Sports Tryouts: Tips for Kids and Adults

Fall is coming, which means school is starting and high school and club tryouts are just around the corner. As a sport psychology consultant and coach, I’m often asked by parents and athletes about preparing for a tryout. It’s normal to feel a bit anxious or apprehensive when you are trying out, but you can still put your best foot forward even if you are feeling a little nervous.

My first bit of advice is directly for the parents, but athletes can help with this too. It’s very important to complete all the necessary paperwork on time. This helps coaches and clubs become organized because they will know how many athletes to expect at their tryout. If you are late turning in your paperwork or registration, you are giving the impression that you are unorganized or not really that interested. In addition, make sure your athlete has the correct equipment or anything the coaching staff has requested for tryouts.

Often times, coaches will use e-mail as the primary form of communication with parents. If the coach sends out an e-mail requesting information, promptly respond. This sets the tone that you are a good communicator via e-mail and that you are at least reading the e-mails sent by the coach. Nothing is more frustrating as a coach than having to repeat information multiple times to parents and athletes simply because they don’t read the e-mails or letters being sent home.

If your club or high school has a parents meeting, be sure to attend. I also recommend going to that meeting with a positive attitude and willing spirit. Nothing pleases a coach more than to hear parents say, "How can we help?" In addition, come prepared with your questions. This is the time the coach is setting aside to answer questions and take comments. If you miss the meeting, be sure to get the information from another parent who was there. You are responsible for the information whether you are there or not.

Now to the athletes: Be sure you are on time to tryouts. This tells the coaches that you are responsible and that you respect their time. If you are late and your excuse is your mom forgot what time tryouts were, then the coach knows you are not taking responsibility.

Whenever I’m working with athletes on performance enhancement
techniques, I always tell them to take ownership of the things they have control over. In sports, there are so many variables that we can’t control such as the weather, refs, climate, illness, injury and many other situations. When it comes to tryouts, you want to put your best foot forward and be as prepared as you can possibly be.

Here is a list of things athletes can control to help improve their performance and feel more confident at tryouts:

• Hydration
• Nutrition
• Conditioning
• Sleep
• Attitude
• Proper equipment

When these physical needs are taken care of, you know you have done everything you can to prepare to compete and perform well. This automatically helps you feel better and more confident. You may still have anxiety and nerves, but then you will know that you need to work on mental skills training and not physical needs.

My final thought is for athletes who are returning to the same team. Sometimes “returners” who have previously made the team don’t take tryouts seriously. Granted, your spot on the team may in fact be secure, but this does not mean you should take tryouts lightly.

Every time you take the field or court, you should look at it as an opportunity to improve. Tryouts are a great way to practice performance under pressure and to get a baseline for your . Also, you set the tone for other athletes joining the team.

If you're not putting forth the maximum effort at tryouts, you are sending the message to your new teammates that you are not serious or that you are too good for tryouts.

Remember, perception is reality, and you want to show how dedicated and focused you are, and it starts the moment you put on your shoes!