School is in and for many soccer athletes, the pressure of trying out for their high school soccer team is growing. Some schools are holding tryouts now and some will hold tryouts closer to the winter months.
High school varsity is one of the highest levels of youth competition for many soccer players. Coaches are constantly looking for players who demonstrate not only talent but other characteristics that will contribute to the team’s success.
Skill on the ball is essential, but there are other factors that separate an average player from an exceptional one. Let’s dive into what varsity high school soccer coaches are typically looking for.
Technical Skills for Varsity Soccer Players
This may be an obvious one. Coaches are looking for players who have good ball control, can pass accurately, have a strong and accurate shot on goal, and understand the mechanics of playing the game. This includes dribbling, first touch, trapping, and heading.
Dribbling and Ball Control
Undoubtedly, dribbling is a key skill that soccer players need to have to succeed at high levels of the game. You need to have the ability to maneuver the ball at your feet while running. You will be taking opponents on frequently and you need to have the skill to maintain possession in tight spaces.
Overall proficiency with ball control under various conditions is vital for any high-level athlete. You should be able to shield the ball from an opponent, juggle, or quickly change direction with the ball at your feet.
First Touch and Trapping
Your ability to control an incoming ball effectively and swiftly is a paramount skill. A good first touch sets you up for your next move. This may be a pass, a shot, or dribbling. If your first touch causes the ball to bounce 5 feet in front of you, you most likely will lose the ball before you can reach it to make a pass.
Being able to receive a ball out of the air smoothly (trapping) is a key skill in being able to effectively transition from defense to offense. Or vice versa.
3 Drills to Improve Your First Touch
Passing
Passing is an important skill because, in soccer, a team uses passing to build up a play, procrastinate with possession, and tire out the opposing team. You should be able to deliver various types of passes, like long passes, ground passes, and lofted balls. If you constantly turnover the ball to the opposing team when you pass, you need to spend extra time training on your passing game. Work on accuracy and strength of pass.
Shooting
Not all field players take shots on goal. But all field players need to have power and accuracy for when they do strike the ball toward the goal. You never know when you will end up with a chance to take a shot, so be prepared. Players should know how to shoot with both feet and use various shooting techniques. There are 8 standard types of shots you should know. Just because you are a defender doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to shoot on goal.
Heading
Using your head in soccer is important and heading the ball is an essential skill. Defensive players need to be able to clear the ball from the back or away from the goal (i.e. set pieces). Midfielders use heading to win battles in the middle of the field. And attackers can head the ball past an opposing keeper or defender to score a goal.
Set Pieces
Players need to understand how to handle special situations like penalties, free kicks, and corner kicks. Both defensively and offensively. Strong soccer players can bend or float balls into a desired area or position their bodies to help defend the goal. Ideally, you should know how to prepare for each type of set piece.
Tactical Understanding for Varsity Soccer Players
Moving past individual skills, knowing the broader strategy of the game is crucial for varsity soccer players. Things like player positioning, knowing when to press versus when to drop back, understanding team formations, and the ability to read the flow of the game.
Spatial Awareness
You should be able to recognize spaces on the field that you can exploit or need to defend. This includes identifying when and where to make runs, when to hold your position, and when to press or drop back.
Positional Play
Knowing your responsibilities in your position is crucial. If you are a center back and you do not understand how to redistribute the ball properly, you will not be able to effectively help your team switch from defense to offense. You also need to know the role of the other players on your team and how the positions can work together.
Reading the Game
Have you ever seen a highly technical player that is great with dribbling and ball control, but it doesn’t seem to translate well to in-game scenarios? This most likely is because that player does not know how to read the game.
You should be able to anticipate the game and predict your opponent’s moves. You need to develop your skill in spotting opportunities on the field before they become obvious to the opposing players, and you should be able to foresee potential dangers.
Transitioning
Understanding when to switch from defense to offense or offense to defense is a vital skill for all soccer players. You need to have quick decision-making, like if you should counter-attack or hold onto the ball to build play.
Game Management
This is a skill that builds over time and with game experience. You use game management when you need to slow down your play when your team is leading. Or injecting urgency when your team is trailing. This may also include making tactical fouls to disrupt the opponent’s rhythm.
While technical skills are about “how” to execute, tactical understanding is about “when” and “why.” A player with a deep tactical understanding can be a step ahead of the competition.
Additional Desired Skills for Varsity Soccer Players
Physical Fitness
Soccer is a demanding sport that requires players to have endurance and explosive energy. Physical fitness serves as the foundation for players to build their technical and tactical skills. Players need high endurance to play a 90-minute game. Without prime cardiovascular fitness, they can compromise their performance on the field.
Soccer also demands explosive bursts of speed, sharp cuts, and high jumps. Maintaining peak muscular strength and power will allow you to outrun an opponent, win aerial duels, and hold off a challenger. A lack of strength can also increase the chance of injury.
Work Ethic
There is a saying that goes something like “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” And this can be true in most circumstances. Coaches want players who are committed. They show up to team training, they are always looking for ways to improve, and they go out of their way to put in extra effort outside of scheduled practices.
This includes showing up early to practice, leading the team in stretches after a training session, and being willing to play various roles when your coach asks you to.
Coachability and Attitude
This component goes along with your work ethic. A positive attitude is invaluable. Coaches look for players who are open to constructive feedback and are eager to learn. For example, your coach is watching your “coachability” when they tell you to implement something in your playing and you do it. Are you implementing it with a huff and a puff or are you going out there and giving 100%?
Teamwork
While a player may have high individual skills, individual talent can only go so far. Soccer is a team sport. Coaches respect the player who can communicate effectively with their team. The players who know assisting is just as important as scoring. Those who know the team’s success is as important, if not more important than their own success is valued by the coach.
Mental Toughness
We at Blayze cover this topic a lot and for good reason. Mental toughness is crucial in competitive sports. The ability to remain composed under pressure, to recover from your mistakes, and to adapt to changing circumstances is vital in a game. Soccer players who stay mentally engaged and resilient often see more playtime than those who crack under pressure.
How to Become a Resilient Athlete
Versatility
Any player who has switched teams, clubs, or coaches knows that their preferred playing position is never a guarantee. While specialization is essential, especially at higher levels of soccer, the ability to play multiple positions or adapt to a new role can make a player invaluable to a team. For example, a winger who can also play forward. Or maybe a defender that can fill in last minute as a solid goalkeeper.
Commitment and Leadership
Commitment to the team is only one part of commitment. Coaches are interested in players who are committed to maintaining their grades, representing their school with integrity, and being a role model for their peers. This does not mean you need to be a straight-A student to make varsity. But you do need to understand the importance of seeking help (tutoring) if you are struggling with a subject. Just as you would take a private session to help with your shooting technique, you should show the same diligence in your grades as well.
Every player can be a leader on and off the field. They do not have to wear a captain armband to be a leader. You can lead your team by being vocal through encouragement and setting examples with your work ethic and work rate. You can even mentor younger players or any other peers outside of soccer.
Concluding Remarks
While innate talent and skill play a significant role in catching the eye of the varsity coach, it is more beneficial to be a holistic soccer athlete. Those aspiring to make the varsity team or to secure a starting spot should focus on cultivating both their technical prowess and the intangible qualities like attitude, teamwork, and mental toughness.
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