The Do's
Step 1 and by far the most important regarding going for a trial and hoping to be successful is to be prepared both mentally and physically. Ever hear of the saying ‘Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.’ Trialists should approach the trial with the right mindset and be in peak physical condition. Onlooking coaches, managers and scouts can see an athlete straight away who is in prime condition. Train for your trial, put in the time and graft doing drills on the pitch addressing your weaknesses or hours in the gym getting yourself right. Nutrition is key. Fuel your body with the right foods lay off the takeaways for a few weeks and drink plenty of water. If you are carrying a niggly injury go get it sorted. It is not a good first impression if you are walking into a trial injured. After all first impressions matter.
Far too often when you attend trials, you see players playing in different positions than what they would with their clubs. Why do they do this? If you are a 6’5 towering centre-half why tell them that you can play midfield. You specialise in this position with your local club, play their week in week out. Your weaknesses get exposed for everyone to see. At centre-half, you are protected you know that if your defensive line is good players cannot run in behind you or they will be flagged for offside. All you have got to do is keep the player in front of you forcing them to play backwards. Out in midfield, you become more exposed. Players are coming from all angles; behind you, from the left and the right. Slower to turn than the standard midfielder, you will get brought out and spun leading to a counter attack. Lack of knowledge on how to cut passing lanes or even just simple things such as positional sense become apparent. All these simple mistakes lead to a big fat red X on your sheet.
Another massive problem that you see in trials is players not performing as they do with their clubs. Yes, nerves can play a part, but you must have confidence in your own ability. After all your ability has gotten you to this point, so just have a little bit of faith. If you are a left winger who loves terrorising fullbacks and whipping in the perfect cross, do not change your style of play and start playing conservatively, going backwards or sideways everytime the ball comes to your feet. Go be creative, enjoy yourself and take some risks. Coaches and scouts will be impressed with the confidence you possess, and you will start racking up the ticks.
Show the right traits
It does not matter how talented you are if your mental characteristics are poor. Coaches these days look for attributes such as work rate, enthusiasm and how you will adapt into their system of play. They want leaders, someone who is calm that can pluck a ball out of the air in a tight situation and get the play going again. They want an organiser, a player who can talk, communicate well with their teammates and get messages and tactics across effectively. Who will be the person who gets the team into their defensive shape out on the pitch? Who will call the line for offside? The days of having a captain are over. Multiple leaders are needed as soon as you cross that white line.
Most importantly they want someone who never gives up chases lost causes, makes something out of very little, buys their own luck you could say. Plays to the final whistle and drives the team forward with their aggression and willpower. WORK HARD, PLAY HARD, HIT OFTEN.
The Don'ts
Being talented and having skill is one thing but it is not all about the fancy footwork and the 40-yard switches of play these days. It is about having the right attitude towards the game and for your teammates. If you are quick to anger after a refereeing decision does not go your way, and you start mouthing and give the ref an earful ending up talking yourself into pointless booking. Likewise, if you start complaining and putting down teammates because one of them misplaced a pass, coaches will straight away pick up on it and forget about you pretty much straight away. This kind of negative attitude filters straight through the team and sometimes even the club. Coaches and even players do not want this as it results in problems and a poor atmosphere out on the pitch.
Body language is another critical aspect coaches will be making notes of on their scouting sheet. Look enthusiastic and energetic with every movement. Do not look sluggish and lazy. Dragging your arms by your side, standing watching the play go by gives the impression that you’re not interested. Move, look for the ball, make runs, and chase lost causes just whatever you do don’t give up. Coaches will be impressed with your work rate. Attitude is something that if you struggle with, you must work at it and cannot just disguise it for the trial. It will benefit you in the long term.
Being out of shape
Trials are all about standing out from the crowd and showing off your attributes. What is the best way to show off your skills? Answer: by being fit. Fitness allows you to become the player you want to be. You know this trial is coming up so do not leave it till a week before to try improving your fitness. It is something that continually needs to be worked on. At a trial scenario, fitness will give you the advantage over the other athletes. It proves you have a desire that others do not have. It will make you look faster and sharper, helping you mentally to read the game, allowing you to react to breaking balls quicker than your opponents. The biggest thing about coming into a trial fit is that it shows the coaches, managers and scouts that you possess the discipline to get fit on your own. It proves you have the right mindset and they know it will not be you who will be missing at the cold, wet, windy winter month training sessions.
At the end of the day, trials are about standing out, not about whose team won. Yes, pass the ball to your teammates but look for the return do not just stand there admiring your pass. At trials, you need to be selfish. After all, it is about getting through to the next stage or level of your career. You’ve got to go and showcase your skills, go a little crazy sometimes, take some risks like try your chicken zinger across the pitch if you have it in your locker. The worst feeling that you can possibly have after a trial is knowing that you did not prove yourself out there. Never leave yourself having this feeling. Just remember it’s important to know when to take the risk and when to give the simple pass. Don’t go running down cul de sacs when a player is free inside. This looks bad on you and makes the coaches think you are just wanting all the glory for yourself. Always try and make sure you have an end product either a shot, free or corner kick.
If you stick to these, do’s and don’ts your chances of getting onto the team will increase massively. Sometimes, however, you just got to accept that you are not the kind of player that the coaches are looking for. Prepare yourself both mentally and physically. Play the position you are trained to play and stick to the style of play you are comfortable with. Show the managerial team the positive traits that will get you into the team, your hunger, desire and work rate. Talk, be vocal and demand the football. Try not to get frustrated if things are not going your way, keep working hard and you will make your own luck. Keep your emotions in check, do not lose your head with your teammates for a bad pass or a weak spell in possession. Lastly, remember you have got to show the coaches what you are capable of. Go express yourself, trust and believe in your ability but most importantly enjoy the journey. Best of luck.
Author: Eoghan Connolly
Recreation and Sport Management Student