Being part of a team is a great way to make new friends, stay healthy, and feel immersed in school culture. However, tryouts can be daunting. Who wants to be the kid on the sideline dry-heaving after the first five minutes of tryouts? This won’t be a great first impression. Whether your child is new to a sport or hasn’t played since the previous season, here’s a few tips below that will get anyone ready for tryouts.
Before you and your child discuss tryouts, you need to first consider the amount of time, money, and commitment a sport will take. Depending on the level of play, practices can range anywhere from two to three hours a couple days a week, and even more at the high school level. Though many sports have fundraising options to help student-athletes fund their season, private lessons, additional practice equipment, and other team sportswear could cost you more than you think.
If you and your child are committed to a sport, then be prepared to give up other hobbies, prime-time television, and junk food. When the family has sat down and discussed the variables of playing a sport and everyone is on the same page, the next step is to start training for the tryouts.
Many athletes may already have experience playing with a travel or a club team. Walking on with little to no experience will be noticeable, but your child still has a shot if they follow these tips below:
- Ask the coach prior to tryouts if he or she can recommend any exercises or drills to implement before tryouts. Start performing these drills ASAP.
- Practice, practice, practice. Along with the recommended exercises, get together with friends or family and toss the ball around, read or watch tutorials online to better understand the game, or make it a family night and watch a game on T.V.
- Of course, a nutritious lifestyle and staying hydrated, especially the day before and the day of, will drastically improve performance. Hot Cheetos for lunch won’t cut it. You know that food pyramid; I’d start there.
- A positive attitude is a must. A coach wants to see focus, teamwork, and an attitude that screams, “I will make a free throw even if it takes all day. I will improve.” An athlete can be strong, tall, and fast, but if they don’t have a desire to improve and won’t take direction, then I don’t want them on my team.
- Hustle. When a coach gives you a thirty-second water break, don’t be the athlete that walks to the water fountain and back. Be the first one there. During drills, you give it everything you’ve got, even if you’re missing shots, or striking out. You hustle and make it known that you aren’t messing around and that you deserve to be there.
Unfortunately, not everyone can make the team. If this happens, don’t let your child feel discouraged. If anything, he or she should be proud they stepped out of their comfort zone and committed their time and effort to something larger than themselves. Encourage them to continue practicing and improving those skills for next year’s season, or try another sport. Your son or daughter might realize that they’re more skilled at a sport they had no desire for. Regardless, don’t let them think that failure is the end; it’s just the beginning. Ask Michael Jordan how his sophomore basketball season ended.
