Tryout Tips for Players & Parents
Tryouts can be a very stressful time for young athletes and parents. Preparing your child and yourself for this process can help take some of that stress away. I have listed below some tips on what the coaches will be looking for and not looking for during tryouts to help better prepare your child. Your child’s technical ability will not be any better during tryouts than it is right now, but the tips below can help them have more success in areas that are important.

Players should go into tryouts with a positive attitude ready to work hard and have fun. The pressure to perform should not be put on the child by the parents as it will only hinder their ability to show what they can really do. Parents behavior pre-tryouts and during tryouts can also affect the child and how he or she will perform. If you act nervous, they will be nervous. If you overload them with information on the drive to tryouts, they will be distracted. If you pace and constantly watch them during tryouts, they will notice. All of these things could have a negative impact on their performance and make it a very unenjoyable time for them. My advice is to review the tips below ahead of time with your child, so they know what the expectations are, then encourage them to work hard and most importantly have fun.

Positive Behaviors

• Players who focus and listen to the coaches
• Players who have a positive attitude
• Players who are respectful and encouraging
• Players who are always moving/running without being told
• Players who always compete without being told
• Players who will physically challenge for the ball
• Players who want the ball
• Players who are confident & creative with the ball
• Players who always work hard to win the ball back

Negative Behaviors

• Players who do not listen to the coaches
• Players who have a negative attitude
• Players who are not respectful and encouraging
• Players who are always standing around
• Players who do not compete
• Players who do not physically challenge for the ball
• Players who do not want the ball
• Players who avoid the ball
• Players who do not work hard to win the ball back