Walk-on tryouts

I walked on (unsuccessfully) at a D1 school several years ago. We had two days of scrimmages and small-sided games (walk-ons only, no recruited or scholarship players were with us) followed by a timed two-mile run at the end of the second day. In the end the only guy invited back for more training was the guy who turned in the best two-mile run time, and he didn't last much longer... The moral of the story is make sure you're in tip-top shape and then some. I will add that most of us who tried out ended up playing club together and I made several great friends that way. Plus, those games were really a lot of fun!

 

Besides, as suggested, being in tip top shape, I would recommend you send a letter to the coach telling him you are planning to tryout. Let him know your background, which might be just as good as some of the existing players. This way he'll know to be looking for you.

Also, why wait for the surprise? Tell him you want to be prepared and would like to know what to expect. Most coaches give their players a training guide for the summer. Ask if you can get a copy of it and use it for your own training.

 

I concur, several players I know have made it and some not. Bottom line be ready for 2 days of showing off your fit and ready to contribute. Otherwise it's goodbye.

 

Honestly, don't even try out at a D1 school. Those teams are all hand picked. NCAA rules require that walk on try-outs must occur. The coaches go all over the country and thats why the teams are so good. They were all captains, all area first teamers and just amazing. College soccer is very political and thats a shame...

 

i walked on successfully at a d1 school several years ago. the bottom line is that you have to prepare yourself so that you not only show the coach that you can play with the scholarship players, but that you show the coach you are twice as good in every aspect - fitness, strength, skill, confidence, mental prep, communications, hustle, etc. a coach will make up their mind about someone in the first 30 seconds they see you play. that may be in just the way you carry yourself with confidence. if you show good, then that gets you reps. if not, you may be doomed to digging yourself out of the 'first impression' hole, and may not ever get another chance. you need a 'take no prisoners' approach to the tryouts, and if you make it to the squad, then you have to keep up the focus every day. find out who the best player is, and defend against them. show absolutely no fear, even though you may feel that way inside. i cannot overstress the mental side and playing with confidence. that is often the difference between good players and very good players, as skill begins to normalize around the age of 18. playing with confidence may also reduce the coach's perception of your defficiencies. if you get your chance in a game, you have to play with so much confidence that the coach realizes you belong. make sure to have fun, and reset goals along the way. this will help you avoid mental valleys that you will encounter when the inevitable happens - a scholarship player getting preferential treatment. avoid clicking with players that complain about their playing time. make friends with the more experienced players. show that you are not afraid to belong.

 

kinleydog, very good comments. every walkon should post this on his mirror so that he can see it each morning. i hope you had good success and a great experience. you sure didn't walk on at south carolina

 

This is not true. There are many D1 programs that survive on local talent and walk ons. The top 20 to 25 D1 programs are largely exclusive and recruit from players on regional ODP teams and National pool, but for every UCLA, Indiana or St. Louis there is a Drury, Wright State or U Wisc. Green Bay (which was once a very good school, but has now seen better days.)

Rather than ask about D1 schools, which in truth is next to meaningless, look at particular schools. Find out who their players are and how many walked on. Look at how many schoarships a program has (many have far kess than the max allowedof 9.9, which means they need walk ons.) Do some research.

One place to start is the College Soccer Source Book. You can also hook up with other sources. I would also recommend Ramona Barber who can be reached through the Iowa Youth Soccer Association or at College Search Kickoff Tournament

 

A long time ago in a state far away, I was a walk on for my college D1 mens soccer team. An abrupt change in coaches caused my paperwork to go missing. The recruited players for the team were invited to "tryout" with the returning players a few days ahead of schedule. I had to tryout as a walk on for the team. Lesson # 1 - get as much inforamtion about yourself to the coach & assistant coaches ahead of time. Call them yourself.

The intent of the coach at that time was to inflict as much pain and torture on the walk-ons as possible. Kids were literally walking off the field either vomiting or severley dehydrated. Push ups, sprints, sit ups, sprints, long distance running, sprints, and a brief glimpse of the soccer ball followed by more sprinting. It was hot and humid. Tryouts were 3 times a day. Lesson # 2 -come in shape or else.

After the "unfit" players were removed. The focus on player skills started. Hopefully you have a good touch of the ball, can pass , dribble, defend, shoot, communciate, etc. Keep in mind the returning players want to remain, the walk-on's have to stand out some how , some way. I can't tell you how to improve skills over night, you've had 17 years to prepare for that. However, you can show good communication skills. Lesson # 3 - open your mouth and talk positively.

At the end of the tryouts, all of the walk on players were called into a room. The coach and assistant coach gave a speech about how appreciative they were of our efforts. He called out two names (including mine) and asked us to stay behind. The rest were free to go. I made the team (last player chosen I was told a few years later by the assistant). Lesson # 4- have faith.

I busted my butt in practice and made the traveling team. Got a little playing time in the first game. Got a little more in the second. Pretty much started for the next 4 years of my college career. Was chosen the "Most Improved Player" my freshman year and captain my senior year. Lesson # 5 -hard work and perserverance pays off.

Good luck!

 

on what date does these walkon tryouts usually happen?

 

They've probably already started

 

And everyone in this thread has undoubtedly already graduated from college.. way to dig up a thread from more than a decade ago..

 

I'm still considering walking on - probably more accurately limping on!