Tryout commitments?

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Our organization tried a new method this year, we told our tryout participants that we would have and offer to you with in 6 days, or consider that you are not getting an offer, and you can proceed to the next tryouts. . [we did this because in the past, accidentally missing someone on a "no"call. Some of our coaches still did No calls though also]

We also said your offer is good for 72 hours after we offered, and MAY be good longer, but didn't guarantee them.

Our coaches have had great success with this method, and EVERY coach tells me there team is much stronger then last year, so our model of trying to be " the best in the midwest" is taking off!

We have heard of other organization saying "sign now" or it's not good, what's your thoughts on this?

 

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Sounds way to desperate to me. If you have multiple tryout dates, and your going to give her a time limit after seeing her once. Being alittle demanding. These kids are trying find a team they feel comfortable with. Your trying to fill a need on your team, not hiring a cashier at the local McDonalds. I think it has to be a good fit for both parties. How do you know that if you give them till 4pm?

Jmho I think it sounds desperate!!

Mike

 

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probably should have clarified a bit better: we did tryouts on saturday august 1st. and told them we'd offer by 4pm friday august 7th. we didn't want people waiting around weeks on end wondering, this way they could go to other local tryouts this week.

We gave a 72 hour guarantee, not to pressure, but to allow our coaches to offer others if people weren't sure. We are trying to head to the goal, that we only are looking for the top players, and if they tryout, they are pretty sure they want to play for us.

What we are more amazed by, is other organizations saying "sign now" at tryouts, giving them no time to think it through.

 

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Sorry I totally missed read your post. Now that I understand what you were saying....I like that. I think it gives everyone alittle breathing room. Now that is not desperate at all!! lol

 

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My dd will not commit to any team untill she checks out ALL of her options try outs go from the 1st to the 16th with the bulk of try outs the later weekend and some even later than that.
They for the most part are young girls.They must find a team that fits them well.To limit there time to pick might just limit your talent for the following year.
jmho

 

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I agree with toledodad 100%. It has to be a good fit for the girl. Been through that already....it needs to be about the kids!

 

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wonder how many especially at the 16u level commit untill the next best offer comes along??

 

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Last year, we only had from Sunday until Tuesday to give the coach our decision. We could have waited and continued going to other tryouts, but dd really wanted to play for this team. It is as tough for the coaches to wait for an answer as it is for players to weigh their options. No one has to make a quick decision, but there are no guarantees that the offer will be on the table indefinitely. I have seen girls who go to tryouts every year with no real intention of switching teams so coaches can't know who is serious and who is simply seeing if they are good enough to make other teams.

 

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I was given 12 hours once...we didn't pick them!!

 

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I think it's a two way street. I worked our tryouts on Wednesday the 5th. They went over, almost til dark. We had a good turn out and several prospects in the age group I was working with. I would like to have time to speak with the girls and parents face to face about what their expectations are and what I'm hoping to accomplish as a coach. I think any organization will have the most success, and less disappointment from players and parents if they're on the same page from the start. I think it takes time to accomplish this and everybody on both sides will be happier if this takes place. This grab for so called best talent has organizations having tryouts before National's are over, August 1st. If we're all just trying to sign the best players, are we really looking out for what's best for each girl. Can we really tell who is the best fit that quickly? I have lost players over the years that I would have liked to have, but if there is a better fit for the girl, isn't that what matters.

 

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I think Thunder Road said it very well; you go to these tryouts with 40-50 girls and there is no much opportunity to talk to the coach. I think it is important that the girl find out that she is a good fit for the program. That is a good way to avoid future problems about differing expectations.

 

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Just my opinion but most parents and players have seen the teams play all year that they may have an interest in. Coaches and organizations are not going to change much, only a handfull of players. My guess is most people have their choices narrowed down before they even go to a tryout. Probably does not apply so much at the 10-12 group but probably does for most of the rest. Why would anyone go to a teams tryout if they were not ready to accept or decline the teams offer.

 

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I think players and parents do know about local coaches/organizations and their tendencies, but if a player/parent is looking for something different, they'll hit some tryouts. My team played 8 tournmaents this year and we only saw one team twice. Besides, when your watching your dd play, are you watching her and her team, or are you planning the next move?

 

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I would think most people who are seriously looking for another team (moving up, current team not going forward, etc) have a list and have also prioritized it. However, you are going to go to more than one unless you are the stud player that everyone else is after. Let's say you 5th choice offers you with a deadline before your first choice even has the tryout? What would you do?

Even if you have seen these teams for this year or over several years you really don't know the whole scoop on them. Maybe your 5th choice really is better, but how do you know until you really seriously compare them (that you can only really do after you have the offer and get all of the information). Each team and/or organization on your list probably has some pros and cons.

To say that everyone has done their homework before they went to the tryouts is just not the case. In fact, I found over the years that most people that left our team for higher profile programs wish they didn't because the really didn't understand what the goals were for those programs and how they fit in with their priorities.

 

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I guess I just feel that when the season ends one doesn't just then decide to look elsewhere...there must be a need to move up stay down or are unhappy. In any event I would think that the homework in fact is done all year long. May be wrong as we have been with only two teams over six years, but I would think the homework is an ongoing process and not an event. Heck I know of girls at the 16U level going to quite a few tryouts with absolutely no intention of signing with most of the teams....not quite sure why they do it but they do. Guess I just figure if one plans to leave then it should have been well thought out......but then again thats just me.

 

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I would think most people who are seriously looking for another team (moving up, current team not going forward, etc) have a list and have also prioritized it. However, you are going to go to more than one unless you are the stud player that everyone else is after. Let's say you 5th choice offers you with a deadline before your first choice even has the tryout? What would you do?

Even if you have seen these teams for this year or over several years you really don't know the whole scoop on them. Maybe your 5th choice really is better, but how do you know until you really seriously compare them (that you can only really do after you have the offer and get all of the information). Each team and/or organization on your list probably has some pros and cons.

To say that everyone has done their homework before they went to the tryouts is just not the case. In fact, I found over the years that most people that left our team for higher profile programs wish they didn't because the really didn't understand what the goals were for those programs and how they fit in with their priorities.

Totally agree. You need to get a feel for the coach and their goals and how you dd feels about the team at try outs before making a decision. And, unfortunately, that still doesn't guarantee success in making the right decision as the "false advertising" thread eludes to. Been there, done that.

 

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And how much time do you get to talk them at the tryout? Today my dd went to one where there were 30 16u and another one that had 53. The coaches had their hands full getting all their drills in an filing paperwork. With that number of people you really don't have much time for conversation. You may have some general ideas but I doubt anyone (other than those one or two players everyone wants) is sure that they are going to get on the team that they think "fits like a glove" before going to a tryout.

I still say Thunder is right on the money

 

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this was our most successful tryout yet, determined by the players coaches got to commit.
I think a big part of it is:
1. we have defined we are looking for the very best players, to compete at the highest level, our parent organization SGS provides opportunity to all levels, Magic is designed for the elite player, many who want to play at the next level

2. our coaches, ALL organizational coaches, highly credentialled h.s./college coaches and former college players.

3. Our coaches are not only well know, but staying at the same level as last year, so they are familiar to many they have played against.

The part that amazes me, anyone would take a commitment from someone who says "sign now or it''s no good after you leave" that is a desperation I wouldn't want to deal with...

 

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this was our most successful tryout yet, determined by the players coaches got to commit.
I think a big part of it is:
1. we have defined we are looking for the very best players, to compete at the highest level, our parent organization SGS provides opportunity to all levels, Magic is designed for the elite player, many who want to play at the next level

2. our coaches, ALL organizational coaches, highly credentialled h.s./college coaches and former college players.

3. Our coaches are not only well know, but staying at the same level as last year, so they are familiar to many they have played against.

The part that amazes me, anyone would take a commitment from someone who says "sign now or it''s no good after you leave" that is a desperation I wouldn't want to deal with...

I'm not involved/connected with this organization in any way, but I agree with the concept of this approach. With the intent of Select travel ball being to eventually gain college exposure at the 16u level, players and parents should look at tryouts as a recruiting experience. A player is trying to get selected for a team that will give them the best opportunity for exposure to college coaches, and the coaches are trying to select players that are skilled enough to compliment an exposure caliber team.

One topic that seems to be missing from this thread is the importance of academics. A true showcase team generally requires a certain GPA, and the coaches want to see those report cards. Getting chosen for a Select showcase team is an important first step towards the college ranks, and maintaining college eligibility hinges on academic success. A team that stresses academics ALONG with athletics is doing the kids a huge favor.

 

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Been doing this for 12 years. Coach and Parent. I have to agree with toledoted dads post. I tell everyone up front as a parent , we will not commit to a team till we are done with tryouts. I even tell them we have these teams we are trying out for and a date we will make a decision. This is about the kids and what is the best fit for them. If they are serious and you dd is good enough to get and offer then they should understand. As a parent I have been burnt, by taking an offer early, not going to other tryouts and find out things were ugly and not what we expected. I think this is kind of like making a commitment to a college to play for them. Would you just visit one school and sign or would you check out schools and find out what is best for the dd?