Congratulations for being invited to the tryout. Everyone here was recommended by your rec coaches, and you should be proud to be here.

We are going to ask you to do some very specific things - e.g., dribble with the outside of your foot, pass with the inside of your foot. It is important that you do the things we ask you to do, and not what you like to do. If we ask you to make a pass, we don't want to see a big kick.

The skills portion of the tryout is not a race. Take the time you need to perform the skill. Don't rush.

Have fun - we're going to spend a couple of hours together playing soccer, which is something we all enjoy.

We will be in touch within the next several days to tell you whether you are invited to the next tryout (announce when next tryout will be).

As in past seasons, we have many more talented players than we have available roster positions. This means that only some of you will be selected for travel. Remember: whether you make it or not, you're all good players.

Parents, you are welcome to watch, if you wish and if your child is comfortable with that. Please just observe - don't cheer, and above all don't coach. If you leave your child and come back, please be on time.


Tryout Procedures - U11 and U12

Tryouts for fall U11 and U12 (current U10 and U11) will be combined for the fall "A" and "B" teams. There is no particular prescribed format - we envision an early period for skills and a later period where separate, simultaneous scrimmages will be run. The specifics will be determined by the individuals running the tryout, and based on the mix they have to work with (see below).

For "B" team players, trying out for the "A" team is voluntary - coaches should ask their players if they want to do so. (Current "A" team players must try out if they wish to stay on the team.) If everyone wants to try out for "A", great. If not, at least during the scrimmage portion, there would be an "A" and "B" team scrimmage.

We generally run open "feeder" tryouts in mid-May for players who are not currently on travel teams. These guidelines pick up after the open May "feeder" tryouts for these teams, and would include players added from these tryouts.

Tryouts must have at least one, and preferably several, representatives from the LJSL in addition to, generally, one coach from each team (too many coaches and it becomes a zoo). Please set your tryout date early and coordinate with your commissioner about which LJSL representatives can come and how the tryout will be organized.

The purpose of the tryouts is to pick the best 17 or so players for the "A" team, and the next best 17 or so players for the "B" team. (Beginning in the fall of 2003, U11 teams will be playing 9 v 9, and we recommend a roster size of 13.) The process is intended to be collaborative, with the goal of getting all relevant information in front of the group so that the best players can be picked. It is an LJSL process, not an "A" team coach or "B" team coach decision. In addition to their performance at the tryout, how players performed during the season is a very important factor (with due consideration given to the level at which that performance occurred), and their coaches should discuss this with the group.

Team decisions will be made by discussions among the coaches - "A" and "B" - and the LJSL representatives. (If possible, these discussions should take place immediately after the tryout.) Obviously, both "A" and "B" coaches (and "C" team coaches, if applicable) need to be as unemotional and impartial as possible in their judgments. It goes without saying that coaches who are also parents of a player have a particular responsibility to be objective about that player and to defer to others involved in the tryout for input about that player. LJSL representatives will have the tie-breaking votes (if required). There is nothing prohibiting bringing back a few players at a later date if there are some close calls but this process should be coordinated with the LJSL representatives.

As noted above, we want to preserve some flexibility for those running the tryout, but note a few mechanical items. All the players should bring a fully inflated No. 4 ball. There will need to be pinneys for scrimmaging. There should be some mechanism for identifying the players if they are not familiar to those (including the LJSL representatives) running the tryout. Current travel players should not wear their uniforms, since that would be unduly intimidating to the non-travel players. Copies of rosters would be helpful. But in general we will leave those details to be settled by the individuals running the tryouts.

Players who have a really good excuse not to make the regular tryout can try out at a practice. To the extent possible, it would be helpful if that can happen before the regular tryout, so that almost everyone will have seen the player and can at least talk about him/her. As noted above, not all decisions have to be made immediately after the tryout, and individual players can be brought back for a closer look. Obviously this procedure isn't ideal and everyone needs to be reasonable about it and a good sport about any decisions coming out of it. We simply don't have the resources of space or people to conduct elaborate multi-date tryouts, etc.

In general, we suggest that you wait until after the season to inform the players of the outcome (this is perhaps the best of a number of awkward possibilities; in a perfect world tryouts would not occur until after the season, but we don't have that luxury.) Remember in any event that sign-ups need to be completed for players who will be on one of the teams so that rosters can be turned in by the fall registration deadline (typically in early July). If necessary, individual players can be added to the rosters later.

For U11 teams playing 9 v 9, the recommended roster size is 13 players. For U12 and above, the recommended squad size is 17 or even 18, particularly if your team has experienced or anticipates substantial attrition. Even though having fewer players makes substitutions easier fro the coach, from the program's perspective it is best to have as many players as can be reasonably accommodated. Coaches will appreciate the extra players when you go through a string of injuries or, more significantly, as players leave the community or decide that their interests lie in a different direction.


U11-U12 Communication

Tryouts involve a lot of anxiety for kids and their parents, and it is important to communicate clearly what is going to happen. This is particularly so for the spring tryouts where circumstances dictate that a period of weeks will pass between the tryouts and the announcement of the decisions. Here is a sample introduction that should be made at the beginning of the tryout so that both parents and players can hear:

Thank you all for coming. Have fun - we're going to spend a couple of hours together playing soccer, which is something we all enjoy.

We are going to ask you to do some very specific things - e.g., dribble with the outside of your foot, pass with the inside of your foot. It is important that you do the things we ask you to do, and not what you like to do. If we ask you to make a pass, we don't want to see a big kick.

The skills portion of the tryout is not a race. Take the time you need to perform the skill. Don't rush.

Circumstances, including WYSL rules, dictate that a period of weeks will pass between the tryouts and the announcement of the decisions - generally, decisions are not announced until the end of the Spring season. During this period we may call players back to look at them again. Players may be called back for different reasons, and some may not be called back at all. Please don't read too much into callback decisions (i.e., being called back doesn't mean you "made it", and not being called back doesn't mean you didn't).

Parents may stay and observe the tryouts, although our experience suggests that your presence only serves to distract both players and those running the tryout, and also places unnecessary pressure on your children. If you do stay, please just observe - i.e., no cheering or coaching. If you leave your child and come back, please be on time.

As in past seasons, we have many more talented players than we have available roster positions. This means that only some of you will be selected for travel and that many good players who were on past travel teams may not make it this year. Remember: whether you make it or not, you're all good players.