I've been training hard to get into good shape and improve my techniques in order to prepare for trials at this club. The trials are in January.

I have a reasonable idea of what coaches do at trials but can anyone give me a brief (or detailed ) run-through of what exactly happens. I may have forgotten a few things and I don't want to show up and be tested on a skill which I'm not prepared for.

The trials go for a length of 2 weeks, but I'm not sure how many days during those two weeks are actually trials.

So how can I be best prepared?

Thanks a lot. These forums are great.

Hey hi (Don't worry I haven't forgotten).

Trials. Well can you say which team the trials are with ? Maybe PM me (can't remember whether you said you were Sydney based or not). Might be a club I know well, hehe.

Aside from that, there's no way of knowing what clubs are looking for. In theory, they will look at all players equally and base their selection on the best players they have, position for position, in relation to what they see in front of them.

However, knowing the way it works around NSW ... I know that for many clubs, that is a load of bollocks. Some pick for strength and speed, some on individual ball skills and dribbling, some on reputation, some on fitness, some pick people who can score, some ... ugh, there's just no way of knowing. So how can anyone suggest anything ? Well, here's my experience:

*They might do a multi-stage fitness test (beep test) or a 12 minute Cooper run. Not common, I know when Northern Spirit were selecting one year they did that.

*If it's a Premier Youth club you're trialling with, the chances are, if it's a top club, that they've already ear-marked who they want and have requested that they trial. It sounds harsh, but I'm afraid years of experience in this field has shown me this is true. So you'd have to be a stand out to make them look at you. Like I say, I don't know what club or level you are talking about. You mentioned Super Youth I think.

*They may do skills and set practices. I saw one trial where they stuck about 25 kids in the penalty box and played half vs half with a keeper in the middle. It was utter mayhem. Then they took everyone out after 20 mins and ran a crappy shooting drill. From the shooting drill they selected the players they wanted. It was noticable, that the ones they selected, kept missing the target. I've no idea whether that bore any relation to anything, but there you go. (That was a top NSL club by the way !!! Fell from grace though, and you can see why). The best player and striker of the ball at those trials was never picked. Since then, he has gone on to far greater things. (So don't despair). Some coaches have no clue what they are looking at.

*Sometimes it will just be a trial game, 11 v 11. You may or may not be in your favoured position. Might be 3 teams of 11 rotating.

*Sometimes it'll be different drills or a circuit of drills, and a game perhaps.

*Some trials will split trialists into different pitches, 3 pitches for example. There will be the definites vs the probables, then the possibles vs the possibles, and the 'if his dad pays us loads' vs the no hopers. Coaches will watch and move players up or down accordingly. Sometimes they tap you on the shoulder and ask your name. Then at the end, they'll either say:

1. These people are through to the next round of trials <list of names>
or
2. You'll get a phonecall/letter this week, if you don't get a letter, assume you've been unsuccessful.
or
3. They'll just pick people out and sign them in front of everyone.
or
4. Everyone will come back for another trial.

My advice:

1. Play how you naturally play, don't try and play differently. You have to go on the premise that the coaches are good and they know what they're looking at.
2. Ignore all the coaches and people watching you. Hard I know, but concentrate on your game, even if they tap you on the shoulder, don't think 'yes I been noticed' just keep going, they might be tapping your shoulder to elliminate you from their list, or to add you, you never know.
3. Try and show your full range of skills as much as possible, without showing off though, if you see what I mean. As a coach, I look for players with ability who can do more than just dribble, or shoot. I look for rounded players and decent selectors should be too. Show that you know how and when to pass, tackle, close down, jockey, mark, attack, defend, carry the ball etc.
4. Be confident in your own ability, and comfortable with any position they put you in. A footballer should potentially be able to play any position. It's the same games, same skills, just in different proportions. For example: If you're a RM, and they stick you at RB, don't think 'ugh, i hate defence'. Just concentrate on what you're doing, play your RM into the game the same way you'd be played in, and get forward at the right time and show what you can do. RB and RM are not that different a position in attack, or defence, not really (there are key differences of course).
5. Show you can cope with the physical side of things. Coaches want people who can take knocks and put themselves about. Not violently (well, some do), but competitively.
6. Treat it as fun, don't take the whole thing so seriously. Enjoy what it is you are doing. Sometimes players actually do better if they think they've been cut already, they then relax and play better and are surprised with selection. hehhe
7. If you are not selected, don't think, 'I'm crap, I'm never going to get into a club' or whatever. Chances are, the coaches didn't know what they were looking at (if relevant), or they never saw you (luck, although no excuse on their part), or you didn't have the right attributes for their selection criteria. It is not personal.

I'm sure you will be fine. Like I said, if you are Sydney based, let me know what club and I might be able to be more specific.

Good luck. (been to many many trials, I know it can be daunting)

Thanks mate, you're a reliable source of information, as well as a good bloke.

The club I'm trying out for is not actually in NSW it's in WA. It is one of the best and I sincerely hope they haven't ear-marked who they want. They've already granted me a trial though so I doubt they will be biased.

Can you tell me what the Cooper run is? I'm pretty confident that by January I'll be one of the fittest players there. I run 5k a day and do sprints.

Seeing as you're a coach tell me what you think of me as a player, which is obviously hard having never seen me play before... but I'll try be honest with myself.

I can play in centre-mid, preferably in the hole behind the strikers. When I get the ball I usually look for a team-mate on the wing or up front and try to play through balls which usually have a good success rate. Sometimes if I get a good angle I take a shot and I only really dribble if a pass isn't readily available or if there is space ahead of me. When the opposition has the ball I usually track back behind the ball and try close players down.

Do you expect more from an attacking midfielder? Please give me advice on what I should do individually before the trials..

Thanks a lot for the great advice Mux. You never let me down.

Hey Mux, im nsw aswell,
where have u tried out so far, or who have u signed for
yeh and for what age group are ya

WA. Ok, I've only seen a couple of players from WA, one was a huge striker who scored loads of goals but I felt would never make it as a pro. He came over to NSW to trial for a week with the club, but he went back. Never saw him at any of the State tournaments in Sydney the following years either. Heard he was playing U19s as a 15yr old, mainly due to his size. But anyway.

Ok, let's see. You're right, I have no idea how to judge your ability. I don't know what level you are playing at, you could be a strong player in a weak league, or an average player in a strong league, or a strong player in a strong league ..... hhehhe, so hard. Shame I can't see you play, it sounds interesting.

Cooper run, is a distance-endurance test. It's sort of like the beep test in a way. A course is marked out, and you run/jog for 12 minutes, and they measure the distance you have gone in those 12 minutes. Obviously it'll be around the 3.5km mark if you're endurance is v good. 3km is good. It depends on what their criteria are. If you work on the basis that 4km in 15 mins is v strong, then you can gauge yourself accordingly based on 12 minutes.

Attacking Midfield. From what you have said, I can't see anything wrong. I would suggest you get someone to video your games, just you with about 7/8 other players in shot (that sort of zoom), and then you can watch yourself play. You'd be surprised how you think you play, compared to how you do play. And it goes both ways. You'll look and say, 'why did I not see that pass ?' Or you'll go, 'that was cool how did I do that ??'

From what you descibe, it sounds like you are working predominantly in the attacking third WITH the ball. I'm guessing again mate so forgive me, when your team is in your defensive third, it is useful as an AM to be able to hold a release ball out of defence, or to drift with the ball, buy some time until your team can support, and then bring others into play, turn and move into a more advanced position youself. When you play the next level up, you may find you cannot always just turn and attack with the ball, defenders are better, marking is better etc. I'm not saying you necessarily do this of course hehe.

As much as you describe sounds fine. A bit of flair and the ability to create something out of situations where there is very little, or where there is no room, is good for an AM, especially on box approach play. You appear to have the triple-threat going ok. Shoot if you can, if not get into a position to shoot, if not, pass, then support. Playing the wings is great, that's my philosophy anyway, playing wingers, my teams have played 3-5-2 a lot. The midfield 5 are: RM, LM, AM, and two slightly receeded DMs. Wing play is superb for many reasons, not for this thread though, hehe.

As you said, difficult to judge, you appear to be doing everything right. All I will say is make sure you use your energy levels appropriately. It's difficult to learn and it would depend on your style as a player whether you play at 110% or save your energy for your key roles. Dropping back and closing down is good of course, these are the times when an AM should be recovering so you shouldn't really go all out to chase the oppo around the pitch, only really in the centre and inside channels, and not as far back as your own pen box. It's difficult to learn in a team or at a level where the team and coach are limited. What I mean is, the next time you play, you might rightfully let a player go that leaves your area of influence so you conserve your energy, but your team-mates / coach might have a go at you for giving up, that is if they don't understand positions, tactics, defence etc. It's frustrating. At the same time, they would expect you perhaps to chase that oppo to the goal line if needed, they'd also wonder why you were fatigued later in the game when a scoring opportunity was available and the attack broke down with you. But, move up a level, move up as far as you can and challenge your ability.

Common mistake is people think, oh that league is too tough, the players are too good. Well how is anyone going to improve if you aren't playing against better players, with better players, being coached by top coaches. Once you get to Premier Youth and State level, you would be utterly mind-blown when you get a good coach who makes the game so easy, and makes the team play as a team like you've never experienced before. You will learn tactics and things you thought were only available for EPL players !

I'm not sure what else to say at the moment, I'e rambled a bit.

Hi. Without giving away too much info in the public eye, what level are you at, what sort of area.

I know a fair bit about Blacktown, Northern Spirit (Gladesville), Marconi, Parramatta, Olympic and all those PYL teams.

I also know a bit about districts on the north side of Sydney from Chatswood upwards to ... Berowra.

I'm not sure whether your age group question was to me, or to tifoso-inter. But I have played adult State League for Ku-Ring Gai, and Sydney Men's Premier League, nothing majorly exciting, certainly not NSL, hehehe.

Coaching wise, I know enough about U10 - U18s at various levels. I don't know everything, far from it. Bear in mind I've also been away from Aus for just over a year now.

thanks Mux you're a champion. I learn so much reaching your posts! You put time into them as well, I should be paying you for this lol.

I appreciate it a lot man thanks.

Info is for sharing

thanks Mux

oki doki well
im currently in SYL, ummm i dont really no what sort of area is it, im playing for the same team as last year and we didnt do so well last year , if u want i cud tell u the name in a priv msg

Hmm.. OK, let me guess.

I've read all of your posts.

I reckon, last season, you played in this division for Parramatta Star, or perhaps in this division for Dulwich Hill. Hmm, actually I'm having second thoughts, it might be this age group for Parramatta Star.

Heheh. By all means, tell me if you like. I haven't been involved with any SYL clubs apart from Central Coast (a bit), Northern Tigers (a lot), Southern Branch (a bit), and Penrith (when they were PYL). It's not that important to be honest, I assume you are of Turkish, older than U11 and U12 because you say you've been playing for 7 years, assuming you started properly at under 8s (or perhaps locally at under 6s) leads me to these conclusions. hheh.

You should ALWAYS go along to PYL trials. I know some are closed trials, invitation only, but you should try and get your foot in the door at every opportunity. Send PYL clubs your player resume, coaches writen reports (if you got any), results of your beep test, your sprint speeds 0-20 metres, height, weight, position. Don't harp on about how many goals you've scored, everyone does that and they just ignore the letters, because you can't prove any of it. All the stuff (above) is provable, and evidence. It might get you in for closed trials.

Always aim higher than you are. Even if you think PYL is too tough, how are you ever going to know unless you trial against them. The more the better, and enjoy it, it's fun. So many people take it so seriously. Football may be important to you, but THE most important things should be that you've got a GOOD COACH, you're CHALLENGING yourself and improving, and that you ENJOY your football. Seen so many kids playing PYL who are quality players but hate it because their parents push them, or they're being told to be so serious.

lol yeah well i am turkish and yeh i have been playing for dulwich hill, i hope this years alot different compared to last year,
BTW im playing for U15s next year so last seasons U14s lol its bad i left half-way to go overseas for a holiday but alot of the players ended up just mucking around and laughing when they copped goals etc
also i started @ 9 yrs old

so u have been involved with a fair few YL clubs yeh? can i ask you where or who are u currently involved with? and which other teams have u been involved with

thanks

yeah i was thinking of going to sydney olympic n st george seeing there probably the closest to where i am but i just didnt in the end, i dunno why

but also alot of PYL clubs have there team already there

Parramatta Eagles, Marconi Stallions, Blacktown, Northern Spirit, Northern Tigers. Particularly involved with the first two.

I am no long in Aus. I'm in UK now.

You should go for PYL trials, otherwise how will you ever know if you are good enough or not? Olympic is ... ok I spose. StGeorge ... nah.

Get into trials for the top clubs, that's your aim. If you try for Marconi, even if you aren't successful, ask the coaches how you rated, and they'll give you a good analysis of what to improve.

Also, yes PYL teams do pre-pick their players as a general rule, but if you're good enough, they'll snap you up in a second. How will you know unless you try.

We had one guy, bags of experience at PYL, trialled badly at a number of clubs but an awesome player. Ended up at Marconi trials without a hope of getting in. Trial games. He played fantastically and scored the only goals in the whole 2 hour trial from Left Midfield position. They couldn't believe their luck. Signed him first.

can i ask how where you involved with the clubs, like was it coaching,managing or like which age group etc

yeh well ill try next year for PYL but ill also keep an eye out on any spots open during the year

why do u say st george totally nah?
i know both Olympic/St George both have "politics", like if u know someone there, you have a good chance, or if $$$ is invovled

How come you left aus and have u got any plans of coming back?

sorry about all the questions, im just intrested
thanks

MUX knows his stuff he has helped me tonz

You are an sp champion mux.

yep he is.