Each year, millions of high school athletes around the world prepare for the most important week in the sports season– tryouts. Every time tryouts roll around, these athletes are faced with the challenge of getting psychologically prepared for a week of evaluation.
There are many different methods, even superstitions, to prepare for tryouts. Some athletes eat a specific meal the night before, wear a certain shirt, or arrive at the field early to prepare mentally. Others just try to be ready physically.
Tomasso Helwig, a junior at Community High School, has a unique perspective on tryouts. He was cut from junior varsity soccer at Huron High School last year, despite making the team the previous year. Helwig focused on the physical aspects of getting ready for tryouts.
“Obviously, I think you have to go out and show the coach that you belong on the team,” said Helwig. “Especially with a new coach, you have to go out and make sure he notices you, because if you don’t stand out from the pack, you’re going to have trouble making it.”
According to Helwig, the weeks before tryouts are also vital in terms of getting prepared psychologically.
“I think you have to avoid getting complacent going into tryouts,” said Helwig. “Even if you make a team the year before, there’s no guarantee that you’re going to make it again, so you have to keep running and keep working hard to get better in the off-season so you can show well at tryouts. As soon as complacency sets in, you’re going to have a hard time achieving anything.”
Waleed Samaha is the varsity basketball coach at Huron High School, and had a different perspective on tryouts, coming from a coaching angle.
“Any coach will tell you that… there are two days of the season that are the absolute worst,” said Samaha. “And that is when you lose your last game, and the second worst is the day you make cuts.”
According to Samaha, getting mentally and physically ready for tryouts can be the deciding factor in making a team.
“The biggest thing for athletes coming into tryouts is to be mentally and physically prepared. You have to get a good meal the night before, get a good night sleep, and stay relaxed prior to tryouts. If you can do those things, the chances of performing well in tryouts are much greater.”
Samaha also talked about looking at a player from an academic and social standpoint, not just as an athlete.
“I look at what kind of person is he, what kind of work ethic does he have, what skills will he bring to the team that may not be basketball specific,” said Samaha. “So when you look at our team, you look at a group of guys who– certainly there are more talented guys who don’t make the team, but it’s what you bring to the team overall that will ultimately determine what role you will play in the program.”
There is no doubt that finding a way to separate yourself from the crowd is one of the most important things in tryouts. Figuring out how to stand out, however, is the the real struggle.
“Just come into tryouts prepared and ready to work hard, and there shouldn’t ever be any debate,” said Helwig. “If you get ready the right way and avoid complacency, you’ll won’t have any trouble standing out and making the team.”
