When are tryouts?

Tryouts are held over 2-3 weeks typically in the middle of spring. This past year, tryouts started on April 13th and the majority were completed by the first week of May.

How do I register?

Registration is online and is free! (A link to register will be available shortly before the new tryout season begins.)

When will I hear from someone after registration?

Registered participants will typically receive emails from coaches in the days/weeks leading up to their respective tryout dates. If you believe you missed a communication, please reach out to that current team’s coach listed on our website or email CentralCarrollDOC@gmail.com

What should participants wear/bring? 

Weather and sports appropriate, comfortable clothing and all players need to wear shin guards. Cleats (soccer specific) are recommended to be worn. Participants will be given pinnies and/or numbers to wear while trying out. Please remove any jewelry prior to participation. Bring plenty of water or Gatorade-style sports drinks to keep hydrated.

You’ve arrived at the fields for tryouts. Now what?

When arriving at our tryout fields, look for an information table and canopy in between the fields and the parking lot. CCSC Coaches, Board Members, and Players will be there to assist with signing in and directing you to the appropriate field.

What is the tryout process like?

Typically, each tryout starts with a quick introduction and warm-up. Coaches will then select several drills to evaluate all of the players on various skills. Most sessions will end with either small-sided games or mini-scrimmages. Coaches will be evaluating age-appropriate technical skills, tactical awareness, and overall coachability of the perspective player.

How can players prepare for tryouts to perform their best?

A good night’s sleep the night before is where it should begin. Eat smart leading up to, and during the day of tryouts. (IE: Don’t have a slice of pizza an hour before tryouts!) Arrive totryouts with plenty of energy, a good attitude, and give your best no matter how hard or easy the drill. This will go a long way when evaluating players.

When will Coaches reach out after tryouts?

Coaches should communicate their timeline prior to the end of tryouts. Depending on the individual needs of each team, you will likely hear something within a few days. Due to the age change and shift in divisions that some of our teams are making going into the fall, there may be some teams or coaches that will need a couple of weeks to finalize decisions. If that is the case, it will be communicated to you within a few days after tryouts are complete.

What if I’m trying out for multiple teams/clubs?

We hope you love our club and coaches but do understand the nature of youth soccer and the reality that some players do tryout at multiple clubs. We want families to make the best decisions for themselves. That said, if offered a spot on one of our teams, many will have deadlines on acceptance of the offer. This will vary based on overall team needs and the number of available participants. If you are unable to make a decision prior to the team’s deadline, we encourage you to chat with the coach. Some teams may have some flexibility, while others will not.

Are there ever supplemental tryouts?

Yes! Throughout the year, some teams may look to add players to their rosters. These are typically posted on our social media or website. You’re also welcome to search our list of teams on our website and email the age-appropriate team’s coach directly to inquire about any potential supplemental tryouts.

What changed with the age groups this year?

US Youth Soccer and the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association, in association with the various leagues we participate in, have recently changed how registration and player carding are handled. Instead of placing players on teams based on birth year, they are shifting to registration by school year.

How is CCSC handling the change from birth year to school year?

Each individual team is shifting to match up with the appropriate school year designation. This means some teams may move up or may move down an age group in the upcoming year based on the birthdates of their players. Divisions by school year are based on birthdays between August 1st through July 31st. For example, based on the chart below, a player born on April 14th, 2015 would be placed on a 6th grade team (U12). A player born on November 1, 2015 would be placed on a 5th grade team (U11).