New Albany Youth Soccer Evaluations Approach
Gathering Details
Evaluations will occur over the course of an hour; players should plan to arrive and register between 6 and 6:30. Evaluations will start promptly at 6:30. Each player will receive a number and a group letter. Introduction of the evaluation plans to players and parents will occur at 6:30 and players will be sent to fields associated with their group number along with an evaluator and coaches.
Drills Details
EVALUATION 1 –20 minutes
Dribbling and Passing - 4 kids per group
Test player’s ability to control the ball, dribble with control, and dribble at speed.
Drill 1 - Snake Dribble through cones, pass at last cone to other player; player controls ball and snake dribbles to other end, passing to other player. Continue for several minutes.
Drill 2 - Dribble at speed next to cones, pass at last cone to other player; player controls ball and dribbles at speed to other end, passing to other player. Continue for several minutes.
Speed and Agility - 4 kids per group
Test player’s athleticism through their ability to run at speed and do complex footwork through cones.
Drill 1 - Relay Race. Sprint to first cone, shuffle through middle cones, sprint to last cone, turn and sprint back to tag next player. Sit down. Relay complete when kids are all seated.
Drill 2 - Relay Race. Sprint to first cone, jump through middle cones (or replace with hurdles), sprint to last cone, turn and sprint back to tag next player. Sit down. Relay complete when kids are all seated.
TRANSITION to Competitive Drills - Remove cones from field
WATER BREAK - 5 minutes
EVALUATION 2 - 25 minutes
Attacking and Defending - 1 v. 1 Battle; groups of 8
Test player’s aggressiveness / toughness in a 50/50 situation as well as positioning; good indication of individual skill.
One child starts on defense others line up in circle to play offense. Evaluator plays 50/50 ball between them. Offensive player tries to score, defensive player try to possess the ball and score in two small goals at mid-field. Once battle is over, offensive player becomes defender, defender rotates to back of offensive line.
Short Sided Games - 4 v. 4 on the fields with no goalies
Evaluate players on a larger field, engaging as part of a team. Assess understanding of positions, how players move on and off the ball, and how they play with others.
Evaluations
Evaluators – Will watch drills and complete evaluation forms.
Coaches – Will run drills and support evaluations as needed.
Evaluators and Coaches – Together will determine how best to separate teams based on evaluations.