Schools typically host tryouts for their sports teams in August, so now is a great time for your young athlete to prepare if they haven’t been practicing already. The leadup to school sports tryouts can be a stressful time for parents and children alike — kids may doubt their skills or worry about messing up at a critical moment, while parents may not know how to best support them from the sidelines.
These tips from local sports coaches are some of the best ways both parents and children can prepare for youth sports tryouts.
Let Them Set Their Own Goals
Parents should remember that their child will be the one trying out for a specific team, not them. It’s normal for parents to have expectations or hopes for their child, but forcing a child to try out for a team above their level or for a sport they do not enjoy may do more harm than good. Allowing your child to choose a sport they are passionate about can lead to them putting more effort into practicing, because it’s something they want to achieve rather than an obligation.
Support, Don’t Coach
Even if a parent has participated in the same sport their child is trying out for, that does not mean that they will automatically know what the coach is looking for during tryouts. Parents should support their children and give them advice when necessary or if they are asking for it but should not overload their child with tips or reminders. Practicing for tryouts is stressful enough already, and putting additional stress on children may affect their performance.
Practice Together and Apart
Parents can play a key role in helping their children prepare for tryouts by actively participating in their kids’ training, whether they’re practicing free throws with them at the gym, throwing a football back and forth or serving as a goalie. It’s a good opportunity to both get some good exercise in and to create long-lasting memories for both parents and kids alike.
You may not always be available to train with your child, though, so looking into drills or exercises they can do on their own is helpful. Some parents may also want to research private coaches in their area, especially if their child is trying out for a higher-level team or if the parent’s schedule does not allow them to participate in their child’s training.
Focus on The Things Your Child Can Control
Young athletes cannot control whether a coach picks them for a team or what other players are doing, but they can choose which skills they show off during a tryout and the effort they put into tryouts. Parents should encourage their children to be themselves and showcase their strengths and the parts of the sport they enjoy most. It can be helpful for parents to have a conversation about this with their young athletes beforehand, as it can inform the areas they focus on during practice.
Making a mistake during a tryout is always a possibility, but how your young athlete reacts to it can be more important to a coach than the fact that they slipped up. Remind your child to be receptive to feedback, as it can help them improve in the future.
Be Aware of Your Own Feelings
Children can be easily influenced by how their parents are behaving. If a parent is stressed, their child may feel similarly anxious. It’s normal to be nervous about tryouts, but children should not feel that they are disappointing their parents if they don’t make the team. Parents should be there for their child to offer encouragement and help them feel confident and prepared.
That does not mean that you shouldn’t talk about pre-tryout jitters, though. If your child is nervous, you should talk with them about it and reassure them that it’s a normal way to feel. This can also help children find ways to cope with anxiety that work best for them and may even soothe parents’ worries.
Stay Healthy in Other Ways
While practicing is one of the most important ways to prepare for a sports tryout, living a healthy lifestyle is just as important for improving performance. During the lead-up to a tryout, make sure that your child is eating healthy food, drinking water and getting a good night’s sleep every night. This will help them stay energized and focused during tryouts.
Tips From a Trainer
We asked Jeremy Smoot, director of fitness training at Ohana Growth Partners, which owns multiple Planet Fitness gyms in Maryland, about more questions parents may have about preparing for tryouts.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
How can kids practice for tryouts during the off-season?
The first thing is to make sure you’re being active. You don’t want to spend the summer
months on the couch playing video games or watching TV. For high school students, Planet Fitness has a free summer membership, so you can work with fitness trainers to find a routine that fits your sport. What’s more important, though, is prioritizing cardio and strength training to improve your endurance.
What characteristics do coaches look for when selecting players?
They’re looking more at intangibles. It’s great when you have a strong, fast and skilled player, but coaches look more at the potential and character of each individual. Are they someone who’s going to be on time? Are they willing to take criticism to become better? Are they willing to show up [to practice] early and stay late to work on the skills they need to improve?
How can kids deal with pre-tryout nerves in a constructive way?
I like to say that being nervous just means you care. Reminding yourself that you’re nervous because you want to do well can help. I do breathing exercises like box breathing, which is where you inhale for four seconds, hold it in for four seconds, exhale for four seconds and hold for four seconds. It helps stabilize your nervous system and regulate your emotions. It may be hard to do in the moment, but taking the time to do that can help kids center themselves.
