In one of my earlier Blogs, I discussed the club try-out system across the US. We are now firmly ensconced in the week of the dreaded 'Try-Outs" for youth Club soccer across the USA. Try-outs are not a big deal if you are an older player who has been on the same Club team for a few years, or if you're one of the top 8 players on your Club team. If you're in that position, you'll make the team. But what if you're new to an area (you've just moved into a new town), or you're not one of the top players on your Club team? Then....you might get 'CUT'.
If you're a young GK, your chances of getting cut are greater. Remember, there are only 2, maybe 3 spots for GKs on a Club team--so it makes it all that more difficult. So what happens if you get 'cut'?
I know this is hard to hear, but maybe you need to work harder at being a GK. Or maybe, you just had a bad try-out, or maybe you just aren't quite good enough to play at the level of the Club. Any of these can be a reason for not being selected. That's the hard part.....getting told by a Coach (who probably doesn't know much about GKing) that you're not good enough today. The key word in that last sentence is 'today'. One of the keys to life--and GKing--is the ability to get back up after you've been knocked down. It's like playing in Goal....sometimes you're going to make a mistake and let in a 'soft' goal. Sometimes the other team hits unstoppable shots (upper 90). As a GK, you have to shake off the mistake or goal, and get ready for the 'next shot'. If you get cut by a team, you have to find another team and try-out and get selected, and begin training and playing for your new Club. Put the despair of getting 'cut' behind you and concentrate on being the best GK you can be for your new Club. Work hard, train hard, play hard, and learn from your experiences and mistakes. As I said, it's the key to GKing and to life.
Everyone gets 'cut' from something at some point in their life. Although it is hard, MOVE ON! I have met the basketball coach in NC that cut Michael Jordan from his HS Freshman basketball team. It served to make Jordan a better basketball player....and you know the rest of the story. And as Jordan has said, "I wasn't good enough at the time; and it made me work that much harder." Working harder. That's the key to top-shelf GKing.
May the ground beneath your dive be soft. May the opposition shoot right at you. May your goalposts be 3 feet wide.
All the Best--EV
If you're a young GK, your chances of getting cut are greater. Remember, there are only 2, maybe 3 spots for GKs on a Club team--so it makes it all that more difficult. So what happens if you get 'cut'?
I know this is hard to hear, but maybe you need to work harder at being a GK. Or maybe, you just had a bad try-out, or maybe you just aren't quite good enough to play at the level of the Club. Any of these can be a reason for not being selected. That's the hard part.....getting told by a Coach (who probably doesn't know much about GKing) that you're not good enough today. The key word in that last sentence is 'today'. One of the keys to life--and GKing--is the ability to get back up after you've been knocked down. It's like playing in Goal....sometimes you're going to make a mistake and let in a 'soft' goal. Sometimes the other team hits unstoppable shots (upper 90). As a GK, you have to shake off the mistake or goal, and get ready for the 'next shot'. If you get cut by a team, you have to find another team and try-out and get selected, and begin training and playing for your new Club. Put the despair of getting 'cut' behind you and concentrate on being the best GK you can be for your new Club. Work hard, train hard, play hard, and learn from your experiences and mistakes. As I said, it's the key to GKing and to life.
Everyone gets 'cut' from something at some point in their life. Although it is hard, MOVE ON! I have met the basketball coach in NC that cut Michael Jordan from his HS Freshman basketball team. It served to make Jordan a better basketball player....and you know the rest of the story. And as Jordan has said, "I wasn't good enough at the time; and it made me work that much harder." Working harder. That's the key to top-shelf GKing.
May the ground beneath your dive be soft. May the opposition shoot right at you. May your goalposts be 3 feet wide.
All the Best--EV