Any Tryout Tips?

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My dd just finished her first year on a 12u travel team. We had a good experience and she learned a lot. We are looking to move on to a different team for next year and as a parent I am a bit overwhelmed with the tryout process. We are from NWO and there aren't as many options around here as in other parts of the state. Do any of you more seasoned parents or coaches have any tips for her when she goes to a tryout or for me trying to decide what team(s) to take her to tryout for? Any tips for how to prepare for a tryout or what coaches are looking for would be appreciated! Thanks!!

 

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Practice. Have her field both hard shots and soft rollers from SS position and 3rd base with someone to receive them from first. Make sure you count down after contact with that bat to help improve speed. Putting her under pressure will help knock out some of the nervousness. Do soft pop-ups in the outfield to help work on footwork.

For hitting, have her stand in front of a mirror doing a matrix. To help correct any flaws in her swing.

As for teams, the 2 largest ones are the Wizards and Buckeye Heat in the area. I've heard (no knock to BH), that they have a great program to start girls from rec positions to help them get to the top elite teams.

 

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Some odds and ends ...

* Ask others who have played in these organizations what their experience was
* Try to see the teams you are interested in play here before the end of the season
* Talk to the coaches in advance of and/or after the tryout to find out what they are looking for, their philosophies, etc.
* Tell your daughter to relax, have fun at the tryouts she attends, and hustle, hustle, hustle

 

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Some good tips but I will add:

- don't be a wallflower. You want to stand out and this is not the time for the shy routine.
- use your voice, call every ball. If you are being put through any teamwork drills, show you can communicate with other players.
- when in doubt slide
- dive after everything - don't be afraid to make a mistake.
- showcase your arm - fire that ball! over hand or pitching
- no walking on the softball field.
- when you make a mistake (and you will), don't show frustration. Coaches want players who can shake it off and move to next play or pitch.

 

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Good stuff above, also as a parent watching, go off to the side, sit back in the shade and let whatever plays out, play out. Don't wince or cringe, or make faces to your daughters, as they feel enough pressure to perform that day. When it's over if the coaches want to talk to you and your daughter, let her talk and then you talk if the coach directs it to you.

 

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Encourage/cheer for your fellow tryout-ees. As much as you really are at the tryout to show that you're the best candidate, you also need to show that you'll fit in with the team.

 

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Good stuff above, also as a parent watching, go off to the side, sit back in the shade and let whatever plays out, play out. Don't wince or cringe, or make faces to your daughters, as they feel enough pressure to perform that day. When it's over if the coaches want to talk to you and your daughter, let her talk and then you talk if the coach directs it to you.

Great advice right here! No one wants to willingly take a player with "that parent"". Let them find out mid season

 

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Don't be deterred for being turned down by teams or don't have an offer by the time school starts. There's opportunities popping up year round. Form good relationship with coaches and stay in touch. You never know when the perfect spot for your DD might pop up when you least expect it!

 

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GREAT advice above - - i eventually stopped hitting like for every post because they are all good.

DD should dress appropriately, some coaches simply do not like cut-out shirts. First impression is important.

For parents - if you and your daughter haven't seen the teams she is going to try out for, do so - - watch the coaches and how they treat the girls. Watch the girls to see if they encourage and care for each other. Watch the parents.

There may be a team she'd like to play for that, upon observation, she realizes is not a good fit for her. Conversly, there may be a team she didn't think about trying out for that she realizes she would LOVE to join.

Good luck!

 

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My dd just finished her first year on a 12u travel team. We had a good experience and she learned a lot. We are looking to move on to a different team for next year and as a parent I am a bit overwhelmed with the tryout process. We are from NWO and there aren't as many options around here as in other parts of the state. Do any of you more seasoned parents or coaches have any tips for her when she goes to a tryout or for me trying to decide what team(s) to take her to tryout for? Any tips for how to prepare for a tryout or what coaches are looking for would be appreciated! Thanks!!

Prep work for you:
- Determine criteria of team you want - competitiveness, coaching style, travel costs, time commitment, ...
- Compile a list of teams that meet your minimum criteria. Research ones you're unsure about.
- Find out what positions the coaches' kids play.
- Rank them by odds of making team and getting playing time: dream, a stretch, good shot and sure thing.
- Contact coaches ahead of tryouts to gauge level of interest in DD.
- Determine which teams' tryouts to attend.
- If there is a schedule conflict, contact coaches to see if they have an alternate time.

At try out:
- Make sure DD has everything she needs (e.g. water) during tryout so she isn't coming to you during it.
- Don't carry or haul your DD's stuff from car to field.
- Check her in and confirm scheduled end time.
- If you don't recognize the coaches, find out who's who and introduce yourself to one you contacted.
- Don't brag about DD.
- Don't bad-mouth former coach and/or team.
- Coaches at a well-run tryout will address the parents as a group, probably while girls are warming up.
- Wait until they're done before asking questions. If it is of general interest, ask with the group. If not, do it afterward.
- Don't coach or root for your DD during tryout.
- Try to objectively gauge your DD's performance and the other players.
- Try to get additional info about the team from several people during the tryout.
- Afterward, simply thank the coach before leaving. They'll say something if there is interest.

 

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- Afterward, simply thank the coach before leaving. They'll say something if there is interest.

This is huge. Our Org has a very large turnout and the coaches and parents are kept separated. Last year a player took off before we could advise them that their DD was on the list and to chill out for the night. We called at 10pm and she had taken a spot with another team about 30 minutes earlier because they did not think there was any interest. This player was not a gotta get but on the list of 20 taken back to the war room to figure out who to put on the team.

So it is wise to get in line or wait 15 minutes (if it takes that long) to say hello, thank you, and get a slight idea of interest.

 

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ALSO;
For all those DD who are on teams they love, Keep in mind - if you are on a year to year contract you will more than likely be asked to come to tryouts. Even if you know you will be asked back next year - TRY OUT LIKE YOUR NOT SURE!.

This will show the girls who are trying out what is going to be expected, it will help push them to do their best.
when your standing on line waiting your turn try to show the girls trying out the ropes and try to keep them lose.

Plus, even if You are sure you will be asked back - situations can change, Positions change, coaches change.
Don't be over confident and end up on the outside looking in.


Keep following the advise given by these experianced contributers even if this is your 9th year with your org.

 

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Thank you all so much for you encouraging words and tips! You are all too kind.

 

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Prep work for you:
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- Find out what positions the coaches' kids play.
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... Probably #1 !!!

 

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All of tge above are great tips for tryouts! However, I would like to add one more for you before you select a team for your DD to play on. If she is offered multiple spots, try and practice with every team that offered several times before making a decision.

 

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All of tge above are great tips for tryouts! However, I would like to add one more for you before you select a team for your DD to play on. If she is offered multiple spots, try and practice with every team that offered several times before making a decision.

I don't see a whole lot of coaches having the patience to wait for a player to work through this process. While you're practicing with other teams, the team who may be your best choice is filling their roster with kids who will commit.

 

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lol, not interested in that position, right?!

 

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don't be deterred for being turned down by teams or don't have an offer by the time school starts. There's opportunities popping up year round. Form good relationship with coaches and stay in touch. You never know when the perfect spot for your dd might pop up when you least expect it!

a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y!!!!!!!

 

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I asked the same question about 2 weeks ago. The thread was "newbie tryout advice". There was some awesome advice!
Good luck!

 

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I have seen a few people suggest contacting the coach ahead of time. I guess I am wondering what to say. I mean I'm sure they don't want/have time to hear from every parent there. What would make them want to hear from me? Wouldn't that be more annoying to them when they are trying to run several tryouts and see way more girls than they have room for? We made a list of the teams we want to try out for and have gone to two tournaments to watch several of them.
I know the tryouts will be packed and just don't want to start off on the wrong foot by emailing/calling them beforehand.