How to Stand Out at Soccer Tryouts (Even If You’re Not the Best Player)

Soccer tryouts can be one of the most stressful times in a player’s journey. Whether you’re a young athlete aiming for your first competitive team or a high school player fighting for a varsity spot, the pressure to perform is real. Everyone wants to impress the coach, but here’s the truth: most players approach tryouts the wrong way. The good news? You don’t have to be the most talented player on the field to stand out. In fact, the players who earn spots are often not the flashiest, but the most reliable, coachable, and prepared. In this blog, I’ll break down everything you need to know about how to stand out at soccer tryouts, including what coaches are looking for, mistakes to avoid, skills to sharpen, and even how parents can play a role in supporting their child.

10/16/20254 min read

What Coaches Are Really Looking For at Soccer Tryouts

Many players believe tryouts are all about goals, nutmegs, or highlight-reel moments. But if you ask most coaches, that’s not what makes their final decision. Coaches are trying to build a team, not a highlight tape.

Here are the qualities that actually matter:

Reliability: Coaches want players they can count on. Do you show up on time? Do you listen to instructions? Do you execute your role without excuses?
Work Rate: Talent without effort doesn’t get far. Hustle in every drill, chase every loose ball, and give 100% on both sides of the ball.
Coachability: Are you able to take feedback and apply it quickly? A player who listens and adjusts will always be more valuable than one who ignores direction.
Body Language: Confidence and positivity matter. Do you sulk when you make mistakes, or do you bounce back and encourage teammates? Coaches notice.

When you combine these intangibles with solid technical ability, you give yourself the best chance of standing out.

Skills to Focus on Before Tryouts

While attitude and effort are huge, you also need to make sure your soccer skills translate to the tryout environment. Here are the most important ones:

1. First Touch

Your first touch determines everything that follows. A poor touch puts you under pressure, while a clean touch gives you time, space, and options. Spend time receiving passes at different speeds and angles.

2. Passing and Decision-Making

Most coaches would rather see a simple, smart pass than a risky dribble that ends in a turnover. Work on quick one- and two-touch passes, especially under pressure.

3. Fitness and Work Rate

You don’t want to be the player gassed halfway through tryouts. Show that you can play at a high tempo for the full session.

4. Communication

Talk on the field. Call for the ball, direct teammates, and encourage others. Silence can make you invisible; communication makes you a leader.

What NOT to Do at Tryouts

Sometimes what you avoid doing is just as important as what you do well. Here are the most common mistakes players make:

Trying to do too much: Don’t force every play. Simple and effective usually looks better to coaches than flashy and inconsistent.
Ball hogging: Soccer is a team sport. Coaches don’t want players who dribble endlessly while ignoring teammates.
Ignoring instructions: If a coach tells you to play a position or role, embrace it. Complaining or resisting shows poor coachability.
Negative body language: Throwing hands up, arguing with teammates, or hanging your head after mistakes sends the wrong message.

Practical Drills to Prepare for Tryouts

If you want to stand out, your preparation should mimic game situations. Here are a few drills you can do alone or with a partner:

Solo Drills

Wall Passes: Work on receiving and passing at different angles to sharpen your first touch.
Cone Dribbles + Decision: Dribble through cones, then at the end, simulate a decision (pass left, shoot right). Add variety to mimic real play.
Fitness Circuits: Mix sprints, shuttle runs, and agility ladders to build match fitness.

Partner Drills

1v1 Battles: Practice attacking and defending in small spaces.
Passing Gates: Set up small gates and pass through them under pressure.
Combination Play: Work on give-and-go’s, layoffs, and quick transitions.

Mental Preparation for Soccer Tryouts

Your mindset can make or break your performance. Many players have the skill but crumble under pressure. Here’s how to prepare mentally:

Visualize success: Picture yourself making the right plays, scoring, or defending confidently.
Control what you can: Effort, attitude, and preparation are in your control. Don’t stress about other players.
Embrace mistakes: Everyone makes them. What coaches care about is how quickly you recover.

Parents’ Role in Tryout Success

Parents often want to help but aren’t sure how. Here are some do’s and don’ts:

✅ Encourage effort over outcome. Praise hard work, not just results.
✅ Support preparation. Help your player get enough sleep, proper nutrition, and a ride to training.
❌ Avoid pressure. Adding stress from the sidelines only hurts confidence.
❌ Don’t compare. Every player has a unique path — let your child focus on their own growth.

Real Stories of Players Who Stood Out

At FC Training, I’ve seen countless examples of players who weren’t the most talented but earned their spot because of reliability and attitude. One player in particular wasn’t the fastest or strongest but was always the hardest worker in every drill. He listened, adjusted, and encouraged teammates. Not surprisingly, the coach moved him up to the top team later that season.

Stories like this prove that standing out isn’t just about talent — it’s about consistency and character.

Common FAQs About Soccer Tryouts

How long does it take for a coach to notice me?
Usually within the first 15 minutes. Coaches pick up on effort, body language, and basic skill very quickly.

What if I make mistakes?
Mistakes don’t automatically cut you. Coaches want to see how you recover and respond.

Do positions matter at tryouts?
Yes, but flexibility helps. If a coach asks you to play somewhere unfamiliar, embrace it — versatility is valuable.

Should I play safe or take risks?
The key is balance. Be smart, but don’t be afraid to show initiative when the opportunity is right.

Conclusion: Standing Out Is About More Than Talent

At the end of the day, standing out at soccer tryouts isn’t about being the flashiest or scoring the most goals. It’s about being reliable, coachable, hard-working, and positive while demonstrating solid technical skills.

If you prepare the right way — physically, mentally, and tactically — you’ll give yourself the best chance to impress.

👉 At FC Training, we specialize in preparing players for tryouts through both in-person and virtual training. If you want a personalized training plan that gets you ready for your next big opportunity, reach out today.