The Road to Varsity: How to Stand Out in High School Basketball Tryouts
Earning a spot on your high school varsity basketball team is a significant accomplishment that requires not only talent but also preparation, hard work, and the right mindset. Here are some specific strategies and actionable tips to help you stand out during tryouts and increase your chances of making the team.
1. Start Preparing Early
Preparation for high school basketball tryouts begins long before the first day of tryouts. You need to build a solid foundation of skills, strength, and mental readiness to impress the coaches.
Preparation Strategies:
Join Off-Season Programs: Participate in off-season training programs, camps, or leagues to maintain and enhance your skills. These programs offer competitive environments and allow you to gain valuable experience. Do not wait until after high school seasons. Open gym at your high school is not a training process. It is a showcase of your talents. Work with a professional training organization to train and hone your skills.
Create a Training Schedule: Develop a consistent training routine that includes both skill work and physical conditioning. Aim for at least 4-5 days a week of focused basketball practice, including shooting drills, ball-handling exercises, and defensive drills.
Work on Conditioning: Incorporate cardio workouts such as running, sprinting drills, or interval training to build endurance. Use ladder drills, cone drills, and jump rope exercises to enhance agility and footwork. Aim for at least 30 minutes of conditioning 3-4 times a week.
Strength Training: Focus on building core and lower body strength, essential for basketball. Include exercises like squats, lunges, planks, and resistance band work. Strength training should be done 2-3 times a week.
Attend Open Gyms and Pickup Games: Participate in open gyms, pickup games, or summer leagues to gain experience in a competitive setting. This will help you become more comfortable playing in different situations and against varied opponents.
Seek Feedback: Ask your current coach or mentor to evaluate your strengths and areas for improvement. Use this feedback to tailor your training plan and address any weaknesses before tryouts.
2. Master the Fundamentals
Fundamental skills are the building blocks of any great basketball player. Coaches prioritize players who are strong in the basics because these skills translate directly into game performance.
Specific Instructions:
Shooting Drills: Practice shooting from different positions on the court, including layups, mid-range jump shots, and three-pointers. Use drills like the "Around the World" or "Spot Shooting" to build consistency. Aim for at least 200 shots per practice session, focusing on form, release, and follow-through.
Ball Handling Drills: Dedicate time to ball-handling drills like the "Two-Ball Dribble," "Cone Dribbling," and "Crossover Series." Spend 10-15 minutes on these drills daily to improve your control, speed, and ability to change direction quickly.
Passing Drills: Practice a variety of passes—chest, bounce, overhead, and one-handed. Use wall drills to develop strength and accuracy. Incorporate partner drills that involve passing under pressure or while on the move.
Defensive Drills: Focus on defensive stance, lateral movement, and footwork. Practice "Slide and Sprint" drills, "Closeout" drills, and "1-on-1 Defense" drills to sharpen your defensive skills. Prioritize staying low, keeping your hands active, and maintaining balance.
3. Demonstrate a High Basketball IQ
Basketball IQ refers to your understanding of the game and your ability to make smart decisions quickly. It encompasses everything from recognizing plays to reading the opponent’s defense.
Specific Instructions:
Watch and Analyze Games: Spend time watching games at various levels—high school, college, and professional. Pay attention to team strategies, player movements, and how plays develop. Take notes on effective plays and defensive setups.
Learn Your Position: Understand the responsibilities and expectations for your position(s) on the court. Know when to cut, where to position yourself on defense, and how to execute specific plays.
Practice Decision-Making: Simulate game situations in practice to work on your decision-making skills. For example, practice making quick decisions in fast-break scenarios, pick-and-roll situations, or end-of-game plays.
Engage in Team Strategy Sessions: If possible, attend team strategy sessions or video reviews. Listen carefully to your coach’s instructions and learn the playbook inside and out. Understand your role within each play.
4. Showcase Your Work Ethic and Hustle
Coaches notice players who bring energy, effort, and hustle to every practice and drill. Hustle demonstrates your commitment, determination, and willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team succeed.
Specific Instructions:
Sprint Everywhere: Make it a habit to sprint on and off the court, during transitions, or when moving from one drill to another. It shows that you are always ready and focused.
Go After Every Loose Ball: Whether in a drill or scrimmage, always be the first to dive for a loose ball or contest a rebound. Coaches love players who aren’t afraid to get on the floor.
Maintain High Energy Levels: Be vocal, encourage teammates, and stay engaged, even when you’re not on the court. Clap for good plays, call out defensive assignments, and stay active in team huddles.
Attend Every Session: Show up early and stay late for practices and tryouts. Use the extra time to work on a specific skill, help set up or clean up equipment, or ask the coach for feedback.
5. Display a Positive Attitude and Coachability
A positive attitude and coachability are often just as important as skill. Coaches value players who are eager to learn, willing to adapt, and display a team-first mentality.
Specific Instructions:
Welcome Feedback: Show that you are open to receiving constructive criticism by actively listening and nodding when coaches give instructions. Apply feedback immediately in your next play or drill.
Stay Positive: Maintain a positive demeanor, even when things don’t go your way. Avoid negative self-talk, body language, or frustration. Keep encouraging yourself and your teammates.
Be a Team Player: Support your teammates by congratulating them on their successes and offering help when they struggle. Demonstrate leadership qualities by uplifting others and fostering a sense of unity.
Ask Questions: If you’re unsure about a drill or a play, ask thoughtful questions that show you’re engaged and eager to learn. This shows coaches that you are attentive and committed to improvement.
6. Prepare Mentally for Tryouts
Mental preparation is critical for standing out at tryouts. It helps you stay calm, focused, and confident, even when faced with pressure or adversity.
Specific Instructions:
Develop a Pre-Tryout Routine: Create a pre-tryout routine that includes activities like light stretching, visualization, and listening to music that motivates you. A consistent routine helps calm nerves and mentally prepare you for the day ahead.
Visualize Success: Spend a few minutes each day visualizing yourself performing well in different tryout scenarios—making key shots, executing a perfect pass, or playing tough defense. Visualization helps reinforce confidence and readiness.
Practice Mindfulness Techniques: Learn simple mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or meditation, to help manage stress and stay present in the moment. Practice these techniques daily so that they become second nature during tryouts.
Set Realistic Goals: Set specific, achievable goals for each tryout session, like completing a certain number of successful free throws or maintaining defensive intensity throughout. Focus on these goals to stay motivated and measure your progress.
7. Stand Out with Your Unique Strengths
Every player has unique talents that can make them a valuable asset to the team. Identifying and leveraging your strengths is key to standing out during tryouts.
Specific Instructions:
Highlight Your Best Skills: Identify your top skills—whether it’s shooting, defense, passing, or leadership—and look for opportunities to showcase them. For example, if you're a great shooter, position yourself to take open shots during scrimmages.
Emphasize Versatility: Show that you can play multiple roles or positions if needed. Participate in drills that test different aspects of the game and demonstrate your adaptability and willingness to play wherever the team needs you.
Exude Confidence: Play with a sense of purpose and confidence. Show that you believe in your abilities by staying aggressive on the court, maintaining good body language, and making decisive plays.
Communicate Your Strengths to Coaches: During tryouts and outside of it, take moments to talk to coaches about your strengths and what you bring to the team. This shows that you are aware of your abilities and confident in what you can offer.
Built a Relationship with the Coaching Staff: Take time to get to know the coach and develop a relationship with the coaching staff where they know you and want to mentor you. Sometimes, you just have to go hangout at their office during lunch, in between classes or after school. Ask questions about their basketball career, their pet peeves in games and practices, their favorite game moment, and so on.
Conclusion
Standing out at high school basketball tryouts requires preparation, dedication, and a strong understanding of what coaches value in a player. By focusing on mastering the fundamentals, demonstrating a high basketball IQ, showcasing your work ethic, and preparing mentally, you put yourself in the best position to succeed. Remember, it's not just about talent—it's about showing your passion, commitment, and ability to be a team player.