High School Basketball: 6 Things to Expect at the 1st Tryout!

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“What will the 1st day of high school basketball tryouts be like?”


This is a question that almost every aspiring basketball asks. The answer will vary based on the size of the school, coach’s philosophy, and level of team. (Freshman, JV, Varsity).

Although there will be many variations with tryouts, there seem to be a few constants.

#1 PLAYERS ARE BEING EVALUATED ALL THE TIME!

Players need to understand it is not really important how many points you score or shots you make in tryouts. Coaches are looking to build a team and they are looking for parts that are a good fit to the team. They are looking for so many little things that most players would never realize. Understand that you are being evaluated ALL THE TIME! If the high school coach is in the schools he notices how a player carries himself in the halls and in class.

High school coaches watch everything.

  • How do you arrive to the gym?
  • What time do you arrive?
  • Did you listen at the pre-season meeting and wear the correct practice gear?
  • How are you warming up? (Hint taking half court shots or shooting out of your range is not a good 1st impression.)
  • What is your body language?
  • Are you a supportive teammate?
  • Do you listen with your eyes and ears?
  • How can you help the team?
  • Do you listen with your eyes and ears.

A player needs to remember this and try to do as much as he can to do these little things that other players are not focusing on.

#2 BEING A GOOD TEAMMATE IS NOT OVERLOOKED

The top players will make the team. The great shooter, incredible ball handler, and phenomenal athlete. Everyone else… How do you make the team better?

Every coach loves a player who is a great teammate. The player who is 1st to help a player up when he takes a charge or hits the floor. A player who is on the sidelines cheering and offering encouragement even though he is not on the court is exceptional. It takes ZERO skill to be a great teammate. A player should make it his goal to be the most positive player in the gym.

#3 CONDITIONING IS A CRITICAL FACTOR

You might be a very limited player, but if you go as hard as you can all the time, you will make it hard for a coach to cut you. Close out and box out on all shots. Get on the floor for loose balls. Sprint to the paint on defense.

Conditioning drills will be a huge part of evaluation. Be sure to be in great shape. If you are not… PUSH YOURSELF HARDER THAN ANY OTHER PLAYER! Dig down deep! If you really want to make the team, you must give maximum effort each minute of the tryout, whether it is two days or an entire week.

#4 COACHES ARE LOOKING FOR ROLE PLAYERS

Every team has players who fill important roles. It is a players job to find a role and fill it. When a player knows his skill set, he will be able to understand what roles are realistic. Some roles include – scorer, shooter, rebounder, defender, rim runner, ball handler, cheerleader – yes this is an important role that is needed.

“The secret is to have eight great players and four others who will cheer like crazy.” Jerry Tarkanian UNLV Coach

#5 PLAYERS EVALUATE THE TRYOUT AND OTHER PLAYERS

Exceptional players use self-evaluation to improve. There will be more than one tryout, so analyze how you played. See the areas where you excelled and the ones that could be improved.

Don’t try to do more than you are capable of doing. If you are not a good shooter – DO NOT SHOOT! Focus one 1-2 things that you want the coaches to notice.

#6 THE little things ARE THE BIG THING!

The little things really do matter. One final thing – SAY THANK YOU to all the coaches. Get a good night’s sleep and eat breakfast!

  1. BE IN SHAPE! There will be a great deal of conditioning on the 1st day of tryouts. A high school player should be in the best shape ever.
  2. PLAY DEFENSE
  3. BE ENTHUSIASTIC