ABYS Spring’08 Tryouts for Fall 2008 Placement

Note: This is only for kids who want to tryout for a TRAVEL team in the Fall.  
If your child wants to stay in the town program, they do NOT need to go to the tryouts. 
 

ABYS Travel Team Tryouts for Fall 2008/Spring 2009 Soccer Season

ABYS will be conducting tryouts for next year's U9 thru U12 travel teams. All players who want to be considered for a travel team should attend both tryouts for their age group. Even if a player will only be playing 1 of the two seasons (Fall 2008 or Spring 2009) and would like to be considered for a travel team they should attend the tryouts. Current players are to let their coaches know that they are planning to try out.  If your child is not currently playing this season and wants to tryout, please register with the division director listed in the schedule below.

Tryouts will consist of a series of small-sided games where MLS evaluators will be assessing each player. The travel team selection process will also include coach's evaluations, and some game evaluations. The players should bring plenty of water but do not need to bring a soccer ball. Players should wear shin guards and come ready to play soccer. 

Try-Out Schedule:  All tryouts will be held at the School Street Fields in Acton - for directions click on this link: http://www.abys.org/field_maps.htm

PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE A CURRENT U8 Girl (2nd Grader) follow the Girls U8 schedule, other age groups follow
the same pattern etc...

Please arrive 15 minutes early to register & receive instructions.

DOB Eligibility  Notice: (CURRENT Date of Birth)

GU8 & BU8    - 8/1/1999 through 7/31/2000      Grade 2/Under 8        
GU9 & BU9    - 8/1/1998 through 7/31/1999      Grade 3/Under 9 
GU10 & BU10 - 8/1/1997 through 7/31/1998      Grade 4/Under 10
GU11 & BU11 - 8/1/1996 through 7/31/1997      Grade 5/Under 11

For email contact information for the division directors, and any last minute changes please check the ABYS website.  Any eligibility questions contact Sue Reuther via email Sreuther@comcast.net

ABYS TRYOUT INFORMATION
 

Please arrive 15-30 minutes before the start time, to allow plenty of time for registration.

Where are the tryouts?

All Tryouts will be at the School Street fields, off Route 2 in Acton.  Refer to www.abys.org for directions.
 

Why does ABYS have tryouts?

For players to have the most fun and best develop their skills, it is important for them to be placed on teams with players of similar ability.  Ideally, every player should be placed on a team for which they can make a significant contribution to their team’s performance while playing with confidence and joy.  Placing players appropriately is difficult but is crucial for ensuring the best experience for the most kids.
 

This is why ABYS offers both Intramural and travel soccer for the U9-U12 age groups.  The travel teams primarily play in the BAYS League’s first and second divisions, which are both very competitive.
 

Who should attend?

Any Acton or Boxborough resident of the correct age, who is interested in playing soccer in the Fall ’08 or Spring’09, is welcome to attend.  It is imperative for players who want to be considered for a travel team to make every effort to attend both tryout sessions.  Players not currently registered with ABYS will need to sign a waiver form before they can participate.
 

What is the format?

In the first session, all players will play 3-4 games of 6v6 soccer, of 15-20 minutes in length.  Each game will be played on a different and randomly selected team.  In other words, everyone starts from the same place.
 

In the second session, each player will play 3-4 games of 6v6 soccer, of 15-20 minutes in length.  However, field and team assignments will be based on the results of the first session.  Players will also be moved between fields, in an attempt to place them with players of similar ability.
 

Who does the evaluation?

The evaluators will be a blend of professional coaches, local coaches and/or older players with significant experience.  Travel coaches involved with the age level concerned, will not be evaluating the players, but may be present.  Other ABYS registered coaches will be organizing the games and rotating player positions, but will not be evaluating the players.
 

What is the basis of the evaluation?

Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) defines the curriculum of skills that we should develop in players.  The players will be evaluated on their ability to use these skills effectively.
 

How is the information used?

The tryout evaluations are used in conjunction with coaches’ evaluations, to place players appropriately.  These are two separate methods of evaluating players, taken from two different points in time and will both be considered in placement decisions.
 

What if someone cannot make a tryout date?

We hope that each player will make his or her best effort to attend both tryout sessions, as this will lead to the most accurate results.  However, no player will be penalized for missing a tryout.  Please contact your coach or Division Director if your son or daughter must miss a scheduled tryout and we will do our best to evaluate the player by other means.
 

How can parents participate?

Parents can watch from the area adjacent to the field near the parking area.  Parents are asked not to watch or cheer from the sidelines.
 

How should players view this process?

It is important that players do not see this as a situation in which they succeed or fail, but as an exercise to ensure they are placed with players of similar ability.  It is also hoped they will enjoy it as another opportunity to play “the beautiful game”, with players they might not normally play with.
 

What does each player need to bring?

It is preferable that each player wear their white ABYS uniform.  Shin-pads are mandatory and cleats are preferable.  Each player will be asked to wear a blue/yellow numbered piney provided by ABYS.  Players also must bring enough water to keep them hydrated for an hour and a half of playing.  Bug spray may also be a good idea.
 

More Questions?

Please contact your coach or the Division Director of the age level concerned.
 

http://www.abys.org/abys_bod.htm