What is the format of tryouts for both Night 1 and Night 2 ?
Tryouts will be held over two evenings. Attendance on the first night is mandatory for all interested players.
The first night features small-sided games (typically 4v4 or 5v5), which offer players frequent opportunities to touch the ball and make decisions in a game-like setting on a smaller field without goalkeepers. Fields may be set up with either two central goals (one at each end) or four corner goals (two at each end). These setups encourage players to experiment with direct play, switch the field during attacks, and develop defensive awareness based on the game’s flow.
After the first night, only players who receive a callback via email will move on to the second night, where they will be further evaluated for potential placement on a select team. The second session will consist of larger-sided games appropriate for the age group. Each player’s performance from the first night will be averaged into a score, which will help determine team assignments for night two.
How is my player identified during tryouts?
All players who try out will be assigned a numbered pinnie at check-in, which is how they will be identified throughout the evaluation process. Players who are called back for night two will receive the same numbered pinnie. During tryouts and subsequent evaluation by coaches, players are only referred to by pinnie number (never by name). This is intended to ensure consistency and fairness in the evaluation process.
What if my player cannot attend a tryout date?
Due to the large number of players involved, ASC does not offer makeup dates for tryouts.
If a player cannot make a tryout night, they must submit a waiver request through our online portal before the first tryout night. Please note that in order to provide a fair and equal tryout we have rules in place to determine what passes for a waiver or not. Your submission request will be reviewed by the ASC Tryout Committee and you will receive an approval or denial in a timely manner.
Please visit our Tryout Waiver Process Page for more information.
What if my player does not make call backs?
All 3rd and 4th grade players who do not make call backs will be placed on a team in our vibrant in-town program. All 5th grade players and above who do not make call backs will be placed on a non-select BAYS travel team.
Who conducts the tryouts?
Tryout evaluations and team selections are conducted by our Director of Coaching, our Professional Development coaches, the head coach of each BAYS team in their current grade level and a slate of experienced ASC coaches including individuals with extensive soccer background. Each tryout will include at least one of our professional coaches or our Director of Coaching. A typical tryout would include at least half a dozen evaluators, although this number will vary from night to night depending upon availability of evaluators and the number of players trying out.
How are players evaluated?
Tryout evaluators will observe a player’s technical skill, tactical understanding, decision making ability, athletic qualities, and focus related to their age development. We follow the guidance and structure of the US Soccer Roadmaps, US Soccer Player Actions and U.S Soccer player Key Qualities. All evaluators attend a pre-tryout season meeting which is conducted by our Director of Coaching. All evaluators are educated on best practices on player evaluations and what to look for when observing player performance.
In addition to this form of evaluation during tryouts, each player receives an evaluation from their current team head coach (which has input from all coaching staff on that team); that score is factored into the night one tryout results. As well as an overall score, the current head coach also provides a written evaluation of each player, including game attendance, practice attendance and player conduct. Those written evaluations are considered by the tryout committees together with observations and evaluations from tryout nights.
Which grade level should players tryout for?
Players should attend the tryout for the grade that they will be going into for the coming Fall season. For example, a player currently in 2nd grade should attend the 3rd grade tryout. Players cannot play outside of their grade level.
Do all players need to attend tryouts?
Players who wish to be considered for a select team for the following academic year must attend tryouts. If your child is currently in pre-K, kindergarten, or 1st grade, there are no tryouts and no select teams.
If your player does not want to be considered for a select team, they do not need to attend tryouts. All 3rd and 4th grade players who do not make a select team or attend tryouts will be placed on a team in our vibrant in-town program. All 5th grade players and above who do not make a select team or attend tryouts will be placed on a non-select BAYS travel team.
How many select teams are there per age group?
There are two boys select teams and two girls select teams per grade level for 3rd – 6th grades. There are three boys select teams and three girls select teams for the combined 7th/8th grade level.
When are team selections announced
Select team rosters posted on our website after the last day of school in late June.
What is expected of ASC select team players?
ASC select teams hold practices twice per week and play games on Saturdays during 10-week Fall and Spring seasons.
Select team players are expected to:
– Participate in both the Fall and Spring seasons.
– Make every effort to attend the two weekly practices, with a 50% minimum attendance requirement (i.e. one practice per week).
– Make every effort to attend all regularly scheduled Saturday BAYS games. Saturday game absences for reasons other than illness, injury, or emergencies are taken seriously.
– Three game absences (in a single season) may negatively impact a player’s likelihood of being selected in subsequent years.
– Four or more game absences (in a single season) may result in removal from the team and prohibition of trying out in the future.
– Make every effort to attend any makeup or rescheduled games held on other days.
– Play for their ASC team at Columbus Day tournaments.
Are there select teams for high school aged players?
The 9th – 12th grade girls Premier Team holds tryouts concurrently with the 3rd – 8th grade select team tryouts.
The 9th – 12th grade boys teams are formed only after placement on the high school teams has been established in late August. Players cannot play simultaneously for a high school team (like AHS or AC) and for a ASC 9-12 grade team. Additional details about registration will be distributed in the future for these teams.
How do I sign up?
Signup for 2025 tryouts will be live soon.
Can parents stay and watch tryouts?
We discourage parents staying and watching tryouts as we believe this puts added pressure on players. However, if you wish to stay, you must remain off the field and refrain from cheering or otherwise addressing the players at all times.
Is my player guaranteed to be placed on the same team?
No, we cannot guarantee your player makes the same team again. If players do not try out, we cannot guarantee they are placed back on the same team. The ASC strives to keep non-select teams together when possible, although sometimes teams are broken up due to coach retirement, dramatic changes in enrollment, etc.
If my child doesn’t make a select team this time around, will they ever?
Arlington Soccer Club’s goal is to provide every child opportunities to develop as a player. Each player’s growth is unique and their growth happens at different rates. Therefore you should not look at their placement on this upcoming season as defining who they are; rather it is their own individual path to their growth as a player. Some players remain on the ASC select teams year after year; others will move between the A team, B team, and non-select teams. That depends upon their performance at tryouts and during the season, as well as on the makeup of the player pool each year. Each year’s tryouts represent a fresh start for each player and each team.
What should my player bring?
Players should wear cleats, shinpads, and wear appropriate training gear in addition to bringing plenty of water.