WELCOME TO SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL LAKERS MEN'S SOCCER!
Tryout Dates: Aug 15-23, 2016, 4:30-7:00 p.m., at Lynnhurst Park
1345 Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis
A MESSAGE ABOUT TRYOUTS FROM HEAD COACH, JAMIE PLAISANCE:
Welcome to Lakers Men's Soccer. Tryouts are just around the corner, and I thought it would be helpful to share some information about the process of tryouts and team formation.
Each year, approximately 85-100 boys try out for roster spots. Between our four teams, we keep about 75-80 athletes. We limit teams to about 18-20 players per team in order to be sure that players have both ample playing time as well as the opportunity to develop. There are also practical reasons related to resources for limiting the number of players and teams. Costs for referees, uniforms, and coaches are significant for a program that is run primarily on donations to the booster club. In addition, limited field space makes it difficult to find adequate places for teams to play.
The tryout process can be very challenging. Our coaching staff evaluates players through fitness tests and through monitoring their abilities in small- and/or medium-sized games. For this reason, we encourage players to be at their physical best before tryouts begin.
Tryouts are from 4:30-7:00 p.m. each day during the first week, with a 20-minute break for water/snacks that each player provides for himself. We also ask candidates to bring a soccer ball, running shoes, cleats and shin guards to each day of tryouts.
Seniors are eligible only for the Varsity team; we don't keep seniors on our JV team. Likewise, juniors are eligible for the Junior Varsity and Varsity, and not for the Sophomore or Freshmen squads. Sophomores may be placed on the
Sophomore, JV, or Varsity teams, but not the Freshmen team. And Freshmen are eligible to be placed on all teams. We want our lower-level teams to be primarily about development and training. While not every player will make a team, we've seen many instances when a student-athlete who is not selected in one year, returns the following year to be placed on a team after a year of improvement.
At the end of each day of tryouts, we will notify each individual about his standing in the tryout process - whether he has been cut or not. By the end of the first week, every player will be placed either in the Varsity/JV pool or in the Sophomore/Freshmen team pool. The final rosters will be announced by Tuesday of the second week, and we will assign uniforms the following day.
Team placements are not necessarily permanent. Players can move up or down during the season, depending on their level of commitment and/or performance.
You'll find additional information below in the form of questions and answers.
Jamie Plaisance
Head Coach, men's soccer
Southwest High School
Tryout Dates: Aug 15-23, 2016, 4:30-7:00 p.m., at Lynnhurst Park
1345 Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis
A MESSAGE ABOUT TRYOUTS FROM HEAD COACH, JAMIE PLAISANCE:
Welcome to Lakers Men's Soccer. Tryouts are just around the corner, and I thought it would be helpful to share some information about the process of tryouts and team formation.
Each year, approximately 85-100 boys try out for roster spots. Between our four teams, we keep about 75-80 athletes. We limit teams to about 18-20 players per team in order to be sure that players have both ample playing time as well as the opportunity to develop. There are also practical reasons related to resources for limiting the number of players and teams. Costs for referees, uniforms, and coaches are significant for a program that is run primarily on donations to the booster club. In addition, limited field space makes it difficult to find adequate places for teams to play.
The tryout process can be very challenging. Our coaching staff evaluates players through fitness tests and through monitoring their abilities in small- and/or medium-sized games. For this reason, we encourage players to be at their physical best before tryouts begin.
Tryouts are from 4:30-7:00 p.m. each day during the first week, with a 20-minute break for water/snacks that each player provides for himself. We also ask candidates to bring a soccer ball, running shoes, cleats and shin guards to each day of tryouts.
Seniors are eligible only for the Varsity team; we don't keep seniors on our JV team. Likewise, juniors are eligible for the Junior Varsity and Varsity, and not for the Sophomore or Freshmen squads. Sophomores may be placed on the
Sophomore, JV, or Varsity teams, but not the Freshmen team. And Freshmen are eligible to be placed on all teams. We want our lower-level teams to be primarily about development and training. While not every player will make a team, we've seen many instances when a student-athlete who is not selected in one year, returns the following year to be placed on a team after a year of improvement.
At the end of each day of tryouts, we will notify each individual about his standing in the tryout process - whether he has been cut or not. By the end of the first week, every player will be placed either in the Varsity/JV pool or in the Sophomore/Freshmen team pool. The final rosters will be announced by Tuesday of the second week, and we will assign uniforms the following day.
Team placements are not necessarily permanent. Players can move up or down during the season, depending on their level of commitment and/or performance.
You'll find additional information below in the form of questions and answers.
Jamie Plaisance
Head Coach, men's soccer
Southwest High School
Frequently Asked Questions About SW Soccer and Tryouts:
I see that Southwest High School is starting after Labor Day, although the rest of the Minneapolis Public Schools are starting on August 29. Will this start date affect tryout dates and practice?
I am interested in trying out for Southwest Soccer. How do I sign up?
When and where are tryouts?
How many soccer teams does Southwest have?
How many people try out?
What can I expect at try-outs?
Any advice on how to prepare for try-outs?
I am an entering freshman. Can I be considered for the varsity team?
I’m a goalkeeper and a field player. How do I try out for goalie? Can I also be considered for a field position?
How are team selections made?
I noticed that documentation of a physical is required in order to try out. I had one last year. Do I need another one?
Are there any other fees that are required to participate in SW Soccer?
I see that Southwest High School is starting after Labor Day, although the rest of the Minneapolis Public Schools are starting on August 29. Will this start date affect tryout dates and practice?
- Even with the late start date, tryouts for SW soccer will take place from August 15-23, and practices will begin immediately following the announcements of the teams, and before the start of the Southwest High School school year. In fact, the season will actually begin before school starts, with several games played in the week leading up to Labor Day.
I am interested in trying out for Southwest Soccer. How do I sign up?
- The first thing to do is to complete the Southwest athletic eligibility form and pay the fall Southwest athletic participation fee. You’ll find links to the form and information about the participation fee on the home page at this website, or at: http://southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us/forms_and_fees.
- Completed forms should be submitted to the SW Athletic Director, Ryan Lamberty, no later than Wednesday, August 5, 2016. Mr. Lamberty will notify you by email once you are cleared for fall sports participation.
- If you were unable to turn in your forms at the fall sports registration on August 2, you can mail your forms along with your participation fee to athletic director Ryan Lamberty.
- You must have completed forms on file in order to participate in the tryouts on August 15.
When and where are tryouts?
- Tryouts will take place at Lynnhurst Park (1345 W. Minnehaha Parkway - see map) from 4:30 – 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, from Monday, August 15 through Tuesday, August 23.
- Players who wish to tryout as goal keepers will have an additional 30 minutes of tryouts following the regularly scheduled time, on Tuesday - Thursday, of the first week of tryouts.
- There are additional requirements for Varsity candidates
- Blaine scrimmages take place on Saturday, August 20, from approximately 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Watch the website for updates on details and transportation.
- Varsity candidates travel to Rochester on Sunday, August 21 and participate in scrimmages on Sunday and Monday, spending the night in Rochester. Watch the website for updates on details and transportation.
How many soccer teams does Southwest have?
- With Booster support, the Southwest High School Mens’ program will field 4 teams: Varsity, Junior Varsity, Sophomore and Freshman.
- A player may "play up," that is, a freshman may play on the Sophomore team, but players do not play down.
How many people try out?
- It’s hard to predict accurately, as tryouts are open to anyone eligible to play high school sports. Each year is a little different, but on average about 95 boys have tried out for 75 roster spots across four teams. (There are about 18-20 players on each of the four teams.)
What can I expect at try-outs?
- At try-outs players will be evaluated on their level of fitness and their soccer skills through small- and medium-sized games.
Any advice on how to prepare for try-outs?
- It’s important to come to tryouts in good physical condition, ready for a short but intense soccer season. The coaching staff recommends that freshmen and sophomores trying out should be able to run three miles without stopping, and juniors and seniors should be able to run five miles without stopping. All interested players should be able to complete 50 push-ups 50 sit-ups without stopping.
- Finding opportunities to play competitive soccer in the off season is also recommended.
- Consider participating in Captains' Practice. This is optional, but strongly encouraged for anyone who is trying out. It's a great way to start to get to know other players and the soccer program.
- Captains' practices will run Monday through Friday, August 1-12, from 10:00 a.m. until noon at Lynnhurst Park in Minneapolis (1345 W. Minnehaha Parkway).
- They will be run by Varsity captains Sam Stovitz and Joey Doyle.
- ou don't have to register for Captains' Practice - just show up with standard playing equipment (cleats, shin guards, ball) running shoes, a water bottle, and have a good time with other Laker soccer players!
- Given the demand for participation in soccer and the roster spots available, it is likely that not everyone who tries out will be placed on a team.
- While a player may “play up,” players do not play down. That is, a freshman player may play on the Sophomore team, but a junior who doesn’t make the JV or Varsity teams would be cut from the program.
I am an entering freshman. Can I be considered for the varsity team?
- In rare situations an incoming ninth grader will be rostered on the Varsity Team. Head coach Jamie Plaisance and his coaching staff evaluate all players and, regardless of age, will roster the most competitive Varsity team they can.
I’m a goalkeeper and a field player. How do I try out for goalie? Can I also be considered for a field position?
- Goalkeeper evaluations will be held during regular tryouts and also for an additional 30 minutes after regular tryouts on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the first week of tryouts.
How are team selections made?
- Team selections are made following evaluation by the entire coaching staff. This entails tryouts Monday through Friday of the first week and Monday and Tuesday of the second week.
- Final rosters will be announce on Tuesday, August 24, and uniforms will be distributed the following day. Please note, at this time these dates are tentative.
I noticed that documentation of a physical is required in order to try out. I had one last year. Do I need another one?
- No. As long as you had a physical exam in the last three years and it is on file with the Southwest High School Athletic Office, you do not need to complete another physical exam.
- You will, however, still need to complete the Minnesota State High School League Annual Sports Health Questionnaire and submit it to Ryan Lamberty in the Athletic office.
- The form for 2016 is available on the home page of this website and are also available outside the athletic office at SWHS and on the SW website: http://southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us/forms_and_fees.
Are there any other fees that are required to participate in SW Soccer?
- In addition to the fall sports registration fee (see the first question, above) the Southwest Men’s Soccer Boosters expects all players to contribute $150.00 to the Booster Club ($200 per family if more than one child plays for men’s or women’s soccer at SW).
- Participant fees fund some critical components of the program, including, but not limited to some coaching salaries, buses, referees, and some equipment. The participation fee makes it possible for the Booster Club to support a full high school soccer program with four squads, offering the widest possible opportunity for participation.
- We understand that this may be a financial stress on some families. If you are unable to meet the contribution level, please speak with Rebecca Skoler (612-207-0140) or Mary Doyle (612-824-3712). Again, no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
- You can address questions about the program and coaching staff, to Head Coach Jamie Plaisance: 612.987.5767 or [email protected].
- You can find more information about the Southwest Soccer Mens' Boosters on the Southwest Soccer homepage, and we strongly encourage you to read the information provided about the Boosters.
- You can also address questions to Booster co-presidents, Rebecca Skoler ([email protected]) and Mary Doyle ([email protected]).