Pablo Reyes, scout for the Houston Dynamo Academy, attended the OPSM NextGen Combines in New York and Michigan to identify talented players across America. Pablo sat down with OPSM and shared his personal advice on how players can be identified by coaches and scouts.
“We look to see which players have the confidence to show us who they are,” Reyes says.
Key areas that scouts look for when identifying if a player should be signed for an academy is the attitude of a player. “We try to learn as much about them on the field, off the field,” Reyes says. Players need to be confident in themselves not only when things are going their way, but also when faced with adversity. Players need to be confident in themselves not only when things are going their way, but also when faced with adversity.
“What’s going to separate you? I think one of those things is work rate and what you do off the ball,” says Reyes. Players who take care of their physical body off the field will thrive since they have built the discipline to improve and maintain themselves to get in better shape. Especially at a young age this can go a long way to set up players for success in the future.
“If they are a center back that plays out of the back, we want to see that.” Reyes says. It’s important for a player to show their strengths and what they can bring to the table for the team. Players need to reflect on their own attributes and skills to understand what their strengths and weaknesses are. After identifying those strengths/weaknesses, they need to have the confidence to put themselves in positions where they can showcase those specific abilities.
Taking action to perform at a high level is crucial. There are a lot of distractions around but a player who can stay focused and lock in is vital.
“If you make a mistake, how do you react to those things?” says Reyes. Mistakes will happen but it’s how a player responds to adversity that will show if a player will thrive.
“Show who you are,” Reyes says. A player that has a strong mentality to not quiet or back down is a great quality. Coaches and scouts want to find players who are hungry to improve their game and help their team succeed.
The little things of watching film to improve a players game, working on their conditioning, and getting extra practice sessions in will go a long way even when no one is watching the behind the scenes. However, the little improvements will be reflected on the field which will get noticed.
Playing at a high level requires a small margin of error. However, giving your best is all that matters. “Make sure that you leave nothing behind,” Reyes says.
To listen to Pablo Reyes’ interview with OPSM, visit the OPSM Network Instagram Page.
It’s important for young players to take action in becoming a better player if they want to play at the highest level. Staying focused and eager to improve their game is essential to take that next step in their chapter. For those that are willing to commit to the work needed to excel on the field and in the classroom, speak to one of our OPSM Collegiate Advisors to help pave the way into your next chapter.
