Tryouts
August 24, 25, 26, 27
Click for the detailed schedule
Show up for tryouts ready to compete, contribute, and grow. DSGS tryouts are thorough, fair, and mandatory for those who would like to earn a spot in the girls soccer program.
Embedded Files
The 2026 Season Starts August 24 👊
4 Steps To Register
4 Steps To Register
"Fail to prepare, prepare to fail."
1) Register on ARBITER
2) Upload Your Physical Exam to ARBITER
The exam must be completed within 13 months of the first day of tryouts. Therefore, in order to step on the field for tryouts on Aug. 24, 2026, you have to have had a physical that is dated after July 24, 2025.
3) Pay $335 Sports Fee on ARBITER
4) Complete your concussion impact test
The link to the test will be emailed to your DS student email address so check it during the summer.
You only complete it every two years so you may not get the email to complete it.
Tryout Logistics
Tryout Logistics
Dates
August 24, 25, 26, 27 - Click for the detailed schedule
To Bring
Cleats
Shin Guards
Soccer Appropriate athletic clothes
1 Liter of Water (we will have more to refill)
Positive attitude
NO BALL NEEDED
Session Timing
Arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time of a tryout session to get properly equipped and get touches on the ball. We start each session 1 minute before the scheduled start time (ex: if a session says 10am start, we begin at 9:59am). To be early is to be on time.
End of Session Snapshot
At the end of a session, players can ask Coaches for a quick snapshot of where they are based on that day's performance. Players get honest feedback so they know where they stand, can make changes for the next session, and aren’t surprised by the final tryout decision. Coaches may give feedback such as:
"You are on the fence to making a team and have to show us the following to earn a spot..."
"You are looking like a solid JV player as of now"
"You are on the fence between a JV and V player as of now"
End of Tryout Face to Face Placement
At the end of the final tryout session, coaches meet with each player face-to-face and let them know if they made a team or not. These meetings are honest, direct, and brief in order to respect everyone’s time and give players immediate space to process what can be emotionally charged news. You may hear:
"You didn't earn a spot on a team for this season and if you'd like a full review of your tryout and areas to improve, please email us a time you are available to meet at the school."
"You earned a spot on the JV team and the first practice will be..."
"You earned a spot on the Varsity team and the first practice will be..."
Full Reviews
After our face-face decision meeting, players have the option to email their coach and set up a more in depth meeting to get the details on their strengths and areas to improve.
We want to hear from the ATHLETE not the parent
We ask that players - not parents - contact coaches with questions, concerns, or conflicts about tryouts. When players speak up and take ownership of their opportunities, they build courage and grow as leaders.
Nutrition/ Hydration
Nutrition/ Hydration
High School tryouts are physically demanding and the weather tends to be hot and humid. Being properly nourished and hydrated is extremely important both for a player's safety as well as their ability to performance. Think of yourself as a car: if you don't put the right fuel in the tank, the engine won't run no matter how tuned up and ready it is.
Soccer Tryout Fuel & Hydration Plan
Soccer Tryout Fuel & Hydration Plan
(For hot, high-intensity sessions)
1–2 Days Before Tryout
1–2 Days Before Tryout
Drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water daily (e.g., a 150 lb player = 75 oz).
-Add one electrolyte drink per day (low or no sugar, like Nuun or coconut water).
Eat balanced meals:
-Carbs: Brown rice, quinoa, oats, whole grain bread, sweet potatoes, fruit
-Protein: Eggs, chicken, Greek yogurt, beans, fish
-Fats: avocado, nuts, olive oil, nut butters
Avoid heavy junk food and excessive soda that dehydrate you.
Night Before Tryout
Night Before Tryout
Eat a balanced dinner: grilled chicken or salmon, sweet potato or brown rice, and vegetables.
Drink 16-20 oz water with dinner, then sip water steadily until bedtime (don’t chug right before sleep).
Limit caffeine after lunch so you sleep well.
Morning of Tryout (3–4 hours before)
Morning of Tryout (3–4 hours before)
Drink 16-20 oz water right after waking up.
Eat a carb-focused breakfast with light protein:
-Oatmeal or cereal with banana & berries
-Whole grain toast with almond butter and banana
-Smoothie (banana, berries, spinach, oats, almond milk, protein powder)
1–2 Hours Before Tryout
1–2 Hours Before Tryout
Drink 8-12 oz water
Small, hydrating snack if needed:
-Watermelon or orange slices
-Banana or dates
-Yogurt with fruit
30–60 Minutes Before Tryout
30–60 Minutes Before Tryout
Drink 8 oz water + electrolytes (especially if hot/humid)
After Tryout (Recovery)
After Tryout (Recovery)
Drink 16-20 oz water + electrolytes
Within 20 minutes: high protein snack
Within 2 hours: full balanced meal (protein + carbs + fats + veggies).
Tryout Agenda
Tryout Agenda
Session 1
Session 1
Coaches Welcome and Tryout Q&A for Players
Athleticism Tests demonstration
Dynamic Warmup
Complete the five Athleticism Tests that measure all areas of soccer-specific athleticism. Click to learn about the tests
Session 2
Session 2
Dynamic warmup
Technical drills
1v1 and 5v5 Matches: with various types of scoring such as playing to big goals, endzones, or corners. In these small sided games, players get to highlight their technical skills, combination play, vocal communication, and competitiveness. Goal Keepers will be evaluated on footskills, their ability to be a field player when on the attack, and close range shot stopping ability.
Fitness: soccer specific fitness activities will give players the opportunity to showcase their soccer conditioning.
Snapshots: players will have the option to meet with coaches and get a snapshot of what coaches see based on their performance from that session.
Session 3
Session 3
Dynamic warmup
Technical drills
7v7 or 9v9 Matches: In these larger sided games, players get to highlight their tactical abilities, movement, and understanding of shape and space. Goal Keepers will be evaluated on real games scenarios with protecting the net, attacking out of the back, and leadership of the team in front of them.
Situation play: we will focus just on the attacking third and defending third to give players the chance to highlight their finishing, defending, and set pieces.
Fitness: soccer specific fitness activities will give players the opportunity to showcase their soccer conditioning.
Snapshots: players will have the option to meet with coaches and get a snapshot of what coaches see based on their performance from that session.
Session 4
Session 4
Dynamic warmup
Technical drills
9v9 & 11v11 Matches: all players will get the opportunity to showcase their overall play and abilities in full-sided matches. Varsity Candidates will travel to a 5 team jamboree to play against other school's varsity teams. JV candidates will compete intersquad at our home field.
Situation play: we will focus just on the attacking third and defending third to give players the chance to highlight their finishing, defending, and set pieces.
Decisions and Face to Face meetings: players will have a brief face to face meeting with coaches about whether or not they've earned a spot on a team.
Tryout Assessment Pillars
Tryout Assessment Pillars
HEAD
Soccer IQ
Intelligence with tactics and situational play
Understanding of space, position, and your body shape relative to the current play
Knowledge of the types & timing of runs to make
Decision making with and without the ball at your feet
Coachability and how effectively you apply feedback to your game
Being on time, having all your forms completed, being responsive with email, being organized with your gear
HEART
Soccer Attitude
Body language, eye contact, awareness, attention, and focus
Resilience and ability to move on after a fail or poor touch
Courage and affinity for taking risks and taking charge
Vocal communication, conversation, and the support you give to your teammates
Work rate, passion, grit, and determination
Teamwork and your ability to make the play and take the action that is best for the team over what is best for you
FEET
Soccer Skill
Speed of play - number of touches you take to execute a play
Scanning - playing with your head up and knowing all of you options and opponent positions
Touch - first touch (how well you receive a pass), weight and direction of your touch, softness or control of your touches, how cleanly you strike or settle the ball
Passing - accuracy and weight of ground passes as well as flight and accuracy of aerial passes
Skill - dribbling under pressure, beating defenders 1v1, executing moves (stepovers, scissors, feints), shielding, turning, changing direction
Defending - closing down effectively, containing, knowledge of pressure and cover positions, ability to tackle and win the ball
MOVEMENT
Soccer Athleticism
Speed
Agility
Quickness
Anaerobic endurance
Recovery time
Strength to hold your ground, body an opponent off the ball and shield
THE LITTLE THINGS
Soccer Mindset
Big plays, flashy skills, and blazing speed will stand out during tryouts but coaches are also paying close attention to the “invisible actions” that reveal your character, leadership, and team-first mindset. When two players are equal in skill, soccer IQ, attitude, and athleticism, it's these little things that may break the tie:
When you arrive, do you wait for someone to tell you to start, or do you grab a ball and get to work?
When practice ends, do you help collect equipment and clean the field, or quietly pack up your own gear and leave?
Are you a vocal advocate who encourages, directs, and pushes your teammates, or do you stay silent and disconnected?
Athleticism Tests
Athleticism Tests
Our first day of tryouts is all about evaluating each player's athleticism. We measure the physical tools that matter most in soccer—speed, agility, quickness, anaerobic endurance, and recovery—because the game demands short bursts, explosive movement, and the ability to repeat those efforts again and again.
For new players to the program, these tests measure where you are today. For our returning players, they measure your athletic growth from year to year.
*We DO NOT measure your distance jogging capacity. That is aerobic fitness which is valuable for cross-country, but less so for soccer.*
Average Varsity Athleticism Scores
T-Test: 10.49sec
Arrow Right: 8.90 seconds
Arrow Left: 8.79 seconds
300 Yard Shuttle: 62.15 seconds
40 Yard Dash: 5.82 seconds
Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery: level 16.7 (Record: Level 20.1 Hayden Sumner 2023)
T
Measured in: time
What it measures: ability to make quick, balanced changes in lateral and front-to-back movements
Why it is important: Evading tackles, creating space in tight areas, defending while moving backwards.
How it works: Start at cone A. Sprint to cone B and touch the base of the cone with the right hand. Turn left and shuffle sideways to cone C, touch its base with the left hand. Shuffle sideways to cone D touch the base with the right hand. Shuffle back to cone B touch the base with the left hand. Backpedal to cone A.
Arrow
Measured in: time
What it measures: speed, explosion, body control and agility to change direction
Why it is important: Quick, angled runs when closing down, maintaining speed while changing direction.
How it works: Start with both feet behind the line. Sprint to cone A and follow the weave pattern in the diagram Line→A→D→B→Line. Always running in a forward direction - no shuffling or backpedaling. After a trial to the right, you will reset and start a new trial repeating the pattern but on the left side Line→A→C→B→Line.
300 Yard Shuttle
Measured in: time
What it measures: anaerobic endurance or the highest rate of sustainable power over a certain distance
Why it is important: making repeated sprints in both the attack and defensive recovery
How it works: Two cones are placed 25 yards apart and one is designated as the starting point. The athlete positions themselves at the starting point facing the opposite cone with the forward most foot directly beside the starting cone. Sprint and touch the base of the second cone and then immediately sprint back to the starting cone and do this continuously until 6 round trips are completed. Be sure to touch the base of the cones with your hand each time you turn around.
40 Yard Dash
Measured in: time
What it measures: acceleration & top end speed
Why it is important: Making recovering runs after losing possession and offensive attacking runs into space.
How it works: Start from a stationary 3-point stance position. The front foot must be on or behind the starting line. Sprint 40yds.
Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery
Click here for the link to test’s audio instructions
(we use this exact recording)
Measured in: highest level achieved
What it measures: Recovery efficiency – how quickly your heart rate and breathing recovers from a hard run. VO₂ max estimate – gives a rough idea of your maximum oxygen uptake.
Why it is important: Soccer players don’t just jog continuously - they sprint, stop, jog, sprint again. The Yo-Yo test mimics that pattern. It shows how long a player can keep performing repeated short runs with short rests, just like in a match.
How it works:
Athletes begin at the Cone B
“Beep” #1 – begin running 20yd to Cone C
“Beep” #2 – Signals when you should arrive at Cone C and turn around to run back to Cone B
“Beep” #3 – Signals when athletes should make it back to Cone B
Athletes walk 5yd to Cone A and walk 5yd back to Cone B awaiting a new level of beeps to begin.
The beeps dictate the pace the athletes run: The beeps start off far apart allowing the athletes to start slowly. As the test progresses, the time between the beeps gets shorter which pushes the athletes to have to gradually run faster.
Scoring: The athletes keep performing the sequence for multiple levels. The first time an athlete fails to complete a down and back sequence by the 3rd “beep” they are issued a warning. The second time it happens, their test is done.
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