• No evaluation system is perfect.
• We are bound by roster sizes and many times have more players than roster spots at a given playing level.
• Players want to play with their friends which is a request that we can no longer honor due to the size of TRSA.
• Players don’t want to change teams.

What teams use this process?

Each team in Three Rivers Soccer Association uses evaluations as a way to place players on teams appropriately.

Can Anyone attend evaluations?

TRSA holds open evaluations.  Any player is allowed to attend player evaluations that would like to play soccer for TRSA.  No roster spots are held or guaranteed for team members from previous years.

Who decides how evaluations and team formations are executed?

The TRSA Board has the responsibility for creating and modifying the process and policies that govrn evaluations and team formation.  The Coaching Director is responsible for executing this process.

Who will be evaluating the players?

This year Three Rivers Soccer Association will again be using an outside company to conduct evaluations.  Overseen by the Coaching Director, this company evaluates each player individually and a score is given for each player.  With your continued feedback we will continue to modify the evaluations to ensure your children are evaluated in the fairest and most unbiased way possible.

Why are the evaluations held in August?

August evaluations give TRSA several advantages:

• Evaluations are held early so we don’t lose players to other clubs.
• Team formation can be completed so players can play in winter leagues together.  Teams often times begin indoor training programs together during the winter.
• Evaluations held in August can be held on natural grass rather than the turf or hard floors used for indoor soccer.  Playing on grass also helps keep the cost associated with renting indoor space very low. 
• Team meetings can be held over the winter to start preparing for the upcoming summer season and helps us get a head start on ordering uniforms.
• Players are still in good physical condition and are in no danger of losing their touch so soon after the summer season has ended.

Why are there two evaluation dates for each age group?

There are two evaluation dates so that each player may be seen for an appropriate amount of time.  Two evaluations gives the assessors the proper time to evaluate each player correctly.  We have found in years past that one date rushes the evaluators and caused mistakes in the selection process.

Do we have to show up for both evaluations?

YES!  You must show up for both evaluations if at all possible.  If you cannot make both evaluation dates you must notify the Coaching Director before the dates in question.  If two players are evaluated at the same level and one went to both dates and one did not, the player that attended both will be given preference!

How long do evaluations last?

Evaluations are listed as two hours each but may not take that long.  Please do not drop your children off without first talking with the evaluators about the length of assessments!  The length of evaluations depends on numbers.  If the numbers are low evaluations may only take an hour to conduct.

What happens if a player misses evaluations?

If a player misses evaluations due to:

A major injury or illness

The player may be placed on a team at the discretion of the Coaching Director.  The player must have contacted the Coaching Director about their injury or illness prior to the evaluation day. 

A minor illness

The player may be placed on the lowest level team, room permitting.  The player may also ask for a tryout at a later date provided the Coaching Director is available to evaluate.  The player may also be placed on the highest level team at the discretion of the Coaching Director.

Other reasons

The player may be placed on the lowest level team, room permitting.

Late Registrations

The player must attend an evaluation set up by the Coaching Director.  The player may also be placed on a team at the discretion of the Coaching Director.

Can a player be evaluated for an older age group (play up)?

Any player may be evaluated at an older age group (never younger) if they so choose.  However, in order to be considered for the older age group, the player must evaluate in the top 25% of all players at the older age group.  If they do not evaluate in the top 25% they will be placed in their own age group.  There are a few exceptions to this rule:

1.  Two age groups may be combined because of insufficient numbers at each age group. 

2.  A player may play with their own school grade.

If you wish to be evaluated at an older age group you must contact the Coaching Director!  When asking the Coaching Director for permission you must include the player’s name, age, current team and current coach.  You must also include your reason for your request.  Permission to be evaluated at an older age group will be considered on a case by case basis. 

What will you need when checking in at evaluations?

Each player must have a parent (unless 18) complete a player evaluation registration form.  Please do not wear a soccer jersey of any kind, TRSA or otherwise.  Please wear shinguards and cleats and bring a ball and water.

What is included in the evaluations?

Evaluations are made up of small sided games and skill drills. 

Drills that may be included will look at: first touch, off the ball movement, passing, control and dribbling.  The drills will be set up before the evaluations begin.   The scoring of evaluations will be split evenly between the small sided games and skill drills.  The two scores are added up to give a final evaluation score.

During small sided games evaluators will be looking for technical ability, tactical understanding, physical ability and attitude.  Players will be selected randomly and put on different teams for each small sided game.  Each game will be no longer than 10 minutes.  During these games evaluators will be looking for:

Technical Skills

Individual ball skills, passing, receiving, shooting, defending and tackling

Tactical Ability

Communication, speed of play, vision, decision making, movement on and off the ball, transition from offense to defense

Physical Ability

Speed, quickness, aggression

Attitude

Sportsmanship, respect for other players and the evaluators

Can defenders score well in evaluations?

Good defenders have good skills and are tactically sound.  Defenders should not hang back and be removed from the play.  Defenders should also not just kick the ball but play it with a purpose.  There is no reason a defender cannot score as highly as a forward or midfielder as long as they display good technical and tactical skills and are involved in the play.

What about goalkeepers?

Please make it clear to the Coaching Director that your child is interested in playing as a goalkeeper.  Make sure that you state clearly whether or not your child is only interested in playing as a goalkeeper or would like to play on the field as well.  If the Coaching Director is not informed of goalkeepers wishing to try out then no goalkeeper evaluations will be conducted.