Can I choose which team I am trying out for? Yes. You will be given a card to fill out that information on Monday.
Can I just show up to tryouts? No. You need to be fully registered and cleared by the NHS athletic office. The steps for this are
here.
What do I wear at tryouts? Neutral colors like white and gray are preferred for tryouts. Please avoid bright colors that will clash with our practice pinnies.
What else should I bring to tryouts? Water, and lots of it in August. There is not a nearby refill station at the grass fields. Players with asthma should always, always bring their inhalers.
What will I do at tryouts? During tryouts, you will compete against other players. There will be opportunities to demonstrate your skills, game knowledge, and fitness through 11v11 and small sided games. While there will be a fitness test at the start of tryouts, most of the three days will be spent in games and game-like exercises.
How will I know the result of my tryout? On Wednesday, coaches will speak briefly with each student-athlete who has tried out. This is where we will tell you the result of your tryout: Varsity, JV, C, or no team this year. These “minute meetings” will be informative, and there will not be time for questions. However, if you would like to meet for a longer conversation, you can schedule a meeting later. You are free to leave for the day after your “minute meeting.” Please plan on staying a little longer on Wednesday if you are older. We will begin with freshmen, then sophomores, then juniors, then seniors. We anticipate seniors will be finished by 5:30.
Do upperclassmen automatically make the Varsity team? No. Our Varsity team is made up of the most prepared players for that level, regardless of age. As you move through our program, you should be looking for ways to create a role for yourself and develop into one of those players. Do not assume that every player will be given a Varsity spot as a junior or senior. You need to earn that role and show your progress each year.
Is there an opportunity to change teams? Yes. Based on your progress throughout a season, you can be moved to a different team during the season.
Can I request to play minutes with a different team? If you are not getting as many minutes as you would like with the Varsity or JV team, you can request to play at the level below. The final decision lies with the coach of that team, as it would affect the playing time of others. Seniors cannot play any level other than Varsity.
What about goalkeepers? Because of their unique position and skill set, goalkeepers may be asked to play for different teams within our program throughout the season. We do this to ensure that our roster of goalkeepers stays sharp through playing competitive games.
How big is each team? 18 is the typical number you will see at this age group, but that varies and is not set in stone for any team in the state. While there is not a specific number we look to fill, we consider three things when it comes to teams: (1) a team should be big enough to run a quality practice session, (2) a team should be small enough that players have a chance to play in games, (3) a team needs to have players of similar ability in order for the team to work well at training. We recognize that huge teams are problematic for playing time, and we try to stay away from that when we are able, but we sometimes keep larger teams when our program is in a year with greater numbers.
What are the differences between the teams? The Varsity team is a higher commitment. The practice schedule is different, and includes later practices and Saturday morning practices. Playing time is earned, and you are not guaranteed minutes in a game. The JV and C teams are developmental teams. This means that practices are directly after school. It also means that players in good standing (academically and in practice) can expect to play in 25% of a game.
Do I have to accept anything, like I do in club? No. If we offer you a spot on a roster, we are assuming you are taking it, unless you tell us otherwise.
Which coach is my point of contact for tryouts? For the tryout period, the lead coach is Coach Dimit. After teams are formed, your main coach is the specific coach of the team you are on.
