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How to do good in basketball tryouts
How to do good in basketball tryouts
11 Tips for Basketball Tryouts (How to Stand Out and Get Selected)
The first day of basketball tryouts can be a nerve-wracking experience for players.
No matter how long you've been playing or how many tryouts you've attended, everyone gets those little butterflies in their stomach before walking into the gym.
Today, I'll try to calm your nerves a bit...
Below I've listed several things you can do to prepare for basketball tryouts.
Whether you’re a freshman trying to make your high school team, a youth player attempting to earn a spot on a travel team, or an athlete hoping to make an impression on an AAU coach...
The 11 tryout tips below can help you.
11 Basketball Tryouts Tips:1. Arrive in Fantastic ShapePossibly the single best thing you can do to improve your odds of getting selected is making sure your body is in good condition BEFORE tryouts begin.![]()
Basketball tryouts always involve A LOT of running or transition play.
Some coaches even seek to find out which players can fight through fatigue.
You want to be able to focus on playing your best, not simply surviving the tryout.
If you arrive in peak shape, you'll have a big advantage over many of your peers.
2. Trust Your PreparationIt’s easy to feel nervous due to the stress of the tryout.
Try to fight off these nerves by trusting yourself and the work you have already done!
Preparation equals confidence.
Think about it…
If you have spent countless hours developing your shot, improving your ball handling, studying the game, and practicing against good competition, why wouldn’t you feel confident?
You deserve to make the team!
All you have to do is go out and prove it.
3. Arrive Early and Get to WorkIn many areas of life, it’s possible to make a good impression by simply showing up early.
(this is one of the many life lessons basketball will teach)
If your tryout is right after school, get ready quickly and get out to the court.
If your tryout is in the evening, ask your parents to can get you there well ahead of the start time.
While this probably won’t be the make or break factor on who makes the team, it gives you a chance to show the coaches you’re serious about making the team.
If you don’t already know the coach, make a point to introduce yourself to him or her.
When you take the court, begin working on your game immediately.
Coaches don’t want to see players messing around and shooting half court shots before practice.
Begin with form shooting or completing a ball-handling routine.
4. Your Body Language Is ImportantThis is an aspect of the game that players often overlook.
Coaches place a huge premium on body language.
Understand that you're communicating your attitude not only with your words, but also with your eyes, reactions, and facial expressions.
Be sure to make eye contact and nod your head to show understanding.
Don’t pout or stop playing if you miss a shot or think you get fouled.
Your coaches WILL constantly be assessing these things.
If they think you're inattentive or easily rattled / frustrated, it will hurt your chances.
5. Be the Loudest Player in the GymCommunication is huge!
There are several ways to help your team, as well as your own chances of making the final roster, by focusing on communicating well.
First, the defensive end of the floor is a great place to constantly talk.
Does your coach give you specific verbals to use?
Maybe he or she wants you to communicate “BALL,” “GAP,” “DENY” or some other defensive phrases.
If your coach doesn’t specify, simply call out what you are doing throughout each defensive possession:
- “I got your help!”
- “I’ve got the ball!”
- “Force him left!”
A talking defender is usually an engaged defender.
Just as important, you can elevate the environment of the practice by offering reminders and encouragement to your teammates.
Basketball tryouts do pit players against one another as everyone is fighting to make the team...
But coaches want to keep players who are great teammates!
A player who is constantly encouraging those around her will have an advantage over someone who keeps to herself.
Make sure your coaches and teammates hear you!
Finally, you may be asked to learn some new plays, drills, or concepts during the tryout period.
If you don’t understand something, be sure to ask a coach.
This is important for two reasons:
(1) Asking a question to gain clarification is certainly better than messing up the drill.
(2) Asking questions show that you are engaged and that you want to learn more.
6. Get “Teammate Touches”This is another form of communication.
Show support for your teammates by high-fiving and fist bumping as much as possible.
This is a simple way to show leadership and to enhance the practice environment.
Get touches when running to the end of a line or after a teammate makes a good play.
Challenge yourself to get one touch and to make two comments of encouragement each minute of your basketball tryouts (when a coach isn’t talking, of course).
7. Focus on the “Little Things”Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens once said:
“When considering the consequences of not doing the little things, you realize there are no little things.”
Coaches understand this, and smart players do as well.
Coaches want players on their team they can trust to do everything possible to help the team win.
Of course you can help yourself in tryouts by knocking down shots…
But everyone has the occasional poor shooting day.
So make sure you aren’t relying on having a good shooting day by finding other ways to make a great impression on the coaches.
- Take a charge
- Communicate loud
- Dive on a loose ball
- Listen with your eyes
- Battle hard for rebounds
8. Play to Your StrengthsThis tip is crucial.
As a player, you must realize what you do AND do not do well.
All players will have strengths and weaknesses.
You’ll make the best impression on the coaches by focusing on what you do well.
For example:
If you’re not a great shooter, it doesn’t make sense to throw up a wild shot every time you touch the ball in hopes of draining a three-pointer.
That’s likely not the best way to show the coaching staff how you will help their team.
On the other hand…
If you excel at rebounding, challenge yourself to be the BEST rebounder in the gym.
(Who would possibly cut the best rebounder on the team?)
Or maybe you’re a quick and savvy defensive player...
Make an effort to pressure your opponent full court and disrupt your man every time he or she has the ball.
By the end of basketball tryouts, make sure the coaches know exactly what you do well.
You’ll have time to improve your areas of weakness throughout the season.
9. Sprint the Floor on Every PossessionTransition is a tremendously important part of the game.
Players who sprint in offensive transition can accumulate easy baskets. And players who run hard in defensive transition can wipe out easy opportunities for the opponent.
Both are crucial to winning games, and both can make an impression on your coaches.
Doing this well comes down to a few factors.
The first goes back to tip number one…
Be in shape!
Next, try to develop a mindset of running hard.
You don’t have to be the quickest player in the gym to run hard.
Players who can read the play and take off immediately in transition have a huge advantage over those who “ball watch”.
Coaches often talk about the importance of the first three steps in the transition game.
When your team gets a defensive rebound, take off!
If your opponent rebounds the ball, sprint back and be ready to make a play!
Your coaches will notice.
10. Details, Details, DetailsBasketball coaches are inherently detail-oriented.
If a play calls for a player in the corner, they want him all the way in the corner.
If a screen is supposed to be set on the elbow, that’s where it needs to be.
Be sure to listen and do your best to execute the nuances of the game.
You can also show your attention to detail in how you execute the fundamentals.
For example:
Many coaches include a brief form shooting segment in their practice plans.
Don’t simply flip up the ball...
Get your feet set, snap your wrist, and hold your follow through!
Executing these details show that you are focused and trying to do your best.
11. Compete Your Butt OffYour team’s basketball tryout is a competition.
While it’s not productive to get caught up in comparing yourself to other potential players, you do need to be ready to compete hard.
The best way to compete is by simply doing YOUR best in every part of the tryout.
That’s all anyone can expect you to do!
If you play as hard as you can in every drill and scrimmage, you will put yourself in great position to not only make the team, but to excel and have a great season.
Conclusion:Coaches understand that the basketball tryouts process can be stressful for players.
Trust me, it can be stressful for us as well!
Coaches want to see players excel and show how they can help the team.
So relax!
Prepare yourself to the best of your ability, be confident, be a great teammate, focus, and do your best. If you do those things, you are bound to have a successful tryout.
Good luck!
8 Tryout Tips Guaranteed to Get You Noticed (And What To Avoid So You Don't Get Cut)
Do you know exactly what the coach is looking for in tryouts? Do you know everything you need to do?
You may think that you do, but its highly unlikely.
Actually, what you think would help with tryouts may be the exact reason you get cut from the team. Sad thing is that Ive seen players like you make these critical mistakes over and over and over again.
Ive been fortunate to conduct tryouts for youth clubs with over 400 kids. Ive also been part of high school varsity tryouts with 100 kids for a state championship caliber team at the high school level.
Im able to give you the critical tips that can help you make the team and avoid those mistakes that get you cut.
Like this article? Download it as a free PDF! (Download Now!)
1. Do what you do well.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is trying to impress the coach by doing things that are outside your skill set. This often results in a disaster for you.
If you are a good rebounder, grab every rebound.
If you are a good shooter, shoot when you are open.
If you are a good finisher, attack the basket when a lane is open.
If you are a good ball handler, make the simple passes, the simple moves.
If you are not a good 3-point shooter, dont step out and shoot one during tryouts. Ive seen kids literally hit the side of the backboard trying to do this.
The coach will instantly think, Wow. This kid does not know a thing about shot selection. Maybe hes a low IQ kid.
Trust me... with the limited time that a coach can see you... this is not the impression you want to make. Even if you play great the rest of the time, the coach already has impression about you and thats hard to change.
Here is a good measure... can you make 7 out of 10 shots unguarded from a spot. Maybe 6 out of 10 for youth players. If not, dont take the shot at tryouts.
2. Hustle! Hustle! Hustle!
There is no excuse for any player on this one.
You just have to commit and develop that mentality.
When the ball is on the floor, dive on the floor. Box out on every shot. Sprint on the fast break. Sprint to spots on the floor on defense.
Communicate on defense and offense. Be loud and do it often.
These are things that every player can do and every player should do.
This is why you see players who arent skilled make the team. Theyre willing to do the little things that make teams good or great.
3. Dont be just one of the guys in the crowd - Make a great first impression.
Here is a great way to make a first impression.
When the coach calls everybody in at the beginning of the first tryout...
Instead of walking out there or jogging out there like every other kid.
Sprint! Sprint directly to the coach and stand right in front of him. Stand tall and keep eye contact on the coach during the entire talk.
I guarantee youll have the coachs attention. Ive conducted tryouts. Ive been in rooms with coaches discussing who to cut. This makes a difference.
Your buddies may give you some crap, but youll be the one laughing when you make the team or get more playing time than them.
4. Avoid the amazing play mentality. Do something that makes you stand out in a positive way.
This is not what you think. This is not making an amazing play. Remember... do what you do well.
Flashy doesnt impress coaches. It may look cool on the playground, but thats why you dont see NBA guys doing streetball moves during games. Its flash. Its hype. Its not effective against good players.
You should do something with substance that coaches will notice in a positive way.
Earlier, I mentioned communicate on defense.
One time when I was conducting a tryout for 3rd to 8th graders, we were with the 4th grader session.
All of the sudden, across the gym, I hear a blaring yell Screen! Screen! Screen! It was from this little guy named Tommy.
Ten seconds later, I hear Tommy yell again, I got ball!
This continued the whole day. He communicated early. He communicated loud. He communicated often. (ELO Early Loud Often. Kevin Eastman would have been proud.)
There may have been 30 other kids communicating in the gym, but he is the only one I remembered. I didnt know him before the tryouts, but I sure know him now. Guess what... he made the first team.
5. Dont be shy Talk to the coaches before tryouts.
Too many make the big mistake of being too shy to talk to the coach. And this can make a huge difference with making the team.
Sometimes, this simple act will elevate you in the eyes of the coaches because they know that you care and youll do whatever it takes to help the team.
Be specific. Tell the coach that you really want to make the team. Ask them what they need on their team.
6. Be a great teammate Great attitude and sportsmanship
Every coach wants a player who is a great teammate and makes the players better around them.
You can do this by...
Being a great practice player and challenging your teammates during practice to make the team better.
By putting everybody in a better mood with your positive attitude. Lets face it... were all humans and its more enjoyable to have a little fun in life. Nobody wants to be around a person with a poor attitude.
Display great sportsmanship. When a coach sees you helping players off the floor and playing hard but clean basketball, they know that they can count on you not to lose your cool and hurt your team in a negative way at an important time.
7.
Get there early / warm up properly.
Getting there early shows the coach that you care and that he can depend on you to show up on time to practices and games.
Also, make sure to warm up prior to playing, so you are playing your best as soon as the whistle blows. First impressions are very important.
8. Who cares if you screw up Next play!
If you make a mistake... oh well, it happens. Everybody makes mistakes.
Always go on to the next play.
The best players react in a positive way to those mistakes and dont let them snowball into a bunch of mistakes.
There are no guarantees in life. However, if you use the tips mentioned above, you will dramatically increase your chances to make the team and earning more playing time.
If you are serious about becoming a better player, we offer Basketball Camps throughout the country during the spring, summer, and fall.
To check out the different camps, Click Here.
Recommended DVDs & eBook:
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The Attack & Counter Skill Development System
This eBook & DVDs will improve your shooting, ballhandling, footwork, perimeter moves, post moves, finishing, aggressiveness, quickness, confidence, mentality, and your all-around game!
Designed by NBA skills coach Don Kelbick, this unique and comprehensive system is incredibly simple when compared to other skill development programs. Yet it works with NBA and pro players at the highest level... (more info)
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What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions...
Basketball coaching hacks: how to score goals for beginners
Even if you are a novice basketball player, we will not give you a training plan, but we will tell you why the ball flies anywhere but into the ring and into your hands.
It's all about technique: even with regular training and perseverance, novice adults and children often make simple mistakes. It's a shame, let's fix it. Below are 11 life hacks on how to hone your technique to increase the likelihood of a goal for your team.
Basketball Shot Rules for Beginners
1. Hands up
In pursuit of the attacker, raise your hands, even if you are standing with your back to the pass, and even more so if the ring is in front of you. Your raised hands will increase the chance of intercepting the ball from the opponent by 2 times. Don't overlook this little thing!
2. Make shield rolls
Even Tim Duncan did not neglect them! A square is drawn on the basketball backboard. If you are standing opposite the ring, then aim at the middle of the upper part of the square, if you are standing on the side, then at the corner. If you hit this square, then the ball is at 90% of cases will fall into the ring. The law of physics and no cheating!
3.
Look at the ring, not at the ball
Practice driving the ball with your hand, not your eyes, develop tactile control. Your eyes should be on the hoop while dribbling and be aware of the position of your body in relation to the hoop. Then you will be able to take the correct posture, and the throw will be effective.
4. Dribble with the balls of your fingers only
The palm should not touch the ball, only the pads of the fingers. Dribbling should become familiar to you, like an extension of your hand. Then you can change its trajectory at any time and you will have more chances to score goals. Practice with the ball constantly.
5. Throw with one hand
If you throw the ball with two hands, you reduce the chance of hitting the basket. All the efforts of the throw are in one hand (in the right for right-handers, in the left for left-handers). The other hand only holds the ball, the leading one holds it with the fingers, not the palm.
6.
Do not jump when protecting the ring
Jumping is the main mistake of rookie defenders. To intercept the ball and block the shot, simply stick out your hands. When you are in a jump, the attacker will easily bypass you.
7. Don't look back
When you dribble, don't look back, but dribble and aim for the ring, focus on shooting (or passing to another player on your team).
8. Bring the throw to automatism
Incorporate the most basic basketball techniques into your training plan and bring the shot to automatism. Throw first from a distance of half a meter from the ring, gradually increasing it. Learn to throw the ball so that it hits the hoop without touching the edge.
Throw the ball with all fives and jump
Throwing Rules:
- Head in the center of the body - if tilted, accuracy is lost.
- Look at the ring: mentally build a trajectory. If you are far away, the ball flies in a curved curve with a maximum height of 2 meters above the hoop.
- A strong hand is in front and throws, a weak hand is on the side and directs, only holding the ball. The elbow of the throwing hand must be in line with the ring.
- The ball must rest on the fingers without touching the palm. The fingers are as far apart as possible and grab the ball.
- Throwing arm bent 90 degrees, forearm perpendicular to the floor. If you bend less, then you get not a throw, but a throwing of the ball horizontally.
The main thing in the throw is the position of the body and its balance. Place your feet apart and parallel to each other: it is important to orient them in the middle of the basket. Then the direction of the body during the jump will coincide with the direction of the throw, and the ball will fly straight into the ring. When the feet are uneven, the ball flies in the wrong direction or does not reach (although the throw was normal).
Take a deep breath and release as you exhale.
How to hold the ball and shoot in basketball
How to throw correctly: straighten your arm, point your wrist up, and with your hand set the ball to rotate in the opposite direction from the flight. The ball should seem to "roll" off your fingers.
9. Copy masters and play as a team
Watch professional basketball games and try to copy the movements of your favorite players in training. And be sure to conduct game sparring - this will allow you to develop more techniques.
10. Do not throw in a straight line
The higher the arc of the ball, the greater the chance of a goal and the less chance of blocking by the opponent.
11. Do not throw the ball from a full height stand
This is the biggest newbie mistake!
Before the throw, bend your knees slightly and at the moment of the throw, straighten your body, making a jump. You need to straighten up and push off the ground at the same time. When squatting, keep the elbow of the throwing arm close to the body and towards the ring.
The jump will give momentum to the ball and will allow you not to make sudden movements with the brush.
***
And to be a long-term player, do not forget about your health: take care of your joints and muscles, use tapes, do a warm-up. And be sure to strengthen your arms, legs and shoulder girdle, develop coordination. Regular exercises on uneven bars and horizontal bars will help you with this.
How to learn to play basketball, when to start, what exercises are effective
In each school, children are introduced to different sports, and the most common games are volleyball and basketball. They tell the basics, but few people after these lessons become Michael Jordan. However, it is quite possible to achieve sports success. If you always hit the ball in the basket and decided to learn how to learn how to play basketball, read this article. We'll walk you through the first steps to help beginners start playing well.
At what age do you start playing basketball?
Of course, if you want to build a career as a basketball player, you have to start in childhood.
The most optimal age for the first basketball lessons is 8-9 years old. Some professionals started at the age of 12, but not later. At this age, the body is considered sufficiently strong, and the brain is ready to build complex schemes.
Sometimes a child is too small and is not taken to the section. But his parents may be advised to attend prep basketball for 1-2 years. There, the kid will not be taught the technique of the game, but he will begin to learn how to control the ball. This game will positively affect the health of the child and his development. It helps to develop endurance, develop coordination and agility. Basketball players improve their vision and logical thinking.
Who is banned from basketball practice?
They are not available to people with the following diseases:
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cardiovascular diseases;
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excessive mobility of the cervical vertebrae;
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flat feet;
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gastric ulcer;
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asthma and other respiratory diseases;
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diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Exercises for Beginner Basketball Players
Not a single training session takes place without these basketball exercises, therefore, their implementation must be approached especially responsibly. They are aimed at developing the basic necessary skills:
To speed up the effect of basketball training, start with 5 minutes of running without stress.
After that, you can do the following exercises, which are needed to warm up each muscle group.
Shoulders
Stand straight and stretch your arms out to the sides. Straight arms should move in a circle: 10 turns back and forth.
Pelvis
Fix the hands on the belt, and spread the legs shoulder-width apart. Perform rotations in the hip joint.
Back
Bend your elbows and press them to your chest. Put your feet shoulder width apart. Turn right and left 5-10 times in each direction.
Knees
Stand up straight, connect your toes and heels.
Bend your knees slightly and put your hands on them. Perform circular movements with your knees, helping yourself with your hands.
Ankle
Keeping the hands on the belt, and placing the right foot on the toe behind the back behind you, you need to make several rotations of the feet. After a while, change legs.
Squats
Squat 5 times. The exercise must be performed carefully, do not lift your heels off the floor, and stretch your arms in front of you.
How to learn how to throw a ball correctly?
The ability to throw the ball correctly is practically the most important thing in basketball, so pay more attention to throwing exercises.
- Stand 2-3 meters from the ring. Take two slow steps. Standing on one leg, throw the ball into the ring;
- get behind the line. Hit the ball on the floor a couple of times. Take two steps towards the ring. Throw the ball into the basket;
- standing on the three-point line, throw the ball into the wall and catch it.
Take two steps and throw the ball around the ring; - to get the ball into the basket, you need to throw it into the corner of the rectangle drawn on the shield.
Leg development
If you take an extra step, you can lose points and let the team down, so you need to have trained legs. Practice the jump stop.
- Do not change position while performing the exercise;
- throw the ball at the wall, catch it with both hands and at the same time jump with both feet;
- choose one foot as a fulcrum and turn forward and backward on it;
- imagine that you are catching the ball with your hands while in a jump, land and make turns on the supporting leg. Please note that you need to land on 2 legs.
Practicing the pass
Basketball is a team game. Even if you accurately hit the ring, you still cannot pass the ball to others, you will be of little use to the team.
- Stand 2-3 m from the wall.
