Tryout FAQs | Thunder Soccer Club of Howard County

Tryout FAQs

Please see the FAQ's below which will be helpful to all players considering tryouts for Thunder Soccer Club teams.  There are many points specific to tryouts for our younger teams.

 

 

  1. Who should try out for competitive soccer?
  2. How do I sign up for tryouts?
  3. What should I bring?
  4. What age group should I try out for?
  5. Do I have to attend all of the tryouts?
  6. What do you look for in a player during tryouts?
  7. What if I am sick or injured during tryouts?
  8. What if I missed tryouts?
  9. What if it is raining the day of tryouts?
  10. When will I find out if I have made a team?
  11. When will I have to commit to the team and what happens after I commit?
  12. What days will my team practice and where?       
  13. How much will it cost to play with Thunder SC?
  14. What if I do not make a team? Will I get feedback on how to improve my chances for the following season?

 

  1. Who should try out for competitive soccer?

Competitive soccer is for focused, highly motivated, talented players who want to benefit from professional coaching and training and who feel challenged competing with other focused, motivated players.

 

  1. How do I sign up for tryouts?

Online pre-registration will be available on the Thunder SC website two-to-three weeks before the tryout sessions. We strongly recommend pre-registering as that helps facilitate the check-in process at tryouts. Registration forms will also be available at the tryouts. A parent or guardian of a player who did not pre-register online must attend tryouts to complete the forms, which includes a medical and liability release waiver. Forms must be completed and signed before a player will be allowed to participate in tryouts.  

 

  1. What should I bring?

Please arrive 15 to 30 minutes prior to the tryout start time to sign in and warm-up.

Players should wear cleats, shin-guards, and bring a water bottle and size 4 ball for U8-U12 and size #5 for U13 and up. Please wear white t-shirts and black shorts.  Do NOT wear club uniforms or any other clothing indicating a club or team affiliation.   

 

  1. What age group should I try out for?

Please check the tryout schedule posted on the website. It outlines the range of birthdates and what age groups you fall in to. TSC encourages players to try out for teams that are age appropriate.

If you are interested in playing up, this will require the approval of the Director of Coaching and the professional coaching staff.  

 

  1. Do I have to attend all of the tryouts?

The more tryouts you can attend, the greater the opportunity you have to exhibit your skills. Each age group will have at least two tryouts with additional tryouts at the discretion of the coach.

We encourage you to attend all of the tryouts in your respective age group and you must attend at least one of the tryouts to be considered for placement on a team. If there is a major conflict with the tryout dates and time, please contact the manager of the particular age group to make special arrangements.

 

  1. What do you look for in a player during tryouts?

Players will be evaluated on their technical and tactical skills as well as their physical abilities.

 

  1. What if I am sick or injured during tryouts?

Please contact the appropriate coach/team manager and he/she will advise you on how to proceed.

 

  1. What if I missed tryouts?

Please contact the appropriate coach/team manager and he/she will advise you on how to proceed.

 

  1. What if it is raining the day of tryouts?

Tryouts on all-weather turf fields will be held rain or shine, unless there is lightening, high winds and unusually stormy conditions. Tryouts on grass fields may be rescheduled if there was continuous rainfall in the days prior. Please check the website for field updates and cancellation/reschedule notices.

 

  1.   When will I find out if I have made a team?

We will extend offers by phone or email in the days following the conclusion of tryouts. Once commitments have been secured, team rosters will be formed. We do not want to pressure your family into making a commitment if your player is unsure.  We will work with you and your family, but players invited to join Thunder Soccer Club teams will be given a deadline to verbally commit to joining the team… Usually 48 hours

 

      11.  When will I have to commit to the team and what happens after I commit?  I made the team, what’s next?

You will be asked to commit soon after receiving your invitation. Families of invited players will receive instructions for player registration from the team representatives. A parent meeting will be held following the notifications at which time the registration paperwork will be due along with the appropriate fees. At this time, volunteers will be selected (manager, treasurer, etc) and also team budgets, tournaments, and practice schedules will be discussed. Some teams will train in the summer, but that will vary team to team.

 

       12.   What days will my team practice and where?        

Each team will have practice fields and days assigned. The coach will advise the team concerning the days and length of practices. Normally teams practice twice a week for 1.5 to 2 hours.

 

       13.   How much will it cost to play with Thunder SC? 

Cost will vary team-to-team and age-group to age-group and will also depend on the number of tournaments that the team and coach decide to attend. Sample budgets will be available at tryouts to view.

 

       14.   What if I do not make a team? Will I get feedback on how to improve my chances for the following season?

There are options available to you such as recreational play, or skills clinics, to help further your soccer development. We encourage players who do not make a team and who want constructive feedback to contact the coaches via email.