Tryouts often seem more stressful than they need to be. Working hard and pushing one’s self is a key criteria for success, as is arriving on time (look the gym up on a map ahead of time), working hard and staying hydrated (bring a water bottle).
Although a drill may have a particular focus, such as ballhandling or shooting, there are numerous other elements involved in the performance of those skills. Perhaps the drill starts or stops with a well-placed pass or requires a player to visually scan the court as they move. Athletes who take care to execute all these little things, in addition to the primary skills, will make a positive impression.
Players should endeavour to showcase their defensive skills as much the offensive ones. In a transition drill, coaches don’t want to see a stream of open lay-ups as much as players from both sides who are reading and reacting to what the other side does. Those who are not likely to lead the scrimmage in scoring may try to lead in floor burns.
Coaches hope that players are as active as possible during tryouts, accumulating as many repetitions as possible but there are still moments of inactivity. Moments when someone can listen carefully to feedback (feedback is meant to create a challenge for you, not challenge you) or watch the drill in progress for hints on how to do better all demonstrate coachability. Just because an athlete isn’t doing something at that very moment doesn’t mean that they should ignore everything else that is taking place.
Very few athletes use dedicated practice when waiting for the practice to begin. So many players stand idly by or toss up shots that will never be attempted during a game. Very few athletes arrive with a goal in mind, for example to improve their first step or create a more reliable pull-up. It is one thing to follow the instructions that the coach gives during the tryout but something else to develop one’s own plan and take initiative to follow it.
Tryouts are not entirely individual exercises. Combinations that work well together and squads that communicate constantly are attributes of winning teams. Even gestures as simple such as encouraging another’s effort or helping someone off the floor reveal teamwork skills.
Aside from all that, have fun and learn something new.