Thoughts about Tryouts

We have had several questions about tryouts and team placement, so here are a couple of FAQs:

1. How long until a Varsity team is named?

We will name a 26-player Varsity team on Friday evening, August 23, at the end of the first week of tryouts.  At that point, we will have had fitness testing, a week of drills, and three scrimmages to sort things out.  We are not looking for the 26 players.  We are looking for the 26 players who make the best team.  The attributes we are seeking include first touch on the ball, speed of play and decision-making, ability to move off the ball, and intangibles such as unselfishness, flexibility and field vision.


2. What Happens to Players who don't make Varsity?

On Saturday, after the teams are listed, the Varsity will train twice and we will send 26 or so players to a jamboree at Manchester West, a combined squad of the upperclass and freshman players, continuing the process of team selection.  That will be one of the toughest transition days for the boys who have missed the Varsity cut.  We have at least 40 Varsity-level players, and Saturday will be a challenging day for the ones who have to accept the roles assigned to them.  After two more days of training on the second Monday or Tuesday, we will select a JV1, JV2, and Freshman team.  We are aiming for smaller rosters this year, with a maximum of 22 on JV1 and Freshman teams.

Teams will be initially posted on this blog.

3. When and where will teams practice and play?

All four teams will practice at the Dresden Athletic Fields.  Most practices will take place from 4:00 - 5:30 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  Wednesday practices will start an hour earlier.  Because there are five teams using Dresden for practice (we will be joined this year by the Reserve Girls, moving from Huntley), teams may occasionally practice in the 5:30 - 7:00 slot.  The Varsity will train on the turf on the day before home games, and may also practice in the evening on the turf
to ease Dresden crowding.  JV Home games will be on the grass field at HHS.  JV2 and Freshman home games will be at Dresden.  Each sub-varsity team will play at least one home game on the turf.  All teams will have games on occasional Saturdays.  The Varsity is the only team with occasional weekend practices.