Making the Team (continued)

There are some traits which your child will be evaluated on that are not listed on the back of this page. Things like size and pure speed are critical components which training, at this date, can not change. What we will concentrate on in the next few sessions are the characteristics that can be changed.

The top 20% of the players will be evident within the first hour of ODP practice as will the bottom 20%. The other 60% will appear fairly even. Our job is to help our players stand out. The ODP coaches will be looking for any little difference they can detect to pick out the players in that 60% who they think will represent the state of [Virginia] in regional competition.


Here are some explanations of what the coaches are looking for.

Speed – Speed kills. While pure speed can’t be taught, players can appear faster by using smartness. Quickness and brains can compensate for a lack of pure speed. By thinking ahead and not “ball watching” a slower player can anticipate the play and move to a better position which provides him the step or two head start which makes him appear faster.

Size – If speed is good then speed and size are better. But smaller players can play “physical”. The smallest player on the field in the Women’s Olympic Championship game (5’3” Tiffeny Milbrett) scored the tying goal as time ran out off of a header by soaring above all the taller players. Proper positioning can make up for a lack of size.

Speed of Decision Making – This is the one quality that tells whether a player is ready to play at a higher level. The ability to make a correct decision quickly is imperative. Failure to make a decision shows that a player will have trouble with the faster ODP game.

Pace - Physical Fitness – Can player run five miles at an 8 minute per mile pace without becoming winded? Even with only a week left until ODP trials, players can improve their endurance by running several miles a day.

Receiving and first touch – A good first touch (including trapping) allows for better heads up for decision making. Juggling is a good exercise which can help develop good first touch.

Passing - ability to pass to space (short and long) and the ability to pass to feet are important.  Passes to feet are easy and will be evaluated for their pace and touch. Passes to space will be evaluated for their creativity. Remember the adage – short, short, long! Two short passes should be followed up by a long pass. 

Communication - Communicates with team mates on the field – verbal communication is important. Uses proper terminology - i.e. drop, square, man on, mark, ballside, goalside, etc.

Aggressiveness – Does he win or lose most 50/50 balls? Does he win all 60/40 balls?  Does he win any 40/60 balls?  Does he win the 1v1 battles?  Does he back off when confronted with a 1v1?

Field presence, heart, etc. – These are all intangibles which coaches are looking for which can be measured by time, weight or height but which stand out on the field. Is he a team leader? Does he get along with and lead the other players or cause dissension among the other players? Does he stand out or disappear? Voice, clothing, friendliness, etc. all combine to add up to field presence.

Creates space with movement - Movement “Off the Ball” is extremely important and a very good sign of maturity in a player. Does player stand around or does he make runs (without the ball) to create space? Is he willing to make many runs when he doesn’t get the ball in exchange for that one opportunity when he does?

Maturity - Attentiveness – Is player talking when the coaches are giving instructions or is he listening attentively?

Positioning - Does he maintain proper positioning on field? For defenders that is always goalside - for attackers that is usually ballside. Does he “dive in” when defending?

Field Vision - Does his head stay up or is he having to watch the ball?

Agility and balance – How often does he end up on the ground? Forwards and other attackers must maintain balance in order to attack in the box.

SOCCER  EVALUATION  FACTORS

Physical, Technical, Tactical, and Psychological

Speed - while speed can’t be taught players can appear faster by using smartness. Quickness can overcome pure speed.

Size - While this can’t be taught it can and often is a deciding factor.

Pace - Physical Fitness - Try to run several miles each day to get fitness level up to ODP standards.

Agility

Balance

Passing - ability to pass to space (short and long) and ability to pass to feet. Passes to feet are easy and will be evaluated for their pace and touch. Passes to space will be evaluated for their creativity.

Foot Strength - How strong a shot does he have?  Can he switch fields?  Can he cross?  How good are his corner kicks? Can he shoot or pass with both feet?

Receiving

First Touch

Wins 50/50 balls

Wins 40/60 balls

Loses 50/50 balls

Loses 60/40 balls

Communicates with team mates on the field

Creates space with movement

Presence on field - Does he stand out or disappear? Voice, clothing, friendliness, etc. all combine to add up to field presence.

Speed of play - very important when attacking.

1v1 - attacking

2v1 - attacking

1v1 - defending

1v2 - defending

2v1 - defending

Maintains proper positioning on field - for defenders that is always goalside - for attackers that is usually ballside.

Uses proper terminology - drop, square, man on, mark, ballside, goalside, back, line, switch, etc.

If player is a forward or midfielder does he beat his mark?

Physical play. Shoulder to shoulder battles. Do not back off.

Emotion

Team leader - Do you get along with and lead the other players or do you cause dissension among the other players.

Heading ability - both scoring and clearing by headers.

Strength

Trapping ability

Scoring ability

Shot selection

Shooting

Dribbling - change of direction, moves, right and left foot?

Maturity

Attentiveness - Are you talking when the coaches are giving directions or are you listening attentively?

Runs - off the ball.

Does he create opportunities?

Control the ball

Does he create space for his teammates?

Can he change the speed of the game?

Respond to a tough, physical opponent?

How well does he read the game?

Can he remain physically fit throughout the game?

Attack and defend 1 v 1 and 2 v 1

Can he beat his mark with speed and finesse?

This is just a short list of items coaches consider when selecting a team.