---====Dilemma===---!!!

[GhosT RideR]

well here is the situation, my soccer team's tryouts are tomorrow and being a senior it's the last year i could make the team.
i have tried out the first two years and made it as a sophmore as a jonior varstiy player. I am a HUGE soccer fan, but not exactly in a good shape( 5'9" and 158 lbs) well i just cant run very well..
There are two cuts in the tryouts, first one all seniors are kept.

my problem is that i am pretty sure that i'm not able to keep up with the other guys during the running. But i DO have the skill to play in a game and score goals but DON'T have the stamina.
if i go i could make myself look like a fool but at least be happy that i tried instead of having the burden on my shoulders.
i dont go, ill just say that it wasnt for me.

what do you guys think i should do?

[VermilionX]

you'll never know for sure until you try.

that's what i always say... you can get depressed for a few days if you fail and you'll get over it.

but if you never knew what could have happened... then you will wonder about it for a longer time and it might even haunt you from time to time.

either it depends on how bad you want it.

[Shorts]

If you want to play that bad, you'll bust your "O Ring" in tryouts for a spot.

I was a 4yr Varsity starter in 2 sports, but I still had to try out like everybody else. Go shake things up. It was always nice to see upcoming darkhorses.

You can always work on conditioning, but skill and smarts for the game takes a little longer to develop. Emphasize what you do well, and work hard at what you don't. Coaches can tell. Good luck with tryouts.

[GhosT RideR]

thanks guys.

yea my heart is telling me to go there tomorrow morning.
we'll see what happens hehe

[DieMonkeys]

When I was a freshman in high school (big private school even) I tried out for the varsity team. At the time I was overweight, 5foot-something, 250lbs. I made it on the team and tried my best, I wasn't great, but I had fun. I only played in short spurts because like you I lacked stamina. I never scored a goal but I did have a few assists. I don't regret it at all.

[Joe Rocket=>]

I have played soccer all of my life, and having good stamina is about 90% of the game. But I don't know how advanced the sport of soccer is in your area. I know where I am from we take the game pretty seriously and if you don't have the stamina you are not going to last 10min. no matter how good you are.

If you are really worry about it I would start running bleachers (if you have them) and doing sprints. You should have plenty of time to get into shape, the boys soccer season doesn't start till after the first of the year right?

[GhosT RideR]

well i understand that(i have played in teams before and was good at running until i stopped training for a year)

the tryouts start tomorow and the final cuts are on the 30th...

im not too sad duh...cause i did go to the gym a fair amount of my time during the summer..

[GhosT RideR]

hmm...its past midnight and can't go to sleep from the nervousness...

gonna get a shot of Nyquil....that stuff works miracles !

[blues2cruise]

Go and try out. They may be looking for skills knowing they can whip you into shape with the practices.

[Bachstrad37]

I played from 6 years of age all the way to D2 college varsity and am currently a coach of a U17 D1 boys traveling team.

You know what's coming from past experience - that's why you're nervous.

Here's my take from a coach's perspective - try out. I've seen so many kids that don't try out and it pisses off. If you're out of shape, fine. I can work with that if you have good instincts. If you've been on my team in the past, I'm partial to selecting you if you made a good impression during previous seasons. If you're a dumb arse that runs everywhere like a demon with no brains, I'll gank you from the pitch faster than you can break a sweat. Playing at the level you're at, I can't teach you natural instincts or good habits. I CAN teach you how to play together. And if you're a good listener and not a hero (aka team player), it allows me to sleep at night because your parents won't be crawling up my arse and insisting their kid deserves to start. Fitness will come. You can't avoid it if the coach is any good. But brains and instincts - it can't be develop to a substantial level in a short 3-4 month season.

Here's my take from a player's perspective - bust your balls and get into shape...and hurry. Everyone comes into the varsity season at different fitness stages. Unless you're dragging arse 20-30 yards behind solo, you don't have too much to worry about. Stay with the pack in running drills. Key is recovery. The faster you can recover, the better you stand out. A lot of recovery is attributed to brains. Don't go into low percentage challenges that take you out of position. Don't chase after balls you know you can't save. The more brains you use, the more time it allows you to get into shape...quietly. And LISTEN. Even if the coach directs stupid plans or set plays, do it. Don't question it. Often time, he's experimenting with his pieces. Do it without hesitation.

Good luck out there. If you're serious about making the team and not just dinking around, try my advice. Check your pride and stash it in the locker room. Pride hurts you in try outs. It also often hurts you from doing what's smart and for the good of the team.