As a soccer coach, one of the most daunting tasks is conducting tryouts.
The soccer tryout process entails carefully assessing the abilities of your players in different positions, identifying those who show exemplary character and determination, and ultimately selecting players who are a well-rounded fit for the team.
This blog outlines the 5 best soccer tryout drills for evaluating your players, giving you the insight and confidence needed for making team placement decisions.
How to Run Successful Soccer Tryouts
Hosting a successful soccer tryout starts well ahead of time, long before players step onto the field. Here are some tips below:
Provide Feedback: Discuss with your team ahead of time the best method(s) for providing athlete feedback (to both players and parents)
Plan Ahead: Set tryout dates, drills, and evaluator assignments at least 2–3 weeks in advance.
Set Evaluation Criteria: Use standardized scoring sheets or apps like SkillShark to ensure consistent feedback and objectivity.
Use Position-Specific Drills: Run drills specifically for dribbling, shooting, and passing.
Prioritize Safety and Flow: Set up stations ahead of time to avoid dead time and ensure proper spacing between drills.
Top 5 Soccer Tryout Drills
1. Soccer Dribbling Drill- Toe Taps
Start with three lines of players. On the coach’s whistle, the first player in each line dribbles their ball to the cone, stops, taps the cone with their feet 10 times, and then dribbles back to their original starting point.
When the player returns to their starting position, the following player in the line starts, and the drill is repeated until each player in line has had a turn.
If you’re looking for some awesome soccer training videos that are easy to follow at home, check out Anytime Soccer Training.
2. Soccer Shooting Drill- Shooting Box
Set up four pylons in a 6X6 square grid in the middle of the field. Start by having 1 player in the shooting box and another 5 players scattered 30 feet away from the player in the box — each with a soccer ball.
To start the drill, one of the “outside” players passes the ball to the player in the box. Once the “box” player has received the pass, they should try to shoot (into either net) as quickly as possible. After a few minutes, switch out all players.
3. Soccer Attacking Drill- Attack the Cones
Create a 15 X 5-foot box using 4 cones, then place one cone in the center of the box. Divide your players into two lines on either end of the field.
The first player in each line will dribble their ball to the center, try and knock down the center cone first, and then return to their starting position. The next player in line will take their turn.
4. Soccer Passing Drill- Four Corners
Create 5×5 grids in each corner of the field with pylons. Split your players into two teams of 7. Each team will have a ball. 5 players will assume position on the field, and the remaining 2 players will assume position in the grids.
Players on each team will aim to pass the ball to teammates within the grids while also playing defense by preventing the opposing team from completing their passes. If the “grid player” receives the ball and successfully passes it back to their teammate, this will count as one point. Run the drill for 15 minutes.
5. Soccer Footwork Drill- 1 vs. 1 in the Circle
Players will form two lines at each end of the field. The coach starts outside the center circle and throws the ball into the circle. As the ball is being thrown, the first players from each line will race each other to the center circle.
Whoever gets possession of the ball first will then return the ball successfully to the coach without stepping or dribbling outside of the circle.
Looking For an Easier Way to Evaluate Soccer Players?
Using SkillShark, you can easily score soccer players on your smartphone or tablet. Once your evaluation is complete, instantly gain access to player reports. Review player data and draft teams on the same day!
Explore how SkillShark has transformed careers and organizations through real-life success stories. Join our community and streamline your soccer evaluations today.
SkillShark is the best money I’ve spent to help me manage my records as an International Recruiter
Jack Cameron
CJFL Football Recruiter
By taking away administrative tasks, more time can be spent developing successful athletes and winning teams.
Chris Shewfelt
Vice President, Toronto FC & Toronto Argonauts
The accuracy through SkillShark could never be achieved by our old school ways of pen and paper.
Gary Banerd
Head Coach
SkillShark is an efficient tool for evaluations, training, and progression of our players. I now have statistics and information at my fingertips. I wouldn’t be without.
Scott Hudson
Head Coach — Diamondbacks
SkillShark is easy to understand, easy to check in players and has a very simple user friendly interface.
Cory Trann
PA Minor Hockey — Evaluator
I wouldn’t even be able to calculate the time SkillShark has saved us.
James Mays
Technical Director, PA Minor Hockey
FAQ — Soccer Tryout Drills
How long should soccer tryouts last?
Aim for 90-minute soccer tryouts. Incorporate a mix of drills, allow for a proper warm-up & cooldown, and add in time for feedback.
What is SkillShark, and how can it help in my soccer player evaluations?
SkillShark is a leading evaluation software designed to assist coaches in assessing and improving the performance of soccer players. It streamlines the evaluation process by providing instant feedback reports after each assessment, saving coaches valuable time compared to traditional data entry into spreadsheets.
Can SkillShark be used by coaches of all levels?
Absolutely! SkillShark is suitable for coaches at all levels, whether you are working with youth players or professionals. The customizable templates and flexibility of the app make it adaptable to your coaching requirements, regardless of the players’ skill levels. Customize the evaluation template with beginner soccer drills of your choice, then get to scoring and analyzing these youth soccer players.
What are some soccer tryout tips to consider?
1. Choose soccer drills 2-3 weeks ahead of time.
2. Select evaluators 1 week before and communicate with them (i.e., run through the drills and explain what they should look for at each station they are evaluating).
3. Focus on positive relationships. Aside from coaching soccer tryouts, take the time to get to know athletes and provide verbal tips for improvement when you can.
Where can I find a soccer tryout template?
SkillShark offers a free printable
soccer tryout template. All you have to do is download and print, then you are ready to evaluate!
While we do offer a soccer evaluation form, we do recommend checking out the
SkillShark app, removing pen-and-paper evaluations.
When should I begin preparing for soccer tryouts?
Begin planning at least 2–3 weeks prior to tryouts. This gives you time to firm up logistics, communicate information with staff, and have evaluation materials in place.
Michelle Corry
Michelle is SkillShark’s dedicated marketing cognoscente. She is an avid athlete, dedicated professional, marketer and creative visionary. Michelle lived and breathed sports most of her life, being awarded athlete of the year back in early 2000, including a rugby scouting invitation from Team Canada. SkillShark has changed her perception entirely in terms of what she thought was possible in sports evaluation today.