With the fall sports schedule winding down and basketball season about to begin on the youth level, we once again take a look at some of the best ways to stand out from the crowd during basketball tryouts.
Letâs be honest, roster competition is fierce. Coaches and evaluators are always looking for the little things that separate players both on and off the court.
Follow these points below and you might be able to get a leg up on your fellow players. 
Be prepared:
Lots of times coaches will request you to do something prior to the first tryout. For example, you might have to fill out and bring in medical forms, wear a certain colored shirt/jersey, or even meet at a location less obvious than the gym (a classroom for a pre-tryout meeting). Take notes of these details because showing up without the proper paperwork, in the wrong shirt, or at the wrong place makes a poor first impression.
Arrive early:
Getting to practice or tryouts early is a great way to show you care, youâre reliable and responsible. If you arrive to the gym early do some warm-ups and fill your time with productive activities rather than being on your phone. This will go a long way with coaches.
Be in shape:
Coming to tryouts out of shape is one of the worst things you can do. It shows youâre either lazy or donât care enough about the team. Arriving physically prepared will ensure you get as many reps as possible, which can only help your chances.
Do your homework:
Depending on the level of play, coaches might give you a packet of plays or sets for you to go over on your own. Make sure you take some time to go over it because he or she might expect you to be familiar with what to do by the time the next tryout rolls around. The coaches might even ask you to walk through the sets, which would be their way of testing you.
Focus especially on defense:
Most coaches at the youth level stress defensive intensity and effort much more than anything on the offensive end. Defensive drills and rotations are often practiced before any shooting drills. Turn up your energy and communication level on the defensive end of the court and this will almost certainly impress onlookers.
Pay attention/eye contact:
When coaches are talking to the group or giving directions, make sure you make eye contact. Avoid looking down, talking with friends or zoning out. If a coach or leader sees that you are making direct eye contact, they will see that you care and are paying attention.
Communicate on the court:
Calling out screens, communicating for a rebound or even picking up a teammate with positive reinforcement will open eyes. Talking is crucial on the court, especially on the defensive end. This will thrust you into a leadership role and coaches will notice that.
Ask questions:
If you are confused about something or want further clarification on a drill or play, donât hesitate to ask. Coaches will like that you care enough to understand direction rather than just going through the motions and messing up in a drill.
Recover and prepare off the court:
You might be sore and tired after the first few days of tryouts. Use some of the time away from the court to stretch, ice and eat well. This will help you recover faster and give you a leg up on some other players who donât do the same.
Keep these simple steps in mind during the next few weeks when basketball tryouts and practice get underway. Best of luck to all, and let us know how you do! Email us at [email protected] and you might get a player profile article on youth1.com!
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