Joining League junior youth team (U15) in Japan is onf of the biggest goal for many children
As the number of soccer players increases every year, the competition and odds are vet high. And only a small number of players can pass the tryout.
As we provide private soccer lessons and online support, students ask us about the tryouts.
This time, I summarized 7 things you need to do to pass the J.League junior youth tryout.
1. Improve the foundation of skills
- Strengthening basic skills: If you wish to try out at the youth level, the first prerequisite is that you have a certain level of basic soccer skills such as dribbling, passing, trapping, and shooting. Dribbling requires changes in speed and breaking power, passing requires accuracy and timing for short to long passes, receiving requires ball control, and shooting requires accuracy and power.
- Strengthening your physical strength and stamina: On top of having the basic skills, it is also important to have the stamina to maintain the quality of your play and the physical strength to stay competitive.
2. Practice and play with the local soccer team
- Belong to a local club team: It is important to attend a local club team and gain competitive experience. The big difference is that school soccer teams practice twice a week, while club teams practice about five times a week. Another advantage is that the level is high, so you can grow through friendly competition.
- Performing well in official games and tournaments: If you play well and have a good result in official games and tournaments, you may be scouted by junior youth team.
3. Apply for a tryout
- Find tryout information:
Recruitment for tryouts for 6th grade elementary school students will begin on each club’s official website and social media. The dates and content vary depending on the club, so be sure to keep an eye on them. You may also receive recommendations from your team.
The following website provides tryouts information from all over places in Japan
National tryout information site only in Japanese
4. Participate in tryouts
- Appeal your play to coaches: It is important to show your skills and play actively.
Unlike regular practice, you may feel a strong sense of tension and pressure because you’ll have to play among people you have never met before. It is important to make efforts and be conscious on a daily basis so that you can do what you have always been able to do at the tryout stage. - Team play and communication: Individual ability is important, also playing while communicationg with teammates will also be evaluated.
5. Mental strength
- Positive attitude: This is often seen in many players, but when it comes to matches and tryouts, they tend to pay attention to their surroundings, which can slow down their play.
Especially during a tryout, you need to promote yourself, so it is best to play with confidence and a positive attitude. - Goal setting and continuous effort: Rather than concentrating on practicing before the selection, setting goals on a daily basis and continuing to work toward those goals is the shortcut to success.
6. Parent support
- Mental support: Sometimes it is difficult for some families to face their children, support from parents can help strengthen children’s mental health.
- Financial support: Financial support is also important, including helping with tryouts and expedition costs.
7. Health management
- Eating a balanced diet: No matter how much you practice, if you don’t eat a nutritionally balanced diet, you’re likely to get sick.
Especially if you continue to train hard, your immune system will be weakened, so you have to be careful. - Proper rest and sleep: Getting enough rest and quality sleep on a daily basis will improve your performance. Some teams value rest more than the amount of practice.
Summary of tryout preparation
What did you think of “7 things you need for youth team tryout in Japan”?
To pass the tryout, you need not only technical ability, but also mental strength, team play, health management, and other aspects of preparation.
Especially during elementary school and junior high school, the nervous system, sensory organs, and brain, which are necessary for physical movement are rapidly developing.
If you would like to know more about the best time to learn techniques, click on the photo below ↓
It is difficult to have goals and make continuous efforts,
Being able to maintain the above seven items at a high level will be a shortcut to passing the tryout.
Private Football offers short term lessons for visitors from all over the world. Please contact us if you are worried about losing your stamina and skills by taking a long break from soccer.
Private soccer lessons for elementary through high school students (ages 5-18) by professional coaches in Tokyo.
