As a coach, tryouts are as stressful to the coach as they are to the athlete. It is one of the most challenging things about coaching youth when you have to tell them that they didn’t make the cut. Coach’s would love for everyone to be able to make the sports team and get significant playing time, but that just isn’t the case in competitive sports.
Through my experience of tryouts as both a youth and a coach, I’ve been able to gain insight to help you have a better chance of making the team.
I’ll start by saying that talent and physical ability will always be a major factor in making the team.
If you’re just picking up a sport, it’s highly unlikely that you are immediately going to make the team. It takes years of practice to become talented.
What to expect during tryouts
Although every coach and sport has a unique tryout experience, there are some things that every tryout tends to have in common. Typically a tryout evaluation period lasts a minimum of two days. During this time players are being evaluated through various drills that are both individual, as well as team oriented. Coaches are looking at how players operate within a team setting, what type of fundamental skill set a player has, and how coachable they are. Often times, Coaches will introduce some of the playbook to gain an understanding of players knowledge of the game or how quickly they can pick up new concepts. Lastly, a player’s character is always being monitored throughout tryouts.
Try outs start before try outs start.
Let me explain what I mean by that.
A coach shouldn’t be meeting you for the first time on the first day of tryouts.
Unless you are ultra-talented, then it’s pretty much a guarantee for being cut.
Most teams have offseason camps, clinics, workouts, etc that are important for you to be part of if you intend to make the team.
You should be building relationships with the coaches and potential teammates long before tryouts start.
As you participate in some of these offseason programs, talk with the coach about what you continue to improve on. Taking this feedback into your offseason work will help you be that much more prepared for the beginning of tryouts.
When you attend offseason programs it shows coaches that you have work ethic, love the sport, and are willing to do what it takes.
What are some of the things Coaches are looking for?
There are several key things that coaches are evaluating for during tryouts and want from their players. Again not all sports and coaches are the same, but these are some general guidelines that most coaches want to see. Maintaining a positive attitude throughout the experience will go a long way. It’s ok to make a mistake, just learn from it and move on. Remember that one mistake isn’t going to make or break you, just as well as one flashy play isn’t going to make all the difference.
Here are some of the major skills that will enhance your ability to make the team:
Academics matter
You have to be able to maintain academic standards in order to play on any school team.
If you are struggling in the classroom, that could become a red flag for a coach.
Someone that may be equally as talented, but doesn’t have issues with grades is going to make the cut over the person that’s failing classes.
It’s not going to benefit the team if a player is constantly ineligible for games throughout the season for academics.
If you have ambitions of a playing career after high school, you have to meet academic standards to play at the collegiate level.
Be Fundamental
I see a lot of youth that try to impress the coach by making that one big flashy play, but don’t work on doing the little things that bring a consistency.
We all love the big play, but it’s playing within yourself and doing the little things that’s going to lead to lasting success.
Taking the time to practice the fundamentals of your sport will help you to be more prepared for making the team. There are so many individual drills that can be found online so take advantage of those resources to become a better player.
Be Coachable
Do you take instruction from coach’s and apply it to get better or would you rather just do your own thing? Do you listen when the coach is speaking? These are the types of internal questions to ask yourself.
Coach’s notice if you are eager to learn new things and wanting to utilize what they are teaching to improve your game.
Want it
Be someone who is the first to show up to practice and the last one to leave.
Give your best effort from the minute you step on the field or court.
Coaches can tell those who love the sport they play and are willing to work hard.
Be a Team Player
Even though you are trying out as an individual, most of the time you are trying out to be part of a team.
Encourage those around you and maintain a positive attitude.
Show that you are willing to do little things to help the team win that others don’t want to do. Take a look at my post on Sportsmanship.
Not everyone is going to score 50 points a game, so show that you play defense.
Not everyone is going to throw 50 yard touchdowns, so show you can tackle.
Don’t forget to treat your coaches with respect.
In Conclusion, taking some of these factors into consideration will help your children be better prepared for what is expected of them before and during try-outs.
By knowing what the expectations are it can help alleviate some of the pressures that kids experience during try-outs and they can just go out and showcase their skills.
Please comment below anything that you’ve enjoyed from this post.