Tips and Trends: What the Best Tryout Players Do Differently

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Talent gets noticed. The little things get remembered.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tryouts can feel overwhelming.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New teammates, new coaches, and plenty of athletes are all competing for the same opportunities. While big swings and highlight plays certainly help, they are rarely the only things coaches remember at the end of the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Instead, it's often the small habits that separate players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">They Look Ready Before the Drill Starts</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good tryout players don't wait until the whistle blows to lock in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They hustle to their spot, listen when instructions are given, and stay engaged while others are taking reps. Additionally, they pay attention to details instead of asking teammates what they're supposed to do halfway through the drill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Preparation stands out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">They Move Between Every Ball</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rally doesn't end after one contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether it's transitioning to attack, covering a hitter, or getting back into defensive position, the best players keep moving. Even when they know they probably won't touch the next ball, they still do their job.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coaches notice effort just as much as execution.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">They Respond Well to Mistakes</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nobody has a perfect tryout! The difference is what happens next.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong competitors move on quickly. They don't hang their heads after an error or let one bad rep turn into three. Instead, they reset, communicate, and attack the next opportunity with the same confidence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That mindset is hard to teach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">They Make Their Teammates Better</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the easiest ways to stand out has nothing to do with statistics.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Celebrate a teammate's great play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Help shag balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Communicate early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be encouraging between reps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Positive energy is contagious, and coaches appreciate athletes who help create a competitive environment without making everything about themselves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">They Compete From Start to Finish</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first drill matters and so does the last one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some athletes begin strong and slowly lose focus. Others find another gear as the day continues. Coaches remember the players who compete with the same energy, effort, and attitude from beginning to end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Consistency builds trust.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Final Thoughts</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every tryout is another chance to show who you are as a player and teammate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big plays will always turn heads. However, the athletes who separate themselves are usually the ones doing the little things well before, during, and after every rep. Those habits travel with you, no matter what jersey you're wearing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good luck at tryouts and don't forget to follow <em>@prepdigcolorado </em>on Instagram.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->