Travel Tryouts: Policy and Procedure
Administrative
· All players must register online for the travel program in order to be allowed to tryout.
· Registration includes a parent code of conduct form that needs to be signed prior to participation with WAYS.
· During the registration process, players will be prompted to provide a birth certificate (long form only is acceptable) and a head shot photo (no hats, no glasses) if they have not been provided in the past. Photos should be updated each year.
· One tryout is mandatory every year from ages U9- U14. This tryout will take place in June to determine roster for the following Fall-Spring season. For example: a tryout in June 2023 will be for the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 seasons.
· It is the intention of WAYS that players selected at the June tryout make a 1-year (2 season) commitment to play. For example: a player selected at June 2023 tryout will play for both the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 seasons.
· In advance of the Spring season, if the coach determines that there is a need for additional players, a second tryout may be allowed. This would need to be approved by the WAYS board. The tryout would be conducted in March prior to the start of the Spring season. The tryout would be only to add players. No cuts can be made.
· Selected players will be required to purchase a uniform through the WAYS website if they do not have a current WAYS travel uniform.
· WAYS requests that all parents stay away from tryout fields to give players the opportunity to demonstrate their ability without the influence of parents. In addition this will give coaches the opportunity to focus solely on the players.
· WAYS will hold one (1) to two (2) 90 minute tryout sessions for the evaluation of players. Players are evaluated using a scoring method conducted by the coaches only. It is expected that players attend both tryout sessions.
· At least 1 WAYS board member will be present at each tryout session.
· Prospective players must attend at least one (1) tryout to be considered for a team.
· Returning WAYS Travel players who can attend only 1 tryout must notify Mike Desjardins, Travel Coordinator. Returning WAYS Travel players who cannot attend any tryout session must register for tryouts to show intent to play as well as notify Mike Desjardins for a special case consultation regarding placement.
Tryouts
· Only players who have registered as travel players for the upcoming travel season are eligible to attend tryouts. Coaches are required to take attendance based on an approved attendance list of registered players created prior to their tryout session. Players not on that list are not eligible to participate in the tryout.
· WAYS requires players to try out for their age- and gender-appropriate team.
· WAYS travel coaches (head and assistants) will assess players during a series of drills and small-sided matches.
· Player evaluation
1. Returning and New Players
a. For returning travel players, coaches will consider coach evaluations from previous season (50%) and tryout performance (50%) when determining player evaluation and team selection.
b. For new travel players, coaches will consider tryout performance 100% when determining player evaluation and team selection.
2. Players are evaluated using WAYS criteria consisting of appropriately weighted categories including:
a. Technical Ability (foot work, passing, and ball control)
b. Physical (speed, quickness, agility, strength)
c. Ability to be receptive to coaching and constructive feedback to drive development and overall interest in the game of soccer.
3. Tryouts will include scrimmage situations as well as 4 skill stations where players get scored by the ability to perform in each station shown below:
a. 1 v 1 station
b. Passing and possession station
c. Finishing station
d. 4 v 4 station
Roster Selection
· Upon review of coach evaluations and tryout results, it is the head coach’s decision to determine those players who will be offered a roster spot.
· If a player is selected, they will be notified by the head coach.
· Players who have not been selected for a travel team will also be notified. It is a WAYS expectation that the coach provides a detailed explanation for their decision and constructive advice on areas of improvement.
· Those players not selected to play for a travel team will have the opportunity to be assigned to an in-town team if one is available. Any cost difference will be refunded.
· U8 players will be allowed to tryout for the U9 team; however, preference will be given to U9 age-appropriate players during roster selection.
· In certain situations, based on skill level and roster needs, a player may be asked to roster on a team one year up. This is permitted if the roster numbers reflect the need. In rare occurrences, if a player is asked to play two years up, WAYS requires a parent/guardian to be active on that team’s coaching staff for the duration of the player’s time on that team.
· After tryouts occur and rosters have been selected, if there are any open spots on a specific travel team, WAYS will post the available spots and notify age-appropriate potential players.
