Tryout Week Evaluation Soccer Practice Plan (90 Minutes)

As players arrive, put them in a 20x20 grid with a ball each if you have it; if not, partner up and share. While they move, you’re already evaluating: who can follow directions, who starts working, who needs a clear task.

• How it runs: 30 seconds each: toe taps, foundations (inside-inside), pull-push, then free dribble. Finish with a 60-second “juggle or bounce-juggle” attempt.
• Cues: “Small touches.” “Head up every three touches.” “Freeze when I say stop.”
• Watch for: players who can keep the ball within one step while changing direction.
• Common issue: players sprint-dribble and lose the ball out of the grid.

Fix: tell them “two-step rule” — the ball can’t get more than two steps away. If it does, they do a quick stop-and-go (sole stop, explode) and continue.

Use the same grid. Everyone has a ball if possible; if not, make pairs and alternate 20-second turns. This is warm-up plus evaluation of coordination and listening.

Run a follow-the-coach sequence: inside cuts, outside cuts, sole rolls, and a turn (drag-back or inside hook). After each move, they accelerate for 3 steps, then settle the ball again.

• Cues: “Touch then burst.” “Use both feet.” “Bend your knees, don’t reach.”
• Watch for: first touch after the move stays in front and slightly to the side (ready to run).
• Common issue: players stop completely after the move and admire it.

Fix: add a cone line they must cross with speed after every turn. If they don’t cross it, the rep doesn’t count.

Set up 8–12 small cone gates (2 yards wide) inside a 25x25 area. Players work in pairs with one ball, starting 5–8 yards apart.

They pass through any gate, then both players move to a new gate (no camping). After 60 seconds, require one-touch if the ball arrives clean; if not, two-touch is fine but the first touch must set up the pass.

• Cues: “Point your plant foot.” “Lock the ankle, toe up.” “Pass and move — don’t watch.”
• Watch for: the ball rolls through the middle of the gate with pace and stays on the ground.
• Common issue: players stand flat-footed and wait for the ball.

Fix: make a rule: the receiver must check away one step, then check back to the ball. If they don’t move, the pair loses a point. To add pressure, let one pair become “hunters” who try to intercept passes through gates (light pressure, no tackling).

Quick water. While they drink, give one clear correction you want to see the rest of practice: first touch away from pressure. Demonstrate it with your foot: touch to the side, body between ball and defender.

• Coach script: “If your first touch stops under you, pressure catches you. Touch to space, then play.”
• Evaluation note: mark 2–3 players who respond immediately when you correct something.

Set two 12x12 grids (or one big grid split in half). Play 3v1 or 4v2 keep-away depending on numbers. Rotate defenders every 45–60 seconds so everyone defends.

Start with a requirement of two-touch (receive, pass) for the first minute so they settle. Then open it up: one-touch is allowed if it’s on. Award 1 point for 5 completed passes; award 2 points if a pass splits the defenders (goes between them) on the ground.

• Cues: “Open your hips.” “First touch to the outside.” “Angle, don’t stand behind.”
• Watch for: receiver checks shoulders and takes the first touch to where the next pass is easy.
• Common issue: players hide behind a defender and make the passer’s job impossible.

Fix: freeze for 5 seconds, physically point to the passing lane, and restart with “show your numbers” (face the ball, give an angle). If it’s too messy, make the grid slightly bigger; if it’s too easy, shrink it by 2 yards and require the defender to sprint on entry.

Create two 12x18 lanes side-by-side with a small cone-goal at the end of each lane. Split into two lines per lane: attackers with balls on one end, defenders on the other.

On your whistle, attacker dribbles in and tries to score through the cone-goal. Defender closes down and tries to win it or force the ball out. Each rep ends on a goal, a win, or ball out; then players switch lines. Keep reps to ~10 seconds — fast rotation.

• Cues (attacker): “Big touch to attack space.” “Sell it, then go.”
• Cues (defender): “Arrive fast, slow down.” “Side-on, show outside.”
• Watch for: defender’s feet stop chopping before the tackle attempt; attacker changes speed, not just direction.
• Common issue: defenders swing a leg from too far away.

Fix: give defenders a rule: they can’t tackle until they’re within one arm’s length. If they lunge early, it’s an automatic point for the attacker and the rep restarts immediately.

Set a 25x30 field with two cone-goals. Make teams of 3 and line them up on each end line. You’ll need 2–3 balls at midfield with you.

Send one 3v3 in. When a goal is scored or the ball goes out, you immediately play a new ball to the team that should attack next (you decide quickly to keep it moving). The team that just finished sprints off and the next team sprints on — that sprint is the “fitness” without calling it a run.

• Scoring: 1 for a goal, 1 for winning the ball back within 5 seconds of losing it (you count out loud).
• Cues: “Lose it? Five seconds!” “First three steps are a sprint.”
• Watch for: who reacts instantly on turnover instead of looking at you.

Common issue: players jog on/off and you lose tempo. Fix: if a group jogs, they go right back in for the next wave (natural consequence, no lecture).

Water and a fast regroup. Use this moment to quietly sort balanced teams for the small-sided games (mix athletic kids with true beginners so you can evaluate decision-making, not just speed).

Give one rule for the next game: three-pass bonus (a goal after 3 completed passes counts as 2). That forces heads-up play without over-coaching.

Play 5v5 or 6v6 depending on numbers on a 35x45 field with cone-goals or pop-up goals. Keep subs rotating every 60–90 seconds so everyone plays and you can take notes.

Run two short games inside this block. Game 1 (8 minutes): goals are 1, but a goal after 3 passes is worth 2. Game 2 (8 minutes): add a transition point — win the ball and complete the next pass = 1 point (even if you don’t score). Use the remaining time for quick resets and swapping teams.

• Cues: “Find a teammate, not a crowd.” “First touch out of your feet.” “After you pass, get wider.”
• Watch for: players who create space (get away from the ball) and are available for the next pass.
• Common issue: everyone collapses and the game becomes a kick-fest.

Fix: mark a central channel with discs and limit each team to one player in it at a time. If two attackers enter, it’s a turnover. If the level is higher than expected, remove the channel rule and add a one-touch finish inside the goal area (if you have goals) to reward quick play.

Bring them in, slow jog to a walk, then light stretching while you talk (hamstrings, quads, calves). Keep it short — you’re closing a tryout session, not giving a speech.

• Coach script: “The standard is: first touch to space, pass with purpose, sprint the first three steps in transition.”
• Assessment checklist reminder: tell them what you’re watching next practice (receiving across the body, defending without fouling, and quick restarts).
• Exit routine: collect pinnies/balls, quick thank-you, and clear start time for the next day.

As they leave, jot your top notes immediately: 5 players who competed every rep, 5 who improved with coaching, and anyone who struggled with effort/attention so you can re-check them next session.