We all have that one friend who is always putting themselves out there, even if they\’ve never tried before. Regardless of whether you’re trying out for a whole new sport or looking to land a spot on the team for another year, we’re going to share with you some tips on how not only prepare for your tryout but also make it a successful experience! The high school sports scene is a great way to meet new people, have some laughs while playing your favorite sport, and maybe even get scholarships for your participation! The competitive spirit that comes along with the fun can be intimidating at times. Its important to remind yourself that even the professional athletes you see on TV were in your shoes at some point. All it takes is practice and preparation. So let us help you prepare with these tips!
1. Eat Well, Train Smart, and Sleep Plenty
Eating well, training wisely, and getting enough sleep are the foundations of a successful fitness routine. Make sure not to eat anything heavy before your tryouts; you want to feel light on your feet and be as agile as possible on the playing field. Eating the right foods and staying hydrated will give you the energy you need to give your best performance. It’s important to pace yourself leading up to your tryouts and avoid burnout. If you overtrain, you will risk being sore or even pick up an injury in tryouts. To avoid this, you should write down a schedule that includes sufficient rest days, and get plenty of sleep in the week leading up to your tryout. No less than 8 hours of sleep should do the trick to get your body fully rested and physically prepared.
2. Get a Head Start by Showing Up Early
When you show up early to a practice or game, it shows the coach that you care and are dependable. In tryouts, the early bird gets the worm. It is a big advantage over your peers, and it shows you have discipline to show up early and be prepared. Having plenty of time to mentally prepare will help you feel fresher on the field in relation to your peers who don’t show up early. It also helps if there\’s some warm-up exercises before playing so your muscles are ready when you need them most! Coaches do not just look for the player who is most skillful, they look for the disciplined, hardworking, organized players that they can count on through the long season ahead.
3. Let Your Voice Be Heard
Being heard on the field is important. Let your voice be helpful and timely with fellow teammates, as it should always strive to help win games! You\’ll also want to make sure you connect with teammates by telling them when they\’re under pressure or in a situation where they have another play option that might not be clear to them. These small actions make a big difference to the evaluating coach. Another small action we recommend any athlete does is take a minute before the game begins to introduce yourself to the other players. Even though some of them may not even end up as your teammates for the season ahead, the good sportsmanship won’t go unnoticed, you may make a friend, and your increased comfort with the other players will help you communicate more clearly with them during play, which might help you get your spot on the team.
4. Do What You Do Well
Be yourself on and off the field. A common mistake many athletes to do in tryouts is that they try to be a player that they are not. This can happen by trying to impress the coach by doing things that are outside your skill set, which usually does not go well. With the limited time coaches will get to see of you and the many players around you, it’s crucial to take care of the simple things. The fundamentals of the game are a make-or-break in tryouts and are an easy way for coaches to eliminate players they do not see as a fit for the team.
5. Positivity Never Goes Unnoticed
Everyone loves to see a positive attitude on the field, especially coaches. Team players with positive attitudes lift others up, and that has a ripple effect on everyone’s performance. Every good athlete wants teammates who can bring the best out in them and make everyone on the squad better! We encourage you to not only be a source of positivity with your teammates, but for yourself as well! If you make a mistake, brush it off and go on to the next play. Everyone makes mistakes, even coaches. It’s important to turn that message to action on the field and support both your teammates and your inner self for putting yourself out there.
The ETC Foundation is rooting for you! This is a great opportunity to learn more about the importance of high school sports. Click here now to read all about it!
