PREPARING FOR TRYOUTS
Pre-tryout: Brush up on your skills for at least a couple days leading up to the tryout. Take a friend, sibling, or parent and practice defense and throwing daily. You’ll also want to take some swings off the tee and in the batting cages. Make sure to practice bunts, too! You will be expected to sprint everywhere on the field so get some conditioning workouts in before your tryout to increase your stamina and agility. Running the bases, doing sprints, and stretching thoroughly will put you in tip-top shape for tryouts.
Focus on the fundamentals and you'll be ahead of the game!
Come Early & Be Prepared: Being on time for a tryout means being at least 15 minutes early with your registration form already completed. You do not want to be straggling onto the field while every other player is fully dressed and waiting on you to begin the tryout.
Likewise, there is almost nothing worse than being unprepared at a tryout, so make sure you have everything you need. You may want to pack your bat bag the night before to ensure that you don’t miss a thing: Cleats, glove(s), sliding pads, batting helmet, batting gloves, bat, and water.
Leave your nerves at home. You are at a tryout because you have the skills and you want to be there. Don’t let your nervousness get the best of you!
The Tryout: Tryouts are fairly basic. After everyone arrives, the coaches usually give a quick pep talk to try and calm everyone’s nerves. They’ll introduce themselves and go over the format for the tryout. Then the tryout will generally proceed in the following fashion:
====
Jog, stretch, and warm up your arms
Run the bases (timed)
Defensive workout
Offensive workout
Pitching and catching
Final meeting before being released
====
Skills and Positions: You will be asked what positions you play. Make sure the coaches are aware of your BEST position, but take some repetitions from as many positions as possible. You should never tell a coach that you are not willing to play a certain position. Hustle to where you are directed, and try your hardest.
Hustle for every ball. You should never leave a tryout wearing a sparkling clean uniform. Show the coaches that you are a well-rounded player and willing to play anywhere.
When you are trying out at each position, be aware of what skills they require.
Coaches will be looking for certain abilities:
At first and third base, you will be expected to be able to anticipate where every ball will be thrown, field all throws (both good and bad), and be fearless of all grounders.
At second base and shortstop, you’ll be expected to have great range, good hands, a good arm, and aggressiveness on grounders.
In the outfield, you will be expected to talk loudly, have outstanding range and a great arm, be able to run down fly balls, throw to the correct base, and dive for any ball that requires it.
If You’re a Pitcher: you will be expected to reasonably hit your spots, throw with adequate speed and some command of pitches. You will also need to demonstrate proper mechanics and the ability to field your position.
If You’re a Catcher: you should show proper mechanics in catching, throwing (to different bases) and blocking; to be agile and quick on bunts and pop-ups.
Batting/Offense: Demonstrate proper swing mechanics, good pitch selection and the ability to make good contact. You’ll also be asked to bunt (and righthanders-if you know how to drag or slap from the opposite side be sure to let the coaches know). Confidence and a hitter’s mentality at the plate should be apparent.
Baserunning: Coaches will not be looking just for raw speed; they’ll also be looking for clues that you understand how to run the base such as how to set up on the base, when to leave on a steal, how to take proper angles when taking extra bases, and how to slide properly.
Attitude & Coachability: Coaches are looking for team players — athletes who are willing to sacrifice for the team rather than play only for themselves. Your attitude and whether you are coachable will be a huge factor for their decision.
As the adage goes, “your attitude determines your altitude.”
Keep Your Composure after Errors: Do not put yourself under the pressure of thinking you can’t make a single error during a tryout. People make mistakes; that’s human nature, and coaches don’t expect perfection. But it’s how you react to your mistakes that will be noticed.
You may commit a physical error from time to time, but try to eliminate mental errors. Immediately pick yourself up and hustle after a missed ball. After you get the ball, throw it back and ask for another. If a coach sees that you don’t give up on yourself, they won’t give up on you either.
Be Supportive & Loud: Be vocal. You want to stand out during a tryout so do not be mute or unresponsive. When other players are up to bat or taking grounders, cheer for them. Pick them up. If you were them, wouldn’t you want to have the same support?
If you are a positive person and supportive of others while trying your hardest, you will surely be noticed. Also, respond to any and all feedback, whether it’s coming from the coaches or the players. Thank them for advice and prove to them that you are actively listening, not just hearing their words.
Athleticism & Potential: Understand that coaches are looking for the best players to form their teams so you really have to come prepared to shine. Know your abilities and play towards your strengths.
Tryouts generally test the basic abilities for playing softball. But you should not be afraid to go all out and make the diving attempts at tough plays. Even if you miss a ball, coaches will appreciate (and remember) the effort.
Hustle: Show a coach that you are athletic, not lazy. Make sure you run everywhere on the field. When you are taking grounders, get in and get out of the hot seat. If you miss a ball, hustle to retrieve it and get back in position, ready for the next one. If you are shagging balls during batting practice, hustle after ever ball. No coach will appreciate a player who just stands around.
Be a Leader: Coaches are looking for leaders, which means that you should take it upon yourself to take charge! Do not be shy to be first for the drills. When a coach has to wait for someone to step up and be the first to go, it can get frustrating, and they will likely be less inclined to select a player who appears tentative. Step up to the plate and be a leader. Even if you are the first player to take a ball or bat at every station, so be it. It’s definitely for your benefit.
Bottom Line: Talent is only one piece of the puzzle. Coaches are also looking for players with tremendous hustle, enthusiasm, and work ethic. Girls that love softball, that want to be the very best they can be, that are looking for a team that will teach them how to reach their goals, and to have fun in the process. Is that you?
Pre-tryout: Brush up on your skills for at least a couple days leading up to the tryout. Take a friend, sibling, or parent and practice defense and throwing daily. You’ll also want to take some swings off the tee and in the batting cages. Make sure to practice bunts, too! You will be expected to sprint everywhere on the field so get some conditioning workouts in before your tryout to increase your stamina and agility. Running the bases, doing sprints, and stretching thoroughly will put you in tip-top shape for tryouts.
Focus on the fundamentals and you'll be ahead of the game!
Come Early & Be Prepared: Being on time for a tryout means being at least 15 minutes early with your registration form already completed. You do not want to be straggling onto the field while every other player is fully dressed and waiting on you to begin the tryout.
Likewise, there is almost nothing worse than being unprepared at a tryout, so make sure you have everything you need. You may want to pack your bat bag the night before to ensure that you don’t miss a thing: Cleats, glove(s), sliding pads, batting helmet, batting gloves, bat, and water.
Leave your nerves at home. You are at a tryout because you have the skills and you want to be there. Don’t let your nervousness get the best of you!
The Tryout: Tryouts are fairly basic. After everyone arrives, the coaches usually give a quick pep talk to try and calm everyone’s nerves. They’ll introduce themselves and go over the format for the tryout. Then the tryout will generally proceed in the following fashion:
====
Jog, stretch, and warm up your arms
Run the bases (timed)
Defensive workout
Offensive workout
Pitching and catching
Final meeting before being released
====
Skills and Positions: You will be asked what positions you play. Make sure the coaches are aware of your BEST position, but take some repetitions from as many positions as possible. You should never tell a coach that you are not willing to play a certain position. Hustle to where you are directed, and try your hardest.
Hustle for every ball. You should never leave a tryout wearing a sparkling clean uniform. Show the coaches that you are a well-rounded player and willing to play anywhere.
When you are trying out at each position, be aware of what skills they require.
Coaches will be looking for certain abilities:
At first and third base, you will be expected to be able to anticipate where every ball will be thrown, field all throws (both good and bad), and be fearless of all grounders.
At second base and shortstop, you’ll be expected to have great range, good hands, a good arm, and aggressiveness on grounders.
In the outfield, you will be expected to talk loudly, have outstanding range and a great arm, be able to run down fly balls, throw to the correct base, and dive for any ball that requires it.
If You’re a Pitcher: you will be expected to reasonably hit your spots, throw with adequate speed and some command of pitches. You will also need to demonstrate proper mechanics and the ability to field your position.
If You’re a Catcher: you should show proper mechanics in catching, throwing (to different bases) and blocking; to be agile and quick on bunts and pop-ups.
Batting/Offense: Demonstrate proper swing mechanics, good pitch selection and the ability to make good contact. You’ll also be asked to bunt (and righthanders-if you know how to drag or slap from the opposite side be sure to let the coaches know). Confidence and a hitter’s mentality at the plate should be apparent.
Baserunning: Coaches will not be looking just for raw speed; they’ll also be looking for clues that you understand how to run the base such as how to set up on the base, when to leave on a steal, how to take proper angles when taking extra bases, and how to slide properly.
Attitude & Coachability: Coaches are looking for team players — athletes who are willing to sacrifice for the team rather than play only for themselves. Your attitude and whether you are coachable will be a huge factor for their decision.
As the adage goes, “your attitude determines your altitude.”
Keep Your Composure after Errors: Do not put yourself under the pressure of thinking you can’t make a single error during a tryout. People make mistakes; that’s human nature, and coaches don’t expect perfection. But it’s how you react to your mistakes that will be noticed.
You may commit a physical error from time to time, but try to eliminate mental errors. Immediately pick yourself up and hustle after a missed ball. After you get the ball, throw it back and ask for another. If a coach sees that you don’t give up on yourself, they won’t give up on you either.
Be Supportive & Loud: Be vocal. You want to stand out during a tryout so do not be mute or unresponsive. When other players are up to bat or taking grounders, cheer for them. Pick them up. If you were them, wouldn’t you want to have the same support?
If you are a positive person and supportive of others while trying your hardest, you will surely be noticed. Also, respond to any and all feedback, whether it’s coming from the coaches or the players. Thank them for advice and prove to them that you are actively listening, not just hearing their words.
Athleticism & Potential: Understand that coaches are looking for the best players to form their teams so you really have to come prepared to shine. Know your abilities and play towards your strengths.
Tryouts generally test the basic abilities for playing softball. But you should not be afraid to go all out and make the diving attempts at tough plays. Even if you miss a ball, coaches will appreciate (and remember) the effort.
Hustle: Show a coach that you are athletic, not lazy. Make sure you run everywhere on the field. When you are taking grounders, get in and get out of the hot seat. If you miss a ball, hustle to retrieve it and get back in position, ready for the next one. If you are shagging balls during batting practice, hustle after ever ball. No coach will appreciate a player who just stands around.
Be a Leader: Coaches are looking for leaders, which means that you should take it upon yourself to take charge! Do not be shy to be first for the drills. When a coach has to wait for someone to step up and be the first to go, it can get frustrating, and they will likely be less inclined to select a player who appears tentative. Step up to the plate and be a leader. Even if you are the first player to take a ball or bat at every station, so be it. It’s definitely for your benefit.
Bottom Line: Talent is only one piece of the puzzle. Coaches are also looking for players with tremendous hustle, enthusiasm, and work ethic. Girls that love softball, that want to be the very best they can be, that are looking for a team that will teach them how to reach their goals, and to have fun in the process. Is that you?
