90-Minute Soccer Tryout Practice Plan

As players arrive, put them in groups of 4–6 with a ball per group inside a 15x15 yard box marked by discs. While you’re taking attendance, they’re moving.

• 30 seconds each: dribble right foot only, left foot only, inside cuts, outside cuts, stop/starts.
• Add 2 quick commands: when you yell “turn,” they do a pullback; when you yell “go,” they accelerate for 3 steps.

Watch for: heads coming up even for a split second before they change direction.

Cues: “Little touches.” “Head up, then cut.” “Stop it, then go.”

Common issue: players run into each other. Fix: shrink the speed for 20 seconds, then re-open with a rule: if you bump someone, you do 5 toe taps and re-enter.

Bring them in on a knee at midfield with balls parked behind them. Keep it short and clear: you’re evaluating effort, listening, and improvement as much as skill.

• Tell them how rotations work: “When I say rotate, jog—don’t sprint—straight to the next station.”
• Set one behavior standard: “When the ball is out, you grab it and restart fast—no arguing.”

Watch for: who locks in quickly and follows the first instruction without extra reminders.

Set up three 12x12 yard station boxes side-by-side. Groups spend 7 minutes per station with a 1-minute rotation built in (you manage the horn/whistle). Put a coach at Station 2 if you can.

• Station 1 (First touch to space): partner rolls or passes; receiver must take first touch through a 2-yard gate, then pass back. Switch roles every 5 reps.
• Station 2 (Pass & follow): triangle passing (3 players) or diamond (4). Pass, follow your pass, fill the next cone. Two-touch max if they can handle it.
• Station 3 (Receive across body): passer plays to receiver who checks away then checks back; receiver opens hips and plays to a target cone on the far side.

Watch for: receiving foot angled so the ball can go forward on the first or second touch.

Cues: “First touch out of your feet.” “Pass, then move.” “Open up—show your side.”

Common issue: passes are too soft and die halfway. Fix: give them a target: “Make it reach the cone line.” If it doesn’t, it’s an automatic redo pass before they rotate.

If the stations are too easy, add a passive defender who can shadow but not steal; if it’s too messy, allow a trap first then pass, but require the trap to land inside a 2-yard circle.

Water on the sideline. While they drink, you quickly circle 2–3 names you noticed (good or needs work) so you don’t forget later.

On the way back in, assign numbers 1 and 2 in each group so you can run 1v1s without confusion.

Create two 12x18 yard lanes with a small goal (or cone gate) at each end. Players line up at both ends with balls. One rep lasts 10–12 seconds max.

• Attacker starts by dribbling in; defender closes down from 3 yards away on your “go.”
• Play to a goal or dribble through the end line under control.
• Winner stays for one extra rep, then rotate out (keeps it competitive without long waits).

Watch for: attacker changes speed after the move; defender stays sideways and doesn’t cross feet when close.

Cues: “Sell it, then explode.” “Defender: slow down—stay in front.” “Hands down, feet active.”

Common issue: defenders stab a foot and stop moving. Fix: make them defend with hands behind back for 2 reps—forces footwork and patience.

To settle chaos, start each rep with the attacker taking one touch forward before the defender can challenge; to raise the level, give the attacker only 6 seconds to score.

Quick reset: move discs to a 30x40 yard field (adjust for space). Split pinnies into two teams and set two small goals. Explain the scoring constraint once, then play.

This short setup matters—if you talk while they stand, you lose them.

Play 4v4 or 5v5 depending on numbers. Run three rounds of 7 minutes with 1-minute swaps/quick coaching between rounds. Sub on the fly if you have extra players (every 60–90 seconds, call a name in).

• Round 1 constraint: goals only count if the team completes 3 passes first (forces support and receiving).
• Round 2 constraint: any goal after a 1v1 beat (a dribble past a defender) counts double (rewards brave attacking).
• Round 3 constraint: if you win the ball back and score within 6 seconds, it counts double (shows transition effort).

Watch for: players who get wide when their team has the ball and players who sprint back when they lose it.

Cues: “Get wide early.” “Help the ball—don’t hide.” “When we lose it: first step back.”

Common issue: swarming the ball and no passing options. Fix: stop play, physically place two players on wide ‘home cones,’ restart with a pass-in, and tell them they can’t leave home until the ball crosses midfield.

Bring the intensity down but keep a ball at their feet. In a circle, give them 2 minutes to try: laces pops, thigh trap, or just controlled dribble-and-stop. Then light jog to the sideline.

Close with a 60-second huddle: thank them, remind them tryouts are about improvement and effort, and tell them the next step (next tryout day time or when they’ll hear back).

• Quick reflection question: “What’s one cue you’re going to try next practice: open up, first touch out, or slow down on defense?”
• Coach action: as they leave, write one last note on 3–5 players you didn’t get to score yet.