usl-league-2-light
Nike_Premier_Club_Logo_Blk_lo

Getting Through the Tryout Process

Earlier this month Kings Hammer announced program tryout dates for the 2023-2024 seasons.  Naturally, announcements of this sort, whether for Kings Hammer, high school teams, or local leagues, can create a sense of anxiety or stress around performance and team formation.  This type of multi-day event can be difficult to navigate for players, parents, and coaches alike.  But the good news is that there are ways to help make this time of year a little less stressful for everyone and a little easier to navigate through.

Tryouts are a Year-long Process

Since you are reading this today, you are likely already a Kings Hammer parent or player and have been performing in one of our current programs with one of our current teams.  With that in mind one thing to remember is that every player has been in a tryout all year long.  Coaches evaluate players throughout the season.  Each practice, game, meeting, or activity provides the coach (and the parent) an opportunity to see the player perform.  Effort, attitude, commitment, communication, engagement, and of course skill and understanding of the game are all being observed throughout the season and are considered when it comes time to form teams for the next year.

Regardless of whether your child is looking at a tryout, a showcase event, or improving their ability to promote their performance during the season, here are some helpful steps you can take to frame the process better for them (and yourself).

Guides for Parents and Coaches Prior to Tryouts or Team Formation

  1. Have a conversation with your child (or players.)

Talk to them about their goals, ambitions, and desires.

    • Are they happy with their current team?
    • Do they want to keep their spot on the team?
    • Do they want to move up to a higher team even if it means possibly changing positions or getting less playing time?
    • Do they want to tryout somewhere else?

Questions like these and others can help you as a parent understand your child’s current state of mind and can be beneficial in knowing how to move forward.

  1. Know what level your child is currently playing at.

This means not only what program they currently play in but how their performance level fits within that program. This is the tricky part that’s difficult for parents and sometimes the player. Can you analyze your child objectively? In order to do this, you have to take as much emotion out of it as possible and have some perspective.  Ask yourself these questions:

    • Is my child’s level with, above, or below other kids on the team as far as technical and physical skills?
    • Is my child level with, above, or below other kids with regards to mental toughness and tactical awareness?
    • Does my child want to play at a higher level, or would they be happier playing at the same level next year, or even a level down?
  1. Make every experience a life lesson for future challenges.

Tryouts and the team formation process provide opportunities for future auditions, job interviews, and other “adult” experiences that players need to be prepared for.  It is never too early to reinforce traits like determination and resilience.

    • Focus on Effort-remind them that they control Attitude and Effort in every opportunity.
    • “You’re the Kind of Person”-use these type of statements to shape the player’s image of themselves, even in times of disappointment. “You’re the kind of person who doesn’t let setbacks keep you from playing the game you love.”
    • Encourage them to have FUN, and model it-Seeing the adults in their lives show enjoyment reinforces the idea that laughing, having fun, and learning are still the major components of being on the field. 

Simple Steps for Players During Tryouts

These approaches can be taken during a short tryout, at a showcase event, or throughout the season to highlight yourself.

  • Leave your expectations at home and focus on the session at hand.
  • Focus on the activity, game, or session. Don’t think about outcomes, cuts, or placements.
  • Let go of mistakes and focus on the next play.
  • Look confident: head up, shoulder’s back, confident and positive talk.
  • Communicate with your teammates and show leadership.
  • Be teachable each session.
  • Show YOUR strengths.

Additional Resources

Tryout FAQ’s

How do I register for tryouts?
ALL soccer-athletes MUST COMPLETE the tryout registration online before participating in the tryout process. Click here to register now!

*Please make sure that you register online at least 24 hours in advance to ensure that the soccer athlete is in the system and we have your information to notify you after the tryout process.  There is a Registration Steps document on the Tryouts page that will walk you through the process. Each soccer athlete should attend both tryout days if possible. If you are unable to attend both days please reach out to the Program Director listed below.

Birth Years for the 2022/2023 Season
For the 2022/2023 season, Kings Hammer will follow U.S Youth Soccer’s guidelines and will organize its teams by birth year:

*Interested players must register to try out for their birth year.

Can my child play up an age group?
Any player playing up will be at the discretion of their respective director. All players need to register and attend the tryout for their correct age group.

What should I wear/bring to tryouts?
Please come prepared with a fully inflated soccer ball, proper footwear, shin guards, and water. Each prospective soccer-athlete will receive one free Kings Hammer Soccer Club tryout t-shirt with a tryout identification number on the back of the t-shirt.  Each prospective player will be identified by the identification number throughout the process and MUST wear this t-shirt at each tryout session for the 2022/2023 soccer year.

We will not be able to attend tryouts or are new to the area and missed tryouts. Is there a process in place to allow for an alternate tryout?
Yes! If you are not able to attend tryouts or missed the tryout dates, please register and then contact the Director for the Program/Age Group you wish to tryout for so that arrangements can be made. We also hold supplemental tryouts throughout the year. Roster openings may be limited after the initial tryout period.

What are the differences between Academy and Premier?
Our Academy provides a highly competitive environment for higher-level soccer athletes. This program provides those athletes with the best local training offered by our qualified and professional staff. Our Academy teams play at the highest possible level providing showcase opportunities to College, Professional, and National level programs.

The Premier Program is a community-based program. The Premier Program provides the opportunity for players to play other sports or have other interests outside of soccer. This program is designed to be flexible, convenient, and affordable.

Can I try out for multiple programs?
We encourage anyone who wants to tryout for all levels to do so. Current KHSC players can ask their coach/director for guidance if they are unsure about which program to tryout for. You will need to register for each tryout separately.

If I tryout for a program and don’t make it, can I try out for another program?
Yes. If you don’t make an Academy team, we strongly encourage you to tryout for a Premier team, attending tryouts for at least one day.

If you don’t make a Premier team, the Classic Program may be an option. Contact Michelle Okumura (michelle@kingshammer.com) if you’d like to pursue this option.

Will there be more than one team in each age group?
Yes, when possible, there will be more than one team per age group, per program. It all depends on the number of players at tryouts and their skill level.

If my child doesn’t make the top team, can they move up during the year?
Yes, there may be opportunities to move up throughout the year as long as the coach/director feels it is in the best interest of the player’s development. There may also be opportunities to guest play across all levels.

What can I expect after tryouts?
After tryouts you can expect communication from the club in the form of an email.  (Please double-check that your email is correct in the PlayMetrics system, this is the email we use) This will either be an acceptance email, offering your child a position on a team, or an email letting you know that they should tryout for a different program. Players who are offered positions on a team may also receive a phone call from their coach. All communication will come within 24-48 hours of the end of the last tryout. You will then have 24 hours to either accept or decline your email before your spot is offered to another child.

What are the next steps if my child makes a team?

  1. If you are new to the club, you will receive more information regarding your uniform ordering in your confirmation email.
  2. If you are part of the Academy or Premier Programs, you will receive the link to Demosphere to register your child in the state system in your confirmation email as well.

How long is the season?

  • Academy
    • U11-U14: August-November, January-May (possible post-season in June)
    • U15-U19: November-May
  • Premier
    • U7-U14: August-October, March-May
    • U15-U19: November-December, March-May

My child is in middle school but plays on a U15 team. Will there be a fall U15 program for trapped players?
Yes, we will offer a program for trapped 8th graders for the fall season depending on interest. The program will run from August to October and is open to players that are currently in the 8th grade that will be playing on a U15 team starting in November 2022. Questions please contact:

Academy North: Ryan Handbury | ryan@kingshammer.com
Academy South Boys: James Thomas | james@kingshammer.com
Academy South Girls: Chris Black | chris@kingshammer.com
Academy Bluegrass Boys: Dan Ensley  | dan@kingshammer.com
Academy Bluegrass Girls: Megan Adkins | megan@kingshammer.com

Can a team come to the club and join as a team?
Yes! The team can join the Classic Program. For more information please reach out to Michelle Okumura at michelle@kingshammer.com.

Who is in charge of hiring coaches?
If you are interested in a coaching opportunity, please fill out the following coaching form – https://kingshammer.com/interested-in-coaching/

Program Directors:

Academy North: Ryan Handbury | ryan@kingshammer.com
Academy South Girls: Chris Black | chris@kingshammer.com
Academy South Boys: James Thomas | james@kingshammer.com
Academy Bluegrass Boys: Dan Ensley | dan@kingshammer.com
Academy Bluegrass Girls: Megan Adkins | megan@kingshammer.com
Premier Xenia: Brent Lewis | brent@kingshammer.com
Premier North: Wil Cagle | wil@kingshammer.com
Premier Sycamore: Ryan Handbury | ryan@kingshammer.com
Premier Central: Michael Ratliff | michaelr@kingshammer.com
Premier South: David Shemilt | dshemilt@kingshammer.com
Premier Versailles: Brandon Cummons | brandon@kingshammer.com
Premier Lexington: Fonyam Atanga | fonyam@kignshammer.com