How to prepare for high school 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.

Possibly 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.

It’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.

In 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.

This 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.

Communication 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.

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).

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

This 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.

Transition 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.

Basketball 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.

Your 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.

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:

What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions...

Regional stages of the School Basketball League "IES-BASKET" and "Lokobasket" - "Ingushetia" - Internet newspaper

Young champions are trained by physical education teacher Islam Khakiyev. Honored Teacher of Ingushetia spent 37 years working with children.

During all the years of his work at the school, he was engaged in the popularization of this fast-paced and dynamic sport, which he himself became a fan of while studying at school. However, the real work of preparing a school basketball team began just a couple of years ago with the creation of a school basketball section.

Basketball players were provided with comprehensive support from the school administration. All conditions were created for training. Islam Isaevich's junior friend, physical education teacher Ali Khuchbarov actively joined the training process. Being quite young, he showed by personal example how to give all the best in training, and also took on some of the administrative work. In addition to training in physical education classes, all students of this educational institution were introduced to this sport, which develops almost all muscle groups, helps to create a team spirit and the ability to make decisions in a rapidly changing environment.

As a result, a school team was formed, which received the sonorous name "Eagles of the Caucasus". The School Basketball League tournament consists of several stages, each of which has become a stepping stone to victory for our children. At the regional stage, which started back in November last year, the Eagles of the Caucasus became the best in a tough fight and got the right to take part in the preliminary stage. Here they were opposed by the strongest teams of the city of Malgobek and the village. n. Trinity. Already at this stage, according to the coach, our guys were opposed by experienced technical basketball players with good physical shape and the desire to win.

Islam Khakiyev's wards survived and got the right to participate in the semi-final duel with the team of secondary school No. 5 in Nazran - with multiple participants and winners of such competitions and tournaments. Despite the numerous regalia of rivals, the Eagles of the Caucasus won a landslide victory and reached the final.

In the final, the Sunzhen people were opposed by the team of Lyceum No. 1 in Nazran "Wild Division". It draws on the long-standing basketball tradition that exists in this educational institution. The multiple winner of the tournaments of the School Basketball League "Wild Division" represented the republic at the interregional level outside the republic, at all stages it was considered the undisputed leader of the tournament.

All of the above factors exerted strong psychological pressure on the Sunzha team. We are talking about a difficult victory in the finals of IES-BASKET. The first two quarters of the meeting were held with varying success, and the first half ended with an equal score of 15:15. This tied score became the starting point. During the break, the coach cheered up the guys, told them to take the initiative into their own hands and play their own game.

Fulfilling the coach's instructions, the Eagles of the Caucasus from the very beginning of the second half created a large gap in the score and managed to keep it until the final whistle. The score 34:27, shining on the scoreboard, testified to their convincing victory. According to the results of the tournament, Aslan Dzeitov, a member of the Eagles of the Caucasus team, was recognized as the most valuable player.

Young winners received well-deserved awards from the champion of the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, ​​Honored Master of Sports of International Class Svetlana Antipova.

This victory brought our guys to a higher competitive level. Already in March, they will go to represent Ingushetia at a tournament in Smolensk.

The victory of the Eagles of the Caucasus team caused a powerful wave of interest in this sport. According to Islam Isaevich, there is no end to those who want to play in the school basketball section. The interest of students in physical education classes has significantly increased, which should be supported by the creation of additional conditions, the need to reconstruct the basketball court in the school yard, which has long required a comprehensive reconstruction, has become more urgent than ever. The school administration is seeking sponsorship for this. Ingushavtodor will asphalt the basketball court, another sponsor will deliver the fence net, the Republican Basketball Federation will install new stands with plastic backboards. As they say, with the world in a row - and the problem will be gradually solved.

School basketball league "IES-Basket": Togliatti in anticipation of the Superfinal

03/28/2019 Views: 4634

From April 6 to 13, matches of the Superfinal of the IES-Basket School Basketball League will be held in five Togliatti halls. The strongest school teams of the country will take part in it - 20 youth teams and the same number of girls teams. First, they will have to play in the group stage, and then show their high level in the playoffs. In addition, the participants and guests of the Superfinal will have many contests and prizes.
The upcoming Superfinal will become a special event in the sports life of the Samara Region, and its holding became possible thanks to the joint work of the IES-Basket School of Sports, the Ministry of Sports of the Samara Region and the FBSO.

Vladimir Avetisyan, President of the Basketball Federation of the Samara Region:
- For the first time Tolyatti hosts the Superfinal of the IES-Basket School Basketball League and I am glad to welcome all the participants and guests of the competition. Such a bright basketball holiday, I am sure, will give a new impetus to the development of basketball in our region. The holding of the Superfinal in Togliatti became possible thanks to the personal support of Governor Dmitry Azarov.

One of the main tasks of the Basketball Federation of the Samara Region is to popularize this game among schoolchildren, to create conditions for practicing this sport in different parts of our province. It is important that very young boys and girls feel the positive passion that invariably accompanies basketball.