PrepDig’s Top 10 Tips for Tryouts

  This Sunday thousands of girls, all ages, will attempt to make a club team.  They enter with high hopes of being chosen.  Some leave elated, and others experience disappointment.  While you can not control the decisions you can put forth your best effort.  Here are 10 tips for tryouts:

10 Work Hard - The minute you step on the floor, show you are willing to run and play every ball. Often the feeling of timidness comes over the athletes, but show you are aggressive and competitive by: doing the physical testing first

• volunteering to demonstrate something 
• diving for balls that you can't possibly touch
• going all out on the rallies
• running by people walking back to the line 

Coaches love to see these things.  You may be feeling nervous but harness that energy and turn it into power!

9 Be Early -  Get to the tryout with extra time to warm up and stretch.  If you can, register ahead of time, and check in before others arrive.  Make an impression: you are there and ready to work.  Arriving 30 minutes before the start time will give you a chance to change, get ready, and take care of any logistics before the rush!

8  Smile - Go into tryouts with a big smile on your face despite the nerves you are likely feeling.  Listen carefully when coaches are talking and spread positive vibes to everyone you make eye contact with.  Body language is huge and coaches may misinterpret your personality based on facial expressions. 

7 Ask Questions - At some point, those running the tryout will probably ask if anyone has any questions.  Be brave and ask something that everyone is thinking.  Good questions include:

• How many teams are you having at the 16's age group?
• Will we find out our teams today?
• How many players will each team have?

6 Show Off -  This is your time to shine.  Try not to think about your friends or past teammates, you need to showcase your own skills to make it the team you want.  If you can play multiple positions, do it.  Move around and help coaches see you can hit on the outside or set if needed.  Be sure to demonstrate any special skills you have (jump serve, jump set, special attacks, etc).  This is your day to be confident.

5  Stand Out -  Perhaps your skill is enough to separate you from the masses, but just in case, find a way to stand out with your physical appearance.  A lot of tryouts have players looking the same or wearing a practice T, but add something to your physical appearance that will make you easy to find in a crowd.  For example, pink shoe-laces, unique hairstyle, bright colored socks or scrunchie.  This way, those watching can point out to other coaches the "girl with the neon shoes."

4 Be Mentally Prepared - Before tryouts, talk through some scenarios with your family or a trusted coach.  Stay as positive but realistic.  Think about what you would do if:

• The coach wants you to play a different position.
• You don't make the team you want? 
• You don't make any team? Is there another club to play for?
• They pick you for a traveling/more expensive team?
• They mention your playing time will be limited or you are the "back-up" setter.
• You are struggling with a certain skill (ex- you feel like you can't serve that day or keep getting aced)

  Preparing yourself ahead of time by talking with someone will help you when you are feeling the pressure of tryouts.

3 Placement - At tryouts, sometimes players find themselves on a "lower" level court; if this happens to you, do whatever you can to get back to the top courts.  Ask a coach if you can move, run to be first in line, or even take a water or bathroom break and come back to the court you want.  Stay in the eyesight of those making the big decisions.  Make yourself be seen and compete with the top athletes.  

2  Be a Great Teammate - Yes, you will be competing against them, but make it appear you are on the same team.  Communicate with other players through more than just high-fives.  Celebrate their good plays by yelling and cheering.  Engaging with the other athletes will help coaches see you as a good teammate.  Sportsmanship is an essential quality coaches look for; and lack of communication could me misunderstood.

1 Enjoy yourself - It is a hard day for everyone: players, families, and the coaches.  Try your best to keep everything in perspective.  You are there because you love the game.  Each player has skills and endless potential so just try to enjoy the experience.  You chose to come because you want to play, so make sure that excitement and passion exudes from you.  Keep an athlete's mind set and don't give up or doubt until the last point - or in this case, the last player is called.