What to Expect at Elite Tryouts

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"Technique is not being able to juggle a ball 1000 times. Anyone can do that by practicing.
​Technique is passing the ball with one touch, with the right speed, at the right foot of your team mate."
- Johan Cruyff 
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What to bring and wear to Tryouts:
Please wear a non-club-affiliated jersey to Tryouts.  Each player will be assigned a numbered pinny prior to tryouts. Players must wear cleats and shin guards and bring a water bottle. 
 
Tryout Activities:
You will notice that Tryouts held for South Elite tend to consist of some iteration of small-sided games.The club highly values and has had success evaluating players during real, game-like scenarios rather than any specific 'drills'.  In this way, common technical skills like footwork, passing and shooting can be assessed, but also so can other skills like:  positioning, defensive ability, decision making, communication skills and overall game awareness. The elite player will display instinct, mobility, balance, vision, technique. These characteristics are most important to be executed in game play and are clearly revealed in small sided game situations.

1. During tryouts, initially a coach will likely run players through a dynamic warmup to get muscles prepared for the training activities to follow.  Players will have some initial touches on the soccer ball during this activity.
2. Players will be organized into "small-sided activities and games", which means a few players at a time will participate in a game within a smaller space on the field.  For example, 1 v 1 or 2 v 2 activities, or small-sided games such as 4 v 4.
3. Lastly, players may be organized into larger teams for regular game play.  The size of those teams is dependent on age and number of players for the tryout.  The coach will mix players and teams from time to time. 

 
During these activities, independent and qualified Evaluators will be assessing every player individually.  

Post Tryouts:
Evaluators may use several metrics to evaluate players:

1. Prior coach evaluations. If a player has played for the club in the past, that player’s coach will have provided a formal written evaluation prior to tryouts. If a player is coming from another club, the written evaluation is not necessary.
2. Tryout evaluations
3. Discussions with former coaches. 

Coaches, Evaluators, and the NEFC Director of Coaching will review and discuss all information and create team rosters accordingly.
 
Elite Tryouts, Next Steps:

• All players will be notified by email to parents within seven days of the tryout.  In most situations, parents will hear from the club within 48 hours. If you have not heard back within seven days, please contact Shirley at the office at (401) 782-8200
• Details about the offer will be included in the email, including a required response date.
• In the event a player has been selected for an NEFC South Elite team, the parents will be asked to make a commitment by registering and paying online to reserve the player's spot on the roster. (Payment options will be offered, and an individual will have an opportunity to apply for financial aid or scholarship).
• Unfortunately, not all players attending the try out may be successful in gaining a place on an NEFC South team.  If a player does not make an Elite team, we recommend a player tries-out out for a Competitive (Travel) team. If a player does not make a Competitive team, we recommend the parent registers the child for the South County Recreation Program.