“Practice, consistency, and stamina,” player Sean Montgomery stated when interviewed about what freshmen should work on to prepare for soccer tryouts. Will they have what it takes to make a team, or will they have to work harder for next year?

Tryouts start on September 16th and end on September 19th. The tryouts begin at 3:45 P.M. and end at 5:00 P.M. at the Eastview Soccer Fields. A DragonFly account must have been created and a current physical must be uploaded to tryout.

Freshmen are the ones to look at this year as many new players are trying out. These freshmen all have certain skills and positions they play. Take Logan Fara, for example. He said he specializes in “long-range shots and communication,” and he plays “right mid and center mid.” Communication will be an important aspect of the game as it helps organize the team and creates a dynamic that makes passing smooth.

Another freshman, Eybin Pacheco, is eager for tryouts due to his commitment to the game. He has been practicing and “running a mile each day” to condition himself. He has also been refining his “fakes and crossovers.” New and returning players need to watch out for this hard work because if they don’t do anything to propel themselves, they will be left in the dust by the ones trying to take their position.

There is good that comes with tryouts but also a handful of concerns. For example, Eybin Pacheco stated, “Four days is a lot,” when answering some questions about tryouts. This and the summer break where players weren’t instructed to practice on their own time worries the players. They don’t think they will have the endurance for four days of tryouts. Sean Montogmery shared that most players will need to “run a mile in under 7 minutes,” which shows how much running is necessary for the school team. 

Some help is for freshmen or other students worried about tryouts or just want some advice. Here is some from sophomore Arham Muhammad: “Don’t let it get to your head, and stay in your head.” Players must stay in their minds and dictate their actions as long as they try their hardest and focus on the game. Another freshman, Sean, said, “Checking your shoulders and communicating with your team” is very important to show when trying out for the team, especially for varsity or higher level teams.

According to GroundForceStrength, hydration, and nutrition are important to building and maintaining stamina. Drinking a great amount of water to stay hydrated and eating a balanced diet will improve the player’s health. These key points are not only important to the game but also to making the team. If players don’t properly feed and hydrate themselves, their performance in tryouts will be hindered. 

So come try out for the Bob Jones soccer team from the 16th to the 19th at 3:45 P.M. Whether soccer is your thing or not, it will be a chance to explore a great sport and get out of the house.