What to Expect at Your Child's Free Football Trial

The first session is the hardest one to book. Your child might be shy, or new to football, or both. You are probably wondering what happens once you walk onto the pitch, whether they will be the only beginner, and whether anyone is going to size them up.Short answers: it is an ordinary training session, your child will not be the only one finding their feet, and nobody is scoring them. Here is the full picture, so there are no surprises on the day.

Before you arrive

Booking takes about two minutes on our free trial page. You pick an age group and a weekly slot, and you get a confirmation with the time, the venue and the coach's name. The first session is free and you do not need to enter a card.We train at Goals Tolworth, KT5 9NT: six floodlit 3G pitches, free parking on site, two minutes from the A3 at Tolworth roundabout. Arrive about ten minutes early. Children who have time to look around, find the toilets and watch the pitch for a minute start calmer than children who are rushed straight in.

What to bring

• Boots or trainers. Football boots are best on 3G. Clean trainers work fine for a first visit.
• Water. A full bottle with their name on it.
• Comfortable kit. Shorts and a T-shirt, with a warm layer for cold evenings.
• Shin pads, if you have them. If you do not, tell the coach and do not buy a pair just for the trial.

No club kit is needed. Nobody checks the brand on the boots.

How the session runs

Children train in age groups, so your child works with players their own age: Minis (4–7), Juniors (8–12) and Teens (13–17). Each session lasts one hour.

1. Welcome. The coach greets new players, learns their names and explains what the session covers.
2. Warm-up with a ball. Movement and ball control from the first minute. Nobody queues for a turn.
3. Skill practice. Passing, dribbling or turning, set up as small games so children are always involved.
4. Small-sided game. Short matches with few players per side, so every child touches the ball often.
5. Finish. A few words from the coach and a chance to ask about next steps.

Our coaches are UEFA-licensed. For a trial player they care less about technique than about how the child settles in.

What coaches are looking at

Not goals, and not how many tricks a child can do. On a first visit we are watching:

• whether they join in after the first few minutes or stay on the edge
• how they react when they lose the ball
• whether they listen to an instruction and try it
• whether they look like they are enjoying it

A child who is quiet for the first twenty minutes and smiling by the end has had a good trial.

What if my child is nervous?

Tell the coach before the session starts. It takes ten seconds, and it lets the coach stand near your child, pair them with a friendly player and keep the first drill easy. You can also send a message through WhatsApp before the day if you would rather ask a question first.Three things that help at home:

• Show them the pitch pictures or a map beforehand, so the place is not new.
• Keep the message simple: "You are going to play football with some other children. It is a try-out, there is no test."
• Bring a friend if they want to. Two children are braver than one.

Should I stay and watch?

Stay for the first session if your child wants you there. Watch from the side, keep encouragement quiet and let the coach do the coaching. Instructions shouted from the sideline compete with the coach and usually confuse a child who is already working out where to stand.

After the trial

The coach will tell you which group fits your child best. If you want to continue, you choose a plan through your parent account. A single session costs £20, and plans bring it down to £15 to £16 a session. There is no joining fee, and you can cancel a plan. See current prices. There is no pressure to decide on the day.

Common questions

Does my child need football experience?

No. Plenty of children come to their first trial never having played on a team. Enthusiasm matters more than skill.

What age can my child try a session?

We coach children aged 4 to 17, in age groups. See our guide to the right starting age if you are unsure.

Is it really free?

Yes. The first session costs nothing and we do not take card details to book it.

Can my child do a second trial?

Each child gets one free session. If you would like another look before committing, message us and we will talk it through.

What if it rains?

Sessions run in the rain. The pitches are floodlit 3G, so dress for the weather and bring a warm layer. In severe weather a session may be cancelled.Ready? Book your child's free trial session. It takes two minutes.