Soccer Tryout Evaluation Form: Free Printable Rating Sheet
A structured evaluation form for soccer tryouts with skill ratings on a 1-5 scale, fitness test results, and an overall player recommendation. Print one per player, hand them to your evaluators, and make roster decisions backed by real data.
Running soccer tryouts without a structured soccer tryout evaluation form is like coaching without a game plan. You end up relying on gut feelings, first impressions, and whatever you can remember after watching 40 kids for two hours. A good evaluation form changes that. It gives you a consistent scoring system for every player, a written record you can reference when making cuts, and a way to explain your decisions to parents who ask.
This page has a free printable evaluation form designed for youth and high school soccer tryouts. It covers technical skills rated 1-5 (first touch, passing, shooting, dribbling), physical attributes (speed, endurance), tactical awareness (positioning, decision-making), and intangibles (work rate, attitude, communication). There's also a section for fitness test results and an overall recommendation.
Print one form per player, hand them to your evaluators, and use the scores to make data-driven roster decisions. Once you've made your selections and finalized the team roster, get everyone fitted for custom soccer jerseys and soccer team uniforms before the season starts.
What This Evaluation Form Includes
Everything you need to assess a soccer player during tryouts in one printable sheet.
Player information header
Player name, age/grade, position preference (GK, defender, midfielder, forward), tryout number (for identification during drills), evaluator name, and date. This info connects the form to the right player.
Technical skills (rated 1-5)
First touch, passing accuracy, shooting, dribbling/ball control, heading, and weak foot ability. These are the core soccer skills you evaluate during drills and scrimmages. The 1-5 scale keeps scoring fast and consistent across evaluators.
Physical attributes (rated 1-5)
Speed, agility, endurance, and strength. These don't require a stopwatch to score. Evaluate them relative to the age group during drills and game play. The fitness test section captures specific measurables.
Tactical and mental (rated 1-5)
Positioning, tactical awareness, decision-making, communication, work rate, attitude, and coachability. These are harder to evaluate in a short tryout, but they separate good players from great teammates. Watch for effort, listening, and how players respond to coaching cues.
Fitness test results
Dedicated fields for beep test level, sprint time (40-yard or 30-meter), and agility test time. These give you objective data points to complement the subjective skill ratings.
Overall assessment and recommendation
Overall rating (1-5), team recommendation (A team, B team, alternate, or cut), and a free-form notes section for anything that doesn't fit the categories. This is where the evaluator summarizes their takeaway on the player.
Evaluation Form Preview
Print this form and use one per player during tryouts.
SOCCER TRYOUT EVALUATION
Secondslide.io
Player Information
Rating Scale: 1 = Well Below Average | 2 = Below Average | 3 = Average | 4 = Above Average | 5 = Exceptional
Technical Skills
| Skill | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Touch / Receiving | |||||
| Passing Accuracy | |||||
| Shooting / Finishing | |||||
| Dribbling / Ball Control | |||||
| Heading | |||||
| Weak Foot Ability |
Physical Attributes
| Attribute | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | |||||
| Agility / Quickness | |||||
| Endurance / Stamina | |||||
| Strength / Physicality |
Tactical and Mental
| Quality | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positioning / Spatial Awareness | |||||
| Tactical Awareness | |||||
| Decision-Making | |||||
| Communication | |||||
| Work Rate / Effort | |||||
| Attitude / Coachability |
Fitness Test Results
Overall Assessment
Tip: Print one form per player. Use your browser's Print function (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P). Give each evaluator their own set of forms.
How to Use This Evaluation Form
A practical tryout workflow from setup to final selections.
Print enough forms
Print one form per player per evaluator. If you have 30 players trying out and 2 evaluators, that's 60 forms. Pre-fill the tryout number on each form so evaluators can match forms to players quickly. Assign numbered pinnies to players so everyone is identifiable on the field.
Run fitness tests first
Get the objective data out of the way early. Run the beep test, sprint, and agility test in the first 20-30 minutes. Record the numbers on the form immediately. This also serves as a warm-up for the technical and scrimmage portions.
Score during drills and scrimmages
Run technical drills (passing, shooting, 1v1) and rate those skills live. Then run scrimmages and score the tactical, mental, and physical categories. Don't try to score everything at once. Assign one evaluator to watch a specific group or skill area at a time.
Compare evaluator scores
After tryouts, collect all forms and compare evaluator scores for each player. If two evaluators are far apart on a player (e.g., one gave 3s and the other gave 5s), discuss what each evaluator saw. These conversations often reveal important information.
Make final selections
Total the scores, review the notes, and make your team selections. The numbers inform the decision, but they don't make it for you. A player with a slightly lower total but great attitude and work rate might make the team over someone with higher skill scores but a bad attitude. Use judgment alongside the data.
When to Use a Tryout Evaluation Form
Tryouts aren't the only time structured evaluations are useful.
Pre-season tryouts
The primary use case. Print forms for every player, score them consistently, and use the data to make fair team selections. This is especially important for travel and club teams where parents expect a transparent process.
Mid-season evaluations
Use the same form to evaluate your current players mid-season. It helps track development, identify areas for improvement, and make decisions about playing time and position changes. Compare mid-season scores to tryout scores to see who's improved.
Player feedback sessions
The completed evaluation form is a great conversation starter for one-on-one player meetings. Show the player their scores, discuss strengths and areas to work on, and set specific goals. Players respond better to feedback when it's backed by documented observations.
Parent communication
When a parent asks why their child didn't make the team, you can reference the evaluation scores. Having documented, consistent data protects you and shows that the selection process was fair. It takes emotion out of a difficult conversation.
Tips for Running Better Soccer Tryouts
Advice for getting the most accurate player evaluations.
Use numbered pinnies for identification
Assign each player a number and write it on the evaluation form. During drills and scrimmages, evaluators match the number on the pinnie to the form. Without numbers, it's easy to lose track of who's who, especially with 30+ kids on the field. Practice pinnies with numbers are ideal for this.
Keep drills short and varied
Don't run the same drill for 20 minutes. Short, rotating drills (3-5 minutes each) let evaluators see a variety of skills in a short time. Include individual drills, small-sided games (3v3, 4v4), and full scrimmages. Different situations reveal different players.
Evaluate over multiple sessions if possible
A single two-hour tryout doesn't always show the full picture. Some kids are nervous on day one but open up on day two. If your schedule allows, run tryouts over two or three sessions. Your evaluations will be more accurate, and you'll feel more confident in your decisions.
Don't over-weight fitness results for younger players
At the U10-U12 level, some kids are just physically more developed. The kid who runs the fastest beep test might plateau, while the smaller kid with better technique catches up. Fitness matters, but at younger ages, prioritize technical skill, soccer IQ, and coachability.
Calibrate your evaluators before the tryout
Before tryouts start, have a 10-minute conversation with all evaluators about what a 3 looks like versus a 4. If one evaluator gives mostly 3s and another gives mostly 5s, the scores aren't comparable. Agree on the standard for each rating level so everyone is grading on the same scale.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should a soccer tryout evaluation include?
A good soccer tryout evaluation should include basic player info (name, age, position preference), skill ratings on a 1-5 scale for key technical abilities (first touch, passing, shooting, dribbling), physical attributes (speed, endurance, agility), tactical skills (positioning, decision-making, communication), and intangible qualities (work rate, coachability, attitude). Include space for fitness test results and a notes section for anything that doesn't fit the scoring categories.
How do you rate players at soccer tryouts?
Use a simple 1-5 scale where 1 is well below average for the age group, 3 is average, and 5 is exceptional. Rate each skill independently during drills and scrimmages. Have at least two evaluators score independently to reduce bias. Focus on what you see during the tryout, not reputation or what you've heard about a player. Add up the scores at the end and use the total alongside your notes to make final decisions.
How many evaluators should be at soccer tryouts?
At minimum, have two evaluators. Three is ideal: one watching a specific drill or small group, one observing scrimmage play, and one recording scores and managing logistics. Multiple evaluators reduce individual bias and give you a more complete picture. If you can, have evaluators rotate so each one sees every player in different situations. Compare scores afterwards and discuss any big disagreements before making final decisions.
What fitness tests should be included in soccer tryouts?
The beep test (also called the PACER test or shuttle run) is the gold standard for soccer fitness because it measures endurance in a stop-and-start format that mirrors the sport. A 40-yard sprint or 30-meter dash tests pure speed. An agility test like the Illinois Agility Test or a simple cone shuttle measures quickness and change of direction. For younger age groups, keep it simple with just a sprint and the beep test. Don't over-test. Leave enough time for actual soccer.
Should you evaluate goalkeepers differently at tryouts?
Yes. Goalkeepers need a separate evaluation that covers shot-stopping, diving technique, handling (catching vs. parrying), distribution (throws and goal kicks), positioning, communication with defenders, and courage on 1v1 situations. Keep the standard field player categories for GKs too since modern goalkeepers need to play with their feet. But add a goalkeeper-specific section that covers the unique skills of the position. Run dedicated goalkeeper drills alongside the field player evaluations.
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