Team Selection Process - 2023-24
We encourage the players to attend each night if possible. Your player will have a t-shirt with a number on the back. We will have 2-4 coaches evaluating the group depending on the number of players. Please register your player online for tryouts.
We ask that the kids play hard and listen to the coaches and have fun. We want this to be a positive experience. They should treat it as a practice. We will likely do less coaching than we would at a normal practice. We will have them do a variety of activities. We are evaluating four main areas:
- Technical: dribbling, passing, receiving, shooting
- Tactical: attacking awareness and decision making, defensive awareness and decision making
- Physical: speed, strength, balance
- Psychological: attitude, effort, competitiveness, response to coaching
Each night we will do some type of small sided game 3v3, 4v4 or 5v5.
We include the goalkeepers in some of the activities, but in some activities all the players will be considered field players. 11/12U is too early to focus on one position. In older age groups we will consider players specifically trying out for goalkeeper. In addition, goalkeepers need to be able to receive back passes with their feet, distribute the ball to their teammates, take their own goal kicks, etc.
After tryouts are finished the Apex Soccer Academy coaches will compile their evaluations and discuss team selection. Several alternate players may be identified. Depending on which players register for Apex Soccer Academy and the results of our evaluations at tryouts, we will look to form a team and place them at the appropriate division within Level 1 soccer under Iowa Soccer League. Please understand some coaches are familiar with the players from running practices, observing games, and skills sessions. All of this information will be considered.
2023-24 Tryout Dates
11U-14U & 8th Graders Tryouts (please note 14U bids will be sent on June 21st)
11U-12U Girls (birth year 2012-2013)
Sunday, June 4 @ 5:45 PM (Sports Campus at Norwalk Central)
Sunday, June 11 @ 5:45 PM (Sports Campus at Norwalk Central)
13U-14U Girls (birth year 2010-2011 & 2009 8th graders)
Sunday, June 4 @ 7:15 PM (Sports Campus at Norwalk Central)
Sunday, June 11 @ 7:15 PM (Sports Campus at Norwalk Central)
11U-12U Boys (birth year 2012-2013)
Wednesday, June 7 @ 5:45 PM (McAninch Complex)
Monday, June 12 @ 5:45 PM (Sports Campus at Norwalk Central)
13U-14U Boys (birth year 2010-2011 & 2009 8th graders)
Wednesday, June 7 @ 7:15 PM (McAninch Complex)
Monday, June 12 @ 7:15 PM (Sports Campus at Norwalk Central)
15U 9th Graders - 19U Tryouts
15U-19U Girls (birth year 2005-2009)
Friday, June 9 @ 7:15 PM (McAninch Complex)
Thursday, June 15 @ 7:15 PM (McAninch Complex)
15U-19U Boys (birth year 2005-2009)
Friday, June 9 @ 5:45 PM (McAninch Complex)
Sunday, June 18 @ 7:15 PM (Sports Campus at Norwalk Central)
Tryouts will be at either the new Sports Campus at Norwalk Central - 1401 W. High Rd, Norwalk (enter by Caseys) OR at McAninch Complex (200 Wright Rd, Norwalk) - please check Facebook & your email for location updates.
Sign up for Tryouts - Now on PlayMetrics CLICK HERE
The Bid or Invitation Process and Alternate Selections
Based on the rules of invitations (bids) for Level 1, the bids will go out on the date set by Iowa Soccer Association (ISA).
Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 (11U-13U)
Wednesday, June 21st, 2023 (14U-19U)
The players have 12 hours to respond. An Alternate player was evaluated and deemed to be very close to that level. If an invited player(s) elects not to accept the bid, the alternate player(s) are then offered a spot and should respond to the club within 12 hours. All bids will be sent via the email used on the registration form.
Declination notices will be sent 2-4 days after bid date. Apex Soccer Academy will encourage players that are not selected to consider playing Level 3 soccer with their local soccer club.
Note: While at first receiving an alternate bid may be disappointing, the tryout and evaluation process is not perfect and there is a chance that the player will still be able to play with the team. We understand players and parents need to make decisions. However, based on bid acceptance and timing, an invitation to a team could be sent 2-3 days after the initial bid date.
If you have questions regarding the bid or invitation process, please contact director of coaching, Mark Gavin.