Navigating the Stress of Tryout Season

First, a reminder that Kings Hammer players at all levels, and in all programs, are engaged in season-long evaluation. This statement may have been seen previously by many families.  It certainly will continue to be stressed, not only during the Tryout and Team Selection period, by throughout a Kings Hammer player’s time with the club.

“Every practice and game are moments for the coach, and other coaches within the program to identify each player’s areas of strength, areas for development, personality traits, and additional characteristics. While the tryout sessions are valuable for comparing new players to our current rosters, and for getting final comparisons between similar KH players, Team Selection decisions will be based on season Player Tracking, Player Report Cards, and Team Depth Charts established throughout the 2024-2025 season. Eighty minutes of a tryout will not outweigh a full year of exposure.“

But, as we head into this years’ tryouts, here are some strong recommendations to keep in mind from Melissa Jacobs with the Good Game.

Taking a look at “Lessons From a Long Week of Tryouts” by Melissa Jacobs

1. The First Rule of Tryouts … Don’t Talk About Tryouts
   • Avoiding unnecessary conversation about tryouts and letting your child express themselves as they choose can help alleviate some of the stress they may be feeling
2. Don’t Blame the Coaches if You’re Disappointed
   • Don’t take these decisions personally, and understand what one coach sees in your child may be different from another.
3. Understand Coaches Are Piecing Together a Puzzle
   • Players are filling spots according to the needs of the vision for the entire team
4. Don’t Accept a Role Your Kid Isn’t Comfortable With
   • Your child may want to make a choice to play with or stay on a team on their own terms.
5. Figure Out a Sleep Plan
   • Getting sound sleep through stressful process is important for everyone!
6. Order of Calls Means Very Little
   • It’s important not to add to anxiety by jumping to unnecessary conclusions.
7. Try Not to Overthink It
   • The What-Ifs will drive you crazy! Focus on the positives and continue moving forward.

Click here to read the full Good Game article and see more on each recommendation.

Addition Resources

Soccer Parent Resource Center – Navigating Youth Soccer Tryouts

Skye Edy of Soccer Parenting is joined by sports psychologist Dan Abrahams and Jay Howell, women’s head at Randolph-Macon and Executive Director of the Richmond Strikers Soccer Club, for a conversation on tryouts. Click here to watch the full interview.

SoccerWire.com – Tips to help players deal with stress and emotions of tryout season

It’s a stressful time of year for soccer players. This article goes through tips and tricks of managing stress and anxiety for players as they navigate the tryout season. Click here to read the full article.