NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS | April 21, 2025 2:07 pm | Matt Murray
New 2 Day Tryout Format for Spring 2025!
Needham Soccer Club is excited to announce a new 2-day tryout format for all age groups beginning Spring 2025! After receiving valuable feedback from coaches, players, and families—and reviewing best… View Article
Needham Soccer Club is excited to announce a new 2-day tryout format for all age groups beginning Spring 2025!
After receiving valuable feedback from coaches, players, and families—and reviewing best practices from other top clubs—NSC is implementing this expanded format to better support player development and provide a more comprehensive evaluation for all players trying out for our BAYS Travel Teams.
Important Note on Travel Team Formation!
- While Needham Soccer Club has a typical number of travel teams we aim to form at each age group, the exact number of players selected and teams created is NOT Predetermined. This decision is dependent on a variety of factors in an attempt to create the best developmental structure for each specific age group and gender. Our goal is to create the most developmentally appropriate and competitive environment for every group, every season. Player & Coach Registration & Participation in Tryouts is an important piece!
What’s New?
The updated tryout structure separates technical evaluation and gameplay into two distinct days:
Day 1 – Skills & Small-Sided Games
- Focused on individual technical abilities in game-like activities to evaluate current skill level of key performance related player actions.
- Includes 4 skills stations and 3v3–7v7 games
- Players will be scored on:
- Attacking
- Defending
- Possession
- Decision Making
- Overall Technical Skill
- Grades 4–6: 90 minutes
- Grades 7–8: 2 hours
Day 2 – Full-Sided Gameplay
- Players participate in 4–6 games (7v7–11v11)
- Games last 15–20 minutes, with players moving fields between games based on observations from our professional coach evaluators
- Players scored on overall soccer ability and effectiveness for their performance during each game.
- Grades 4–6: 90 minutes
- Grades 7–8: 2 hours
- Will be split into 2 groups & will have separate Day 2 tryouts!
- The Day 2 Tryout for Group 1 will run prior to Group 2.. Players in Group 1 *MAY be called back to participate in the Day 2 Tryout with Group 2 as well!
- Will be split into 2 groups & will have separate Day 2 tryouts!
Additional Notes on 2 Day Tryouts!
- All 4th–6th grade players attend the same 2-day tryout sessions.
- 7th/8th grade Day 2 groupings will be assigned based on day 1 tryouts scores, current NSC coach evaluations, current teams level of play and recommendations from Needham Soccer Clubs professional coaching staff.
- If a player misses Day 1.. group placement for Day 2 will still be determined following the above criteria minus the data from day 1 of tryouts.
Ready to Learn More?
Head to our Travel Team Tryouts Page for comprehensive breakdown of our complete Travel Team Tryouts and Selection process, policies and procedures including:
- Spring 2025 tryout schedules
- A full breakdown of the 2-day tryout format
- A breakdown of criteria for number of teams per age group
Needham Soccer Club is proud to continue evolving and improving our programs to provide the best experience for our players and families. We look forward to seeing you this spring!
