When Are Good Times For Team's To Offer Pro Soccer Tryouts to Me?

Need to know when a team will be willing to offer pro soccer tryouts to players like you?

Or when's the best time to contact them about coming to their team for a run?

All your answers to the best timing for teams to offer tryouts, for you or your agent to contact teams and when the transfer window is available to you and other players to join pro sides.

Sometimes it's difficult to know when you should go on your own for a tryout, or you're nervous because your agent is taking much longer than you first anticipated.

These things take time, but if you follow the advice below you’ll be on the right track. I've done it myself and I know how these things work so here are some things to follow and more importantly the answer to all your questions.

How To Stand Out At Pro Soccer Tryouts Video

When Are Teams Looking To Sign Players?

Well it depends on a few things. If you're under contract then you are confined to the terms of the contract.

If you are a first time signer then you can sign for any team at any time. Backkkk it up, so lets say you are in contract, and you want to sign with a new club. You have to wait to what is called Transfer Windows. These are times or windows in which a club may transfer a player.

A player that is under contract cannot move clubs outside of these transfer windows unless under specific permission from the governing body. A player who is out of contract can join another club at any time, depending on where they are playing of course.

So to answer the question, teams are always looking for good players and pro soccer tryouts are some of the best ways teams find new players. Now in Europe for the most part the transfer window is for two months in the summer and one month in the winter or half way through the season. This applies for most of Europe who play their season from August - May with a break in December.

Countries in Scandinavia (Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and also Ireland and some others) play from March-November and have a transfer period after their season is complete and would be looking for players at that time.  

Top 5 Things To Remember About Pro Soccer Tryouts Once You Arrive

1. Synchronize Your Sleep Schedule

The last thing you want to happen is to be drowsy during every training of your tryout.

Let's look at a tryout that is a week long, if you show up at your hotel and there is a few hours until training starts you want to try and squeeze in a quick hour nap if you can.

If you show up and it is the middle of the day and there is no training that day try and hold off until the evening of that country you're in so your sleep schedule can be lined up with that of the country you are in.

You will thank me on day three and four of the tryout where you aren't feel groggy and sleep deprived.

2. Exude Confidence

Now is not the time to be timid and curl up into a ball because you've arrived at the training grounds of one of your pro soccer tryouts.

Walk around with your head high and exude confidence like you're supposed to be there and they'd be lucky to have you and not like your counting down the days until you get released.

3. Self Talk

Now is the time to start talking yourself up in your head.

Repeat over and over again positive messages about yourself "I can do this", "let's go time to dominate" or whatever your affirmations are.

The nerves and pressure will start mounting and it's your job to make sure you are in a great state of mind day in and day out.

4. Effort & Attitude

There will be so many things you won't be able to control during a tryout like the weather, the drills, the other players etc etc.

The two things you can control at pro soccer tryouts and in life is your attitude and your effort.

Make it a personal goal to be the hardest working player in every exercise, every fitness workout, every lift, and every shot.

On top of that be vocal, encourage other players and have a professional attitude in everything you do on and off the pitch, the rest is out of your hands.

5. Not All Eyes Are On You

Although it is a tryout believe it or not even if you're the only one on trial you're not the center of the team or universe.

This team and coach all have things to think about like their season, contracts, getting released etc.

The coaches have enough of their own team issues to worry about and they won't be watching you every second so don't feel like you have to be flawless every play and with every touch.

For even more tips on how to perform at these tryouts feel free to read the Top 10 Tips for your next pro trial article.

Top 5 Mistakes Players Make During Pro Soccer Tryouts

1. Trying To Be Perfect

You are going to make mistakes so get over that mental block that you have to be perfect, everyone makes mistakes and so will you so don't try and play so safe you aren't taking risks.

You don't want to leave the tryout because you were so worried about making a mistake that you didn't try to take any players on, shoot the ball or play a risky pass, go in swinging and leave it all out there.

2. Complain

A great way to get sent home on your first day is to be a complainer.

The coach has enough issues to deal with so selecting someone with negative energy to join his squad is the last thing they need.

Put your head down, work and try to do all your talking on the pitch and don't be an unnecessary distraction to anyone.

3. Burn Bridges

If this don't go your way don't leave in an unprofessional rage and burn any future bridges or relationships you may have made while there.

If this isn't the team for you it may be in the next transfer window once you prove yourself but if you leave screaming and shouting you will be off of their list forever.

4. Dwell On The Past

The last tryout, the last practice or even the last play won't help you moving forward if you keep thinking about how it didn't go the way you wanted.

The best players in the world know how to quickly hit the restart button and use the positives from the past and never the negatives, look forward and focus on the task at hand or all you'll be left with is a tryout story.

5. Nervous

There's nothing worse than letting your nerves get the best of you and you not showing your true self during pro soccer tryouts.

It's one thing to play well and not get selected for whatever reason but not to play well because of anxiety or nerves is something you will always be kicking yourself for later.

Go through your mental pre-practice routine and go in loose and focused to perform at your best.

Do You Usually Set Up A Few Tryouts When You Go Somewhere Or Just One?

This is an important question that has a few levels of answers to it. If you're a top player that has been around there are no tryouts for you, there are offers from teams and you select which side to join.

The next level of player has an official trial invitation along with the length of the tryout before arriving. Finally the 3rd tier level player sets up several pro soccer tryouts when they go visit a certain country and are trying to break through and make their first team.

So to answer the question if you're trying to make your way you will set up several tryouts in one area in case you don't make one you have another one set up for the following days.

Is It Just Practice Or Do You Get To Play Games On Pro Soccer Tryouts?

It depends on the time of the year you are there and the teams plan for that week of your tryouts but it can be a mix of both.

Some trials are during pre-season and you'll have a mix of practice, fitness sessions, strength sessions and possibly inter squad games.

Other tryouts will be only training then they will make their choice on whether to keep you longer or not.

Don't be surprised if you start off training with the reserve squad especially if you come in without a strong resume. You need to prepare yourself like you are training, playing games, doing fitness and strength sessions, basically you need to be prepared for whatever might be thrown your way.

Who Pays For Flights, A Place To Stay, Food & Local Travel During These Pro Soccer Tryouts?

If you're a player who is looking to make his first professional team and you are relatively unknown then you have to pay for all your travel.

Several clubs will provide you with some accommodation either at their dorm rooms which they use for academy players which are on the training ground site or at a near by house or apartment.

There are some situations where they won't provide you with any accommodation either so always know before going what situation you're headed into and plan accordingly. If you're headed to a city where you have a friend or relative be sure to ask them if you can stay at their place during your tryout.

As for food it depends from club to club which ones will provide you with meals, of course plan like they aren't going to feed you but on most pro soccer tryouts in first or second division teams some sort of food is provided directly after training.

The higher the club the better the treatment in terms of food and accommodation but plan as if they are providing you with nothing and be pleasantly surprised with whatever they give you.

How Long Of Contracts Do Teams Usually Give To New Players?

Well generally 1-2 years. Again depending on age, salary requirements, where you've played and how good they think you may be this can all depend.

Generally for players who do well during their pro soccer tryouts, and have some sort of playing experience they will offer 1 year terms. This benefits both the club and the player.

In case the player isn't as useful as they first imagined and don't want to be locked in to a long term with the player. Or if the player isn’t happy at the club they can look to make a move after one season, win-win.

Pro Soccer Tryouts and the logistics involved can be quite a lot to handle, the most important thing is to not concern yourself with those things and just play for the love of the game when on trial, and give it your all, no regrets.

How Long Does It Take For a Team To Make Their Decision Whether Or Not To Sign Me?

There is no exact timeline that every team follows to keep a player on trial before making a decision. But generally a team will keep you on trial anywhere from 4 days up to a few weeks.

It depends on more than a few factors such as:

1) Quality

2) Player signing deadlines

3) Other players coming in

4) Contract demands

5) Time of Year

6) Teams Needs

After assessing these factors a team will make its decision. You could get unlucky and be on trial a day before the deadline day and they may not get an adequate chance to watch you play.

These are all things your agent will make sure are lined up properly before going to any pro soccer tryouts. I’ve had teams keep me on trial for up to a month and others just a few days before making their decision so it really depends on the team and their situation.

How Many Players Does A Team Usually Sign?

Again it depends. Every professional League has a governing body and each governing body has different rules. Some countries say you must have a certain amount of players less than 18 years of age. Others say you must have “x” amount of domestic and foreign players and a roster amount at a certain number.

From my experience professional teams in Europe carry up to 30 players for training and carry 18 for matches on the official game rosters. This varied from Serbia to Ireland but was the general rule of thumb.

The time of year, injuries and several other factors go into how many signings a team will make per year. The way I looked at it during my first pro soccer tryouts is how many players played my position at the current time. If I felt I was in the top two in my position I knew I was safe, if I was outside of that I knew it could go either way.

Have more questions not answered yet? Feel free to Contact a Pro and ask us anything!  