Soccer Trials in Europe

Soccer tryouts, or trials, consist of one or more demonstrations between training sessions and matches, where a player is evaluated to see if he or she is ready to join a team.

They are an opportunity for young players, clubs and scouts. It is a meeting of several days where training sessions and matches will be held under the watchful eye of scouts and coaches from Spanish and European professional clubs. 

The opportunity for young players to sign a professional contract in Spain will depend on the level of the player. Most of the time the expectations are overestimated by the player, but this allows him to be evaluated and to have information about the level required by the clubs in Spain .

At SIA Academy we like to generate soccer opportunities for players from other countries who have the level to play in Spain. To this end, we have developed several soccer trials in Spain and Europe in which we can participate directly with our own teams, so that they can be as successful as possible. 

The tests mainly evaluate three aspects: technical ability, physical potential and psychological aspect. Although these are the pillars of a professional soccer player and those that determine what his ceiling is and how his characteristics can be adapted to the team in question. Depending on the model of play of the team and the style that the coach implements, the player will be more or less interesting depending on how he adapts. The fact of being discarded would not mean that you do not have the level, but simply that you do not fit what the team is looking for at that moment.

 The candidate's résumé is evaluated and we try to know first hand how he/she would adapt to the team. In general, the players are usually quite controlled thanks to the scouting that is done of the games or the recorded material that is provided, but seeing in situ how the player behaves when receiving instructions or performing certain exercises allows the teams to have more information about the adaptation that he would have in their program.

Don't forget that they will also be looking at your off-field and training behavior.

Most of the time, scouts are looking for a specific player profile, so maybe, even if you are a good fit in the tryouts, they won't get you. It is not for lack of quality, if not that at that time, there is a great player already signed in your position or they are looking for another demarcation.

The actual trials usually last from two days to one week, although sometimes they are extended to two weeks.

Our advice is that you work before the test with professionals who will help you prepare for it at least one week before the test.

Our professionals will help you to arrive in the best conditions so that you can show all your talent.

Keep in mind that the psychological aspect is key, so you will work on this aspect with our specialized department.

In this type of tryout, coaches and scouts look for three fundamental aspects in the player: 

It is important that the player has enough confidence to be able to show all his qualities during the period that will be supervised by the professionals and scouts of the teams.

In our country there are about 2,500 professional soccer players, the chances of a youth player becoming a professional are reduced to 1%. If we start from an early age, the chances are lower, so it is very important that the preparation at all levels is as professional as possible and with us you will work to control all aspects that can help you develop your full potential.

• Technical ability

The technical ability of each player depends on many aspects. On the one hand we have players with an innate ability that makes them stand out from a very young age. On the other hand it is proven that with hard work, effort and tenacity in daily work and having access to the best professionals, you can achieve an increase in the level of these technical skills. You have to work daily, with specific plans generated by professionals in the sector that will allow you to reach the levels needed to access these professional clubs. Therefore, to be able to perform these tests with guarantees, you must prepare yourself in advance to be able to show all your virtues on the field and that scouts, coaches and managers notice you and decide to bet on your talent.

• Physical potential and maximum effort

To be physically prepared and be able to withstand the high pace of training and competition required in these tests, you have to be clear that you need a good preparation of all the conditional aspects that have to do with the physical preparation necessary for the sport of soccer. This sport has evolved and every time it is necessary that we are better prepared and that we do some previous sessions to arrive in the best possible conditions that allow us to give all of ourselves.

• Psychological aspect

The psychological aspect is key to be able to face with guarantees all the different contexts that the player faces in training and competition. This training has to be given in a transversal way with all the other aspects so that the player is prepared. For a coach, what is seen on the field of play is just as important as what is forged in the locker room. Making a team unified and players all playing for the same interests is going to end up being the key to success on the field. That's why coaches and scouts will be very attentive to your character and your interaction with teammates both on and off the soccer field.

At a tryout, you must be participative at all times and willing to be part of the group. In addition, coaches also like you to have a pleasant manner (make jokes or laugh at others from time to time) but at the same time know how to take what is being done seriously. Within a soccer team there are different roles you can play. You can be a leader who encourages the players and always gives them good advice. There is also the role of the 'tough guy' who knows how to give the occasional scolding that keeps the team serious and makes the teammates give their all on the field. Communication is an aspect to work on.

• If you want to become a professional soccer player in today's market, you must be fully committed.
• Train yourself in strategies, game models, player bibliographies, know soccer in depth.
• Balance studies with soccer, plan A is studies.
• Train daily and measure the improvements you are getting.
• Have different experiences, university, clubs, different playing surfaces, tournaments, campuses, clinics, friendly and federated matches.
• Do not be in a hurry and decide what is best for your development at each stage.
• Try to improve day by day and be the best at your level.
• Work on psychological and communication aspects.
• Train with the best coaches and clubs that have a methodology that transmits you.

Teams conduct tests at the end of the season (May and June) and before the start of the following year's season (pre-season), usually between July and September.

There is also the possibility of official tryouts at the opening of the winter market in mid-season, around the months of December and January.