Tryout Do's and Don'ts - How to Impress the Coach

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I am getting a ton of questions from people who have never put their DD through a Tryout. I thought it would be nice to get advice straight from the coaches mouth. What are the do's and don'ts of tryouts for the girls AND for parents? I am looking for things like, don't show up late, don't wear your team uniform etc. Should she ask questions? You get the idea....

 

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Wear pants - no shorts. Also - wear a softball (no volleyball, basketball, or ******) t-shirt from your high school or middle team or else a tournament t-shirt. Don't cut off the sleeves and don't cut it open from the armpit to the waist.

 

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Don't run your mouth, don't give up, and hustle! The rest will take care of itself.

 

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Wear pants - no shorts. Also - wear a softball (no volleyball, basketball, or ******) t-shirt from your high school or middle team or else a tournament t-shirt. Don't cut off the sleeves and don't cut it open from the armpit to the waist.

What does wearing shorts or pants or what is printed on your t-shirt have to do with a try out ?

I wouldnt judge a kid by what they wore or the style they wore. What your asking is for kids to not wear what every kid does.....

 

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Don't keep looking at your parent.

 

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No. I agree with Backstop. "Apparel" matters.

And might I add my two cents worth: Don't let your parents chat up the fellow tryout parents about how great you are. There is nothing to be gained by this, and much to be lost.

 

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Hustle and show your coachability by listening to any advice from the coaches and acknowledging and trying it. DON'T roll your eyes even once, and don't yell at your parents!

 

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Tell the coach you are an orphan.

 

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Tell the coach you are an orphan.

Cute:cap:

 

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Don't keep looking at your parent.

Its best if parents just stay in the car.

 

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Hustle and show your coachability by listening to any advice from the coaches and acknowledging and trying it. DON'T roll your eyes even once, and don't yell at your parents!

Amen

Also, coaches look more at what you do after you miss the ball ( and you will miss the ball ) then how you catch the ball!

 

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Big Plusses:

- be respectful
- say please and thank you
- thank the coaches for the opportunity (they remember these kids)
- HUSTLE-HUSTLE-HUSTLE be first to every drill

Big minus's

- looking at the parents constantly
- parents yelling in at their DDs
- when told how to bunt saying "I know", if you did the coach would not advise
- being negative
- crying, or showing frustration over a miss, keep you head up

How you dress matters. My wife will not take a girl with the sides of shirt split up to the arm pits, or one with make-up on..........she is looking for players not fashion queens.

Wear softball pants or shorts, NOT sweats. Wear a short sleeve T-shirt. Look neat and like you care. Tuck in your T-shirt. Be ready to play.

People who think these things do not matter are kidding themselves.

And be a good parent. Wait in the car. Be positive with your DD when you see her.

I can tell you my wife has passed on girls that were talented for all of the following reasons:

- attitude at tryout
- parents, either yelling at girl or approaching her and asking her a bunch of questions at tryouts.........big red flag.........this is not the time, she has 40-60 girls to look at and does not have the time.......ask to call later if you must
- girls with slits in the side of their shirts (she HATES that)
- girls without cleats
- girls who walk between stations..........if you are not hustling at the tryout, imagine what they will be like in mid season

 

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Its best if parents just stay in the car.

Agree with this and the earlier post of not chatting up parents about how great your kid is. It is annoying and nothing good ever comes from it. Tell your psychologist how great your daughter is. I doubt anyone else cares.

 

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As far as apparel, I don't care what shirt they wear or if it's cut up, it means nothing to me and I wouldn't even take it into consideration. I do like when they wear pants though, I like to see them slide.

Come on time and hustle from the time you step on the field until the time you get in your car. The girls who hustle always stick out in my mind, give 100% the entire time. Nothing worse than girls who are lazy or argue with you.

Don't goof off in the lines, pay attention and do whatever is asked of you. Do NOT look at your parents after every move and NEVER roll your eyes!!

Parents - ASK as may questions as you can about the team, organization, coaches, and other parents. DO NOT spend the entire tryout telling everyone how great your dd is and giving them the low down on her stats. Chat, watch and absorb!!

Spartansd - I have to say, I like when the parents come and ask me questions, I always tell parents to ask questions. If they can't approach you at tryouts, that sends out a red flag that you aren't willing to answer questions and may be unapproachable during the season. They want to make an educated decision and if they aren't permitted to approach or talk to you at tryouts when do they get the info?

 

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@klump:

I agree that a coach who won't answer questions is a red flag. But I also agree with spartans that if there is a big turn-out, it is hard for the coaching staff to both evaluate the players and answer parent questions. That's why I think the OFC posts and team websites should cover many of the general questions that most parents/players want to know about.

 

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I really don't get the what they wear and make up thing at a try out. Judge them on their talent, attitude, effort and parents but to pass on a girl that is good in all those categories just because you don't like the shirt they wear seems ridiculous. If you want them, then tell them you have a dress code that doesn't allow certain wear or make up and then see if that is agreeable to both. But do it up front, don't take a girl then impose a bunch of goofy rules down the line after they committed.

I think Klump has it right.

 

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Parents don't have to sit in the car, just sit far off to the side, walk around away from field and you can still see them play, watch and don't say anything. Just enjoy the opportunity for them. Let them carry their own bag too....

 

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Clothing doesn't matter to me as long as it is comfortable for them to wear to show talent.

Have your paperwork ready. Carry your own equiptment to the field. Be sociable with the other girls trying out. I want to see that you will talk on the field. If someone does something great yell for it or go slap hands with that person. If you make a mistake (missing cut-off, etc.) tap your chest to let the others know that you messed up. Own that position when it is your turn-this includes errors.

Remember you will probably mess up at try-outs, but it's how you react to it that will get you noticed.

 

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Be early.
After the 12u years don't wear a painted helmet.
I agree - wear pants. It makes it easier to slide and dive.
Run on and off the field - and into position for the next drill.
Have your own water or sports drink.
Have sun glasses or a visor handy.

Parents - sit in the bleachers or in a chair down the line and don't say a word!!!

 

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I want to see that you will talk on the field. If someone does something great yell for it or go slap hands with that person. If you make a mistake (missing cut-off, etc.) tap your chest to let the others know that you messed up. Own that position when it is your turn-this includes errors.

Remember you will probably mess up at try-outs, but it's how you react to it that will get you noticed.

Excellent post!