Want to make the varsity or JV team?
Don’t leave it to chance — use this 10-point checklist to identify gaps and get ready for tryouts.
Physical Attributes
- Speed & Agility
Quick footwork, explosiveness, sprinting ability, changes of direction & jumping ability separate average players from those who make the team. - Endurance
Can you sustain a high-level of play for an entire match? Coaches notice and prioritize players who can maintain a high-level performance for the full match. - Physical Strength & Balance
Shielding the ball, winning duels, and not diving, especially against more physical players is a must to be able to compete at the high school level.
Technical Skills
- Ball Control & First Touch
A clean first touch under pressure gives you more time and helps facilitate better decisions. Sloppy touches lead to lost opportunities. - Passing Accuracy
Confidence with both feet and the ability to hit accurate passes (both short & long), especially under pressure will always get a coach’s attention.
Tactical Awareness
- Game Awareness & Decision-Making Speed
Understanding your position on the field in relation to teammates, space, the ball and opponents is a highly valued attribute. The game moves fast at the high school level. Can you scan the field and make the right choice before the ball even gets to you? - Position-Specific Skills
Master the responsibilities of your position — whether it’s defensive prowess i.e. heading ability or winning duels and building up with composure, or good movement off the ball and accurate crossing, passing, combinations to create and finish opportunities.
Mental Attributes
- Leadership and Communication Skills
Talking on the field and helping teammates shows leadership and confidence. Having a positive attitude and encouraging teammates are signs of a team captain. Silent players are often overlooked. - Mental Toughness & Coachability
Coaches pick players who bounce back from mistakes, stay focused, and apply feedback quickly. Reacting negatively or berating teammates to mistakes is never a good sign. - Preparation
Players who arrive at tryouts with no preparation stand out — for the wrong reasons. Make sure you are well rested having had plenty of sleep, fueled with the right nutrition and void of any distractions i.e. ready to go.
💡 Ready to check all 10 boxes?
At Kidgility, our Summer High School Prep Program is designed to help players develop the physical and technical skills to dominate their high school tryouts.